Legislative Update

Legislative Update: 2025 Legislative Session dates announced

133345 — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 13:23:19 +0000

Legislative Update: 2025 Legislative Session dates announced

133345 Fri, 09/20/2024 - 09:23

September 20, 2024

After a brief hiatus, the FICPA Legislative Update is back, keeping Florida’s CPAs informed on key political news of interest to the profession.

As summer comes to a close, much of the immediate focus is on the upcoming general election. With just under 50 days util Floridians head to the polls, televisions around the state are filled with political ads, as candidates knock doors and attend events, hoping to return to Tallahassee or win election for the first time as a new member.

While election season is at the forefront, governance, planning and legislative matters still garner the significant attention of state leaders. This week features some important decisions and announcements by legislative leadership in preparation for the 2025 Session.

Additionally, the FICPA team hits the road for some key events keeping members informed on everything they need to know about the election and upcoming Session.

Legislative leaders announce key dates

The dates for the 2025 Legislative Session, including interim committee weeks, have officially been announced. This announcement was made by incoming legislative leadership, in advance the pending elections, to allow advocates and key stakeholder to begin planning for their time in Tallahassee.

The Organization Session will take place on Nov. 19, 2024, two weeks after the General Election on Nov. 5. The Organization Session is rightly named, as new legislators will be officially sworn in, officers will be elected, new rules will be adopted by each chamber, and members will be appointed to legislative committees.

Interim Committee Weeks are then held to allow time for committees to meet and begin vetting and exploring key issues and proposed legislative concepts before the legislative session convenes on March 4, 2025.

Below are the key interim committee weeks announced this week.

Nov. 19, 2024	Organization Session
Dec. 2-6, 2024	Committee Week 1 (House only)
Dec. 9-13, 2024	Committee Week 1 (Senate only)
Jan. 13-17, 2025	Committee Week 2
Jan. 21-24, 2025	Committee Week 3
Feb. 3-7, 2025	Committee Week 4
Feb. 10-14, 2025	Committee Week 5
Feb. 17-21, 2025	Committee Week 6
March 4, 2025	Regular Session begins
May 2, 2025	Regular Session ends

FICPA hosts regional events

The Governmental Affairs Team attended a pair of FICPA Days this week in Jacksonville and Miami.

The team hosted an informative CPA/PAC and Advocacy luncheon with presentations on polling data around the state from Ray Walker, Vice President of Government Affairs with the University of North Florida, in Jacksonville and Alex Coelho, Senior Data Analyst with the Florida Chamber Political Institute, in Miami. These presentations provided FICPA members and CPA/PAC supporters with an “inside scoop” into key races and issues around the state.

President & CEO Shelly Weir and Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell also hosted a pair of Legislative Town Halls, offering updates on the profession, an overview of the 2024 Legislative Session and what's coming next in Tallahassee.

Our third and final FICPA Day takes place in Tampa on Sept. 24, and we look forward to seeing you there!

Condominium’s legislative and regulatory environment

On Sept. 9 and 19, Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a pair of roundtables in Miami Lakes and Pinellas Park to hear from condo owners, legislators, association leaders and other stakeholders. In the wake of the Surfside tragedy, the Legislature took significant actions aimed at increasing safety requirements and accountability for association directors and boards. These roundtables comes after many concerns that have surfaced for owners, such as increased assessments for repairs and reserves, and impending deadlines.

Over the summer, rumors circulated that Gov. DeSantis would call a Special Session to address these issues. However, there was not legislative consensus, as Senate President Kathleen Passidomo publicly stated that she was not interested in calling a Special Session at this time.

During the roundtable, the governor strongly encouraged the Legislature to take action to help remedy or delay some of the deadlines and costs around the new requirements in the laws before the end of the year. The FICPA Governmental Affairs team does anticipate that a piece of legislation will surface from these conversations.

The FICPA Governmental Affairs team is keeping its Common Interest Realty Association (CIRA) Committee informed and engaged, as they serve as subject matter experts and provide information to the Legislature and state leaders when needed. The FICPA Governmental Affairs team will continue to update the members at the appropriate time.

Board of Accountancy meets in Orlando

The Florida Board of Accountancy (BOA) met on Sept. 13 in Orlando. FICPA President & CEO Shelly Weir and CEAO Jason Harrell attended the meeting to represent the profession. With so many significant issues and changes to the regulatory structures for the profession around the nation, the FICPA remains committed to working in close partnership with the BOA on behalf of Florida CPAs.

During the meeting, Weir was able to provide the BOA with an update on several important regulatory changes being proposed at the national level, and Jason provided a legislative update. The FICPA greatly appreciates its strong working relationship with the BOA and its staff.

The next BOA meeting will be held Oct. 25, also in Orlando.

Looking ahead: Fun facts

There are only 46 days until the 2024 general election.
The FICPA Governmental Affairs team will host a 2024 Election Town Hall on Nov. 12, 2024, from 10-11 a.m., with one hour of free CPE available.
Since the end of the 2024 Session on March 8, the FICPA team has sent nine Legislative Update emails to members and provided 12 legislative and advocacy town hall presentations and updates around the state at chapter meetings, conferences, and other events.

Topics

FICPA Government Affairs

Legislative Update

Legislative Update: Florida primary recap and analysis

133345 — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 12:14:02 +0000

Legislative Update: Florida primary recap and analysis

By FICPA Staff

133345 Fri, 08/23/2024 - 08:14

August 23, 2024

The Florida primary was held on Tuesday, and individuals across the state headed to the polls to make their voices heard.

