[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6303414,"mediaKeyId","2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e","parentId",2473059,"title","Senate committee narrows debt-collection bill after split public testimony on consumer protections","audioSeconds",1418,"startMs",992000,"endMs",2410000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e&start=992&end=2410","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e/thumbnail_992000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6303414/Florida/Senate-committee-narrows-debt-collection-bill-after-split-public-testimony-on-consumer-protections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303414-16023e09a39e5370b3377045559d366a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773572007&Signature=mft4DKkk5I-WaoGM6Uu9GH7ooQy5M4WyQs2E7PceI-g94vyxvY150fnAkPU3HadyV6WO5XMb5LsRrrCBLD~g0vBPFz04NlJQ5KfFGYzAKrEy~xSOolEl9j9rUzzdbSBGcyNQCTX~IJ9q7kx~VMy53vb~gPQ-VB4D1umMxtZnBeK5J0dzEKzv3Ljkosq3lv3hKV1Skugb74-zQZYOBx7OqGxPIBd25gxTp9uCaU3dM92lGWzKInMTWYpwnFw7UjvHCMhm7P1bQTZNI063wEifKtWhogKG~zXFF0wKlwkR5HWfh7ikoXvBzESmMjXC8a7rRyScEIXxOgM3z9BoRi9WBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-03-03T00:00:00Z","article","The Florida Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee adopted changes to Senate Bill 232 on debt collection after hours of questions and public testimony on whether narrowing the law would weaken consumer protections.

Senators voted to adopt an amendment by Sen. Ben Gruters clarifying that email communications may be sent or received at any hour without violating the statute, while continuing to prohibit other communications outside the 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. window. The committee later considered, and rejected, a broader \"delete-all\" amendment offered by Sen. Rodriguez that would have substantially revised the bill's underlying text.

Why it matters: The bill and the amendments would change which actors must comply with Florida's consumer-debt statutes and how communications are regulated outside normal calling hours. Witnesses said the difference between the terms \"any person\" and \"debt collector\" determines whether original creditors, door-to-door scammers, restoration companies and others remain subject to the Florida statute.

Key facts and actions
- The committee considered barcode 109,918 (Rodriguez) and barcode 706,006 (Gruters). Gruters' amendment was explained as allowing email at any hour while preserving other protections. Rodriguez' delete-all amendment was debated and later failed on a roll call. The Gruters email amendment was adopted earlier in the hearing.
- Public testimony was split: trade groups sought clarity to avoid suits over server timing; legal-aid and consumer-advocate witnesses urged the committee not to narrow the statute from \"any person\" to \"debt collector,\" saying that would remove protections used daily to protect seniors, veterans and low-income residents.

What witnesses said
- Laura Yeomans, legislative affairs director for the Florida Justice Association, told the committee the proposed change from \"person\" to \"debt collector\" would narrow the definition in section 559.55 and would exclude in-house collectors. \"We don't think that's the intention of this body,\" she said, and asked senators to vote against the strike-all amendment.
- A consumer-protection attorney identified as Hansbo told senators the Florida statute (the Florida Consumer Collection Practices Act) applies to \"any person\" and that narrowing to debt collectors would leave many abusive actors beyond reach. He described cases where non-debt-collector actors (restoration companies, scammers) harassed or misled vulnerable people and said the broader Florida law is the principal tool to help those clients.
- Jim Kowalski of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid said the change would \"gut Florida's main consumer protection statute\" and warned it would remove remedies used daily to protect seniors and low-income residents.
- Victoria Zupp, representing the Self Storage Association, said member businesses had faced lawsuits over automated emails that landed on servers after-hours and supported clarifying the law to exclude inadvertent server timing from liability.

Sponsor responses and committee debate
- Sen. Ben Gruters said his amendment was intended to preserve consumer protections while allowing email communications that are often routed by servers outside an operator's control. \"Let's change that [email timing], but let's keep the other protections in place,\" he told the committee.
- Sen. Rodriguez, sponsor of the underlying bill, thanked stakeholders and asked for the committee's favorable support after debate; his strike-all amendment did not pass.

