Rep. Dotie Joseph

Elections; Requiring uniform statewide voter registration application to be accepted for purpose of vote-by-mail ballot requests; requires online voter registration system to permit applicant to request vote-by-mail ballot; requires Governor to consult with supervisors of elections in fixing dates for special elections; requires Governor to fix date for special election to be held within certain timeframe; requires supervisor of elections to accept certain requests for vote-by-mail ballots; requires vote-by-mail ballot return mailing envelope to bear statement & checkbox that allows absent elector to request vote-by-mail ballot for certain elections.

Heat Illness Prevention in Outdoor Environment Industries; Requires certain employers to provide drinking water, shade, & annual training to employees & supervisors; requires DACS, in conjunction with DOH, to adopt specified rules.

Lactation Space in Courthouses; Requires at least one lactation space in each county courthouse; provides requirements for such spaces; authorizes use of funds to provide lactation spaces in appellate courthouses.

Reemployment Assistance; Revises requirements for reemployment assistance benefits eligibility; prohibits DEO from denying person reemployment assistance solely on basis of pregnancy; requires alternative base period to be used when calculating wages in determining qualification for reemployment assistance benefits; requires DEO to contact individual's employer if certain wage information is unavailable through specified means; specifies that wages that fall within alternative base period are not available for reuse in subsequent benefit years; revises weekly benefit amounts individual may receive; increases cap on total benefit amount individual is entitled to receive during benefit year; increases duration of benefits.

Compensation for Eligible Victims of Wrongful Incarceration; Extends filing deadline for petition claiming wrongful incarceration; provides limited retroactivity; provides that deceased person's heirs, successors, or assigns do not have standing to file petition; revises eligibility for compensation for wrongful incarceration; authorizes CFO to adjust compensation for inflation; specifies payments for certain petitions are subject to specific appropriation.

Property Tax Exemptions For Widows, Widowers, Blind Persons, or Persons Totally and Permanently Disabled; Increases property tax exemption for residents who are widows, widowers, blind persons, or persons totally & permanently disabled.

Boating and Vessel Safety; Requires boating safety education courses & temporary certificate examinations to include specified components; directs FWCC to include such components in boating safety education campaigns & educational materials; requires instructors of water sports & activities to use engine cutoff switches & wear operative links to switches under certain conditions.

Mandatory Minimum Sentences for Drug Trafficking; Removes mandatory minimum sentences for specified controlled substance offenses.

State Renewable Energy Goals; Prohibits drilling or exploration for, or production of, oil, gas, or other petroleum products & permitting & construction of certain related structures; requires statewide renewable energy electricity & carbon emission reductions by specified dates; directs Office of Energy within DACS to develop unified statewide plan; requires state & public entities to cooperate as requested; provides plan requirements; requires office to submit plan & updates to Governor & Legislature; creates Renewable Energy Advisory Committee within Office of Energy; directs Commissioner of Agriculture to submit specified annual report to Legislature.

Reduced-price School Breakfast Meals; Requires DACS to provide specified reimbursements to sponsors for certain breakfast meals.