Study of ALEC impact in Florida

7/31/2019 Study of ALEC impact in Florida

1/54


2/54

TableofContents

EXECUTIVESUMMARY.......................................................................................................................... 4KeyFindings........................................................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTIONTOALEC.................................................................................................................... 5WhatisALEC?....................................................................................................................................... 5

THEALECAGENDA............................................................................................................................... 6VoterIDAndElectionLaws................................................................................................................. 6CorporatePowerAndWorkersRights.............................................................................................. 7UndercuttingHealthCareReform...................................................................................................... 7TaxPolicy................................................................................................................................................ 7PrivatizationofPublicSchools............................................................................................................. 8ObstructingEnvironmentalProtection............................................................................................... 8

ALECINFLORIDA................................................................................................................................... 8Florida&ALECStateLegislators........................................................................................................ 8LeadershipRoles.................................................................................................................................... 8ALECFloridaMembers...................................................................................................................... 10ALECScholarshipFund PayToPlay............................................................................................. 10ANightontheTowninNewOrleans.............................................................................................. 11ALECCorporateMembers................................................................................................................. 12

ALEC

MODEL

BILLS

IN

FLORIDA..................................................................................................... 18

Immigration.......................................................................................................................................... 18Education.............................................................................................................................................. 31Healthcare............................................................................................................................................. 37


3/54

GunIndustry........................................................................................................................................ 40CorporateWelfare................................................................................................................................ 44Labor...................................................................................................................................................... 45Prisons................................................................................................................................................... 48

CONCLUSION......................................................................................................................................... 50WhatCanBeDone............................................................................................................................... 50Resources............................................................................................................................................... 50

Acknowledgements:

TheauthorsofthisreportaresubstantiallyindebtedtoBeauHodaiofDBAPressandtheCenterfor

MediaandDemocracy(CMD),whofiledandsharedtheinformationrequeststhatfurnishedmuchofthe

vital

information

presented

in

this

report.

The

authors

are

equally

indebted

to

CMD/PRWatch,

who

beyondcontributingtothisreport,helpedestablishtheopensourceAlecExposedwebsite,whichhas

beenaninvaluabletoolforALECresearchersacrossthecountry. Wealsoappreciatetheadviceand

assistanceresearchcolleaguesatPeoplefortheAmericanWay.

2012ProgressFlorida,FloridaWatch,PeopleFortheAmericanWay,CenterForMediaand

Democracy,CommonCause


4/54

EXECUTIVESUMMARY

ThisreportdocumentsthefootprintthatALEC,theAmericanLegislativeExchangeCouncil,hasin

Florida. ALECsimpactinstatelegislaturesacrossthecountrycannotbeunderestimated. This

corporatefunded501(c)(3)organizationhasbeenoperatingandexpandingsinceitsinceptionin1973.

ALEChasunprecedentedaccesstolawmakersandtothecompositionofthebillstheypassintolaw.

OutofFloridas160statelegislators,60havehadtieswithALECsince2010throughduesrecordsor

recordsofitstaskforceswherecorporatelobbyistsvoteasequalswithlegislatorsonmodelbillsbehind

closeddoors. IntheHouse,46representativeshavebeenaffiliatedwithALECtaskforces;intheSenate,

14senators.

ALECanditslegislativeleadersinthestatehavesupportedandpushedsomeofFloridasmost

devastatinglegislation. Despiteclaimstothecontrary,ALECsagendaisnotbasedprimarilyupon

ideology,butmostlyuponpecuniaryrewardsforitscorporatefunders. TheresultingALECmodel

billsthathavebeenadoptedbyALECtaskforceshavebeenintroducedinFloridabyALEC

representativesandhaveamendedFloridastatutesfortheworse,harmingtherightsandopportunitiesofeverydaycitizensintheprocess.

KEYFINDINGS

Thekeyfindingsofthisreportinclude:

ALECmodelbillsintroducedacrossthecountryhavedevastatingimpactsuponpubliceducation,consumerprotections,environmentalprotections,workersrights,equitable

healthcaresystems,

just

tax

policy,

and

voting

rights.

ALEChasastrongandgrowingpresenceinFlorida. ALECspublicsectorstatechairinFloridaisRepresentativeJimmyPatronisJr.(R6).

ALECscorporatefundedscholarshipfundcontained,asofJanuary1,2011,$46,467. ThisfundisusedtosponsorALECmemberstoattendALECconferences,andisalsospentasdocumented

inthereporttowineanddineALECFloridamembersalongsidecorporatelobbyists.

Corporationsexpendituresforthefundcanbewrittenoffas501(c)(3)charitabledonationson

theirtaxreturns.

ALEC

provides

Florida

members

with

issue

alerts,

talking

points,

and

press

release

templatesexpressingsupportoroppositiontostatelegislation,despiteitsclaimsthatALEC

doesnotlobbyinanystate.Theorganizationalsotracksthestatusofitsmodelbillsin

legislaturesandbillsitdoesnotlike,andsendsitsemployeestotestifyinsupportofitsbillsin

statehousesacrossthecountry.

ALECmodellegislationhasbeenintroducedinFloridaslegislature,attimeswordforword,withdevastatingresults.


5/54

InresponsetoALECsextremeagenda,26forprofitcorporationsincludingWalMart,McDonalds,andKraftfournonprofitgroupsandover50lawmakershavedroppedALECin

recentmonths. ThisreportconcludesthatFloridabasedcorporationsandFloridaALEC

membersshoulddothesame.

INTRODUCTIONTOALEC

WHATISALEC?

ALECisacorporatefundedentitythathelpscorporationsgetspecialinterestandcorporatewritten

legislationpassedintolaw. Whenlegislatorsinmultiplestatesintroducesimilaroridenticalbillstoboost

corporatepowerandprofits,undermineworkersrights,limitcorporateaccountabilityforpollutionor

harmtoAmericans,privatizepubliceducation,orrestrictvotingrights,theoddsaregoodthatsuch

legislationwaswrittenbycorporatelobbyistsworkingthroughALEC.

ALECsmajorfundersandcorporateleadersincludeExxonMobil,Altria,AT&T,GlaxoSmithKline,

Johnson&Johnson,KochIndustries,PhRMA,PeabodyEnergyandStateFarmInsurance,amongdozens

ofothers. Over98%ofALECs$7millioninrevenueayearcomesfromcorporations,specialinterests,

andsourcesotherthanlegislativedues(whichrun$50peryearforlegislators).1

ALECisaregistered501(c)(3)nonprofitorganizationthatexistsostensiblytopromotelimited

government,freemarkets,federalism,andindividualliberty.2Foundedin1973,theselfdescribed

association is,initsownwords,afarreachingnationalnetworkofstatelegislatorsthataffectsall

levelsofgovernment. NoorganizationinAmericatodaycanclaimasmanyvaluableassetsthathaveinfluenceonasmanykeydecisionmakingcenters.3

Theorganizationsboastfulnessisnotunfounded.ALECclaimstohavemorethan2,000activemembers

instatelegislaturesacrossthecountryandover100alumnimembersinCongress,anditclaimstobethe

largestnonpartisanindividualmembershipassociationofstaterepresentativesinthenation.4The

organizationhasmembersineverystate,andinsomestateshasamajoritypresenceinthelegislaturein

Arizona,forexample,54%ofstatelegislatorsareALECmembers.5Everyyearacrossthecountry,ALEC

legislatorsintroduce800to1,000ALECmodelbillsinthe50statelegislatures,ofwhich20%areenacted

intolaw.6

Bypaying

much

higher

dues

than

legislators

in

addition

to

sponsorship

fees,

corporations

are

able

to

participateinALECconferences,wheretheirlobbyistsandexecutivesvoteasequalsalongsidethe

electedofficialstheyarepaidtoinfluenceintaskforcesonALECmodellegislation.Thesemodel

billsareoftendraftedbycorporatelawyerspriortoALECconferences,sponsoredintaskforcemeetings

bycorporatelobbyists,andarethenifadoptedbythetaskforceintroducedinstatelegislaturesacross

thecountrywithoutproperdisclosureoftheoriginsofthebillsandthelobbyistsinvolved.


6/54

ALECtaskforcesarecomprisedoftwoequalcontingents:representativesofcorporationsandspecial

interests,andelectedrepresentatives. Taskforcemeetingsareconductedbehindcloseddoorsandarenot

opentothepublic. Inattemptstoviewtheprocess,journalistshavebeenaskedtoleaveALEC

conferences,andhavebeenthreatenedwitharrestbyhotelsecurityandcontractedpolice.7

NotonlydoesALECenablecorporationsandspecialintereststohandstatelegislators modelbills, they

alsoprovideavehiclefortheircorporatememberstobuyinfluencewithlegislatorsthroughgiftsof

flights,hotelrooms,andotherperksdenominatedas ALECscholarships.8Thesecorporateexpenditures

intoALECsscholarshipfundarealsoregisteredas501(c)(3)donations,creatingtheantitheticalsituation

wherecorporationsareabletodeducttheirlobbyingexpensesascharitabledonationsontheirtax

returns.

Furthermore,ALECsmagazinedeclaresthatmembersareencouragedtocontactALECspublicaffairs

departmentforassistancewithdraftingpressreleases,bookingradioandtelevisionappearances,

buildingmedialists,andparticipatinginmediatraining.DisprovingtheirclaimthatALECdoesnot

lobbyinanystate,9theorganizationalsoprovideslegislatorswithbackgroundresearch,talkingpoints,

samplepressreleases,andothermediaresourcestosupportpassageoftheirmodellegislationand

resolutions,10andemailsissuealertstolegislatorsinsupportof,oragainst,specificbillsinstatelegislatures.11

Despitethisinfluence,ALEChadoperatedintheshadowsuntiltheCenterforMediaandDemocracy

(CMD)launchedALECexposedlastyearafterawhistleblowerprovidedCMDwithover850modelbills

secretlyvotedonbycorporatelobbyistsandlegislators. Sincethen,CMDandothergoodgovernment

groupshavebeenabletoconnectthedotsbetweenALECbillsandALEClegislatorsandcorporations

thatmanyhaveexpressedconcernsaboutbutwereunabletoprovewithoutthebills.

