Scott signs 74 bills into law, including tax holidays, breaks

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott signed 74 bills into law Friday, including a tax-cut package, a measure that declares the Legislature’s intent to observe daylight saving time year-round and a bill that prevents most minors from getting married.

The tax package (HB 7087), which has about $171 million in tax and fee cuts, authorizes a threeday tax “holiday” in early August that will allow back-to-school shoppers to buy clothes and school supplies without paying sales taxes. Also, the bill will lead to a similar seven-day “holiday” in early June for residents to buy tax-free hurricane supplies.

It also includes tax breaks for farmers and ranchers who suffered damage in Hurricane Irma and trims a commercial-lease tax paid by many businesses. Other parts of it include a property-tax break for homeowners displaced by Irma and a break for nursing homes and assisted living facilities that buy electric generators.

Scott’s office released the list of 74 bills early Friday evening. The bills were passed during the legislative session that ended March 11.

The daylight saving time bill (HB 1013) drew widespread attention during the legislative session. It expresses the Legislature’s support for keeping Florida on daylight saving time throughout the year. While the Legislature and Scott agree on the issue, such a change would ultimately require congressional approval. To that end, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., has filed legislation to begin the process of making the change.

Scott also approved a measure (SB 140) Friday that bars people younger than 18 from getting marriage licenses. The bill includes an exception, though, for 17-year-olds who have written consent from their parents or guardians.

The Legislature passed 195 bills during this year’s session, and Scott has signed 154 into law. To date, he hasn’t vetoed any bills.

However, he issued a signing letter Friday with a bill (HB 7043) that would allow the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to assume administration of a federal wetland-permitting program.

Scott’s letter said the bill gives the department authority to “undertake rulemaking to explore whether the state should issue” permits now administered by the federal government.