Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Bertha Henry
Department: County Administration Division: Intergovernmental Affairs/Board Section
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO APPROVE 2021 State Legislative and Executive Program, and to authorize staff to make any necessary technical and typographical corrections.
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Why Action is Necessary
Adoption of the State Legislative and Executive Program requires Board approval.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides direction to county Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section staff and contracted lobbyists.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
Annually, Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section staff develops a state legislative platform addressing Commission Priorities, Appropriation Requests, and Policy Proposals. Various county departments, divisions, offices, and sections have submitted policies and appropriations that will benefit the county. These proposals are compiled into one document titled the Broward County State Legislative and Executive Program for the 117th Congress (“State Program”). The State Program (Exhibit 1) will guide legislative advocacy efforts for the 2021 state legislative session. The State Program is distributed to the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, Administration, Broward State Legislative Delegation Members, and the state contract lobbying team for reference.
The State Program includes new and updated appropriations and policy requests, and statements of support and opposition, as well as carryover policy and appropriation requests. Each new and updated proposal is identified in the State Program. If additional Commission Priorities are identified, Intergovernmental Affairs staff will conduct briefings, and bring an item amending the State Program at a future meeting.
The State Program also endorses the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact’s 2021 State Legislative Priorities and the 2021 State Energy, Climate, and Resilience Legislative Principles. The Compact Leadership Committee approved its priorities and principles on August 20, 2020 and both are combined into one document as Exhibit 2.
Below are the updated statements and new statements, which have been added to the State Program for the first time, as well as the two local bills proposed to be filed with the Broward State Legislative Delegation for the 2021 state legislative session:
Broward County Guiding State Policies
• New: Provides statements of support for protecting human and civil rights, racial equity, and diversity training
Commission Priority Issues
• New: Provides statement on COVID-19 funding, testing, vaccinations, and public meetings
• Updated: Provides amended statements to support policies that address sea level rise, beach nourishment, alternative water supply and water infrastructure
• Updated: Provides amended statements of support on criminal justice reform
• Updated: Provides amended statements of support for economic development programs
• Updated: Provides amended support and opposition statements on fracking policies
Local Bills
• Provides support for the creation of a countywide Senior Services District
• Provides support for the creation of a dedicated source of funding for Affordable Housing in Broward County
Department Policy Proposals
• New: Provides for changes and clarifications of state laws relating to procurement procedures for large hub airports
• New: Provides a proposal by the Environmental Protection Consumer Division. This proposal would amend Florida Statutes to allow interlocal cooperative like the Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact to conduct public meetings and workshops by means of communications media technology
• New: Provides a proposal by the County Commission. This proposal would establish statutory requirements for peer-to-peer car-sharing, including liabilities and insurance obligations among participants
• New: Provides a proposal by the Environmental and Consumer Protection Division. This proposal would repeal a section of Florida Statutes to restore local governments’ abilities to benefit financially from the federal Section 179D tax deduction for installation of certain energy efficient features in government-owned buildings
• New: Provides a proposal by the Office of Regional Communications and Technology. This proposal would increase the monthly telephone 911 fees to cover the increasing costs associated with providing 911 services
County Appropriations Requests
• Updated: Provides a revised appropriation request of $400,000 for the Nancy J. Cotterman Center (NJCC). These funds will specifically be used to support the NJCC Advocate Program and the Human Trafficking Program
• Updated: Provides a revised appropriation request of $1,000,000 to supplement the purchase of anti-retroviral medications specifically prescribed for Broward County Test and Treat Clients
• Updated: Provides a revised appropriation request of $158,184 for the Long Acting Injectable Buprenorphine Pilot Program to provide treatment options for individuals who suffer from sever opioid use disorder
Statewide Appropriations Requests
• Updated: Provides a revised appropriation request for the Florida Resilient Coastline Initiative of $10 million
Source of Additional Information
C. Marty Cassini, Intergovernmental Affairs Manager, Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section, 954-357-7575
Edward G. Labrador, Legal Counsel, Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section, 954-357-7575
Devon West, Legislative Policy Advisor, Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section, 954-357-7575
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
No fiscal impact.