legislative highlights
(Circa 2009)
Ensuring Florida’s Future—Pre K-12 Education Budget
The Florida Senate has properly invested in our state’s intellectual capital in order to encourage world class education for our children. We refused to make cuts to the very system that successfully raised Florida’s education ranking from 31st in the nation in 2006 to 10th in the nation today.
This year our state was faced with an unprecedented $6.1 billion shortfall for the 2009-10 fiscal year; however we were able to secure $5.7 billion in federal dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Florida’s total budget for this year is $66.5 billion, with a total of $22.3 billion going to fund education. In the end, we were able not only to hold education harmless, but to increase per student spending to $6,873.07 per student statewide, which is a $28 increase for every child over last year’s budget.
Higher Education Funding
Florida’s leaders also worked hard this session to provide proper allowances for higher education. We were able to maintain current funding for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program to provide both incentive and reward for those students in Florida who work hard to achieve higher standards.
Making Our Roads Safer
Senator Altman co-sponsored the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law to protect Florida motorists and passengers by making riding in the front seat of a car without wearing the seatbelt a primary offense punishable by a $30 fine.
Additionally, Altman worked on two bills to enhance motorist safety that did not make it through the process. First, Altman’s booster seat bill, which passed the Senate but not the House, would protect child passengers by requiring those ages 5-7 to sit in a booster seat as opposed to a seat belt designed for an adult. Secondly, Altman sponsored the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act to standardize the use of red light enforcement cameras throughout the state. Red light cameras are being installed in an effort to encourage driver compliance with the laws regarding traffic control devices, thereby making our roads a safer place for all of Florida. The uniform system, provided in Senator Altman’s bill, will guarantee that the red light camera system is the same from one county to the next.
Corporate Income Tax
The very first bill to pass the legislature and be signed by Governor Crist this session was sponsored by Senator Altman. Senate bill 1112 corrected a technical glitch in the corporate income tax code. The bill amended Florida’s response to the 2008 federal stimulus, which as previously drafted had the unintended consequence of punishing taxpayers who counted on the federal stimulus by putting them in a worse position in Florida when they took federal bonus depreciation.
Developmental Disability Funding
Senator Altman sponsored a bill to generate additional funding for developmentally disabled Floridians by sponsoring the Autism license plate. Funds generated from the tag sales will be distributed to the Achievement Rehabilitation Centers to provide direct service programs for autism and related disabilities throughout the state of Florida. Achievement and Rehabilitation Centers is a nationally accredited, private, nonprofit organization providing supports and assistance primarily to children and adults with autism, Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities. The plate will raise money to provide more direct services to enhance the daily lives and future potential of these individuals.
Preserving the Environment
Senator Altman also sponsored Senate bill 244, creating an incentive for landowners to put their land into conservation easements, which are agreements to forego development of a parcel. SB 2244 implements Amendment 4, ratified by Florida voters in November. The first section of the bill grants an ad valorem tax exemption for property permanently dedicated to conservation; the second provides for lands used for conservation purposes on a non-permanent basis to be classified and assessed based on actual use.
UF Memorial
Altman also passed Senate bill 926 authorizing the University of Florida to build a special type of memorial called a columbarium. A columbarium is an above ground structure with individual niches to house urns. SB 926 allows the University of Florida to bring to fruition its plan to build an on-campus columbarium in response to many requests over the years for a location to place ashes after the passing of an alumnus or friend of the institution. The University of Florida will not be participating in any of the commercial activities associated with cemeteries and funeral services. Although UF is the only university with current plans to construct a columbarium, the bill allows for any state public university to do the same.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
Legislation ended an age-discriminatory practice in Florida that prevented individuals under age 65 with End-Stage Renal Disease or disability from purchasing Medigap supplemental insurance coverage. Medigap insurance covers the remaining 20% of what the federal Medicare program does not pay. This will empower Floridians of all ages to take control of their healthcare, and also result in significant savings to Florida’s Medicaid program by allowing individuals to purchase private health coverage rather than relying on the state.