As a reminder, a primary election is generally comprised of candidates from the same party running against one another in order to advance to November's general election. That said, if there is no other qualified candidate in the general, a race may be decided in the primary.

Throughout the summer, the FICPA Government Affairs Team traveled across the state, meeting with candidates and monitoring the races in preparation for the big day.

When the final votes were tallied, there were few surprises on Tuesday night. In fact, the night's big takeaway centered on turnout, which was relatively low, with no high-profile statewide races on the ballot. Of note: Republicans in Florida led Democrats in turnout by almost 14 percent, with roughly 420,000 more Republicans voting in the primary then Democrats. It is not clear yet if this turnout disparity is a sign of things to come in the general election, or just a result of higher turnout for certain local races pushing higher partisan interest in those areas.

A few other interesting takeaways from the primary:

No incumbents in Florida lost their federal or state legislative seats in the 2024 primary election.
No recounts were triggered for Florida's federal or state legislative seats in the 2024 primary election.
Seven primary victors – one in the Senate and six in the House – have no opposition in the general. As such, those races are decided, and those members elected or re-elected.
In total, 11 races – two in the Senate and nine in the House – were decided either at the end of qualifying or the primary. For comparison, in 2022, 39 seats were decided by the primary.
All 11 candidates elected without opposition so far are Democrats. All Republican candidates will face opposition in the general.
In addition to the 11 already elected by the primary, three candidates – one in the Senate and two in the House – will only face write-ins in the general, essentially ensuring they will win and be elected.

A successful primary for the profession

The CPA/PAC has strategically supported many of the candidates running in the primary and is pleased to announce that 100% of the candidates supported by the CPA/PAC have won their primary races. These candidates will move onto the general election, where they are poised to be very successful. Now, the full focus shifts to the general election in November.

Next up: The 2024 general election

The 2024 general election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Your FICPA Governmental Affairs Team will remain fully engaged on behalf of the profession throughout the next few months until all votes are cast.

After the election, on Nov. 12, we will be reviewing all election results in Florida in a special town hall-style "Capitol Connection: Election Edition" that will be open to all members and offer CPE credit. In the meantime, reach out to the Governmental Affairs Team if you have any questions.

Florida CPA/PAC: Revitalized and ready to win

If you have not done so, now is the time to make your contribution to the Florida CPA/PAC to have the greatest impact on the general election.

As a firm

Previously known as the Top 250, our Firm Champions program is an updated way for CPA firms to get involved and help the Florida CPA/PAC to continue to be the voice of the profession in the political process. We have streamlined the contribution levels and made the benefits clearer and more impactful.

Please consider showing your firm support at the following levels: 

Elite Firm Champion: $5,000+ 
Premier Firm Champion: $1,000-$4,999 
Firm Champion: $250-$999

If paying online, select “other” and follow the steps indicated. Note that you will need to email [email protected]" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">[email protected] and let us know you have made this contribution and want it counted as a Firm Champion contribution.

If you need to request an invoice, please email [email protected]" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">[email protected] and indicate the amount in the body of your email. You can also mail a check to:  

Florida CPA PAC - Main 
250 S. Orange Ave, Suite 300P 
Orlando, FL  32801 
c/o Jason Harrell, Firm Champions Program

As an individual

These contributions go to the regional PAC, where you live. You may learn more and make payments online by clicking here. Or you can mail a check to:

Florida CPA PAC
250 S. Orange Ave, Suite 300P
Orlando, F  32801

Topics

Legislative Update

Legislative Update: Navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Debby

133345 — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 16:33:19 +0000

Legislative Update: Navigating the aftermath of Hurricane Debby

FICPA Governmental Affairs Team

133345 Thu, 08/08/2024 - 12:33

August 9, 2024

Hurricane Debby on Monday made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane near the city of Steinhatchee in Florida's Big Bend region. The Steinhatchee River near Cross City rose nearly 8 feet as Debby came ashore, and state officials said residents in the area could expect continuing heavy flooding into the next week. The FICPA would like to extend its heartfelt sympathies to the individuals, families and businesses impacted by this storm.

With Debby's impact still being assessed by state and federal agencies, rest assured the FICPA will advocate for the profession and submit any appropriate relief requests as needed.

As part of the recovery, Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday activated the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program, allocating $10 million for businesses affected by the storm. The program offers short-term, zero-interest loans to small businesses that have suffered economic or physical damage due to the hurricane. Florida small business owners in need of assistance, including sole proprietors, are encouraged to visit www.FloridaJobs.org/EBL to apply for the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program.

Unfortunately, Debby is probably not the last storm Florida will face this year. As a reminder, the recently passed FICPA priority legislation on automatic tax extensions included in HB 7073 – Taxation provides an automatic tax extension when a state of emergency has been declared within 5 days of a deadline. It does not appear that the extension will apply to this state of emergency- Governor's Executive Order. That said, the new statutory language is in place and will be triggered when applicable.

If you or a client needs any assistance with a specific storm-related question, please contact the FICPA Governmental Affairs office.

FICPA hosts first State and Federal Tax committee meetings of the member year

Over the past two weeks, the FICPA has continued its collaboration with practice leaders within the CPA profession. Both the State Tax and Federal Tax committees held their first meetings of the member year. These first organizational meetings are an important step in ensuring a productive year. The committees discussed the current legislative and regulatory polices within the tax accounting practice and coordinated communications to membership on emerging and sustaining issues. The FICPA’s membership provides insight into the profession and issues related to their unique practice areas. This collaboration from all sectors strengthens the profession in the state and beyond.

