TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed four bills passed during a special legislative session last week designed to provide hurricane relief, bolster security at Jewish day schools and expand school vouchers.
The special session came amid the backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas, with state lawmakers taking steps to show their support for Israel. One of the new laws (HB 5C) expands state sanctions against Iran, a key backer of Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7.
Two other bills passed during the session carried a total price tag of $462 million.
That included a wide-ranging package (HB 1C) that will provide additional assistance in areas hit by Hurricane Idalia and provide $176.17 million to the My Safe Florida Home program, which is designed to help people shore up their homes to better withstand hurricanes.
The My Safe Florida Home program includes matching grants up to $10,000 to help homeowners pay for such things as reinforcing roof-to-wall connections, upgrading roof coverings and upgrading doors and windows. The money approved during the special session will cover more than 17,600 already-submitted applications to the program.
The bill also includes money to help people and communities affected by Idalia, which made landfall Aug. 30 in Taylor County.
During the special session, lawmakers passed bipartisan resolutions to show support for Israel and approved the bill targeting Iran.
That bill will expand a 2007 law that requires the State Board of Administration to divest from what are known as “scrutinized” companies with links to Iran’s petroleum industry. The new measure will also apply to such things as the financial, construction, manufacturing, textile and manufacturing sectors of the economy.
Also, lawmakers passed a bill (HB 7C) that will provide $25 million to bolster security at Jewish day schools and preschools and $20 million for the Division of Emergency Management to set up a nonprofit security grant program that directs funding to organizations that, according to a House staff analysis “are at high risk of violent attacks or hate crimes.”
Another measure signed by the governor (HB 3C) is designed to make more school vouchers available for students with disabilities as demand for the scholarships has exceeded supply. The bill, in part, eliminated a cap on participation this school year in what’s known as the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities.
