In-House Bill 207: Law Or Not?

House Bill 207 has been introduced in the state of Florida in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Each of these bills covered different topics, ranging from impact fees to the designation of the state bird. However, it is unclear if any of these bills ultimately became law. The 2019 bill appears to have been approved by the governor, but it is not explicitly stated if it became law. The 2020, 2021, and 2022 bills all died in their respective subcommittees, indicating that they did not progress further in the legislative process and thus did not become law.

HB 207: Designation of the State Bird

House Bill 207 (HB 207) has been proposed in the state of Florida in different years, with each bill addressing different topics.

The HB 207: Designation of the State Bird bill was proposed in Florida in 2022. This bill aimed to designate the Florida scrub-jay as the official state bird. It was introduced by Killebrew and referred to the Environment, Agriculture & Flooding Subcommittee, the Government Operations Subcommittee, and the State Affairs Committee. However, the bill ultimately died in the Environment, Agriculture & Flooding Subcommittee on March 14, 2022.

Other HB 207 Bills in Florida

In 2021, a different HB 207 was proposed in Florida, focusing on reemployment assistance. This bill aimed to create a Reemployment Assistance Ombudsman Office within the DEO, address eligibility requirements for benefits, and make changes to work requirements and benefit amounts. It was referred to various subcommittees and committees but died in the Tourism, Infrastructure & Energy Subcommittee on April 30, 2021.

In 2020, HB 207 in Florida pertained to the acquisition of water and wastewater systems, while in 2019, it addressed impact fees and revisions to minimum requirements for their adoption by local governments.

CS/HB 207: Impact Fees

CS/HB 207, or the Impact Fees bill, was introduced in the Florida Senate in 2019. The bill aimed to revise the minimum requirements for the adoption of impact fees by specified local governments and exempt water and sewer connection fees from the Florida Impact Fee Act.

The bill was referred to the Local, Federal, and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, the Commerce Committee, and the State Affairs Committee. It received a favorable response from each of these committees, with a unanimous vote of 14-0 in the Local, Federal, and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, 22-0 in the Commerce Committee, and 22-0 in the State Affairs Committee.

The bill then progressed through the legislative process, being placed on the calendar, read a second and third time, and passed by the House with a vote of 101-12. It was then referred to the Community Affairs, Finance and Tax, and Appropriations Committees in the Senate. The bill was approved by the Governor, becoming Chapter No. 2019-106, with companion bills CS/HB 207 (Ch. 2019-106) and CS/CS/HB 7103 (Ch. 2019-165) also passed.

The effective date of the bill was July 1, 2019. The last action recorded on the bill was on April 4, 2019, when it was laid on the table, with companion bills passing.

HB 207: Reemployment Assistance

House Bill 207 (HB 207) of 2021, also known as the "Reemployment Assistance" bill, was introduced in the Florida Legislature to address various aspects of unemployment benefits and reemployment assistance. The bill was sponsored by a group of Democratic representatives led by Rep. Anna Eskamani. Unfortunately, HB 207 failed to become law as it died in the Tourism, Infrastructure, and Energy Subcommittee on April 30, 2021.

Creation of the Reemployment Assistance Ombudsman Office: The bill proposed establishing a Reemployment Assistance Ombudsman Office within the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO). This office would serve as a dedicated resource for individuals seeking reemployment assistance and help navigate the often complex process of applying for and receiving benefits.

Specification of Unemployment Commencement Date: HB 207 aimed to clarify that unemployment commences on the date of unemployment. This seemingly straightforward provision is important for determining an individual's eligibility for benefits and the duration of those benefits.

Part-Time Work and Eligibility: The bill sought to protect individuals who are seeking, applying for, or willing to accept only part-time work. It proposed prohibiting these individuals from being deemed ineligible for benefits solely based on their part-time work status. This provision recognises the challenges faced by those seeking part-time employment and ensures they are not penalised for circumstances beyond their control.

Revision of Eligibility Requirements: HB 207 intended to revise the eligibility criteria for receiving reemployment assistance benefits. While the specific changes are not detailed, the bill likely aimed to expand access to benefits for those in need, especially during a declared state of emergency.

Suspension of Work Requirements: During a declared state of emergency and its aftermath, the bill proposed suspending work requirements, work availability, and work search requirements. This provision acknowledges the difficulties individuals may face in finding or maintaining employment during such challenging times.

Removal of Drug Use Disqualification: HB 207 aimed to remove provisions that disqualified individuals from receiving benefits as a result of drug use. This change reflects a shift towards recognising substance use as a health issue rather than a reason to deny much-needed assistance.

Revision of Weekly Benefit Amounts and Duration: The bill proposed adjustments to the minimum and maximum weekly benefit amounts. It also sought to revise the duration of benefit payments, ensuring that individuals received support for an appropriate length of time while they sought reemployment.

Revision of Short-Time Compensation Benefits: Lastly, HB 207 intended to make changes to short-time compensation benefits. It aimed to revise the eligibility requirements and the cap on these benefits, likely to ensure that more individuals could access this form of assistance when facing reduced work hours.

CS/HB 207: Acquisition of Water and Wastewater Systems

CS/HB 207, or House Bill 207, is a Florida bill from the 2020 session known as the "Acquisition of Water and Wastewater Systems" bill. It outlines the conditions under which certain entities may acquire the title to water or wastewater plant utility facilities.

The bill was introduced by the Commerce Committee, McClain, and Santiago. It was first referred to the Energy and Utilities Subcommittee, the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee, and the Commerce Committee. It received a favorable response from the Energy and Utilities Subcommittee, with 15 yeas and 0 nays, and also from the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee, with 11 yeas and 0 nays.

The bill establishes the method by which the PSC (Public Service Commission) can determine the rate base value for acquired utility systems. It also specifies the PSC's duties regarding petitions and the standard of review, requiring the approved rate base value to be reflected in the acquiring utility's next rate case. Additionally, it establishes a procedure for the appraisal of the acquired utility system and details the required contents of a petition to the PSC for approval of the rate base value.

The last action on the bill took place on March 14, 2020, when it died in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.

HB 207: The Ohio Legislature

The Ohio House Bill 207, or HB 207, is a piece of legislation that focuses on revising the payment of subrogated workers' compensation claims. The bill aims to make changes to several sections of the Revised Code, specifically sections 4123.35, 4123.93, 4123.931, and 4125.07. The amendments were effective as of August 31, 2016.

One of the key changes introduced by HB 207 is the elimination of the minimum employee requirement for certain employers to obtain self-insuring status under the Workers' Compensation Law. This applies to both private sector employers and boards of county commissioners involved in the construction of sports facilities. The bill allows these employers to have greater flexibility and autonomy in managing their workers' compensation claims.

Additionally, HB 207 addresses the payment of workers' compensation claims that are likely to be subrogated by a third party. Under the bill, a state fund employer can request that such claims be paid from the surplus fund account in the state insurance fund rather than being charged to the employer's experience. This provision helps to protect the employer's interests and financial stability in the event of a claim.

Furthermore, the bill establishes requirements for self-insuring employers who resume paying premiums to the State Insurance Fund or a self-insuring professional employer organization after a lease termination. These employers are mandated to submit specific records and documentation to the Administrator of Workers' Compensation, ensuring transparency and compliance with the revised regulations.

By enacting these amendments, HB 207 strives to create a more efficient and equitable system for managing workers' compensation claims in Ohio. The bill aims to balance the needs of employers and employees, ensuring that claims are handled fairly and with consideration for the specific circumstances of each case.

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