Thatsecrecywasnotacoincidence;itwasdeliberate. ForwhatALECtrulydoes,andwhatALEC

actuallyrepresentsisnotonlyimmoral,manyhaveargueditisillegal.

THEALECAGENDA

ALECcorporationsarediverseintheirmakeupandcomefromawiderangeofindustries. Thus,ALEC

modellegislationcoversawiderangeofindustries,andprovidesthoseindustrieswithawiderangeof

loopholes,taxbreaks,andreturns. InALECsrepertoire,thereexistcountlessbillsthathavenodirect

purposeexcepttofinanciallyrewardcorporatefundersoftheALECnetwork.Thefollowingtopicsare

directlyaffectedbyALECmodelbills(afulllistofexposedALECmodelbillscanbefoundat

ALECExposed.org):

VOTERIDANDELECTIONLAWS

ALEChasplayedacentralroleintheemergingtrendamongstatelegislaturestoconsidervoterIDlaws.12

Usingfalseallegationsofvoterfraud,ALECpoliticiansarepursuingpoliciesthatdisenfranchise

studentsandotheratriskvoters includingtheelderlyandthepoor whoareunlikelytohavedrivers

licensesorotherformsofphotoID.13Despitesensationalizedclaimstothecontrary,theproblemof


7/54

voterfraudisvirtuallynonexistentinAmerica;reportsshowthateveninbattlegroundstateslike

Ohio,voterfraudoccursataninsignificantrateof0.0000004%.14ThereasonALECsupportsbillslikethe

VoterIDActhaslittletonothingtodowithprohibitingnonexistentvoterfraud,andeverythingtodo

withshiftingtheelectorallandscapeintheirfavor. ALECskeyfounder,PaulWeyrich,oncestated:I

dontwanteverybodytovote.Electionsarenotwonbyamajorityofpeople,theyneverhavebeenfromthe

beginningofourcountryandtheyarenotnow.Asamatteroffact,ourleverageintheelectionsquitecandidlygoes

upasthevotingpopulacegoesdown.15

Inaddition,ALECwantstomakeiteasierforcorporationstoparticipateinthepoliticalprocess.Their

PublicSafetyandElectionstaskforcehaslongincludedSeanParnelloftheCenterforCompetitive

Politics,oneofthemostvociferousprocorporateelectiongroupsthatpromoteslegislationthatwould

devastatecampaignfinancereformandallowforgreatercorporateinfluenceinelections. ALECsupports

theCitizensUniteddecisionandopposesdisclosuresofspendingtoinfluenceelectionsbyoutside

groups. ALEChasopposedbansonpaytoplayactivitiesandevenopposedmandatoryrulestoallow

citizensadequatetimebeforehearingsorvotessocitizenscanparticipateinameaningfulway.16

CORPORATEPOWERANDWORKERSRIGHTS

ALECworksferventlytopromotelawsthatwouldshieldcorporationsfromlegalactionandallowthem

tolimittherightsofworkers.Thegroupsmodellegislationwouldrollbacklawsregardingcorporate

accountability,workerscompensationandonthejobprotections,collectivebargainingandorganizing

rights,prevailingwageandtheminimumwage.ALECisamainproponentofbillsthatundermine

organizedlaborbystrippingpublicemployeesofcollectivebargainingrightsandrighttoworklaws.

Theyalsopushregulatoryflexibilitylawsthatleadtomassivederegulation.17Itisnosurprisethatthe

staffdirectorofALECsCommerce,InsuranceandEconomicDevelopmentTaskForcepreviouslywas

fundedasaKochAssociateattheCharlesG.KochCharitableFoundation.18

UNDERCUTTINGHEALTHCAREREFORM

After

the

passage

of

federal

health

care

reform

in

2010,

one

of

ALECs

top

priorities

has

been

to

challenge

thelawbyencouragingmemberstointroducebillsthatwouldprohibitthelawsinsurancemandate.

ALECsHealthandHumanServicestaskforceisledbyrepresentativesofPhRMAandJohnson&

Johnson(untilJ&JleftALECthispastmonth). RepresentativesofBayerandGlaxoSmithKlinesiton

ALECsboard.19ALECsmodelbill,theFreedomofChoiceinHealthCareAct,hasbeenintroducedin

fortyfourstates,includingFlorida,andALECevenreleasedaStateLegislatorsGuidetoRepealing

ObamaCarediscussingavarietyofmodellegislationincludingbillstopartiallyprivatizeMedicaidand

SCHIP.20Thelegislativeguideutilizesideasandinformationfromcorporatefundedgroupsthatare

connectedtoALEC,liketheHeritageFoundation,theGoldwaterInstitute,theJamesMadisonInstitute,

theCatoInstitute,theNationalCenterforPolicyAnalysisandtheNationalFederationofIndependent

Business.21

TAXPOLICY

AsstatesfacechallengingbudgetdeficitsinthewakeofthecrashofWallStreetin2998,ALECwantsto

makeitmoredifficulttogeneraterevenueinordertocloseshortfalls.BillsincludetheSuperMajority

Act,whichmakesitsocomplicatedforlegislaturestochangetaxpolicythatCaliforniavoters

overturnedthelawwhichallowedaminoritytothwartmajoritywill;22theTaxpayerBillOfRights

(TABOR)whichbroughtfiscaldisastertoColorado;andmeasurestoeliminatecapitalgainsand

progressiveincometaxes.23ThemainbeneficiariesofALECsirresponsiblefiscalpoliciesarecorporations

andthewealthiesttaxpayers.


8/54

PRIVATIZATIONOFPUBLICSCHOOLS

Despiteconstitutionalproblems,negativeimpactsonpublicschools,biasagainstdisadvantaged

students,andcomprehensivestudiesincitieslikethoseanalyzingWashingtonDC,NewYork,

Milwaukee,andClevelandwhichdemonstratethatprivateschoolvoucherprogramsfailedtomakeany

improvementstotheeducationsystem,24ALECseesprivateschoolvouchersasawaytoradically

privatizethe

public

education

system.

Under

the

guise

of

school

choice,

ALEC

pushes

bills

with

titles

likeParentalChoiceScholarshipActandtheEducationEnterpriseActthatestablishprivateschool

voucherprograms. ALEChasalsobeenanactivesupporterofonlineeducationcorporations,despitethe

negativeresultsofsuchprograms. ArepresentativeofConnectionsAcademy,whichisadivisionof

ConnectionsEducationLLC,aforprofitonlineschoolingcompany,cochairsALECsEducationTask

Force.25MatthewLadner,oneofALECsmostprominentadvisorsoneducationpolicyandaformer

educationadvisortoJebBush,recentlyreceivedaLifetimeBunkumAwardfromtheNational

EducationPolicyCenterattheUniversityofColoradoinBoulderforpromotingfalseandmisleading

informationinpushingALECsschoolchoiceagenda.26

OBSTRUCTINGENVIRONMENTALPROTECTION

Atthe

bidding

of

its

major

donors

like

Exxon

Mobil

and

Koch

Industries,

ALEC

is

behind

state

level

legislationthatwouldhindertheabilityofgovernmenttoregulateandcurbpolluters.27ALEChas

previouslysaidthatcarbondioxideisbeneficialtoplantandhumanlifealike,andpromotesclimate

changedenialism.28ThegroupsmodellegislationassailsEPAemissionsguidelinesandgreenhousegas

regulations,destabilizesregionalclimateinitiatives,andpushesformassivederegulationofairandwater

pollutions,whichwouldbasicallypermitthefreereignofdirtyenergycompanies.Unsurprisingly,

ALECsEnergy,EnvironmentandAgriculturetaskforcewasformerlyledbyTomMoskitisofthe

AmericanGasAssociationandcurrentlychairedbyMartinShultzofBrownsteinHyattFarberSchreck,a

majorlobbyistfirmforoilandgascompanieslikeConocoPhillips.29Thegroupreceivesfundingfrom

ExxonMobil,Shell,Chevron,Texaco,Amoco,theAmericanPetroleumInstitute,andtheAmerican

ElectricPowerAssociation.30

ALECINFLORIDA

FLORIDA&ALECSTATELEGISLATORS

OutofFloridas160statelegislators,60havehadknowntiestoALECsince2010. IntheHouse,46

representativeshavebeenaffiliatedwithALEC;intheSenate,14Senators. AndALECspresencein

FloridaisontheriseaccordingtoreleaseddocumentsfromRepresentativeJimmyPatronisoffice,

FloridalawmakersattendanceatALECs2011annualconferenceheldinNewOrleanswasoneofthe

strongestdelegationsinyears.31

LEADERSHIPROLES

FloridasPublicSectorStateChairisRepresentativeJimmyPatronisJr.(R6).32Asof2011,Floridas

PrivateSectorStateChairwasDavidNicklesofthelobbyingfirm,theNicklesStrategyGroupLLC.33As

actingastheliaisonbetweenFloridalawmakersandtheALECofficeinWashingtonD.C.,overseeingthe


9/54

ALECscholarshipfund,andcoordinatingadditionalALECoutreachinFlorida.