Votes at the committee level
- The committee ultimately reported CS for SB 232 favorably to the Senate (roll call recorded in the committee). The committee also adopted Sen. Gruters' email amendment earlier in proceedings and rejected the sponsor's strike-all amendment.

Context and next steps
The transcript record shows robust, split testimony between industry groups seeking narrower liability for email timing and consumer advocates urging retention of a broad \"any person\" standard. The bill as reported from committee will move to the next Senate step; additional amendment opportunities remain in subsequent committees or on the Senate floor.

Provenance: Transcript excerpts include the bill explanation and amendment discussion starting with the committee moving to tab 2 and introduction of barcode 109,918, and public testimony from Laura Yeomans, Hansbo, Jim Kowalski, and trade representatives. The committee's roll-call reporting of CS for SB 232 appears later in the transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Commerce and Tourism - 3/3/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Florida Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee adopted an amendment allowing emails at any hour in a debt-collection bill while retaining other limits on contact outside 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; consumer advocates warned narrowing who the law covers could remove protections for seniors and low-income residents.","taxTitle","Commerce and Tourism, Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",26943,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6303401,"Votes at a glance: Commerce and Tourism committee reports multiple bills favorably",195,2839000,3034000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e&start=2839&end=3034","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e/thumbnail_2839000.jpg","/articles/6303401/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Commerce-and-Tourism-committee-reports-multiple-bills-favorably","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303401-ebe765050b320e4c7fdd76f0891706c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773572007&Signature=SQC0N542uwzLPNJHJ84aPVa~L9u-UisghVRILv3GKSEiiYERxNH~MkBWgR9hapxIYKAt~S4QwMPr5CIpkeT6Awgtolhhua3IAEnjcXNa6ZtmbAuOM5bupGCsNT1bi0zb1AqFvLNL8Eq39rDjYTGnfTjHQ5aivzR6EDNuIh6cW0kr9G1tMGpMRyYaLc~LMgDLGAbpe9peLKQkBp~FcWVa1AIye0q0gviZjdY2h9LEj-J6KGPkzb5HooFGUDz2uDoILtwjEPlBkEDQTYzXoXaQFyIA7b4hOrC46ah2vfASqxc2bGBYhdAQpT22SBPnnECtz0zJZdvxNhO7UQmWt9daTQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commerce and Tourism Committee reported several bills favorably during the hearing. Short summaries and committee outcomes follow.

CS for SB 126 — Prescription hearing aids (Sen. Bradley)
- Summary: Authorizes distribution and sale of prescription hearing aids through the mail after a Florida-licensed audiologist or hearing-aid specialist conducts a hearing exam; strike-all limits mail distribution to adult patients (18+) and requires activation only after a telehealth determination of need.
- Committee action: Committee adopted the strike-all amendment (barcode 848922) and reported CS/CSRSP for SB 126 favorably on roll call.

SB 600 — Office of Manufacturing and promotional campaign (Sen. Trudeau)
- Summary: Codifies a statewide Office of Manufacturing in the Department of Commerce, creates a Florida manufacturing promotional campaign and creates biannual reporting and workforce-development grant authority to support manufacturers.
- Committee action: SB 600 was reported favorably on roll call after public-support testimony from industry groups.

SB 602 — Fees for Florida manufacturing promotional campaign (Sen. Trudeau)
- Summary: Authorizes the Department of Commerce by rule to set fees associated with operating the Florida manufacturing promotional campaign; bill takes effect upon passage of SB 600.
- Committee action: SB 602 was reported favorably on roll call.

Earlier and separately reported bills (covered in full articles above)
- CS for SB 232 — Debt collection (Sen. Rodriguez): Reported favorably after adopting an amendment permitting email at any hour while preserving other protections; the sponsor's broader strike-all amendment failed in committee.
- CS for SB 92 — Motor vehicle repair work / hit-and-run reporting (Sen. Gruters): Reported favorably after adoption of a clarifying amendment about when a repair-shop form is required.
- SB 412 — Motorized wheelchair right-to-repair (Sen. Smith): Reported favorably after testimony from users and Disability Rights Florida.

