Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 140059

Printable PDF Format

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 140059

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-243-14

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: SUPPORTING SB378 PARKS FOR ACTIVE DUTY

Introduced: 1/9/2014

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 3/4/2014

Agenda Date: 3/4/2014

Agenda Item Number: 11A14

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SB 378 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION REQUIRING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE DISCOUNTS AT PARKS FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND VETERANS SO LONG AS THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDES FUNDING FOR SUCH DISCOUNTS SO THAT PROPERTY TAXES DO NOT HAVE TO BE INCREASED TO OFFSET THE COST; DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE BOARD ESTIMATING THE FISCAL IMPACT ASSOCIATED WITH SB 378

Indexes:

PARKS

Sponsors:

Rebeca Sosa, Prime Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	3/4/2014	11A14	Adopted				P

Cultural Affairs & Recreation Committee	2/10/2014	2C	Forwarded to BCC with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Monica Rizo read the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Vice Chairwoman Jordan asked for clarification regarding funding for the foregoing proposed resolution. She expressed interest in knowing whether or not the current legislation, State Bill (SB) 378, included language related to state funding as she would be hesitant to support the foregoing proposed resolution if this was not the case. Mr. Jack Kardys, Director of Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces (PROS), informed the Committee members that he did not believe the current legislation included language or provided for state funding. Vice Chairwoman Jordan reiterated her concerns regarding the absence of state funding for the foregoing proposed resolution and added that she was apprehensive about the County being made to bear or absorb the cost. She noted she would fully support the foregoing proposed resolution if the current legislation included language regarding a state funding source. Chairman Souto reviewed the foregoing proposed resolution and noted the proposal specified “so long as the legislature provides funding for such discounts so that property taxes do not have to be increased to offset the cost.” Commissioner Suarez enquired from Chairman Souto if the Committee would be provided an estimate of the financial impact that the foregoing proposed resolution would have on the County Budget. Chairman Souto stated he believed that a report would be generated showing the estimated cost to the County. Commissioner Suarez noted he would move the foregoing proposed resolution with a caveat that a report detailing the fiscal impact to the County be prepared. Commissioner Suarez asked Senior Advisor to the Mayor, Ms. Lisa Martinez, to provide a report detailing the fiscal impact that the foregoing proposed resolution would have on the County budget. He asked that the report be made available for review before the next Board of County Commissioner’s Regular Meeting scheduled for February 19, 2014. Hearing no further discussions, the Committee members proceeded to vote on the foregoing proposed resolution, as presented.

County Attorney	1/13/2014		Referred	Cultural Affairs & Recreation Committee	2/10/2014

County Attorney	1/9/2014		Assigned	Jess M. McCarty

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING SB 378 OR SIMILAR LEGISLATION REQUIRING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO PROVIDE DISCOUNTS AT PARKS FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY AND VETERANS SO LONG AS THE LEGISLATURE PROVIDES FUNDING FOR SUCH DISCOUNTS SO THAT PROPERTY TAXES DO NOT HAVE TO BE INCREASED TO OFFSET THE COST; DIRECTING THE MAYOR OR DESIGNEE TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE BOARD ESTIMATING THE FISCAL IMPACT ASSOCIATED WITH SB 378

BODY

WHEREAS, on November 6, 2013, Senator Joe Abruzzo (D � Wellington) filed SB 378 for the Florida Legislature�s consideration during the 2014 session; and
WHEREAS, SB 378 would require counties and municipalities to provide 25 percent discounts on annual entrance passes to parks for active duty military and veterans; and
WHEREAS, SB 378 also would require counties and municipalities to provide annual entrance passes at no charge to disabled veterans and their families, surviving spouses or parents of members of the military killed in combat and surviving spouses or parents of law enforcement and firefighters killed in the line of duty; and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County already offers certain discounts at County parks for active duty military and veterans with service-connected disabilities in recognition of their service to our country; and
WHEREAS, if passed, SB 378 may require such discounts to be extended and increased, resulting in a fiscal impact on County taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, this Board would like to express its support and gratitude for active duty military and veterans, and would like to support SB 378 so long as the Legislature provides funding for such discounts so that property taxes do not have to be increased to offset the fiscal impact associated with SB 378,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Supports SB 378 or similar legislation requiring local governments to provide discounts to parks for active duty military and veterans so long as the Legislature provides funding for such discounts so that property taxes do not have to be increased to offset the fiscal impact.
Section 2. Urges the Florida Legislature to enact such legislation based on the conditions set forth in section 1 above.
Section 3. Directs the Mayor or designee to provide a report estimating the additional annual fiscal impact associated with SB 378 within 10 days of the effective date of this resolution for placement on an agenda of the full Board, without committee review.
Section 4. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 5. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Sections 1 and 2 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2014 State Legislative Package when it is presented to the Board.