Representative Shane Abbott and the 2023 Florida Legislative Session

The 2023 Florida Legislative Session is just around the corner. Session will officially begin on March 7, 2023 and run 60 consecutive days until May 5, 2023. Even though the start date is weeks off, our elected officials, their staff and committees are already preparing for the grueling 60 days ahead. The legislative process begins with the interim committee meetings which begin seven weeks prior to the session’s opening date and they are filled with significant discussion, debating, and committee passing of proposed legislative issues. Legislators are already present weeks in advance of opening day filing bills, appropriation project requests and conducting meetings with their constituents.

Our newly elected State Representative Shane Abbott is among the legislative forefront. Rep. Abbott is from Defuniak Springs, Florida and received 54.4% of the vote in Jackson County. He is a business owner, pharmacist, husband, father of 4, grandfather of 1 and a Christian. He has spent months canvassing District 5 meeting with individual, groups, counties, and municipalities to better understand the needs of District 5. In addition to his insight into the needs of his district he also received important committee assignments which will substantially benefit our district. Rep. Abbott’s Committee Assignments for the 2023 Legislative Session are Joint Administrative Procedures Committee, Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, Agriculture, Conservation, & Resiliency Subcommittee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Health Care Appropriation Subcommittee and Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee. Notable assignments for a freshman representative.

Five hundred and forty-five bills have already been filed and 166 – 2023 appropriations project requests made in The Florida House for the 2023 Legislative Session. Rep. Abbott has thus far filed 3 house bills and 5 appropriations project requests. Below is a summary of his bills and project requests:

House Bills

HB 413 – Financial Assistance for Rural Areas of Opportunity

“(2)(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, an agency agreement that provides state or federal financial assistance to a county or municipal entity within a rural area of opportunity, as defined in s. 288.0656(2), may not require the county or municipal entity to expend funds in order to be reimbursed. For such counties or municipal entities, an agency may advance funding based on an analysis of estimated costs, pay service providers and vendors directly, or undertake other 25 options to meet the requirements of this section.”

HB 457 – Construction of Educational Plant Space

“(e) Notwithstanding the requirements of this subsection, 19 an unfinished construction project for new construction of 20 educational plant space that was started on or before July 1, 21 2026, is exempt from the total cost per student station 22 requirements established in paragraph (b). 23 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.”

This is just the early beginning of yet another legislative season and I’m sure there will be additional bills and requests which will affect our community. If you would like to contact Representative Abbott, please find below his office locations, phone numbers and an email for a contact form.

Email info: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/contactmember.aspx?MemberId=4864&SessionId=99

Remember our democracy works best if its citizens are informed and participate in the process.  I’ll keep you posted and updated on upcoming bills, funding requests and issues that affect our community.