2024 Election update – it has begun

Early voting has officially kicked off in parts of the state, and all 67 counties in Florida will be open for early voting starting Saturday, Aug. 10. The arduous work of candidates will pay off on Election Day (Tuesday, Aug. 20), as the results of the Florida primary election come out. Many local and state races will be decided in open primaries, and those not decided in the primary will continue to the general election in November.

The Governmental Affairs Team continues to carefully monitor races that are important to the profession. If you are interested in hearing more about the election season, consider joining our next Capitol Connection: Election Edition livestream scheduled for Friday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m, featuring everything you need to know about the 2024 Florida Primary Election in 30 minutes or less.

This will be a special edition of the Capitol Connection, where the Governmental Affairs team will break down the results of the primary election, giving electoral insight and looking ahead This is a premium opportunity normally reserved for contributors of the CPA/PAC but is being made available to all for the summer as a member benefit. If you need help registering for these virtual meetings, please contact any Governmental Affairs Team member.

Looking ahead

As we move forward from the impact of Hurricane Debby, the focus will be on continued recovery efforts. The FICPA will keep you informed about updates to recovery programs and financial assistance available to small businesses.

The FICPA will also keep members updated on any new developments or extended deadlines and provide guidance and support to navigate any challenges related to tax filings and emergency declarations.

And, of course, as the election season progresses, we will keep an eye on local and state races that could impact the CPA profession. The results from the primary election will set the stage for the general election, and the FICPA will continue to provide insights and analysis on election outcomes and their implications for the profession.

Topics

Legislative Update

Hurricane Debby

Legislative Update: Tax holidays, committee meetings and more

133345 — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 20:27:12 +0000

Legislative Update: Tax holidays, committee meetings and more

FICPA Governmental Affairs Team

133345 Thu, 07/25/2024 - 16:27

July 25, 2024

With July coming to an end and August on approach, Florida's primary election, a new school year and the start of the college football season are all on the horizon.

Summer Tax Holidays

A good reminder for parents: The Florida Legislature passed a Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday for necessary school supplies, extending from July 29-Aug. 11.

Tax-free items include personal computers and accessories valued under $1,500. Also included are clothing items, footwear and backpacks valued under $100 and school supplies including writing utensils, notebooks and lunchboxes valued under $50.

Visit floridarevenue.com/backtoschool for answers to FAQs and further details.

The Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday is running concurrently with the Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday, which makes outdoor recreation equipment and admission to state parks sales tax free through July 31.

2024 Election Update

It is full speed ahead for political races, as Florida's primary election is just four weeks away, on Aug. 20. From local seats to a presidential election, Floridians are sure to be bombarded with political mailers and television ads in the weeks ahead.

The FICPA Government Affairs team continues to carefully monitor races that are important to the profession. If you are interested in hearing more about the election season, consider joining the next Capitol Connection: Election Edition livestream, scheduled for Friday, Aug. 23, at 10 a.m.

This premium opportunity - normally reserved for contributors of the CPA/PAC - is being made available to all FICPA members for the summer as an added benefit. If you need help registering for these virtual meetings, please contact any Governmental Affairs Team member.

FICPA Governmental Affairs hosts committee meetings

This week, the FICPA Government Affairs Team hosted the first round of committee meetings for the 2024-2025 member year. Both the State and Local Government Committee and the Common Interest Reality Associations (CIRA) Committee met this week to initiate the agenda matters for the year.

The Governmental Affairs Team will continue its meeting schedule next week, with the State Tax Committee.

The FICPA's internal committees are critically important to the success of of our advocacy efforts, with each committee possessing valuable knowledge that informs our work.

The FICPA is proud of the volunteer leaders who consistently provide insight into matters of importance to the profession.

Monitoring economic conditions: Supporting business in Florida

Last week, the Florida Department of Commerce announced that the state unemployment rate has remained lower than the national rate for 44 consecutive months. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate holds at 3.3%, below the national unemployment rate of 4.1%. Private sector employment is up 2% over the past year, with the professional and business services sector adding 6,000 jobs in June alone.

In recognition of the state's growth, CNBC recently named Florida as the country's No. 1 economy for the second consecutive year. U.S. News & World Report also recognized the state as No. 1 in June 2024.

“Florida has been ranked the number one economy for the second year and continues to lead the nation in new business formations, proving that Florida is the best place for businesses and families to grow and thrive,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly.

Looking Ahead

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is in the final stages of rulemaking on the CPA Retired Status. The FICPA continues to monitor and collaborate with DBPR and the Board of Accountancy on developing rules from the past year's legislation.

Most importantly, the FICPA will keep you updated on all regulatory and political developments in Tallahassee and across Florida.

Next week Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell and Legislative Affairs and Governance Manager Brayden Harrell will travel to the FICPA Scholarship Foundation's Ocean Reef Annual Retreat. We are looking forward to seeing our FICPA members and their families in beautiful Key Largo.

Topics

Legislative Update

Legislative Update: Gov. DeSantis concludes actions on 2024 legislation

133345 — Fri, 12 Jul 2024 12:02:53 +0000

Legislative Update: Gov. DeSantis concludes actions on 2024 legislation

By FICPA Staff

133345 Fri, 07/12/2024 - 08:02

July 12, 2024

Programming Note: Election season is in full swing, and the FICPA Governmental Affairs Team is counting down the weeks to the Florida Primary Election on Aug. 20. Many races will be decided in the primary while others will continue to the general election where candidates will be on the ballot alongside state constitutional amendments and a presidential election.

If you are interested in hearing more about the election season, consider joining our next Capitol Connection: Election Edition Livestream at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 19. Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell and Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs Lauren Henderson will bring you everything you need to know about the 2024 Florida Elections in 30 minutes or less.

