TOP THREE NEW LAWS OF 2021
New bills from the 2021 Legislative Session are effective! A fair number of bills passed during the 2021 Florida Legislative session; they became effective when signed by Governor DeSantis.
{Note: “HB” means House Bill; and, “SB” is a Senate Bill}.
In my personal opinion, the top three bills of interest are these:
One of the substantial bills is HB 833, by Representative Tomkow, which restricts the usage of a person’s DNA without express consent. The bill implements contemporary regulations on DNA use, mitigating any possible privacy concerns related to services that provide direct-to-consumer genetic tests, such as 23andMe and Ancestry.
Next, SB 1080, by Senator Hutson, shifts the state-wide legal age to purchase tobacco and nicotine products from 18 to 21 years old, enforcing the federal law passed in 2019 at the state level, and requires retailers of nicotine products to acquire a permit. It also prohibits people under 21 years old from vaping within 1,000 feet of a senior high, middle or elementary school.
My third choice is HB 421, by Representative Tuck, modifies the 1995 Bert Harris Act, which allowed property owners to seek compensation from state and local governments when a government action imposes an “inordinate burden,” but does not rise to the higher level of a constitutional taking. “When pursuing these types of claims, the law imposes specific time limits, notice requirements to local governments, and pre-litigation settlement processes. In its 2021 session, the Florida Legislature revised some of these requirements to streamline and simplify the process for property owners.
It is best to meet with Rignanese & Associates so that we can guide you in how to use Florida’s other laws to your advantage in their estate planning, business and real estate transactions. Let us help you save time, trouble and money.
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© Cynthia Crofoot Rignanese, Esquire