The future of engineering is impacted by decisions made by elected officials. State and federal laws and regulations impact day-to-day operations. The Florida Engineering Society (FES) is the leading advocate for Florida’s engineering community and is working hard to pursue the industry’s interests in Tallahassee.
With nearly 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, preparing Florida’s infrastructure for smart growth and development is essential. FES is focused on creating long-term investments in Florida’s energy, water, transportation, environmental and vertical structures.
We invite our members to participate in weekly Legislative Update calls via Microsoft Teams that will be held each Friday morning beginning March 10th, 2023 and concluding May 12th, 2023. The general bills update call starts at 8:30 am and the environmental bills update starts at 9:30 am.
Please see our Community Calendar to register.
Session Agenda
Transportation Infrastructure
- SUPPORT a transportation plan that meets the following goals: safety, infrastructure condition, mobility, resiliency, and the environment. The goals are all interrelated and together create Florida’s transportation future.
- SUPPORT full funding of the Moving Florida Forward and existing 5-year work plans which will be part of the legislature’s 2023-2024 budget.
- SUPPORT authorization for FDOT to utilize the phased design-build procurement method, which will also be included in the upcoming budget proposal.
Water Infrastructure, Energy and Environment
- SUPPORT protecting Florida’s water and energy future by supporting science-based infrastructure investments and initiatives that allow our state to grow while protecting our natural resources and streamlining state processes with a focus on resiliency.
- OPPOSE current proposed stormwater rule from FDEP (amending Chapter 62-330 F.A.C.) mandating arbitrary percentages of nutrient reduction for which ratification may be sought during the current legislative session. FES/ACEC-FL has presented an alternative proposal which will be the subject of a hearing on Wednesday, March 22.
Condominium Milestone Inspection Program
- SUPPORT the language in SB 154 which makes needed changes to the existing building inspection program established by the Florida Legislature in May 2022.
- OPPOSE language in HB 1395 allowing General contractors and local building inspectors from performing the “milestone” inspections due to a lack of education and training related to the inspection of existing buildings.
Sovereign Immunity
- OPPOSE legislation (HB 401) increasing statutory limits on liability for tort claims against state and local governments from the current $200,000/$300,000 to $2,500,000/$3,000,000. Third-party engineers are required by state statute to inspect road projects at the state and local level and thus act as agents of the government agency. Such a drastic rise in liability limits would endanger small engineering firms due to a lack of available/affordable liability insurance.
University Procurement of Design Professionals
- OPPOSE attempts to exempt public universities from the Competitive Consultants Negotiation Act (CCNA) thru the budgetary process. CCNA is a competitive procurement system that emphasizes consultant qualifications rather than “low bid.”
- Required for state and local government procurement by Florida Statute for nearly 50 years
- Required by federal law on certain projects receiving federal funds
- Such a change to a successful procurement strategy deserves proper committee consideration versus the budget process
