So far, more than 93 bills covering different topics have been submitted to the state’s Legislature, according to the Florida House of Representatives website. Of those, the following focus on technology:
CYBERSECURITY INCIDENT LIABILITY
HB 473, filed on Nov. 15 by Rep. Mike Giallombardo (R-79), aims to distinguish counties, municipalities, commercial entities or third-party agents that comply with specific requirements as not liable for cybersecurity incidents. According to the bill, if these entities comply with the conditions listed in s. 282.3185, which includes developing a basic cybersecurity training curriculum for local government employees and reporting cybersecurity incidents to the state’s Cybersecurity Operations Center, they would not be held liable for cybersecurity incidents under the law. As of Nov. 22, the bill has been under review by the House of Representatives Commerce Committee.
DIGITAL TRUST BUSINESS
SB 914, filed on Dec. 13 by Sen. Keith Perry (R-9), looks to prohibit certain entities from engaging in digital trust business, including receiving or storing virtual currency, without an application and prior approval by the Office of Financial Regulation authorizing a state bank or state trust company to engage in virtual trust business under certain circumstances exclusively. The bill would also require the commission to ensure that the state banks’ or state trust companies’ policies and procedures satisfy certain requirements and require the commission to establish standards for digital currencies like stablecoin.
GOVERNING BODY MEETINGS
HB 157, filed on Oct. 12 by Rep. Michael Caruso (R-87), would authorize governing bodies of municipalities to meet and conduct official business via “teleconferencing or other technological means if certain conditions are met,” such as meeting all outlined requirements for public notice, public access and public participation. Limitations under the bill include not conducting online meetings more than twice per calendar year, not acting on ordinances, or holding quasi-judicial hearings online. As of Nov. 2, the bill has been under review by the House of Representatives Local Administration, Federal Affairs and Special Districts Subcommittee.
BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS
SB 314, filed on Nov. 6 by Sen. Jim Boyd (R-20), would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to contract with a private provider to supply a statewide reporting system to law enforcement agencies. According to the bill, electronic transactions from pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers and secondary metals recyclers would be reported to the system so law enforcement agencies could use the data in investigations.
BODY CAMERA PILOT PROGRAM
SB 108, filed on Oct. 4 by Sen. Shevrin Jones (D-34), would create a pilot program within the Florida Department of Corrections requiring correctional officers working at Lowell Correctional Institution in Marion County to wear body cameras while carrying out official duties. Other requirements under the law include establishing policies and procedures for the proper use, maintenance and storage of the body cameras and ensuring that all audio and video data recorded by such cameras be maintained in accordance with public records laws.