RepresentativePatronisnominatedthefollowingFloridalawmakerstoserveastaskforcemembersfor

thetwoyeartermofJanuary1,2011December31,2012(recordedbelowaswrittenbyPatronis):

CIVILJUSTICETASKFORCE:

PrimaryNomination RelatedCommittee(s)inStateLegislature

RepresentativeCharlesMcBurney CivilChair

COMMERCE,INSURANCE,ANDECONOMICDEVELOPMENTTASKFORCE:


RepresentativeBryanNelson InsuranceandBankingChair

INTERNATIONALRELATIONSTASKFORCEANDFEDERALRELATIONSWORKINGGROUP:


RepresentativeScott

Plakon

Chair

Federal

PUBLICSAFETYANDELECTIONSTASKFORCE:


RepresentativeRayPilon CriminalJusticeMember

TAXANDFISCALPOLICYTASKFORCE:


RepresentativeStevePrecourt TaxChair

RepresentativeJavinBroduer (illegible)Member

EDUCATIONTASKFORCE:


RepresentativeAnitereFlores EducationChair

ENERGY,ENVIRONMENT,ANDAGRICULTURETASKFORCE:


RepresentativeClayFord EnergyChair

HEALTHANDHUMANSERVICESTASKFORCE:


10/54


RepresentativeGayleHarrell HealthChairSubcommittee

RepresentativeJohnWood

RepresentativeMattHudson

TELECOMMUNICATIONSANDINFORMATIONTECHNOLOGYTASKFORCE:


RepresentativeMichaelBileca

ALECFLORIDAMEMBERS

Inkeepingwithitssecretivenature,ALECdoesnotpublicizeitsmembership,thusmakingcompleteand

accuratemembershiprollsnearlyimpossibletoobtain.However,weknowthefollowingFlorida

lawmakerspaidmembershipduesorattendedatleastoneALECconferencesince2010(lawmakers

believedtohavebeenduespayingmembersatleastoncefrom201012aredenotedwithanasterisk):

*Sen.MichaelBennett(R21)

*Sen.LarceniaJ.Bullard(D39)

Sen.LeeConstantine(R22)

*Sen.NancyC.Detert(R23)

*Sen.MikeFasano(R11)

*Sen.AnitereFlores(R38)

*Sen.ReneGarcia(R40)

Sen.MikeHaridopolos(R26)

*Sen.AlanHays(R25)

*Sen.DennisJones(R13)

*Sen.GarrettRichter(R37)*Sen.DavidSimmons(R22)

*Sen.RondaStorms(R10)

Rep.LarryAhern(R51)

*Rep.BenAlbritton(R66)

*Rep.FrankArtiles(R119)

*Rep.DennisBaxley(R24)

Rep.MichaelBileca(R117)

Rep.JeffBrandes(R52)

*Rep.JasonBrodeur(R33)

*Rep.RachelBurgin(R56)

*Rep.MattCaldwell(R73)

*Rep.DeanCannon(R35)

Rep.RichardCorcoran(R45)

Rep.FredCostello(R26)

Rep.SteveCrisafulli(R32)

Rep.DanielDavis(R13)

*Rep.JoseDiaz(R115)

*Rep.ChrisDorworth(R34)

*Rep.BradDrake(R5)

*Rep.AnitereFlores(R114)*Rep.ClayFord(R3)

*Rep.JamesC.Frishe(R54)

*Rep.RichGlorioso(R62)

Rep.EduardoGonzalez(R102)

*Rep.DeniseGrimsley(R77)

Rep.GayleHarrell(R81)

*Rep.DougHolder(R70)

*Rep.MikeHorner(R79)

*Rep.MattHudson(R101)

Rep.ClayIngram(R2)

*Rep.PaigeKreegel(R72)

*Rep.JohnLegg(R46)

*Rep.AnaRivasLogan(R114)

*Rep.DebbieMayfield(R80)

Rep.CharlesMcBurney(R16)

Rep.PeterNehr(R48)

Rep.BryanNelson(R38)

*Rep.JeanetteNunez(R112)

*Rep.JimmyT.Patronis,Jr.(R6)

*Rep.RayPilon(R69)*Rep.ScottPlakon(R37)

*Rep.StephenL.Precourt(R41)

Rep.LakeRay(R17)

*Rep.RonSaunders(D120)

*Rep.KelliStargel(R64)

Rep.JohnTobia(R31)

Rep.CarlosTrujillo(R116)

Rep.WillWeatherford(R61)

*Rep.JohnWood(R65)

Rep.DanaYoung(R57)

ALECSCHOLARSHIPSFUNDPAYTOPLAY

ALECsscholarshipfundscanbeusedtocoverthecoststhatALEClegislatorsincurwhenattending

ALECconferences. Theseconferencesarebynomeansaustere;ALECconferencesareheldinlush

resortsliketheWestinKierlandResortinScottsdale,Arizona,orinresortsrightinFloridasbackyard


11/54

(ALECheldapolicyconferenceattheRitzCarltoninFebruaryof2012onAmeliaIslandpictured

below).34

Scholarshipfundhelppayforairfare,hotelrooms,andotherexpensesofALEClegislatorsduringthese

conferences,whichprovidemealsanddrinksinadditiontootherfreebies. Ontopofthoseperks,ALEC

offersotherbenefitsforALECrepresentatives. AninvitationsenttoRepresentativePatronisonOctober

12,2011,stated:Yourregistrationisalsocovered,includingallscheduledmeals,offsitetours,and

readingmaterialsaswellasanoptionalexcursionthroughtheAustinandtheTexascountryside.35

Electedofficialsarealsoencouragedtobringtheirfamiliestoconferences,whereALECofferssubsidized

childcareforkidssixmonthsandolderinaprogramcalledKidsCongress.36 In2009,ALECspent

$251,873onchildcarealone,whichwaspartiallysubsidizedbylobbyistsandlawmakers.37

ALECscholarshipfundsareraisedfromcorporateandspecialinterestcontributions. AsofJanuary1,

2011,ALECsFloridascholarshipfundcontained$46,467.38

AccordingtotheCenterForMediaandDemocracy,contributionstoscholarshipfundsaregenerally

madethroughcorporatelobbyists. Forexample,inOhio,aTimeWarnerCablelobbyistmadea$10,000

contributionto

the

Ohio

ALEC

scholarship

fund.

39Unfortunately,

unless

the

data

is

leaked,

the

details

of

ALECscholarshipfundsarekeptsecrettoallexceptALECslegislativeleadersandthecorporate

lobbyistswhomadethedonations. Somedocumentsshowthatstatelegislatorshavesolicitedcompanies

directlyforscholarshipcontributions,establishingadangerouspossibilityforsettingupquidquopro

arrangementsandcertainlytheperceptionofcorruption.40

ANIGHTONTHETOWNINNEWORLEANS

TheofficeofALECStateChairJimmyPatronissentouttheinvitationforALECs2011annualconference

inNewOrleanstoFloridaALECmembersinMayof2011. Withindays,ALECmembersstartedreaching

outtoPatronisofficeinquiringaboutscholarshipfundapplications,andcorporatelobbyistsbegan

requestingthelistofALEClegislatorswhoplannedonattendingtheevent.

RepresentativeClayFordwasstraightforward.Shouldbeagoodmeetingwithgoodfood,hewroteto

RepresentativeJimmyPatronisinanemail. Andgoodfoodtherewas.

TheFloridaStatedinnerinNewOrleanswasplannedbyRepresentativePatronisandTallahasseebased

lobbyistDouglasRussell.4142ThemealtookplaceFriday,August5thatAntoinesintheFrenchQuarter.


12/54

Themealcost$120or$127perperson,dependingontheplate(menupicturebelow),butFlorida

lawmakersdidnotpayapennythemealwascoveredbythe501(c)(3)taxdeductible,corporatefunded

scholarshipfund.

Themealwasattendedbynearlyasmanycorporatelobbyistsasstatelegislators. ThefollowingFlorida

legislatorswerejoinedbylobbyistsrepresentingConnectionsEducation,EndoPharmaceuticals,

Blackstone,BayerHealthcare,Comcast,andEndoPharmaceuticals,amongotherclients.4344454647

LEGISLATORSATALECFLORIDADINNERATANTOINES

Rep.WillWeatherford(R61)

Rep.ChrisDorworth(R34)

Rep.RichardCorcoran(R45)

Rep.Stephen

L.

Precourt

(R

41)

Rep.StephenL.Precourt(R41)

Rep.RachelBurgin(R56)

Rep.LakeRay(R17)

Rep.MattCaldwell(R73)

Rep.MichaelBileca(R117)

Rep.Daniel

Davis

(R

13)

Rep.JoseDiaz(R115)

Rep.CarlosTrujillo(R116)

Rep.DennisBaxley(R24)

Rep.SteveCrisafulli(R32)

Rep.JasonBrodeur(R33)

Rep.Peter

Nehr

(R

48)

Rep.AnaRivasLogan(R114)

TheALECFloridadinneratAntoineswasnotexceptional. Facilitatingrelationshipsbetweenstate

membersandcorporatelobbyistsistheessenceofwhatALECdoes. However,justbecauseALECs

corporatecozyingisnormalizeddoesnotmeanitisethicallyacceptable;asevidencedbytheALEC

agenda,thelegislationthatresultsfromtheserelationshipshasdevastatingconsequencesforthepeople

ofFloridaandotherstates.

ALECCORPORATE

MEMBERS

Fordecades,corporationshavebeenusingALECasavehicletogettheirbillsintroducedinFlorida.

ThesecorporationsincludemajorUSbrandslikeExxonMobil,andforeigncorporationswithaUS

presencelikeGlaxoSmithKlineandReedElsevier(knownforitsLexis/Nexissite;earlierthisyearthe

corporationdroppedoutofALEC),whoareallcurrentlyrepresentedonALECsPrivateEnterprise

Board.BelowarethemajorcorporationsbasedinFloridathatareknowntohavebeenaffiliatedwith


13/54

ALECinrecentyears:

FLORIDASALECCORPORATEMEMBERS

ApotexCorp.

ApotexisaCanadianownedpharmaceuticalcorporation.Thecompanyproducesmorethan300generic

pharmaceuticalsinapproximately4000dosages,exportingtoover115countriesaroundtheglobe.

Founded:1974

Employees:6,800

Address:2400NorthCommerceParkway,Suite400,Weston,Florida,33326

Telephone:18007065575

Arduin,Laffer&MooreEconometrics,LLC

Arduin,LafferandMooreEconometricsisaconservativeleaningeconomicconsultingfirmledbyDonna

Arduin,Dr.ArthurLaffer,andStephenMoore.Itadvisesfederal,state,andmunicipalleadersand

candidates,aswellasprivatesectorclients.BothMooreandLafferarelongtimeALECsupporterswho

movetheirlegislativeagendasthroughALEC.