Provenance: Each bill and committee action is recorded in the hearing transcript at the tab and roll-call locations cited during the meeting. The committee announced roll-call results for each reported bill in the transcript.

Note: This summary presents committee actions and brief bill descriptions drawn from sponsor explanations and public testimony recorded in the committee transcript. It does not interpret future amendments or floor action.","A summary of bills acted on in the Commerce and Tourism committee hearing, with brief descriptions and committee outcomes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6303405,"Committee backs powered-wheelchair \"right to repair\" bill after disabled advocates describe long delays",812,3961000,4773000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e&start=3961&end=4773","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e/thumbnail_3961000.jpg","/articles/6303405/Florida/Committee-backs-powered-wheelchair-right-to-repair-bill-after-disabled-advocates-describe-long-delays","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303405-bffb75eddac04df0149ab0400670af7b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773572007&Signature=lHM7mB2S0cRn~TniSiaL~EE-oKvctcko79WGHAIcVXZXgJrbgntV9JNWgkXOloT1AcaANKoodQOP2-wCGhLkeEBih8gRBdpe84CcKF8nwMcA7BZPfq0-Uhy7poILAiqv9Y~6xfkrnRkV9sfd9UHIZOy0Xi5OT~LysPxXfOuN2iM9jElDWhW5Rj8nAmDiSw~3GF-LPcjINBYpru4k81ckWDJazhWQhTi2fB4A13BY6imACkazd81CyZ1qJUI4EqeojA1UIlxgSbuPlpL8QyHzJwisFIq-7Q5NtdR9azUrcmM-4VoSgg3q3krBz1KiPv8CX4A8DTtEDLqhXrpT2bVMvw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commerce and Tourism Committee reported favorably on SB 412, the motorized-wheelchair right-to-repair bill, after advocates and users described long repair waits and safety risks from extended downtime.

Bill summary
- SB 412 requires manufacturers to make repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts available to powered wheelchair owners and independent repair providers on fair and reasonable terms. The sponsor said the bill will open the repair market beyond exclusive authorized-repair providers and is enforceable under the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act.

Testimony and concerns
- Laura Lee Minutello of Disability Rights Florida, who identifies as a power-chair user, told senators that a control box failure can leave users unable to leave home for weeks. She cited a case of a user who waited six months for a seat-belt repair.
- JJ Holmes and Allison Holmes gave user testimony about repairs delayed for months; Holmes said many repairs are held up by supply and monopoly issues and urged the committee to approve the bill.
- Disability Rights Florida said it supports the bill but raised concerns about independent-provider availability and accountability; it noted other states are pursuing pilot incentives for independent repair providers and that additional safeguards may be needed to ensure providers are willing to enter the market and that manufacturers remain accountable for major repairs.

Sponsor remarks and vote
- Sen. Smith said the bill would not solve every problem but would increase consumer choice, reduce delays and lower costs by opening the market to more repair providers. The committee reported the bill favorably on roll call.

Context
A 2022 survey by PIRG referenced in the staff analysis found 93 percent of wheelchair users needed at least one repair in the last year and 62 percent said repairs took four or more weeks. Supporters said the bill aims to reduce downtime that can strand users and interrupt work and daily life.

