Commerce committee advances package of R&D, cybersecurity, consumer and technical bills

The Florida Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee on Jan. 23 advanced a package of bills addressing tax incentives, workforce training, corporate law, consumer protections and administrative rules.

Senator Kalatiuhd opened the session by presenting SB 10 76, which would raise the state's research-and-development tax credit cap from $9,000,000 to $50,000,000 beginning with the 2027 allocation. The sponsor said the Department of Revenue approved requests totaling more than $104,000,000 in 2025 and that, under the current $9 million cap, applicants received roughly 8.6% of the credits requested.

The committee also approved SB 12 66, a Department of Commerce proposal to establish a cybersecurity experiential internship and federal‑clearance readiness program in partnership with Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida. Sponsor Senator Calabrio offered an amendment (barcode 633256) removing statutory appropriation language; the sponsor said funding would be sought in the appropriations process and the amendment was adopted.

Senator Bernard presented SB 5 54, a years‑in‑process update to Florida's not‑for‑profit corporations law drafted by Florida Bar task forces and legal experts; the bill was reported favorably after supporters spoke.

Senator Gaetz's SB 1,004 targets deceptive retail pet sales and financing. The bill would require pet dealers to provide medical records and full financing disclosures before sales, impose a three‑day waiting period for financed purchases to allow independent veterinary exams, and terminate financing if a returned animal is found unfit. Testimony from humane organizations described cases of sick puppies and shelter burdens. "This legislation is about accountability, transparency, and preventing suffering before it reaches this point," said Laurie Hood of Aliqua Animal Refuge.

Senator Gates presented SB 10 74 to provide guidance for retailers when pennies are unavailable; the bill prescribes rounding rules for cash transactions and specifies that sales tax is calculated before rounding.

The committee then considered SB 9 98, a four‑part Department of Commerce package. Sponsor Senator Yarbrough said the bill would: (1) repeal and replace the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant statute to streamline administration; (2) broaden the definition of "rural community" to explicitly include eligible unincorporated areas under section 2 88.0656 with department recommendation and gubernatorial designation; (3) exempt military installations and federal agencies from certain reverter clauses to ease land conveyances; and (4) clarify and strengthen Florida's E‑Verify statutory framework (transcript references statutes listed as 4 48 0 9 and 4 48 0 9 5) by defining noncompliance, setting document retention and cure timelines, and authorizing recovery of investigative costs.

Senators questioned the E‑Verify provisions, asking how the bill would treat employers currently under investigation, whether federal changes would affect the statute, how incorrectly flagged authorized workers would be protected, and whether gig work could create compliance loopholes. Sponsor Yarbrough said the bill sets notice and cure processes, allows appeals and hearings, and that the bill has an effective date of July 1 and contains no retroactivity provision for past investigations.

Senator McClain presented SB 2 14 to allow special districts in rural counties to participate in the rural economic development initiative; the bill was reported favorably.

The Legislature's public-records exemption measure SPB 7 0 3 0 was presented by Senator Leake to protect Department of Legal Affairs investigative records generated through enforcement; sponsor said the exemption sunsets on 10/02/2031 unless reenacted.

Roll-call votes were held on each item and the clerk announced each measure as reported favorably by the committee where applicable. Several bills advanced without recorded debate, while SB 9 98 drew the most questioning on enforcement details.

Votes at a glance

- SB 10 76 (R&D tax credit cap to $50M): reported favorably (roll call announced by Chair Leake).
- SB 12 66 (Cybersecurity internship; amendment barcode 633256 removing appropriation): amendment adopted; committee substitute reported favorably.
- SB 5 54 (Not-for-profit corporations update): reported favorably.
- SB 1,004 (Pet sale and financing protections): reported favorably. Supporters included Laurie Hood (Aliqua Animal Refuge) and Kate McFaul (Humane World for Animals).
- SB 10 74 (Rounding rules when pennies unavailable): reported favorably.
- SB 9 98 (Department of Commerce package; CDBG, rural definition, military reverter, E‑Verify changes): reported favorably after questions; several senators recorded "no" votes but chair announced favorable report.
- SB 2 14 (Rural special districts): reported favorably.
- SPB 7 0 3 0 (Public-records exemption for DLA investigations): submitted as committee bill and reported favorably.

What's next: Measures reported favorably by the committee will move forward in the legislative process; SB 9 98 attracted follow-up questions about enforcement procedures and protections for workers incorrectly flagged by verification systems, which sponsors pledged to clarify before subsequent consideration.