We request that the link not be shared outside the FICPA, as the information on the call is sensitive, timely and privileged.

Gov. DeSantis concludes actions on legislation from 2024 Session

All bills passed by the Legislature during the 2024 Session have now been acted on by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Although Session ended more than four months ago, it took until the last week of June for all legislation to make its way to the governor’s desk and for him to make final decisions on the fate of those bills. This officially signals the end of the legislative cycle, with all eyes now on the 2024 elections.

Like previous years, most bills passed by the Legislature were bipartisan and approved overwhelmingly or unanimously. Likewise, the governor approved most bills without much fanfare or opposition. That said, as is the case each year, several bills did not meet the governor’s approval; those legislators and advocates must go back to the drawing board next session to try again. Several others, although highly contested, were ultimately approved by the governor.

Included in these final pieces of legislation was SB 1600: Interstate Mobility, which has been signed into law. The bill provides a new process and criteria for licensure by endorsement for those professions that do not already have it in statute. It also provides new license mobility provisions for certain health care practitioners. Thanks to the hard work of our CPA legislators, the CPA profession maintains its normal regulatory structure.

With the governor now finished signing legislation, state agencies will continue to develop the rulemaking for bills. The FICPA will monitor the rulemaking process and will keep you updated as the 2024 legislation is implemented.

In total this year, 325 bills passed both chambers of the Legislature. From those, the governor approved 299, including the annual tax package, and vetoed 14, with the remaining 12 being filed with the secretary of state.

State Legislative Policy Committee meets in Fort Lauderdale

Last Monday, the Governmental Affairs Team traveled to Fort Lauderdale for a meeting of the State Legislative Policy Committee. The committee is charged with developing the state legislative and regulatory policies for the FICPA each year. These policies guide the FICPA's position on various issues. The committee discussed pending issues facing the profession and workshopped ideas to move forward into the next Legislative Session. The FICPA would like to extend thanks to Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors for hosting the meeting and to all the volunteer leaders who give insight and support to our advocacy team.

Strum receives Legislative and Advocacy Resource Award

During the State Legislative Policy Committee meeting, the Governmental Affairs Team presented committee chair Guy Strum with the inaugural FICPA Legislative and Advocacy Resource Award. This inaugural award recognizes Chair Strum’s professional knowledge and dedication to the profession. A true advocacy program thrives on the support of its members. Strum, a partner with Gladstone Strum & Company, also chairs the legislative subcommittee of the FICPA's Common Interest Realty Committee and serves as a member of the FICPA Council. Thank you, Guy, for your involvement and professional insight.

Board of Accountancy meets in Orlando

On Thursday, July 11, the Board of Accountancy held a workshop in Orlando. The Board periodically holds a workshop the day before a formal meeting to allow additional time for the members to vet and discuss topics and policies that may be considered at a future meeting. President & CEO Shelly Weir and Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell were joined by outside consultant Jennifer Green of Liberty Partners of Tallahassee to represent the FICPA and present important topics to the Board. During the workshop, Weir gave a presentation to the Board on mobility, emerging issues, and national discussions around the license.

On Friday, July 12, the Board of Accountancy hosted its regular meeting. The FICPA team was once again in attendance, as matters relating to licensure were on the agenda.

The FICPA continues to collaborate with the Board of Accountancy to ensure responsible licensure standards and mobility within the profession. We will continue to keep our membership informed as the Board makes additional decisions around licensure.

AICPA & CPA/SEA Interchange Conference

This week, Deputy Director of Governmental Affairs Lauren Henderson attended the Interchange conference along with other members of the FICPA team. Henderson attended workshops where she collaborated with other state society leaders on issues around licensure and mobility. She gained insight into emerging issues and ideas spreading across the nation. The FICPA Governmental Affairs Team is staying engaged on national issues impacting the profession.

Key Person Contact Program: Calling all CPAs!

The next several months will be critical to our success in the upcoming elections and the 2025 Legislative Session.

All politics is local, and the Governmental Affairs team needs CPAs who have relationships with legislators to help give that local, grassroots flavor to our advocacy program. Lobbyists are good at what they do, but no one tells your story as good as you. Our having a local contact can be the difference between success and failure in the legislative process.

If you know or have a relationship with a member of the Florida Legislature or Cabinet, please consider joining our Key Person Contact Program. Simply fill out this form and a member of the team will contact you.

Topics

FICPA Government Affairs

Legislative Update

Legislative Update: MEGA momentum, making moves

133345 — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 14:39:41 +0000

Legislative Update: MEGA momentum, making moves

FICPA Governmental Affairs Team

133345 Thu, 06/27/2024 - 10:39

June 27, 2024

The FICPA Governmental Affairs Team is happy to welcome you back to the Legislative Update. After a short hiatus, the team returns to our regular biweekly update. We would like to say thank you to all of those who joined us at Sapphire Falls Resort for MEGA 2024. It was fantastic to see all our members face to face. Since MEGA, the team has continued its work closing out the final bills and action items from the 2024 Session, and we now turn our focus to bill implementation and political work necessary for the 2024 elections.

Our MEGA Guest List

During MEGA, the Governmental Affairs team was happy to host several important legislative guests and provide key legislative updates to FICPA membership.

On Tuesday, June 11, we presented our FICPA Legislative Champion Award to Sen. Joe Gruters, CPA, for his constant support of the profession. Sen. Gruters played a leading role during this spring's Legislative Session, securing retired status and protecting CPAs from legislation that would have negatively impacted the profession.