Founded:2005

Employees:Unknown

Address:225SouthAdamsStreet,Suite200,Tallahassee,Florida32301

Telephone:850

205

8020

ParquetPublicAffairs

ParquetPublicAffairsisanationalissuemanagement,communications,governmentrelationsand

reputationassurancefirmthatadvisesFortune500corporations,nationaltradeassociations,nonprofits

andregionalbusinesses.

Founded:

2009

Employees:Between1150

Address:1030N.OrangeAvenue,Suite102Orlando,FL32801



14/54

PublixSuperMarkets,Inc.

PublixisoneofthelargestUSregionalgrocerychains,onlyoneofahandfulofchainsoperatingover

1,000locations.

Founded:1930

Employees:152,000

Address:PublixSuperMarketsCorporateOffice,POBox407,Lakeland,FL338020407


SELECTEDPROMINENT

ALEC

CORPORATE

MEMBERS

[Seethecompletelistathttp://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=ALEC_Corporations]

1800Contacts,Inc

AmericaWestAirlines(US

Airways)

AOL

AT&T

BankofAmerica

BayerCorp.

BoeingCorporation

BPAmerica,IncCenturyLink

Comcast

CrackerBarrelOldCountry

Store,Inc

DowChemicalCompany

eBay

EnronCorporation

ExxonMobilCorporation

FedEx

FordMotorCo

FritoLayInc

FruitoftheLoom

GEICO

GeneralElectric

GeneralMillsRestaurants

GeneralMotorsCorporation

IBM

Intel

JCPenneyCo.KochCompaniesPublicSector

KochIndustries

LibertyMutualInsuranceCo.

MaryKayCosmetics

MicrosoftCorporation

Monsanto

Motorola,Inc

NestleUSAInc

OutbackSteakHouse

PfizerInc

QuakerOatsCo.

SaraLeeCorporation

ShellOilCompany

SonyCorp.

StateFarmInsuranceCo.

SymantecCorporation

TMobileUSA

TECOEnergy

TexacoInc.TimeWarnerCable

GulfStatesToyota

Tropicana

UnitedAirlines

UnitedParcelService(UPS)

UnitedHealthcare

VerizonCommunications,Inc.

Visa

Walgreens

WallStreetJournal

Waste

Management

Inc.

WesternUnion

Yahoo!

CORPORATEMEMBERSTHATHAVEDUMPEDALEC[Source:http://sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Corporations_Who_Have_Cut_Ties_to_ALEC]


15/54

CocaColaCompany

Pepsi

Kraft

Intuit

McDonalds

Wendys

Mars

ArizonaPublicService

ReedElsevier

AmericanTrafficSolutions

BlueCrossBlueShield

YUM!Brands

Procter&Gamble

Kaplan

ScantronCorporation

Amazon.com

Medtronic

WalMartJohnson&Johnson

Dell

HewlettPackard

CVSCaremark

BestBuy

JohnDeere&Co.

MillerBrewingCompany

ExpressScripts/Medco

ALECLOBBYING

IN

FLORIDA

AccordingtotheIRS,noorganizationmayqualifyforsection501(c)(3)statusifasubstantialpartofits

activitiesisattemptingtoinfluencelegislation(commonlyknownaslobbying).48TheIRSexaminesa

varietyoffactorswhendeterminingwhetheranorganizationslobbyingissubstantialornot,from

consideringtheportionoftimedevotedtolobbyingtoanalyzinganorganizationsexpenditures.49

Inclarifyingthedefinitionoflobbying,theIRSstates:Anorganizationwillberegardedasattemptingto

influencelegislationifitcontacts,orurgesthepublictocontact,membersoremployeesofalegislative

bodyforthepurposeofproposing,supporting,oropposinglegislation,oriftheorganizationadvocates

theadoptionorrejectionoflegislation.50 ALEChasrepeatedlyclaimeditengagesinzerolobbying.

AstheexposingofALECdeveloped,andmoredocumentswerebroughttothesurface,itbecameclearto

goodgovernmentgroupsthatunderthesedefinitions,ALECshouldnotqualifyasa501(c)(3)

organization. OnApril20th,2012,CommonCausefiledacomplaint,pursuanttothewhistleblower

provisionsof26U.S.C.7623etseq.(theTaxWhistleblowerAct),requestingthattheIRSreexamineand

revokeALECs501(c)(3)status. ThefollowingexcerptwastakenfromtheirlettertotheIRS:


16/54

ALECsprimary,ifnotsoleobjectiveisto influencelegislation. Itsbylawsstatethatits

purposeisto formulatelegislativeactionprograms, disseminatemodellegislationand

promotetheintroductionofcompanionbillsinCongressandstatelegislatures, and

[e]establishaclearinghouseforbillsatthestatelevel,andprovideforabillexchange

program. [1]AsrecentlyasApril11,2012,ALECboastedthat foryears,ALEChas

partneredwithlegislatorstoresearchanddevelopbetter,moreeffective...legislation.[2]

Notwithstandingtheseclaims,however,ALEChasreported foryears totheIRSthatithas

notspentasinglepennyonlobbyingorattemptingtoinfluencelegislation.Thesetaxreturns

arepatentlyfalse.

FromdocumentsobtainedbytheCenterForMediaandDemocracyandCommonCause,itisevident

thatALECiscurrentlyengagedininfluencinglegislationinFlorida:

(SOURCE:ALECNews AnexampleofALEClobbyingsupport. Pleasenote:aswellasbackground

research,talkingpoints,samplepressreleases,andothermediaresources)


17/54

(SOURCE:ALECPublicationTheStateLegislatorsGuidetoRepealingObamaCareThisALEC

publicationisaguideforhowlegislatorscanhelpinvalidatefederallaw. Inpropagatingthispublication,

touseIRSlanguage,ALECadvocatestherejectionoflegislation,andisthusengagedinlobbying.)

(SOURCE:InternalALECdocumentALECtrackingthestatusoftheirmodelbills. Inthisdocument,

fourFloridabillsareunderconsideration.)


18/54

(SOURCE:EmailAlertsTheseissuealertsrelatetospecificlegislationinFlorida,andareclearexamples

ofALECengaginginlobbyingactivity.)

ALECMODELBILLSINFLORIDA

IMMIGRATION

NOSANCTUARYCITIESFORILLEGALIMMIGRANTSACT

FloridaLegislation:SB1896

Sponsors: SenatorGregEvers(RepublicanDistrict2)


19/54

LastAction:DiedinJudiciaryCommittee5/7/11

ALECModelLegislation:NoSanctuaryCitiesForIllegalImmigrantsAct

Similarities:SB1896ismodeled,wordforword,fromALECsNoSanctuaryCitiesForIllegal

ImmigrantsAct,acomprehensivebillthatcriminalizesundocumentedworkersandthosewhoassociate

withthem. SB1896provisionsinclude:mandatingthatemployersusetheEverifysystem;makingit

illegaltohaveanundocumentedworkerinonesvehicleinsomecircumstances;andcriminalizing,with

detailedsentencingmandates,thestateofbeingundocumentedonFloridasoil. Furthermore,SB1896

providesthat:Alawenforcementofficer,withoutawarrant,mayarrestapersoniftheofficerhasprobable

causetobelievethatthepersonisunlawfullypresentintheUnitedStates[emphasisadded].

Analysis: ALECsNoSanctuaryCitiesForIllegalImmigrantsActwasapprovedbythecorporate

lobbyistsandpoliticiansonALECsPublicSafetyandElectionsTaskForcebeforeitwasintroducedin

ArizonaasSB1070,arguablythemostinfamousstatelawinthecountry.Recently,keyportionsofthis

lawwerestruckdownasunconstitutionalbytheU.S.SupremeCourt.51

SB1070wasdraftedbyregisteredlobbyistsandArizonapoliticians.52 Thelegislationhadattractedlittle

supportinArizonaslegislatureuntilitwasembracedbyanALECtaskforceandthenendorsedby

ALECsnationalboard. RepresentativesfromtheCorrectionsCorporationofAmerica(CCA)the

largestprivateprisoncompanyinthecountrysatontheALEC PublicSafetyandElections TaskForce

thatapprovedthebill.53 WhileCCAclaimsitmerelyobservedthecorporationsandpoliticiansapproving

thebill,thereisnoquestionthecompanybenefittedfromthataction;ithadpreviouslymadepublic

statementsabouttheprofitsavailablefromtheimmigrationdetentionbusiness.54

CCAannualrevenues,whichstandat$1.736billion,55provethatincarceratinghumanbeingsisa

profitablebusiness. CCAoperatesfiveprisonsinFlorida,locatedinPanamaCity,Lecanto,Graceville,

LakeCity,

and

Moore

Haven.56

CCA

stepped

down

from

ALEC

in

late

2010

in

the

wake

of

the

controversyoverSB1070,butmodelALECbillsthatbenefititcontinuetobepushedinlegislatures.

ALECModelLegislation

NoSanctuaryCitiesforIllegalImmigrantsAct

FloridaLegislation

SB1896(2011)

Section2A

Noofficialoragencyofthisstateorcounty,city,

town,orotherpoliticalsubdivisionofthisstate

mayadoptapolicythatlimitsorrestrictsthe

enforcementof

federal

immigration

laws

to

less

thanthefullextentpermittedbyfederallaw.

Section820.031

Anofficialoragencyofthisstateorapolitical

subdivisionofthisstatemaynotadoptapolicy

thatlimitsorrestrictstheenforcementoffederal

immigrationlaws

to

less

than

the

full

extent

permittedbyfederallaw.

