TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Wednesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another three bills into law, though he also vetoed four others.
One of the approved bills is set to go into effect on July 1, alongside nearly 180 other new laws. For a full list of these laws, click here.
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As for the seven bills that DeSantis dealt with on Wednesday, they are as follows:
HB 133 — Barber Criminal History (VETOED)
House Bill 133 aimed to amend state statutes regarding criminal history reviews of people applying to be licensed as a barber or a cosmetologist.
Under this bill, the timeframe that state officials have to deny such a license based on a criminal conviction would be reduced from five years to three years.
In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote the following:
“HB 133 singles out cosmetologist and barber applicants from a list of 14 types of business license applicants to change the licensing board’s process of review of criminal records. The bill categorically prohibits the board from considering an applicant’s criminal history within three years of the application for a license, but there may be a good reason for the board to have this information before making a decision regarding a particular applicant.”
Ron DeSantis, HB 133 Veto Letter
HB 165 — Beach Waters (VETOED)
House Bill 165 aimed to require — rather than simply allow — the FDOH to adopt rules and issue health advisories related to problems with water quality at beaches or public bathing places.
In addition, the FDOH would have to close these places down if they fail to meet water quality standards, so as to protect public health.
In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote the following:
“HB 165 suffers from a fatal infirmity: it grants authority to the Florida Department of Health to close beaches, waterways, and swimming pools. Health Departments like DOH can serve a valuable function, but they should not be vested with the power to supersede local jurisdictions regarding the operation of beaches. I have made water quality and protecting Florida’s natural resources a priority, and my Administration will continue to do so, but this grant of power to DOH over Florida beaches is ill-advised.”
Ron DeSantis, HB 165 Veto Letter
HB 473 — Cybersecurity Liability (VETOED)
House Bill 473 related to cybersecurity training standards in the state.
Current law requires local governments to implement such standards, and HB 473 would clear compliant local governments of liability in the case of a “cybersecurity incident.”
This liability exemption would also apply to third-party firms that store personal data if their standards align with state and federal regulations.
In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote the following:
“HB 473 provides broad liability protections for state and local governments and private companies that only substantially comply with minimum cybersecurity standards in the event of a data breach or other cybersecurity event.
As passed, the bill could result in Floridians’ data being less secure as the bill provides across-the-board protections for only substantially complying with standards. This incentivizes doing the minimum when protecting consumer data. While my Administration has prioritized policies to reduce frivolous litigation, the bill before me today may result in a consumer having inadequate recourse if a breach occurs.
I encourage interested parties to coordinate with the Florida Cybersecurity Advisory Council to review potential alternatives to the bill that provide a level of liability protection while also ensuring critical data and operations against cyberattacks are protected as much as possible — and the disruption comes with the release of potentially sensitive information.”
Ron DeSantis, HB 473 Veto Letter
HB 799 — Easements (APPROVED)
House Bill 799 allows property owners to create an easement in their property, even in areas where the owner owns all of the affected property.
The law took effect upon being signed.
HB 1063 — Chiropractic Medicine (APPROVED)
House Bill 1063 requires the Board of Chiropractic Medicine to establish new requirements regarding chiropractic medicine.
Specifically, the board will have to set minimum practice standards and education requirements for chiropractic physicians to perform dry needling — a technique used to alleviate pain and increase a patient’s range of motion.
The law took effect upon being signed.
SB 674 — U.S.-Produced Iron and Steel (APPROVED)
Senate Bill 674 requires that iron or steel products used in public works projects be produced in the U.S.
This requirement is waived under the following conditions:
- The iron or steel products that are required for the project aren’t produced in the U.S. in sufficient qualities, aren’t reasonably available, or aren’t of satisfactory quality.
- The use of these products will increase the total cost of the project by more than 20%.
- Compliance with this requirement is inconsistent with the public interest.
Foreign-made iron or steel materials are allowed for minimal use in these projects if they’re ancillary to the primary product and the cost of the materials is no more than 0.10% of the contract cost (or $2,500 — whichever is greater).
These provisions also don’t apply to contracts under the FDOT.
The law will take effect on July 1.
SB 1078 — DOFS Public Records (VETOED)
Senate Bill 1078 aims to provide a public records exemption for cell phone numbers submitted to the Department of Financial Services as part of the application process for a two-factor authentication of login credentials.
In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote the following:
“SB 1078 exempts the cellular telephone number of all insurance agents; agencies; adjusters, including public adjusters; service representatives; amongst other licensees that are submitted to the Department of Financial Services as part of the licensure process. Florida’s insurance market is becoming increasingly competitive, and hurricane season is upon us; it is not clear how this special exemption would serve the public interest.”
Ron DeSantis, SB 1078 Veto Letter
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