Thank you, Sen. Gruters, for your continued leadership and for making sure #CPAsCount in Tallahassee.

Earlier that morning, FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell was joined by Liberty Partners of Tallahassee CEO Jennifer Green and FICPA State Tax Committee member Kevin Herzberg for a panel discussion. During the panel, the presenters focused on specific, tax-related legislation that passed during the 2024 Legislative Session. They also focused on emerging issues in the tax profession and all aspects of the 2024 state tax package.

On Wednesday morning, Harrell was joined Deputy Director Lauren Henderson for their 2024 Legislative Update. Harrell and Henderson offered insight into their work during the 2024 Session, touching on the demographics of the Florida Legislature, analyzing key legislation impacting the profession and looking ahead to election season.

Thank you to everyone who attended both sessions.

We were then honored to be joined by Florida's Chief Financial Officer, Jimmy Patronis, who served as MEGA's keynote speaker on Thursday morning. Patronis offered his unique insight into Florida’s current regulatory environment, provided an overview of his role in the state as CFO and shared his respect for value the work of Florida's CPAs. We deeply appreciate CFO Patronis’ support of the FICPA and his admiration for the profession.

The FICPA was likewise honored to be joined at MEGA by Sen. Ed Hooper, representing Pasco and Pinellas counties. Sen. Hooper has been a longtime supporter of Florida CPAs, he's a legislator the profession can count on, and we were proud to have him meet with our membership at MEGA.

The entire FICPA team would like to thank Sen. Hooper, Sen. Gruters, CFO Patronis and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Sec. Melanie Griffin for being a part of MEGA 2024. It was an honor to have you all!

2024 Election Update

The state qualifying period for the upcoming 2024 Florida elections concluded at noon on June 14. Post-qualifying, it is now clear who is officially on the ballot for the Primary and General Election. Of interest, eight candidates in Florida - one new Senator and seven incumbents in the House of Representatives - qualified without competition, meaning they have been automatically elected to their seats and will take office at midnight on Election Day. The remaining contested seats will either be decided in the Aug. 20 Primary or the Nov. 5 General Election.

Panama City Chapter Visit

The FICPA Governmental Affairs Team makes it a priority to stay engaged with FICPA members at the local level. Last week, Jason Harrell and Legislative Affairs and Governance Manager Brayden Harrell joined the Panama City Chapter for its Relaunch Social, following Hurricane Michael and the COVID-19 pandemic. Jason Harrell provided a legislative update and discussed issues relevant to the profession. Thank you to FICPA Board member Mindy Rankin for the invitation and helping to coordinate this great event.

Governor’s 2024 Bill Activity

On June 12, 2024, Gov. DeSantis signed HB 5001 – General Appropriation Act, commonly referred to as the state budget, for fiscal year 2024-2025. The state constitution requires the Florida Legislature pass a balanced budget each Session. The governor then has line-item veto authority to review items passed by the legislature before signing into law. As part of his actions in signing the budget, the Gov. DeSantis vetoed $949,611,399 that was originally approved by the legislature. This year’s final GAA totaled $116.5 billion, which includes $17 billion in reserves. The state fiscal year begins July 1.

On June 14, the Governor signed HB 1021 - Community Associations. This bill requires community association managers to keep and maintain accounting records for specified time periods. Records must be kept separate for each condominium the association operates. Any person who intentionally destroys accounting records that were required to be maintained or intentionally fails to maintain accounting records with the intent of causing harm to the association or its members is subject to a civil penalty.

The legislative season is ending, with all bills on the governor’s desk awaiting signature or veto. There are still a few controversial bills awaiting approval or veto. The FICPA team will update you on those actions as warranted.

Topics

FICPA Government Affairs

Legislative Update

Legislative Update: Retired CPA Status moves into rulemaking

133345 — Fri, 31 May 2024 13:26:01 +0000

Legislative Update: Retired CPA Status moves into rulemaking

FICPA Governmental Affairs Team

133345 Fri, 05/31/2024 - 09:26

May 31, 2024

As Florida temperatures heat up, so does the work of the FICPA Governmental Affairs Team!

We are pleased to report that the Florida Board of Accountancy (BOA) this week officially began the rulemaking process for the FICPA’s priority bill, HB 813 by Rep. Mike Caruso, creating a retired CPA status in statue.

The GA team remains on the road interviewing political candidates, educating prospective leaders on issues affecting the profession and telling the story of the 2024 Legislative Session at various events.

It’s going to be a long, sweltering summer, but the FICPA Government Affairs Team will continue to advocate on behalf of the profession and keep you up to date with the latest news from Tallahassee and across the state.

Board of Accountancy Holds Agency Rulemaking Meeting for Retired Status

On May 29, the BOA held a special meeting to discuss proposed agency rulemaking regarding the new Retired CPA Status.

The FICPA Government Affairs Team collaborated with the BOA and its staff to provide input and ensure clarification on the legislative intent of several key provisions of importance to FICPA membership.

During the meeting, draft rules and forms were reviewed by the BOA and approved to move forward to the next phase in the formal rulemaking process. The next step is for the rules approved by the BOA to go through the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee (JAPC) review. The JAPC conducts continuous oversight of executive branch actions, implementing legislatively delegated powers and ensuring that each action has an adequate statutory basis and all applicable procedures are followed.

As a reminder, the bill’s effective date is July 1, 2024, and the FICPA will continue to provide updates on its implementation.

Beyond Tallahassee

Last week, FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell attended the AICPA Spring Council Meeting along with the Florida Delegation and members of the FICPA team. Jason heard from and collaborated with other state societies on national issues affecting the profession – specifically, licensure and mobility.

