Q: What’s happening in the Florida Legislature as of today [interview date Jan. 21]?

A: We had our first committee week last week. There were organizational sessions and we were assigned to committees. We discussed some of the biggest issues facing Floridians: improving literacy programs to reach all of Florida’s learners; making property insurance more affordable; and protecting our communities against sea level rise.

We were also updated on the COVID vaccine roll out. One bill that has already passed the first committee is HB 7, which protects businesses, schools, religious organizations and nonprofits from frivolous lawsuits relating to COVID. This bill excludes health care providers, since they have more detailed needs. Another bill will be coming to address health care providers.

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Q: How does the legislature plan to address scams that are popping up regarding COVID vaccine charges?
A: COVID vaccines distributed at this time by any government provider are free. There is no charge for the administration of the vaccine since it is covered by the government. HB 9 is out of its first committee. It establishes criminal penalties to discourage fraudsters and protect Floridians. But the best protection is to remain informed and never give out financial information for a COVID vaccine. You can visit the official website, http://stjohns.floridahealth.gov/ for more information.

Q: Can you give us any insight into the budget as a member of the Appropriations Committee?

A: Florida entered the pandemic with well funded reserves. Those reserves took years to rebuild after the 2008 recession and modest debt levels. The state is required to pass a balanced budget each year and it is the one task that we must complete each session. We estimate revenues for the state four times per year and while the revenue outlook has improved from earlier projections, we still predict that it is going to be a difficult budget year. We have had a large increase in the number of people on Medicaid. The state’s primary revenue source is sales tax and a significant amount of that is paid by tourists. Tourism is down now and therefore so are our sales and gas tax revenues.

Q: Have you introduced any bills yet?
A: I filed my first bill, HB 155 which addresses voter privacy. Currently, Florida’s voter rolls are public record. We are one of only five states to follow that practice. This bill seeks to strengthen privacy laws by removing voter registration data, such as legal residence, date of birth, phone number and email address, from public records. The bill would limit who can request this data to: the individual whose records are confidential and exempt; a canvassing board or an election official in their official capacity; or a political party, party official, a candidate who has filed qualification papers, or a registered political committee for political purposes only. 

Q: Do you have anything else to share?
A: I will soon be preparing a video on how constituents can research and follow bills as they move through the legislative process. We receive many emails about bills that are filed each session. We hope this effort will help our citizens have access to the actual bill language, amendments and staff analysis for bills that interest them. It will be on my Facebook page and emailed with my newsletter when it becomes available.

Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you?

A: Readers can email me at Cyndi.Stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov or call my local office at (904) 823-2300.

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