Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Michael MolineJanuary 23, 2017

Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism couldn’t resist hazing Sen. Kathleen Passidomo before approving her bill to exempt female sanitary products from the sales tax. “I think this is Sen. Passidomo’s first bill” as a member of the committee, Sen. Jack Latvala said of his colleague, a Naples Republican elected to the […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 25, 2016

The Florida Senate’s economic development bill took its first step of the 2016 Legislative Session, unanimously clearing the Commerce and Tourism Committee on Monday. The bill’s sponsor, Clearwater Republican Jack Latvala, last week had promised it would contain provisions for film and television production incentives. Florida has been losing out to other states when it comes to film shoots. […]

Bill RuftyJanuary 20, 2016

The Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee passed a bill Tuesday by Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Lakeland Republican, protecting creditors from being sued or fined for continued harassing debt collection calls if the person owing the debt or their attorney fails to provide certain notice at a specific location. The vote was 7 to 3 in […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 19, 2016

An effort to add liability language to the state law governing drone aircraft is moving through the state Senate, now without a contentious clause calling for joint and several liability. On Tuesday, the Senate commerce and tourism committee approved a measure (SB 642) related to drones. The proposal, sponsored by Sen. Miguel Diaz de la […]

Jim RosicaNovember 17, 2015

State Sens. Nancy Detert and Jack Latvala delivered a one-two punch to the state’s moribund Film Office, essentially telling Film Commissioner Niki Welge she was being set up for failure. Welge appeared Tuesday before the Senate Commerce and Tourism committee, which Detert — a Venice Republican — chairs. Latvala, a Clearwater Republican, is another member. […]

Drew WilsonOctober 20, 2015

A bill that would create a program recognizing businesses that hire or support disabled workers cleared its first Senate committee stop Tuesday by a unanimous vote. SB 388 directs the Department of Economic Opportunity to work with CareerSource Florida to develop the Florida Unique Abilities Partner Program. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee, chaired by the bill’s sponsor, […]

Tag: Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee

Tampon tax exemption clears Senate Commerce Committee

Jack Latvala starts moving economic development bill with film/TV incentives

Bill protecting creditors from lawsuits advances

Drone legislation advances in Senate

Senate panel rakes over state’s film commissioner and incentives deal

Bill to recognize businesses who support disabled workers clears first hurdle