At the Council Meeting, AICPA President & CEO Barry Melancon announced he would be stepping down after 30 years of service to the profession. The appointment for Melancon’s successor is expected to be made before the end of the year.

2024 Election Prep 

The FICPA Government Affairs team is also busy bringing you the most up-to-date information on the campaign trail. Deputy Director Lauren Henderson continues to travel around the state to meet and interact with potential candidates for the 2024 elections. Last week, Henderson attended a candidate forum hosted by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists in Tampa. Henderson heard from potential candidates on what is driving them to run to serve for either the Florida House or Florida Senate. She also had the opportunity to gauge candidate support of pro-CPA legislation and policy.

Over the next few weeks, the FICPA Governmental Affairs Team will continue to travel the state providing legislative updates and strengthening political activities. If you are interested in a visit from the Governmental Affairs Team or have any questions, please contact [email protected]" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">[email protected].

Governor’s 2024 Bill Activity    

Since the conclusion of the 2024 Legislative Session in March, Gov. Ron DeSantis continues his review of the 325 bills that passed the Legislature. Generally, the governor has 15 days to act on a bill once it is formally presented to him. So far, approximately 61% of bills have been presented and approved by Gov. DeSantis.

There are roughly 70 more bills that have not been placed on his desk for final consideration. Many of these bills are more controversial in nature, and the Governor and his staff must take more time to review and hear from all sides of a potential issue before acting.

However, FICPA anticipates that remaining bills will move quickly over the next few weeks to make sure they are finalized one way or another before the end of the state fiscal year on June 30. Of note, the state budget has not yet been presented, which must be completed before the state fiscal year begins on July 1.

Another key bill of interest, SB 1600 – Interstate Mobility by Sen. Collins, which FICPA did significant work on during Session, is also still awaiting its turn.

Regarding HOAs, this week Gov. DeSantis signed HB 293: Hurricane Protections for Homeowners' Associations by Rep. Sirois. The bill requires the board or council of a homeowners’ association to adopt hurricane-protection specifications.

Gov. DeSantis also signed HB 1093: Florida Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act by Rep. Caruso. The bill redefines statutory terms including beneficiaries, fiduciaries, “terms of the trust” and special tax benefits. The bill limits the lookback period for trust administration from an unlimited duration down to three accounting periods. The bill also requires a fiduciary to add undistributed income to the principal within a specified time; it adds an express requirement that a fiduciary act in good faith; and it makes the factors currently set out for a trustee to exercise adjustment powers applicable to all fiduciary decisions under the Florida Uniform Fiduciary Income and Principal Act.

Thus far, for the week ending on May 31, Gov. DeSantis has been presented with just one bill this week. Overall, he has approved 207 and vetoed two. Nine bills remain on his desk and 77 are awaiting presentation.   

Looking Ahead

The governor generally has until July 1 to sign the budget and any pending bills. Over the next month, the FICPA will keep you updated on his actions. Regardless of the governor’s actions in the coming weeks, the CPA profession is in a strong place moving into the next fiscal year.

Due to next month’s FICPA MEGA Conference, starting June 10, there will not be a Legislative Update on June 14. However, if there is any breaking news you need to know during that time, we will provide an Advocacy Alert. The Government Affairs Team will also be on hand to provide several legislative updates at MEGA. See you all there!

Topics

FICPA Government Affairs

Legislative Update

Legislative Update: Pushing through the storm, legislative activities continue

133345 — Fri, 17 May 2024 12:09:05 +0000

Legislative Update: Pushing through the storm, legislative activities continue

FICPA Governmental Affairs Team

133345 Fri, 05/17/2024 - 08:09

May 17, 2024

Just over two months since the end of the 2024 Legislative Session, progress continues to be made on the 325 bills passed by the Florida Legislature. However, some legislative activities took a bit of a back seat this week, as strong storms and several tornadoes did significant damage to Tallahassee and the surrounding areas, shifting the focus to storm recovery.

For the FICPA Governmental Affairs team, the work continues. We are focused on telling the story of the 2024 Session to our members, working diligently with state agencies on implementing bills that have been signed, and shifting attention to the political and grassroots work that must be done ahead of the 2024 election cycle.

Last week FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer (CEAO) Jason Harrell joined President & CEO Shelly Weir in Orlando for the UCF Accounting Conference. This event was another great opportunity to interact with members and provide important updates on the profession and FICPA’s advocacy program. During the conference, Weir presented statewide and national updates regarding the state of the profession. Shortly after, Harrell provided a summary of the past Legislative Session, highlighting the important victories secured for the CPA profession. The FICPA would like to thank the UCF Accounting Department for their invitation and hospitality.

On the political front, Harrell and Deputy Director Lauren Henderson continue to travel around the state to meet with potential candidates for the 2024 elections. This week, the team joined the Florida Chamber in Jacksonville for the continuation of the 2024 Florida Chamber Political Institute Candidate Interviews. These forums provide an opportunity to meet and ask questions of candidates. Over the two-day conference, Harrell and Henderson listened to more than 10 potential candidates on what is driving them to run for either the Florida House or Florida Senate. These activities by the FICPA team are critical to having a successful political and grassroots program.

Over the next few weeks, FICPA’s Governmental Affairs team will continue to travel the state, providing legislative updates and strengthening political activities. If you are interested in a visit from FICPA’s Governmental Affairs team or have any questions, please contact [email protected]" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">[email protected].