Common-Sense Fuel Savings
Legislation by Senator Altman and Representative Workman will allow licensed commercial delivery services, such as United Parcel Service (UPS), to use low-speed utility vehicles and golf carts to deliver packages during the months of October-December. These vehicles use significantly less fuel than large deliver trucks, and permitting the use of more efficient delivery vehicles in residential areas will conserve hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel each holiday season. (This bill will go before the governor for final approval.)
Freedom of Choice for Developmentally Disabled
Parents and Guardians of developmentally disabled persons are currently limited in choosing housing for their loved ones by Florida’s discriminatory and outdated “1,000 foot rule.” Senator Altman sponsored legislation to eradicate the 1,000 foot rule requirement. Removal of this constraint will give parents, guardians, and persons with developmental disabilities the freedom of choice in deciding their housing. This bill passed the Senate, but not the House.
Alleviating Judicial Backlog
Senator Altman sponsored a bill to help reduce the excessive caseload currently affecting our judicial system by allowing parties to request a retired/senior Judge to preside over their hearing. The retired Judge’s costs will be paid by the parties requesting the senior judge. By allowing parties to bring in a senior judge at their own cost, others litigants will have better access to the Courts due to the reduction of the Judiciary’s caseload.
Helping the Construction Industry Weather the Storm
As a builder himself, Senator Altman knows all too well the pains being faced by Florida’s construction industry. In an effort to assist the construction industry through these dire times, Senator Altman sponsored legislation to statutorily extend construction development permits for a period of three years.
Perfecting the Lien Law
Senate bill 2064 addresses glitches in the current law pertaining to a party’s responsibilities and steps to take when dealing with construction defects. The bill simplifies confusing terminology, changes some of the proceedings regarding Notice and Service, amends provisions of destructive testing and clarifies that medication may be conducted as a voluntary alternative to the other procedures at any time. (This bill will go before the Governor for final approval.)
Vehicle Impoundment
Senator Altman passed legislation to make the process by which vendors of towing and immobilization follow, more concise and better regulated. The bill places more requirements on persons providing these services, thereby helping to guarantee the state a respectable service is provided. (This bill will go before the Governor for final approval.)
Ensuring Florida’s Future—Pre K-12 Education Budget
The Florida Senate has properly invested in our state’s intellectual capital in order to encourage world class education for our children. We refused to make cuts to the very system that successfully raised Florida’s education ranking from 31st in the nation in 2006 to 10th in the nation today.
This year our state was faced with an unprecedented $6.1 billion shortfall for the 2009-10 fiscal year; however we were able to secure $5.7 billion in federal dollars from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Florida’s total budget for this year is $66.5 billion, with a total of $22.3 billion going to fund education. In the end, we were able not only to hold education harmless, but to increase per student spending to $6,873.07 per student statewide, which is a $28 increase for every child over last year’s budget.
Higher Education Funding
Florida’s leaders also worked hard this session to provide proper allowances for higher education. We were able to maintain current funding for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program to provide both incentive and reward for those students in Florida who work hard to achieve higher standards.
Making Our Roads Safer
Senator Altman co-sponsored the Dori Slosberg and Katie Marchetti Safety Belt Law to protect Florida motorists and passengers by making riding in the front seat of a car without wearing the seatbelt a primary offense punishable by a $30 fine.
Additionally, Altman worked on two bills to enhance motorist safety that did not make it through the process. First, Altman’s booster seat bill, which passed the Senate but not the House, would protect child passengers by requiring those ages 5-7 to sit in a booster seat as opposed to a seat belt designed for an adult. Secondly, Altman sponsored the Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act to standardize the use of red light enforcement cameras throughout the state. Red light cameras are being installed in an effort to encourage driver compliance with the laws regarding traffic control devices, thereby making our roads a safer place for all of Florida. The uniform system, provided in Senator Altman’s bill, will guarantee that the red light camera system is the same from one county to the next.
Corporate Income Tax
The very first bill to pass the legislature and be signed by Governor Crist this session was sponsored by Senator Altman. Senate bill 1112 corrected a technical glitch in the corporate income tax code. The bill amended Florida’s response to the 2008 federal stimulus, which as previously drafted had the unintended consequence of punishing taxpayers who counted on the federal stimulus by putting them in a worse position in Florida when they took federal bonus depreciation.