Section2B

Foranylegitimatecontactmadebyanofficialor

agencyofthisstateorcounty,city,townorother

politicalsubdivisionofthisstatewherereasonable

suspicionexiststhatthepersonisanalienwhois

unlawfullypresentintheUnitedStates,a

Section820.032

Alawenforcementagencyshallmakeareasonable

attempt,whenpracticable,todeterminethe

immigrationstatusofapersonifreasonable

suspicionexiststhatthepersonisanalienwhois

unlawfullypresentintheUnitedStates.The


20/54

reasonableattemptshallbemadetodeterminethe

immigrationstatusoftheperson.Thepersons

immigrationstatusshallbeverifiedwiththe

federalgovernmentpursuantto8UnitedStates

CodeSection1373(c).

personsimmigrationstatusshallbeverifiedbythe

FederalGovernmentpursuantto8U.S.C.s.

1373(c).

Section

2

C

IfanalienwhoisunlawfullypresentintheUnited

Statesisconvictedofaviolationofstateorlocal

law,ondischargefromimprisonmentor

assessmentofanyfinethatisimposed,thealien

shallbeimmediatelytransferredtothecustodyof

theUnitedStatesimmigrationandcustoms

enforcementortheUnitedStatescustomsand

borderprotection.

Section

820.03

3

IfanalienwhoisunlawfullypresentintheUnited

Statesisconvictedofaviolationofastateorlocal

law,upondischargefromimprisonmentor

paymentofafineimposedonthealien,thealien

shallbetransferredimmediatelytothecustodyof

theUnitedStatesImmigrationandCustoms

EnforcementortheUnitedStatesCustomsand

BorderProtection.

Section2D

Notwithstandinganyotherlaw,alawenforcement

agencymaysecurelytransportanalienwhois

unlawfullyintheUnitedStatesandwhoisinthe

agencyscustodytoafederalfacilityinthisstateor

toanyotherpointoftransferintofederalcustody

thatisoutsidethejurisdictionofthelaw

enforcementagency.

Section820.034

Notwithstandinganyotherlaw,alawenforcement

agencymaysecurelytransportanalienwhois

unlawfullypresentintheUnitedStatesandwhois

intheagencyscustodytoafederalfacilityinthis

stateortoanyotherpointoftransferintofederal

custodywhichisoutsidethejurisdictionofthelaw

enforcementagency.

Section2E

Exceptasprovidedinfederallaw,officialsor

agenciesofthisstateandcounties,cities,townsand

otherpoliticalsubdivisionsofthisstatemaynotbe

prohibitedorinanywayberestrictedfromsending,receivingormaintaininginformation

relatingtotheimmigrationstatus,lawfulor

unlawful,ofanyindividualorexchangingthat

informationwithanyotherfederal,stateorlocal

governmentalentityforthefollowingofficial

purposes:

(1)Determiningeligibilityforanyfederal,state,

localorotherpoliticalsubdivisionofthisstate

publicbenefit,serviceorlicense.

(2)Verifyinganyclaimofresidenceordomicileif

determinationof

residence

or

domicile

is

required

underthelawsofthisstateoraJudicialorder

issuedpursuanttoacivilorcriminalproceedingin

thisstate.

(3)Confirmingtheidentityofanypersonwhois

detained.

(4)Ifthepersonisanalien,determiningwhether

thepersonisincompliancewiththefederal

Section820.036

Exceptasprovidedinfederallaw,anofficialor

agencyofthisstateorapoliticalsubdivisionofthis

statemay,withoutrestriction,send,receive,or

maintaininformationrelatingtotheimmigrationstatusofaperson,orexchangethatinformation

withafederal,state,orlocalgovernmentalentity

forthefollowingofficialpurposes:

(a)Determiningeligibilityforanypublicbenefit,

service,orlicenseprovidedbyafederal,state,or

localgovernmentalentityorapoliticalsubdivision

ofthisstate.

(b)Verifyingaclaimofresidenceordomicileif

determiningtheresidenceordomicileofthe

personisrequiredunderthelawsofthisstateora

judicialorder

issued

pursuant

to

a

civil

or

criminal

proceedinginthisstate.

(c)Confirmingtheidentityofapersonwhois

detained.

(d)Ifthepersonisanalien,determiningifthe

personisincompliancewiththefederal

registrationlawsprescribedby8U.S.C.ss.1301et

seq.


21/54

registrationlawsprescribedbyTitleII,Chapter7of

theFederalImmigrationandNationalityAct.

Section2F

Apersonmaybringanactioninsuperiorcourtto

challengeanyofficialoragencyofthisstateor

county,

city,

town

or

other

political

subdivision

of

thisstatethatadoptsorimplementsapolicythat

limitsorrestrictstheenforcementoffederal

immigrationlawstolessthanthefullextent

permittedbyfederallaw.Ifthereisajudicial

findingthatanentityhasviolatedthissection,the

courtshallorderanyofthefollowing:

(1)Thatthepersonwhobroughttheaction

recoverscourtcostsandattorneyfees.

(2)Thattheentitypayacivilpenaltyofnotless

thananamountequaltoonethousanddollarsand

notmorethananamountequaltofivethousand

dollarsforeachdaythatthepolicyhasremainedin

effectafterthefilingofanactionpursuanttothis

subsection.

Section820.037

Apersonmaybringanactionincircuitcourtto

challengeanyofficialoragencyofthisstateora

political

subdivision

of

this

state

which

adopts

or

implementsapolicythatlimitsorrestrictsthe

enforcementoffederalimmigrationlawstoless

thanthefullextentpermittedbyfederallaw.If

thereisajudicialfindingthatanagencyofthis

stateorapoliticalsubdivisionofthisstatehas

violatedthissection,thecourtshallorderanyof

thefollowing:

(a)Thatthepersonwhobroughttheactionrecover

courtcostsandattorneysfees.

(b)Thattheagencyofthisstateorthepolitical

subdivisionofthisstatepayacivilpenaltyofnot

lessthan$1,000andnotmorethan$5,000foreach

daythatthepolicyhasremainedineffectafterthe

filingofanactionpursuanttothissubsection.

Section2G

Acourtshallcollectthepenaltyprescribedin

subsectionFofthissectionandremitthepenaltyto

theDepartmentofPublicSafety,whichshall

establishaspecialsubaccountforthemoniesinthe

accountestablishedfortheGangandImmigration

IntelligenceTeamEnforcementMission

Appropriation.Moniesinthespecialsubaccount

aresubjecttolegislativeappropriationfordistributionforGangandImmigration

Enforcementandforcountyjailreimbursement

costsrelatingtoillegalimmigration.

Section820.038

Acourtshallcollectthecivilpenaltyprescribedin

subsection(7)andremitthecivilpenaltytothe

DepartmentofLawEnforcementfordepositinto

theGangandImmigrationIntelligenceand

EnforcementAccountwithintheDepartmentof

LawEnforcementOperatingTrustFundas

providedins.943.0425.

Section2H

Alawenforcementofficerisindemnifiedbythe

lawenforcementofficersagencyagainst

reasonablecostsandexpenses,includingattorney

fees,incurredbytheofficerinconnectionwithany

action,suit,orproceedingbroughtpursuanttothis

sectiontowhichtheofficermaybeapartyby

reasonof

the

officer

being

or

having

been

a

memberofthelawenforcementagency,exceptin

relationtomattersinwhichtheofficerisadjudged

tohaveactedinbadfaith.

Section820.039

Alawenforcementofficershallbeindemnifiedby

thelawenforcementofficersagencyagainst

reasonablecostsandexpenses,includingattorneys

fees,incurredbytheofficerinconnectionwithany

action,suit,orproceedingbroughtpursuanttothis

sectiontowhichtheofficermaybeapartyby

reasonof

the

officer

being

or

having

been

a

memberofthelawenforcementagency,exceptin

relationtomattersinwhichtheofficeractedinbad

faith.

Section3A

Inadditiontoanyviolationoffederallaw,aperson

isguiltyoftrespassingifthepersonisboth:

(1)Presentonanypublicorprivatelandinthis

Section820.041

Inadditiontoanyviolationoffederallaw,aperson

commitsanillegaltrespassifthepersonis:

(a)Presentonanypublicorprivatelandinthis


22/54

state.

(2)Inviolationof8UnitedStatesCodeSection

1304(e)orSection1306(a).

state;and

(b)Inviolationof8U.S.C.s.1304(e)ors.1306(a).

Section3B

Intheenforcementofthissection,thefinal

determination

of

an

alien

s

immigration

status

shall

bedeterminedbyeither:

(1)Alawenforcementofficerwhoisauthorizedto

verifyorascertainanaliensimmigrationstatus.

(2)Alawenforcementofficeroragency

communicatingwiththeUnitedStatesImmigration

andCustomsEnforcementortheUnitedStates

BorderProtectionpursuantto8UnitedStatesCode

Section

1373(c).

Section820.042

Inenforcingthissection,thefinaldeterminationof

an

aliens

immigration

status

shall

be

determined

byalawenforcementofficeroragencythat:

(a)IsauthorizedbytheFederalGovernmentto

verifyanaliensimmigrationstatus;or

(b)CommunicateswiththeUnitedStates

ImmigrationandCustomsEnforcementorthe

UnitedStatesCustomsandBorderProtection

pursuantto8U.S.C.s.1373(c).

Section3C

Apersonwhoissentencedpursuanttothissection

isnoteligibleforsuspensionorcommutationof

sentenceorreleasesonanybasisuntilthesentence

imposedisserved.

Section820.044

Apersonwhoissentencedpursuanttothissection

isnoteligibleforsuspensionorcommutationof

sentenceorreleaseonanybasisuntilthesentence

imposedisserved.

Section3D

Inadditiontoanyotherpenaltyprescribedbylaw,

thecourtshallorderthepersontopayjailcostsand

anadditionalassessmentinthefollowingamounts:

(1)Atleastfivehundreddollarsforafirstviolation.

(2)Twicetheamountspecifiedinparagraph1of

thissubsectionifthepersonwaspreviouslysubject

toanassessmentpursuanttothissubsection.

Section820.045a

Inadditiontoanyotherpenaltyprescribedbylaw,

thecourtshallorderthepersontopaythecostsof

incarcerationandanadditionalassessmentinthe

followingamounts:

1.Atleast$500forafirstviolation.