Provenance: Testimony and the sponsor's explanation and staff-analysis references are recorded in the hearing transcript near tab 6.","Senate Bill 412 would require manufacturers to make repair manuals, diagnostic tools, and parts available to wheelchair owners and independent repair providers under fair terms. Disability advocates and users testified that repair waits can last weeks to months and that expanded repair options could restore mobility faster.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6303411,"Senate committee backs form-reporting requirement for collision shops after testimony on hit-and-run fatalities",977,3043000,4020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e&start=3043&end=4020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2473059-840f487a7d45ff8fc6a41611bd0cd07e/thumbnail_3043000.jpg","/articles/6303411/Florida/Senate-committee-backs-form-reporting-requirement-for-collision-shops-after-testimony-on-hit-and-run-fatalities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6303411-f1b3dc88a733a360a1e8ed1f462353d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773572007&Signature=Z5qX6ICuVjqFhIN1WlrjZUJ8EcfSRR7snPtqnQvB9juXUsxbAT89jvovgRms2mdk3eFhcBhcAbIOVyJouYAWq4W5qpvng94NO8WUCQZauOMs7UwPmAzpXBOZCPLw9UOyFiNt7m4liOsHAy8-atD4dHHRZhSDEErE9JOXlRTvldZcvWa7Oycgei8vn0WYEx7Tx9MLQr7lCFyfWH1QAuaB-iqPc51NbGfVoTDB5dhgw9pn6-wu3GugfDPRDsm4x2edbAL6~U-7Anh8bM7gQTLblBy-QlpIDflMDjXgeyolHw~yL-ePKujRVwk8OPqgBXAxj68h3ZYY1leF0y4ZZZKmhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Commerce and Tourism Committee voted to report favorably on CS for SB 92, a bill requiring collision repair shops to create records for vehicles with substantial crash damage to assist law enforcement investigations into hit-and-run crashes.

Why it matters: Florida recorded more than 100,000 hit-and-run incidents in 2023, and sponsors said many victims never see accountability. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Ben Gruters, said the proposal is intended to create a searchable record that law enforcement can use when a damaged vehicle is later found in a repair shop.

What the bill would do
- Require vehicle collision repair shops to complete an \"accident or collision repair work\" transaction/form when vehicle damage exceeds $5,000 and no crash report exists. The form must include the shop's name and address, vehicle identification, customer contact information and a description of damage.
- Limit access to law enforcement; sponsors said the record would be intended for investigative use to identify hit-and-run drivers.

Public testimony and key concerns
- Ed Brodsky, State Attorney for Florida's 12th Judicial Circuit, supported the bill and called hit-and-run crashes a statewide epidemic. He said many victims are left dead or with catastrophic injuries and that the bill would give law enforcement a tool to reduce undetected offenders.
- David Rambo representing the Florida Automobile Dealers Association opposed aspects of the bill, saying the criminal penalties for clerical shortcomings (a second-degree misdemeanor on line 79 of the draft) are too harsh, and that the measure could create burdens for body shops (daily reporting, unclear destination for reports across many local agencies). He asked the sponsor to work on form and compliance details.

Amendments and votes
- An amendment (barcode 442480) by Sen. DeGraffenreidt clarified when the form is required where a crash report is not available; the amendment was adopted without recorded opposition.
- The committee reported CS for SB 92 favorably on roll call.

Sponsor remarks and next steps
- Sen. Gruters said he would work with dealers and body shops to refine form wording and data flows; he said the proposal is intented to be a practical tool, not an onerous new burden, and pointed to prior examples (pawnbroker and secondhand dealer registries) where mandatory reporting helped law enforcement.

Provenance: The bill was introduced by Sen. Gruters near tab 5 of the hearing. Testimony supporting the bill included remarks by State Attorney Ed Brodsky and opposing technical concerns from David Rambo of the auto-dealers association. The committee adopted a clarifying amendment and reported the bill favorably.","Committee approved an amended bill that would require collision repair shops to file a report when vehicle damage to a vehicle exceeds $5,000 or when a crash report is not available; sponsors framed it as a tool to help law enforcement identify hit-and-run vehicles; dealers warned of criminal penalties and paperwork burdens.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee narrows debt-collection bill after split public testimony on consumer protections

Votes at a glance: Commerce and Tourism committee reports multiple bills favorably

Committee backs powered-wheelchair "right to repair" bill after disabled advocates describe long delays

Senate committee backs form-reporting requirement for collision shops after testimony on hit-and-run fatalities