Developmental Disability Funding
Senator Altman sponsored a bill to generate additional funding for developmentally disabled Floridians by sponsoring the Autism license plate. Funds generated from the tag sales will be distributed to the Achievement Rehabilitation Centers to provide direct service programs for autism and related disabilities throughout the state of Florida. Achievement and Rehabilitation Centers is a nationally accredited, private, nonprofit organization providing supports and assistance primarily to children and adults with autism, Down's syndrome, cerebral palsy, and other developmental disabilities. The plate will raise money to provide more direct services to enhance the daily lives and future potential of these individuals.
Preserving the Environment
Senator Altman also sponsored Senate bill 244, creating an incentive for landowners to put their land into conservation easements, which are agreements to forego development of a parcel. SB 2244 implements Amendment 4, ratified by Florida voters in November. The first section of the bill grants an ad valorem tax exemption for property permanently dedicated to conservation; the second provides for lands used for conservation purposes on a non-permanent basis to be classified and assessed based on actual use.
UF Memorial
Altman also passed Senate bill 926 authorizing the University of Florida to build a special type of memorial called a columbarium. A columbarium is an above ground structure with individual niches to house urns. SB 926 allows the University of Florida to bring to fruition its plan to build an on-campus columbarium in response to many requests over the years for a location to place ashes after the passing of an alumnus or friend of the institution. The University of Florida will not be participating in any of the commercial activities associated with cemeteries and funeral services. Although UF is the only university with current plans to construct a columbarium, the bill allows for any state public university to do the same.
Expanding Access to Healthcare
Legislation ended an age-discriminatory practice in Florida that prevented individuals under age 65 with End-Stage Renal Disease or disability from purchasing Medigap supplemental insurance coverage. Medigap insurance covers the remaining 20% of what the federal Medicare program does not pay. This will empower Floridians of all ages to take control of their healthcare, and also result in significant savings to Florida’s Medicaid program by allowing individuals to purchase private health coverage rather than relying on the state.
Common-Sense Fuel Savings
Legislation by Senator Altman and Representative Workman will allow licensed commercial delivery services, such as United Parcel Service (UPS), to use low-speed utility vehicles and golf carts to deliver packages during the months of October-December. These vehicles use significantly less fuel than large deliver trucks, and permitting the use of more efficient delivery vehicles in residential areas will conserve hundreds of thousands of gallons of fuel each holiday season. (This bill will go before the governor for final approval.)
Freedom of Choice for Developmentally Disabled
Parents and Guardians of developmentally disabled persons are currently limited in choosing housing for their loved ones by Florida’s discriminatory and outdated “1,000 foot rule.” Senator Altman sponsored legislation to eradicate the 1,000 foot rule requirement. Removal of this constraint will give parents, guardians, and persons with developmental disabilities the freedom of choice in deciding their housing. This bill passed the Senate, but not the House.
Alleviating Judicial Backlog
Senator Altman sponsored a bill to help reduce the excessive caseload currently affecting our judicial system by allowing parties to request a retired/senior Judge to preside over their hearing. The retired Judge’s costs will be paid by the parties requesting the senior judge. By allowing parties to bring in a senior judge at their own cost, others litigants will have better access to the Courts due to the reduction of the Judiciary’s caseload.
Helping the Construction Industry Weather the Storm
As a builder himself, Senator Altman knows all too well the pains being faced by Florida’s construction industry. In an effort to assist the construction industry through these dire times, Senator Altman sponsored legislation to statutorily extend construction development permits for a period of three years.
Perfecting the Lien Law
Senate bill 2064 addresses glitches in the current law pertaining to a party’s responsibilities and steps to take when dealing with construction defects. The bill simplifies confusing terminology, changes some of the proceedings regarding Notice and Service, amends provisions of destructive testing and clarifies that medication may be conducted as a voluntary alternative to the other procedures at any time. (This bill will go before the Governor for final approval.)
Vehicle Impoundment
Senator Altman passed legislation to make the process by which vendors of towing and immobilization follow, more concise and better regulated. The bill places more requirements on persons providing these services, thereby helping to guarantee the state a respectable service is provided. (This bill will go before the Governor for final approval.)