NAA is a federation of 170 state and local affiliates, comprised of more than 50,000 multifamily housing companies representing more than 5.9 million apartment homes throughout the United States and Canada. Members in good standing of any affiliated association are automatically considered members of NAA and entitled to NAA benefits.

As a member of the Southwest Florida Apartment Association, you receive regular publications from both NAA and FAA, where in you can keep abreast of the services offered by both levels of affiliation, legislative monitoring being just one of them.   Please contact your AE if you are not receiving these publications.

FAA has hired a new Government Affairs Director:  Laura A. Heiselman

Laura replaces Chip Tatum who is now the executive vice president of the Apartment Association of Greater Orlando.

He replaces Gary Scarboro, former executive VP of AAGO, who has been hired by the Southeast Florida Apartment Association as their new executive director.

...............................Please see Laura's report below.........

 Session Update – Final Report

The Florida Legislature concluded the 2012 session at 11:59 PM on Friday, March 9, with barely a moment to spare.  In the final hours, they addressed many leadership priorities and some controversial measures, including PIP reform, the budget, the parent trigger bill and ALF reform.  They also informed members that they would soon begin a special session on apportionment of districts, after the Supreme Court rejected the proposed Senate maps.

Although short on revenues to build their budget, the 2012 session was not short on political intrigue.  With House and Senate presiding officers at odds, a number of members of the House slated to run against one another and the fight for the future leadership of the Florida Senate, the “politics” of Tallahassee impacted many major issues and votes. 

The interim promises to be just as exciting, with all 120 House seats and all 40 Senate seats up for grabs.  Meanwhile, once the Legislature has redrawn the Senate maps, the Supreme Court will undertake a final review.  If not drawn to their satisfaction, it is likely the Court will draw the new Senate maps themselves.

SB 1830 and HB 921 – Landlord/Tenant, by Senator Flores and Representative Stargel

SB 1830 and HB 921 relating to landlord tenant law, were filed at the initiative of Representative Kelli Stargel, who felt that several provisions in the landlord tenant law needed to be addressed to assist people, who in this economy, have found themselves somewhat unexpectedly, as landlords.  At first glance, the bill contained a number of provisions that caused us some concern, including a “punitive” reciprocity provision.  We worked very closely with the sponsor on addressing our concerns in the bill, until ultimately we arrived at a product that would have been somewhat helpful to the industry, specifically changes to the 3-day notice requirement and a change to the “45-day rule.”  HB 921 was approved by the House, over the objections of Legal Services and the Florida Consumer Action Network.  The Senate companion, SB 1830, did not make it to the floor of the Senate for consideration, and therefore the bill did not pass.

SB 1182 and HB 933 – Public Housing, by Senator Norman and Representative Rouson

These bills proposed changes to laws regulating public housing.  We amended them to include our language on the 45-day rule.  Due to controversial provisions relating to the public housing portion of the bill, the bills did not pass.

SB 1082 and HB 281 – Landlord/Tenant, by Senator Braynon and Representative Rouson

These bills were anti-landlord measures filed at the request of the Florida Consumer Action Network.  Neither bill was heard in any committee.

SB 1544 and HB 7003 – Swimming Pool and Spa Contracting, by Senator Altman and Representative Ahern

These bills were of concern to the association.  They were not heard in any committee.

SB 378 and HB 243 – Expert Witness, by Senator Richter and Representative Metz

For the second year in a row, the House approved this measure, which would have created a higher standard for expert witness testimony in lawsuits.  The Senate amended the bill with a lesser standard, and the bill died in the final hours of session when the bodies could not reach agreement.

SB 1638 and HB 1315 – Illegal Immigration, by Senator Altman and Representative Harrell

These bills were not heard in any committees.

Other bills we monitored:

·         HB 387 – PASSED – Electronic Filing of Construction Plans, by Senator Bennett and Representative Ahern

·         SB 442 and HB 283 – DID NOT PASS – Fair Housing

·         SB 1382 and HB 1077 – DID NOT PASS – Service Animals

·         SB 842 and HB 7081 – PASSED – Growth Management

·         SB 704 and HB 651 – PASSED – Building Construction and Inspection, by Senator Bennett and Representative Davis

·         SB 680 and HB 319 – DID NOT PASS – Residential Properties, by Senator Bogdanoff and Representative Moraitis (see elevator language)

·         HB 715 – PASSED – Self Service Storage Facilities by Senator Wise and Representative Caldwell

·         HB 503 –  PASSED – Environmental Regulation, by Senator Bennett and Representative Patronis

REAPPORTIONMENT

Since adjournment of the regular session, the Legislature has also recently completed a special session on reapportionment, and redrawn the Senate maps, over the objections of many in the Miami-Dade Delegation and various other members around the state.  The new Senate proposal resolves some issues, but causes some new ones too. The Hispanic members of the Miami-Dade Delegation largely voted against the plan, because they felt that the census numbers justified the creation of an additional Hispanic seat in Miami-Dade County.  The current district in question, a coastal district held by Senator Gwen Margolis, includes more Hispanic voters, but is still not an Hispanic access seat.  Also at issue, the new map draws Senator Andy Gardiner and Senator David Simmons into the same seat.  Senator Simmons has already said publicly that he will move to run in a neighboring district. Polk County, which the Senate map divides amongst multiple districts, was of particular concern to Representative Denise Grimsley, who also voted against the revised Senate plan.

The House maps create many similar issues, where incumbent members have found themselves in a district with another member or without a clear district in which to run.

What’s ahead for redistricting?  Well, Attorney General Pam Bondi sent the maps to the Supreme Court yesterday.  The Courts will review the maps in short time, and determine whether or not they comply.  Many experts have opined that the maps will not meet the Court’s approval, in which case, the Court will likely redraw the maps themselves, and no one is certain how they will draw them.

We will need to watch the process closely as it unfolds.

####

Laura A. Heiselman

Government Affairs Director

The Florida Apartment Association

341 N. Maitland Ave, Suite 130

Maitland, FL 32751

Direct: 407-599-0679

Office: 407-647-8839

Mobile: 407-575-3826

WHAT ABOUT APAC?

The  Apartment Political Action Committee, or APAC, provides our industry with means to impact the political process in Florida.  Raising funds for this committee ensures our prominence in Tallahassee and that our voice is heard.  
Requesting small contributions from many affiliate members is an effective way to broaden our base of support.  Soliciting just $25 as a voluntary contribution, on every member dues invoice will be a sufficient step forward for FAA and the apartment industry.  While optional, we hope you will contribute when paying your dues.