Governor DeSantis vetoes four bills

Staff report

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the following bills:

CS/HB 133 – Professional Licensing Requirements for Barbers and Cosmetologists

This bill specifies that licenses for barbers or cosmetologists (but not the 12 other types of licenses in the statute) may not be denied if the applicant was convicted of a crime more than three years ago; the time limit is five years for the other licenses. The bill also stated that courses taken in a correctional facility can satisfy licensing requirements for barbers and cosmetologists.

In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote that the bill “singles out cosmetologist and barber applicants from a list of 14 types of business license applicants to change the licensing board’s process of review of
criminal records. The bill categorically prohibits the board from considering an applicant’s criminal history within three years of the application for a license, but there may be good reason for the board to have this information before making a decision regarding a particular applicant.”

CS/CS/HB 473 – Cybersecurity Incident Liability

The bill would have provided broad liability protections in the event of a data breach for entities that “substantially” comply with minimum cybersecurity standards.

In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote that this “incentivizes doing the minimum when protecting consumer data. While my Administration has prioritized policies to reduce frivolous litigation, the bill before me today may result in a consumer having inadequate recourse if a breach occurs.” The Governor encouraged legislators to provide a “level of liability protection while also ensuring critical data and operations against cyberattacks are protected as much as possible.”

CS/CS/SB 165 – Sampling of beach Waters and Public Bathing Spaces

The bill would have required the owners of beach waters and public bathing places to notify the Department of Health if testing shows that the waters do not meet standards established by the Department. The Department then “shall require closure of beach waters and public bathing places that fail to meet the department’s standards if it deems closure is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.”

In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote that the bill “suffers from a fatal infirmity: it grants authority to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to close beaches, waterways, and swimming pools. Health Departments like DOH can serve a valuable function, but they should not be vested with the power to supersede local jurisdictions regarding the operation of beaches. I have made water quality and protecting Florida’s natural resources a priority and my Administration will continue to do so, but this grant of power to DOH over Florida beaches is ill-advised.”

SB 1078 – Public Records/Cellular Telephone Numbers Held by the Department of Financial Services

In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote, “SB 1078 exempts the cellular telephone number of all insurance agents; agencies; adjusters, including public adjusters; service representatives; amongst other licensees that are submitted to the Department of Financial Services as part of the licensure
process. Florida’s insurance market is becoming increasingly competitive and hurricane season is upon us; it is not clear how this special exemption would serve the public interest.”

To view the veto letters, click here , here , here ,  and here .

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