2.Twicetheamountspecifiedinsubparagraph1.If

thepersonwaspreviouslysubjecttoanassessmentpursuanttothissubsection.

Section3E

Acourtshallcollecttheassessmentsprescribedin

subsectionDofthissectionandremitthe

assessmentstotheDepartmentofPublicSafety,

whichshallestablishaspecialsubaccountforthe

moniesintheaccountestablishedfortheGangand

ImmigrationIntelligenceTeamEnforcement

Missionappropriation.Moniesinthespecial

subaccountaresubjecttolegislativeappropriation

fordistribution

for

Gang

and

Immigration

Enforcementandforcountyjailreimbursement

costsrelatingtoillegalimmigration.

Section820.045b

Acourtshallcollecttheassessmentsprescribedin

thissubsectionandremittheassessmentstothe

GangandImmigrationIntelligenceand

EnforcementAccountwithintheDepartmentof

LawEnforcementOperatingTrustFundas

providedins.943.0425.

Section3G.1

AviolationofthissectionisaClass1

Misdemeanor,exceptthataviolationofthissection

is:

(1)AClass2Felonyifthepersonviolatesthis

Section820.046a

Exceptasprovidedinparagraph(a)orparagraph

(b),aviolationofthissectionisamisdemeanorof

thefirstdegree,punishableasprovidedins.

775.082ors.775.083.However,aviolationofthis


23/54

sectionwhileinpossessionofanyofthefollowing:

(a)Adangerousdrugasdefinedbythestate.

(b)Precursorchemicalsthatareusedinthe

manufacturingofmethamphetamineinviolationof

statelaw.

(c)

A

deadly

weapon

or

a

dangerous

instrument,

as

definedbythestate.

(d)Propertythatisusedforthepurposeof

Committinganactofterrorismasprescribedbythe

state.

sectionis:

(a)Afelonyofthethirddegree,punishableas

providedins.775.082,s.775.083,ors.775.084,if

thepersonviolatesthissectionwhileinpossession

ofanyofthefollowing:

1.

Precursor

chemicals

that

are

used

in

the

manufacturingofmethamphetamineinviolationof

s.893.149.

2.Afirearmorweaponasdefinedins.790.001.

3.Propertythatisusedforthepurposeof

committinganactofterrorismasdefinedins.

775.30.

Section3G.2

AClass4Felonyifthepersoneither:

(a)Isconvictedofasecondorsubsequentviolation

ofthissection.

(b)Withinsixtymonthsbeforetheviolation,has

beenremovedfromtheUnitedStatespursuantto8

UnitedStatesCodeSection1229(a)orhasaccepted

avoluntaryremovalfromtheUnitedStates

pursuantto8UnitedStatesCodeSection1229(c).

Section820.046b

Afelonyoftheseconddegree,punishableas

providedins.775.082,s.775.083,ors.775.084,if

theperson:

1.Isconvictedofasecondorsubsequentviolation

ofthissection;or

2.Within60monthsbeforethepresentviolation,

wasremovedfromtheUnitedStatespursuantto8

U.S.C.s.1229aoracceptedavoluntaryremoval

fromtheUnitedStatespursuantto8U.S.C.s.

1229c.

Section7A

Anemployershallnotintentionallyemployan

unauthorizedalien.If,inthecasewhenan

employerusesacontract,subcontractorother

independentcontractoragreementtoobtainthelaborofanalieninthisstate,theemployer

intentionallycontractswithanunauthorizedalien

orwithapersonwhoemploysorcontractswithan

unauthorizedalientoperformthelabor,the

employerviolatesthissubsection.

Section820.081

(a)Anemployermaynotknowinglyemployan

unauthorizedalien.

(b)Anemployerviolatesparagraph(a)ifthe

employerusesacontract,subcontract,orotherindependentcontractoragreementtoobtainthe

laborofanunauthorizedalieninthisstateorifthe

employerknowinglycontractswithapersonwho

employsorcontractswithanunauthorizedaliento

performthelabor.

Section7B

Theattorneygeneralshallprescribeacomplaint

formforapersontoallegeaviolationofsubsection

Aofthissection.Thecomplainantshallnotbe

requiredtolistthecomplainantssocialsecurity

numberon

the

complaint

form

or

to

have

the

complaintformnotarized.Onreceiptofa

complaintonaprescribedcomplaintformthatan

employerallegedlyintentionallyemploysan

unauthorizedalien,theattorneygeneralorcounty

attorneyshallinvestigatewhethertheemployer

hasviolatedsubsectionAofthissection.Ifa

complaintisreceivedbutisnotsubmittedona

Section820.082

(a)TheAttorneyGeneralshalldevelopacomplaint

formtobeusedbyapersonwhoallegesthatan

employerhasviolated,orisviolating,subsection

(1).

(b)The

complainant

is

not

required

to

list

the

complainantssocialsecuritynumberonthe

complaintformortohavethecomplaintform

notarized.

(c)1.Uponreceiptofapropercomplaintform

allegingthatanemployerknowinglyemploysan

unauthorizedalien,theAttorneyGeneralorstate

attorneyshallinvestigatewhethertheemployer


24/54

prescribedcomplaintform,theattorneygeneralor

countyattorneymayinvestigatewhetherthe

employerhasviolatedsubsectionAofthissection.

Thissubsectionshallnotbeconstruedtoprohibit

thefilingofanonymouscomplaintsthatarenot

submitted

on

a

prescribed

complaint

form.

The

attorneygeneralorcountyattorneyshallnot

investigatecomplaintsthatarebasedsolelyon

race,colorornationalorigin.Acomplaintthatis

submittedtoacountyattorneyshallbesubmitted

tothecountyattorneyinthecountyinwhichthe

allegedunauthorizedalienisorwasemployedby

theemployer.Thecountysherifforanyotherlocal

lawenforcementagencymayassistininvestigating

acomplaint.Theattorneygeneralorthecounty

attorneymaytakeevidence,administeroathsor

affirmations,issuesubpoenasrequiringattendance

andtestimonyofwitnesses,causedepositionstobe

takenandrequirebysubpoenaducestecumthe

productionofbooks,papersandotherdocuments

thatarenecessaryfortheenforcementofthis

section.Iftheemployeroranyotherpersonrefuses

toobeyasubpoenaorfailstoanswerquestionsas

providedbythissubsection,theattorneygeneralor

thecountyattorneymayapplytothesuperior

courtinthemannerprovidedbystatelaw.

Subpoenasunderthissectionmaybeservedby

personalserviceorcertifiedmail,returnreceipt

requested.Wheninvestigatingacomplaint,theattorneygeneralorcountyattorneyshallverifythe

workauthorizationoftheallegedunauthorized

alienwiththefederalgovernmentpursuantto8

UnitedStatesCodesection1373(c).Astate,county

orlocalofficialshallnotattempttoindependently

makeafinaldeterminationonwhetheranalienis

authorizedtoworkintheUnitedStates.Analiens

immigrationstatusorworkauthorizationstatus

shallbeverifiedwiththefederalgovernment

pursuantto8UnitedStates

Code

section

1373(c).

A

person

who

knowingly

filesafalseandfrivolouscomplaintunderthis

subsectionisguiltyofaclass3misdemeanor.

hasviolatedsubsection(1).

2.Ifacomplaintisreceivedbutisnotsubmittedon

apropercomplaintform,theAttorneyGeneralor

stateattorneymayinvestigatewhetherthe

employerhasviolatedsubsection(1).

3.

This

subsection

does

not

prohibit

the

filing

of

an

anonymouscomplaintthatisnotsubmittedona

propercomplaintform.

(d)TheAttorneyGeneralorstateattorneymaynot

investigatecomplaintsthatarebasedsolelyon

race,color,ornationalorigin.

(e)Acomplaintformthatissubmittedtoastate

attorneymustbesubmittedtothestateattorneyfor

thecountyinwhichtheallegedunauthorizedalien

is,orwas,employedbytheemployer.Thesheriff

oranyotherlocallawenforcementagencyinthat

countymayassistininvestigatingthecomplaint.

(f)Wheninvestigatingacomplaint,theAttorney

Generalorstateattorneyshallverifywiththe

FederalGovernmenttheworkauthorizationstatus

oftheallegedunauthorizedalien.Astate,county,

orlocalofficialmaynotattempttoindependently

makeafinaldeterminationofwhetheranalienis

authorizedtowork.Analiensimmigrationstatus

orworkauthorizationstatusshallbeverifiedwith

theFederalGovernmentpursuantto8U.S.C.s.

1373(c).

(g)Apersonwhoknowinglyfilesafalseand

frivolouscomplaintunderthissubsectioncommitsamisdemeanoroftheseconddegree,punishableas

providedins.775.082ors.775.083.

Section7C

If,afteraninvestigation,theattorneygeneralor

countyattorneydeterminesthatthecomplaintis

notfalseandfrivolous:

(1)Theattorneygeneralorcountyattorneyshall

Section820.083

If,afteraninvestigation,theAttorneyGeneralor

stateattorneydeterminesthatthecomplaintisnot

falseandfrivolous:

(a)TheAttorneyGeneralorstateattorneyshall


25/54

notifytheUnitedStatesimmigrationandcustoms

enforcementoftheunauthorizedalien.

(2)Theattorneygeneralorcountyattorneyshall

notifythelocallawenforcementagencyofthe

unauthorizedalien.

(3)

The

attorney

general

shall

notify

the

appropriatecountyattorneytobringanaction

pursuanttosubsectionDofthissectionifthe

complaintwasoriginallyfiledwiththeattorney

general.

notifytheUnitedStatesImmigrationandCustoms

Enforcementoftheexistenceoftheunauthorized

alien.

(b)TheAttorneyGeneralorstateattorneyshall

notifythelocallawenforcementagencyofthe

existence

and

location,

if

known,

of

the

unauthorizedalien.

(c)Ifthecomplaintwasoriginallyfiledwiththe

AttorneyGeneral,theAttorneyGeneralshallnotify

theappropriatestateattorneytobringanaction

pursuanttosubsection(4).

