ABC ADVOCATES FOR YOU

2023 Florida Legislative Session

The 2023 session will be one for the records books. Governor DeSantis signed into law SB 360 after passing the House (89-8) and the Senate (31-7) with bipartisan support resulting in a major win for the construction industry in Florida. The bill shortens the statute of repose from 10 years to 7 for latent defects while leaving intact the four-year statute of limitations for defect claims to project owners and adds a “materiality” requirement to support Chapter 553 defects claims.

HB 1383/SB 1570:

This bill is in response to the 2021 Florida Statute 163.211 that raised concerns from ABC members who were being told that they had to hold a GC license to do work in the permitted jurisdiction if the job scope of a contractor did not correspond to a category defined in the bill. The purpose is to limit the ability of local jurisdiction to say everyone must be a general contractor and be licensed as such.

SB 346, passed during session the language was drafted by ABC members. This bill makes improvements to Florida’s Prompt Pay Law for public construction projects by clarifying the process for developing end of project/punch list work and requires that the public entity must pay all portions of the contract balance, including retainage, except for 150% of the cost to complete the punch list, within 20 days after the punch list is created.

Bills passed this session prove that the connections and contributions made towards candidates supporting the merit shop construction industry pay off in the end. The members who engage with legislators, the money contributed to campaigns, and the engagement of ABC with policy makers, are what makes the difference.

ABC and its chapters employ full-time lobbying teams to fight for the interests of the members, association, and the industry at large in D.C., Orlando, and Tallahassee.

HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

• DOWNLOAD the ABC Action App

• ATTEND ABC Legislative events or join the Government Affairs Committee.

• DONATE to the ABC National PAC and to the Central Florida Chapter’s PAC by visiting https://pac.abc.org/challenge.aspx (Password: ABCPAC) and https:// abccentralflorida.com/product/abcvoluntary-contributions/

2023 Legislative Hobnob

Each year ABC Central Florida members and partnering organizations participate in the Legislative Hobnob to engage with Florida legislators and voice their opinions on current issues that affect the construction industry.

This year legislators in attendance included Representative Keith Truenow, Representative David Smith, Representative Doug Bankson, Representative Johanna Lopez, Representative Jennifer Canady, Mayor Jerry Demings, Commissioner Lee Constantine, and members of the Orange County School Board.

In election years, candidates also attend the Hobnob for a chance to speak with influential industry leaders about how their platform will support the construction industry.

2024 LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR

January 9 – First Day of Florida Legislative Session

January 17-18 – ABC of Florida LegCon, Tallahassee

February 22 – ABC PAC Fundraiser

March 8 – Last day of regular Florida Legislative Session

April 24 – State of Construction Luncheon

May 23 – Legislative Hobnob at Harry P. Leu Gardens

June 24-26 – ABC National Legislative Conference

July 18-20 – ABC of Florida State Convention & Planning Session

August 20 – Florida Primary Election

November 5 – General Election