Governor’s 2024 bill activity    

Since the conclusion of the 2024 Legislative Session in March, Gov. DeSantis continues his review of the 325 bills that passed the Legislature. Generally, the governor has 15 days to act on a bill once it is formally presented to him. The governor’s staff is very diligent in reviewing each bill and coordinates with the presiding officers as to when bills are sent for the governor’s final consideration. This process does take time but is typically completed before July 1. So far, approximately 60.9 percent of bills have been presented and approved by the governor. Of note, the state budget has not yet been presented, which must be completed before the state fiscal year begins. Another key bill of interest, SB 1600 – Interstate Mobility by Sen. Collins, which the FICPA did significant work on during session, is also still awaiting its turn.

As of May 17, the governor has been presented with one bill this week. Overall, he has approved 198 and vetoed two. Nine bills remain on his desk and 104 are awaiting presentation.   

Of Interest to the profession

Of potential interest to all members, House Bill 1335 - Department of Business and Professional Regulation by Rep. Maggard was also signed by Gov. DeSantis. This bill was included in the DBPR agency legislative package and requires CPAs, and other professions and trades regulated by the DBPR, to have and maintain an online account with the Department to ensure all communication information is up to date for licensees. For members who may be interested in more details, please see the final bill analysis found here.

Another bill of interest, Senate Bill 382 - Continuing Education Requirements by Sen. Hooper was also signed by the governor. These bills allow departments and boards to exempt some licensees from continuing-education requirements under certain criteria. FICPA Advocacy in Action: CPA profession is not impacted.  For members who may be interested in more details, please see the final bill analysis found here.

In case you missed it: On Tuesday, May 7, Gov. DeSantis signed HB 7073 – Taxation, the state’s annual tax package. Among other provisions, the bill also contained FICPA-supported automatic tax extension language for when a state of emergency has been declared within five days of a deadline. Read more about the bill here.

With this action, the Governor has now signed both of FICPA’s priorities from the 2024 Session.

Executive Order: May Tornadoes

Last Friday, May 10, an intense thunderstorm moved across the southeast of the United States, bringing severe storms to the Florida panhandle. Numerous tornadoes were confirmed to touch down in Tallahassee, leaving thousands without power. Gov. DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for those affected counties. Please see the full order here.

Looking Ahead

The primary conversation in Tallahassee revolves around when Gov. DeSantis will receive the state budget for final review. Most expect this to be done in the next several weeks, but nothing is certain. There are also several other high-profile, controversial bills still awaiting consideration. The FICPA will continue to monitor these issues and will let members know when additional actions are taken.

Topics

FICPA Government Affairs

Legislative Update

Legislative Update: Road show recaps Session, looks ahead to election season

133345 — Thu, 02 May 2024 21:03:08 +0000

Legislative Update: Road show recaps Session, looks ahead to election season

FICPA Governmental Affairs Team

133345 Thu, 05/02/2024 - 17:03

May 3, 2024

With legislators back in their respective districts, the FICPA Governmental Affairs team is transitioning into more post-Session activities with an eye towards the fast-approaching 2024 campaign season.

Starting this week, your team is hitting the road to share key information with our members about the 2024 Session and begin strategic political activities for the campaign cycle. FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell kicked off the road show in Jacksonville presenting at FICPA Infusion Conference along with FICPA President & CEO Shelly Weir. The two discussed the pressing issues facing the CPA profession and major legislation tackled this past year with our 2024 Session in Review and State of the Profession presentations.

Also, on the road show this week, Deputy Director Lauren Henderson traveled to Orlando to participate in the 2024 Florida Chamber Political Institute Candidate Interviews. The event starts a month-long process of interviewing candidates across the state. This process allows those who are involved to have a “one-stop shop” to meet and ask questions of candidates running for office. Over the two-day conference, Deputy Director Henderson heard from more 20 potential candidates regarding their views and motivations for running for office.

Through grassroots events such as these, the FICPA helps to inform our members, stay connected with candidates and maintain key relationships with policymakers in Tallahassee. Developing a rapport and trust with members means that the CPA profession has a seat at the table when the legislature develops new policies. By engaging with candidates after Session, the FICPA shows a willingness to collaborate, which is extremely beneficial when the Legislature meets in Tallahassee.

Governor’s 2024 Bill Activity

In this week’s update, Gov. Ron DeSantis continues his review of the 325 bills that passed the Legislature. After Session, the governor generally has 15 consecutive days from the date of presentation to act on the bill. Nearly two months after the end of Session, the governor has acted on around half of the bills passed by the Legislature. This is a fairly typical pace for this process. In general, all legislation passed during session is presented to the Governor and acted on before July 1.

The Governor has been presented with eight bills this week. Overall, he has approved 136 and vetoed two. Forty-nine bills remain on his desk and 126 are awaiting presentation.  

Action on Bills of Interest

Since the last update, the governor was presented with and acted on several bills that FICPA was engaged on this year.

As noted previously, this Session saw several key pieces of condo and HOA legislation make its way through the process. This week, one of those bills was made official, as the Governor signed House Bill 1029 - My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program by Rep. Lopez. The bill establishes within Department of Financial Services the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program (MSFCP Program), with the intent that the program provide licensed inspectors and grants to eligible associations, as funding allows. For members who may be interested in more details, please see the final bill analysis found here.

Of interest to CPAs who audit insurance companies, the governor signed House Bill 939 - Consumer Protection by Rep. Griffitts. This bill is another priority of the DFS' legislative agenda and was a major priority for the FICPA advocacy team this year. Among other changes, the bill requires CPAs who audit insurance companies to have at least four hours of insurance-related CPE. As a reminder, the four hours of CPE is part of the existing 80-hour biennial requirement. This requirement is part of an engagement between the insurance company and the CPA firm and is not part of a CPA’s license renewal through DBPR or the Board of Accountancy. For members who may be interested in more details, please see the final bill analysis found here.