Section7D

AnactionforaviolationofsubsectionAofthis

sectionshallbebroughtagainsttheemployerby

thecountyattorneyinthecountywherethe

unauthorizedalienemployeeisorwasemployed

bytheemployer.Thecountyattorneyshallnot

bringanactionagainstanyemployerforany

violationofsubsectionAofthissectionthat458

occursbeforeJanuary1,2008.Asecondviolationof

thissectionshallbebasedonlyonanunauthorized

alienwhoisorwasemployedbytheemployer

afteranactionhasbeenbroughtforaviolationof

subsectionAofthissectionorotherstatelaw.

Section820.084

(a)Anactionallegingaviolationofsubsection(1)

shallbebroughtagainstanemployerbythestate

attorneyinthecountywheretheunauthorized

alienemployeeis,orwas,employedbythe

employer.

(b)Thestateattorneymaynotbringanaction

againstanemployerforaviolationofsubsection

(1)iftheviolationoccurredonorbeforeJanuary1,

2012.

Section7E

Foranyactioninsuperiorcourtunderthissection,

thecourtshallexpeditetheaction,including

assigningthehearingattheearliestpracticable

date.

Section820.085

Foranyactionfiledincircuitcourtunderthis

section,thecourtshallexpeditetheaction,

includingassigningthehearingattheearliest

practicabledate.

Section7F

OnafindingofaviolationofsubsectionAofthis

section:

(1)Forafirstviolation,asdescribedinparagraph3

ofthissubsection,thecourtshall:

(a)Ordertheemployertoterminatethe

employmentofallunauthorizedaliens.

(b)Ordertheemployertobesubjecttoafiveyear

probationaryperiodforthebusinesslocation

wherethe

unauthorized

alien

performed

work.

Duringtheprobationaryperiodtheemployershall

filequarterlyreportsintheformprovidedinstate

lawwiththecountyattorneyofeachnew

employeewhoishiredbytheemployeratthe

businesslocationwheretheunauthorizedalien

performedwork.

Section820.086.a

Ifthecourtfindsthattheemployerviolated

subsection(1):

(a)Forafirstviolation,thecourt:

1.Shallordertheemployertoterminatethe

employmentofallunauthorizedaliens.

2.Shallordertheemployertobesubjecttoa3year

probationaryperiodforthebusinesslocationat

whichtheunauthorizedalienperformedwork.

Section7F1.d Section820.086.a3


26/54

Ordertheemployertofileasignedswornaffidavit

withthecountyattorney.Theaffidavitshallstate

thattheemployerhasterminatedtheemployment

ofallunauthorizedaliensinthisstateandthatthe

employerwillnotintentionallyorknowingly

employ

an

unauthorized

alien

in

this

state.

The

courtshallordertheappropriateagenciesto

suspendalllicensessubjecttothissubdivisionthat

areheldbytheemployeriftheemployerfailsto

fileasignedswornaffidavitwiththecounty

attorneywithinthreebusinessdaysaftertheorder

isissued.Alllicensesthataresuspendedunderthis

subdivisionforfailingtofileasignedsworn

affidavitshallremainsuspendeduntilthe

employerfilesasignedswornaffidavitwiththe

countyattorney.Forthepurposesofthis

subdivision,thelicensesthataresubjectto

suspensionunderthissubdivisionarealllicenses

thatareheldbytheemployerspecifictothe

businesslocationwheretheunauthorizedalien

performedwork.Iftheemployerdoesnotholda

licensespecifictothebusinesslocationwherethe

unauthorizedalienperformedwork,butalicense

isnecessarytooperatetheemployersbusinessin

general,thelicensesthataresubjecttosuspension

underthissubdivisionarealllicensesthatareheld

bytheemployerattheemployersprimaryplaceof

business.Onreceiptofthecourtsorderand

notwithstandinganyotherlaw,theappropriateagenciesshallsuspendthelicensesaccordingtothe

courtsorder.Thecourtshallsendacopyofthe

courtsordertotheattorneygeneralandthe

attorneygeneralshallmaintainthecopypursuant

tosubsectionGofthissection.

a.Shallordertheemployertofileasigned,sworn

affidavitwiththestateattorneywithin3business

daysafterthecourtorderisissued.Theaffidavit

shallstatethattheemployerhasterminatedthe

employmentofallunauthorizedaliensinthisstate

and

that

the

employer

will

not

intentionally

or

knowinglyemployanunauthorizedalieninthis

state.Iftheemployerfailstofiletheaffidavitwith

thestateattorneywithintheallottedtime,thecourt

shallordertheappropriateagenciestosuspendall

licensesthatareheldbytheemployer.Anylicense

thatissuspendedunderthissubparagraphremains

suspendeduntiltheemployerfilestheaffidavit

withthestateattorney.Notwithstandinganyother

law,thefilingoftheaffidavitimmediately

reinstatesthesuspendedlicenses.Forthepurposes

ofthissubparagraph,thelicensesthataresubjectto

suspensionunderthissubparagrapharealllicenses

thatareheldbytheemployerandarespecificto

thebusinesslocationwheretheunauthorizedalien

performed

work.

b.Iftheemployerdoesnotholdalicensethatis

specifictothebusinesslocationatwhichthe



general,thelicensesthataresubjecttosuspension

underthissubparagrapharealllicensesthatare

heldbytheemployerattheemployersprimaryplaceofbusiness.

c.Uponreceiptofthecourtorderand

notwithstandinganyotherlaw,theappropriate

agenciesshallsuspendtheemployerslicenses

accordingtothecourtorder.Thecourtshallsenda

copyofthecourtordertotheAttorneyGeneral,

andtheAttorneyGeneralshallmaintainthecopy

pursuanttosubsection(7).

SectionF2

Forasecondviolation,asdescribedinparagraph3

ofthis

subsection,

the

court

shall

order

the

appropriateagenciestopermanentlyrevokeall

licensesthatareheldbytheemployerspecificto

thebusinesslocationwheretheunauthorizedalien

performedwork.Iftheemployerdoesnotholda

licensespecifictothebusinesslocationwherethe



Section820.086.b

1.Forasecondorsubsequentviolation,thecourt

shallorder

the

appropriate

agencies

to

permanentlyrevokealllicensesthatareheldbythe

employerandthatarespecifictothebusiness

locationatwhichtheunauthorizedalienperformed

work.

2.Iftheemployerdoesnotholdalicensethatis

specifictothebusinesslocationwherethe



27/54

general,thecourtshallordertheappropriate

agenciestopermanentlyrevokealllicensesthatare

heldbytheemployerattheemployersprimary

placeofbusiness.Onreceiptoftheorderand


agencies

shall

immediately

revoke

the

licenses.





placeofbusiness.

3.

Upon

receipt

of

the

order

and

notwithstanding

anyotherlaw,theappropriateagenciesshall

immediatelyrevokethelicenses.

SectionF3

Theviolationshallbeconsidered:

(a)Afirstviolationbyanemployeratabusiness

locationiftheviolationdidnotoccurduringa

probationaryperiodorderedbythecourtunder

thissubsectionorotherstatelaw,forthat

employersbusinesslocation.

(b)Asecondviolationbyanemployeratabusiness

locationiftheviolationoccurredduringa


thissubsectionorotherstatelaw,forthat

employersbusinesslocation.

Section820.086.c

Aviolationofsubsection(1)is:

1.Afirstviolationbyanemployeratabusiness

locationiftheviolationdidnotoccurduringa


thissubsectionors.820.09(6)forthatemployers

businesslocation.

2.Asecondviolationbyanemployeratabusiness

locationiftheviolationoccurredduringa


thissubsectionors.820.09(6)forthatemployers

businesslocation.

SectionG

Theattorneygeneralshallmaintaincopiesofcourt

ordersthatarereceivedpursuanttosubsectionFof

thissectionandshallmaintainadatabaseofthe

employersandbusinesslocationsthathaveafirst

violationofsubsectionAofthissectionandmake

thecourtordersavailableontheattorneygenerals

website.

Section820.087

TheAttorneyGeneralshallmaintaincopiesof

courtordersthatarereceivedpursuantto

subsection(6)andshallmaintainadatabaseofthe


violationofsubsection(1)andmakethecourt

ordersavailableontheAttorneyGeneralswebsite.

SectionH

Ondeterminingwhetheranemployeeisan

unauthorizedalien,thecourtshallconsideronly

thefederalgovernmentsdeterminationpursuant

to8UnitedStatesCodesection1373(c).Thefederal

governmentsdeterminationcreatesarebuttable

presumptionoftheemployeeslawfulstatus.The

courtmaytakejudicialnoticeofthefederal

governmentsdeterminationandmayrequestthe

federalgovernmenttoprovideautomatedor

testimonialverification

pursuant

to

8

United

States

Codesection1373(c).

Section820.088

Whendeterminingwhetheranemployeeisan

unauthorizedalien,thecourtshallconsideronly

theFederalGovernmentsdeterminationpursuant

to8U.S.C.s.1373(c).TheFederalGovernments

determinationcreatesarebuttablepresumptionof

theemployeeslawfulstatus.Thecourtmaytake

judicialnoticeoftheFederalGovernments

determinationandmayrequesttheFederal

Governmenttoprovideautomatedortestimonial

verificationpursuant

to

8

U.S.C.

s.

1373(c).

SectionsI&J

(I)Forthepurposesofthissection,proofof

verifyingtheemploymentauthorizationofan

employeethroughtheeverifyprogramcreatesa

rebuttablepresumptionthatanemployerdidnot

intentionallyemployanunauthorizedalien.

Section820.089

Forthepurposesofthissection:

(a)ProofoftheemployersparticipationintheE

Verifyprogramcreatesarebuttablepresumption

thatanemployerdidnotknowinglyemployan

unauthorizedalien.


28/54

(J)Forthepurposesofthissection,anemployer

thatestablishesthatithascompliedingoodfaith

withtherequirementsof8UnitedStatesCode

section1324a(b)establishesanaffirmativedefense

thattheemployerdidnotintentionallyemployan

unauthorized

alien.

