Government Digest: April 16 - April 22

Ports bills move ahead in both houses
TALLAHASSEE — The Senate Commerce Committee passed Senate Bill 1992, the “Florida Ports Investments Act”. The bill is aimed at providing incentives for insurance companies invest in exchange for future tax credits. The bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. The House version is passed.
On April 9, a House council passed HB 963 to assist seaport development by giving stronger assurances during the permitting process that the engineering and environmental concepts meet regulations. The bill also reduces the required match for rehabilitation of wharves, docks, berths, bulkheads, or similar structures from 50% to 25%, and authorizes seaports to enter into public private partnerships for certain projects. A Senate version of the bill was to be heard by a committee April 13.