Also this week, the governor signed House Bill 989 – Chief Financial Officer by Rep. LaMarca, which was part of the DFS' legislative agenda. Among other changes of potential interest to the profession, the bill establishes a tax liaison appointed by the Chief Financial Officer to assist Florida's taxpayers with federal tax issues and authorizes credit unions to become qualified public depositories (QPDs) under certain circumstances. Of note, there is new CPA language staring on line 1462 of the bill providing that a that home warranty associations’ annual audited financial statements of the parent company are prepared by an independent certified public accountant and demonstrate that the net worth of the parent corporation is $100 million, with that information then provided quarterly to the office. For members who may be interested in more details, please see the final bill analysis found here.

Looking Ahead

The FICPA will continue to keep you informed as the governor signs bills affecting the CPA profession. Notably, the state budget and tax package are still pending the governor's review. Additionally, it is anticipated there will be a Special Session scheduled shortly after Memorial Day, which could potentially delay the budget signing a few weeks. It is believed the Special Session will focus on a small set of priorities specific to the governor, although nothing official has been announced yet. As always, FICPA will continue to keep you updated on the latest from Tallahassee.

Topics

FICPA Government Affairs

Legislative Update

Legislative Update: Retired CPA status bill reaches Governor's desk

133345 — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:41:08 +0000

Legislative Update: Retired CPA status bill reaches Governor's desk

FICPA Governmental Affairs Team

133345 Thu, 04/04/2024 - 15:41

April 5, 2024

Message from CEAO Jason Harrell

Now that the 2024 Legislative Session has concluded, our Legislative Updates will transition to a bi-weekly schedule. The updates will primarily focus on Gov. Ron DeSantis' actions relating to 2024 legislation and important information on the implementation of bills of interest. We will also cover any other notable events we feel you may need to know as we shift our focus towards the 2024 election cycle.

Rest assured, communicating with our members is a top priority. We will continue to provide timely updates to make sure that you have all the information you need to know with respect to our legislative and advocacy efforts.

In the meantime, if you have any specific questions please reach out to our team at [email protected]">[email protected] or reach me directly at [email protected]">[email protected].

Gov. Ron DeSantis signs SB 522 - Tallahassee Community College alongside Sen. Corey Simon

Governor's 2024 Bill Activity

Since the conclusion of the 2024 Legislative Session, Gov. DeSantis has begun his review of the 325 bills that passed the Legislature this year. Pursuant to Article III, section 8, of the Florida Constitution, the Governor has 15 days to act on bills presented to after conclusion of Session. Gov. DeSantis has already acted on several high-profile bills, including HB 3 - Online Access to Materials Harmful to Minors, a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, and several bills which comprised the “Live Healthy” Act, a priority of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. Gov. DeSantis signed SB 522 - Tallahassee Community College, a priority within the education silo and Senate sponsor Senator Corey Simon, changing the name of Tallahassee Community College to Tallahassee State College, bringing the brand more in line with the educational standards that the college provides.

Thus far, as of the afternoon of April 4, the Governor has been presented with 95 bills. He has approved 58 and vetoed two, while 34 remain on his desk and 219 await presentation.

Of interest to the profession, on March 22, the Governor signed HB 1471 - Public Employees. As a reminder, this is a follow-up bill to 2023 legislation requiring additional audits of unions. This bill, among other changes, provides clarification to audit language. The bill’s effective date is upon becoming law. For CPAs and firms who may be interested in more details, please see the final bill analysis found here.

FICPA 2024 Legislative Priorities Update

HB 813 - Certified Public Accountants

On Tuesday, April 2, HB 813 by Rep. Mike Caruso (SB 954) was signed by the presiding officers and officially presented to Gov. DeSantis for his review.

The Governor now has until April 17 to act on the bill. As a reminder, he may sign, let it go into law without his signature, or veto.

The FICPA Governmental Affairs team has done its due diligence providing technical information and an official letter or support to the Governor’s Office and other stakeholders regarding this important bill. FICPA will update our members on the Governor’s action when the time comes.

Harrell Provides Legislative Update to Florida Board of Accountancy

During the March 22 Board of Accountancy meeting, FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell was asked to provide a legislative update for the Board and staff detailing the results and outcomes of the 2024 Legislative Session.

During the update, Harrell provided information to the Board on several key bills of interest to the CPA profession. Harrell noted this was one of the most active sessions for the FICPA in recent memory, as we actively tracked more than 300 bills of the 2,000 filed. These 300 were identified as having potential impacts to the profession at various levels.

Harrell was happy to report to the Board the success of FICPA’s 2024 legislative priorities, with the passage of HB 813 by Rep. Caruso, creating a new “retired CPA” status in statute, and the inclusion of FICPA-supported automatic-extension language in the annual tax package, HB 7073. He also walked the committee through all key bills of interest, including audit and industry issues, tax, and licensure and mobility.

Regarding licensure bills, Harrell indicated that there were 15 bills filed this year that opened Ch. 455, the general licensing statute for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. This was a key focus for the Government Affairs team. There was also a helpful discussion around the potential implications and implementation of SB 1600 – Interstate Mobility by Sen. Collins. If signed, the bill will enact some new processes around licensure by endorsement.

Overall, this was an incredibly positive update from a busy and successful session. The FICPA appreciates the opportunity to present and thanks the Board for its ongoing partnership, ensuring a strong CPA profession in Florida.

Topics

Legislative Update