An

employer

is

considered

to

havecompliedwiththerequirementsof8United

StatesCodesection

1324a(b), notwithstandinganisolated,sporadicor

accidentaltechnicalorproceduralfailuretomeet

therequirements,ifthereisagoodfaithattemptto

complywiththerequirements.

(b)Anemployerwhoestablishesthatheorshehas

compliedingoodfaithwiththerequirementsof8

U.S.C.s.1324a(b)establishesanaffirmativedefense

thattheemployerdidnotknowinglyemployan

unauthorizedalien.Anemployerisconsideredto

have

complied

with

the

requirements

of

8

U.S.C.

s.

1324a(b),notwithstandinganisolated,sporadic,or

accidentaltechnicalorproceduralfailuretomeet

therequirements,ifthereisagoodfaithattemptto

complywiththerequirements.

SectionK

Anemployerisnotentrappedunderthissectionif

theemployerwaspredisposedtoviolate

subsectionAofthissectionandlawenforcement

officersortheiragentsmerelyprovidedthe

employerwithanopportunitytoviolatesubsection

Aofthissection.Itisnotentrapmentforlaw

enforcementofficersortheiragentsmerelytousea

ruseortoconcealtheiridentity.

Section820.0811

Anemployerdoesnotestablishentrapmentifthe

employerwaspredisposedtoviolatesubsection(1)

andthelawenforcementofficersortheiragents

merelyprovidedtheemployerwithanopportunity

tocommittheviolation.Itisnotentrapmentfor

lawenforcementofficersortheiragentstomerely

usearuseorconcealtheiridentity.Theconductof

lawenforcementofficersandtheiragentsmaybe

consideredindeterminingifanemployerhas

provenentrapment.

FAIRANDLEGALEMPLOYMENTACT

FloridaLegislation:HB691/SB518

Sponsors:

HB691 Rep.GayleB.Harrell(RepublicanDistrict81);Cosponsors:Drake;Metz;Pilon;VanZant

SB518 Sen.AlanHays(RepublicanDistrict20);Cosponsors:Gaetz

LastAction:

HB691DiedinGovernmentOperationsSubcommittee(5/7/11)

SB518DiedinJudiciaryCommittee(5/9/11)

ALECModelLegislation:FairandLegalEmploymentAct

Similarities/Analysis:HB691andSB518,whicharecompanionbills,arenearlyidenticaltoALECsFair

andLegalEmploymentAct. TheseactsrequireemployerstoregistertheiremployeesundertheEVerify

system. Asof2011,EVerifylegislationhadbeenenactedin12states57howevertheprogramis


29/54

plaguedwithstructuralflaws. Theprogramisreportedtodetectmerely46%ofunauthorizedworkers,58

andGovernmentAccountabilityOfficeauditsestimatethatiftheprogramweretobenationallyadopted,

roughly770,000Americanswouldincorrectlybeatriskoflosingtheirjobsduetonameduplicationsand

databaseinconsistencies.59 Anearlierauditoftheprogramshowedthatithadanerrorrateofabout4%

butevenifoneoutofevery100peopleisdeniedajobuntilaworkercanprovetoabureaucratin

Washingtonhisorheridentitythatwouldputalmost200,000Floridiansoutofajobandunabletopay

forhousing,food,andhealthcarefortheirfamilies.

Eveniftheprogramfunctionedcorrectlyhowever,theprogramwouldstillrequireemployerstodenya

jobtoapersontheymayhaveknownforyearsuntiltheemployeecouldprovetheiridentity.

Additionally,criticsassertthatemployersanctionsdrivethehiringofundocumentedworkersfurther

undergroundintotheblackmarketeconomy,wherecollectivebargaining,workerrightsandfairwages

fallvictimtoexploitiveforces.60


FairandLegalEmploymentAct

FloridaLegislation

HB691/SB518(2011)

Section4A.1

Agency meansanyagency,department,boardor

commissionofthisstateoracounty,cityortown

thatissuesalicenseforpurposesofoperatinga

businessinthisstate.

Section11.a

Agency meansanagency,department,board,or

commissionofthisstateoracounty,municipality,

ortownissuingalicenseforthepurposeof

operatingabusinessinthisstate.

Section4C

Everifyprogram meanstheemployment

verificationpilotprogramasjointlyadministered

bytheUnitedStatesdepartmentofhomeland

securityandthesocialsecurityadministrationor

anyofitssuccessorprograms.

Section11.c

EVerifysystem meanstheEmployment

AuthorizationProgram,formerlythe BasicPilot

Program, underPub.L.No.104208,Div.C,Title

IV,SubtitleA,110Stat.3009655(Sept.30,1996),as

amended,oranysuccessorprogramdesignatedbytheFederalGovernmentforverificationthatan

employeeisanemploymentauthorizedalien.

Section4A.3

Employee:

(i) Meansanypersonwhoprovidesservicesor

laborforanemployerinthisstateforwagesor

otherremuneration.

(ii) Doesnotincludeanindependentcontractor.

Section11.d

Employee meansanypersonwhoperforms

employmentservicesinthisstateforanemployer

pursuanttoanemploymentrelationshipbetween

thepersonandemployer.Anemployeedoesnot

includeanindependentcontractor.

Section4B

Employer

means

any

individual

or

type

of

organizationthattransactsbusinessinthisstate

thathasalicenseissuedbyanagencyinthisstate,

andthatemploysoneormoreemployeesinthis

state.Employerincludesthisstate,anypolitical

subdivisionofthisstateandselfemployed

persons.Inthecaseofanindependentcontractor,

employermeanstheindependentcontractorand

Section11.e

Employer

means

any

individual

or

type

of

organizationtransactingbusinessinthisstate

whichholdsorhasappliedforalicenseissuedby

anagencyandemploysindividualswhoperform

employmentservices.Thetermdoesnotincludean

entitythathiresanindependentcontractorto

performworkortheoccupantorownerofa

privateresidencewhohirescasualdomesticlabor


30/54

doesnotmeanthepersonororganizationthatuses

thecontractlabor.

toperformworkcustomarilyperformedbya

homeownerentirelywithinaprivateresidence.

Section4F

License:

(1) Meansanyagencypermit,certificate,

approval,

registration,

charter

or

similar

form

of

authorizationthatisrequiredbylawandthatis

issuedbyanyagencyforthepurposesofoperating

abusinessinthisstate.

Section11.f

License meansalicense,permit,certificate,

approval,registration,charter,orsimilarformof

authorization

required

by

law

and

issued

by

an

agencyforthepurposeofoperatingabusiness.A

licenseincludes,butisnotlimitedto:

1. Articlesofincorporation.

2. Acertificateofpartnership,apartnership

registration,orarticlesoforganization.

3. Agrantofauthorityissuedpursuanttostateor

federallaw.

4. Atransactionprivilegetaxlicense.

Section4H

Unauthorizedalien meansanalienwhodoesnot

havethelegalrightorauthorizationunderfederal

lawtoworkintheUnitedStatesasdescribedin8

UnitedStatesCodesection1324a(h)(3).

Section11.g

Unauthorizedalien meansanalienisnot

authorizedunderfederallawtobeemployedinthe

UnitedStates,asdescribedin8U.S.C.1324a(h)(3).

Thistermshallbeinterpretedconsistentlywith

thatsectionandanyapplicablefederalrulesor

regulations.

Section4E

Knowinglyemployanunauthorizedalien means

theactionsdescribedin8UnitedStatesCode

section1324a. Thistermshallbeinterpreted

consistentlywithUnitedStatesCodesection1324a

andanyapplicablefederalrulesandregulations.

Section11.h

Knowinglyemployanunauthorizedalien hasthe

samemeaningasprescribedin8U.S.C.1324a.The

termshallbeinterpretedconsistentlywiths.1324a

andanyfederalruleorregulationapplicabletothe

unlawfulemploymentofaliens.

Section7A

After[insertdate],everyemployer,afterhiringanemployee,shallverifytheemploymenteligibility

oftheemployeethroughtheeverifyprogram.

Section12.a

BeginningJanuary1,2012,everyemployershall,aftermakinganofferofemploymentwhichhas

beenacceptedbyanemployee,usetheEVerify

systemtoverifytheemploymenteligibilityofthe

employee.Verificationmustoccurwithinthe

periodstipulatedbyfederallaworregulations

afterthehiringoftheemployee.However,an

employerisnotrequiredtoverifytheemployment

eligibilityofacontinuingemployeehiredbefore

thedateoftheemployersregistrationwiththe

system.

Section5A

Anemployershallnotknowinglyemployan

unauthorizedalien

Section13.a

Anemployermaynotemployanunauthorized

alien.

Section5F.2

Forasecondviolation,asdescribedinsubsection3

ofthissection,thecourtshallordertheappropriate


Section4k

Uponfindingasecondorsubsequentviolationof

paragraph(a)duringa2yearperiod,the

departmentortheAgencyforWorkforce


31/54

heldbytheemployerspecifictothebusiness

locationwheretheunauthorizedalienperformed

work. Theemployerdoesnotholdalicense

specifictothebusinesslocationwherethe


is

necessary

to

operate

the

employer

s

business

in




placeofbusiness. Onreceiptoftheorderand


agenciesshallimmediatelyrevokethelicenses.

Innovationshallordertheappropriateagenciesto

suspend,foratleast30days,alllicensesthatare

heldbytheemployerandthatarenecessaryto

operatetheemployersbusinessatthelocationat

whichtheunauthorizedalienperformedwork.Ifa

license

is

not

necessary

to

operate

the

employer

s

businessatthespecificlocationatwhichthe



general,thedepartmentortheAgencyfor

WorkforceInnovationshallordertheappropriate

agenciestosuspendalllicensesheldbythe

employerattheemployersprimaryplaceof

business.Onreceiptoftheorderand


agenciesshallimmediatelysuspendsuchlicenses

foratleast30days.

Section5G

Theattorneygeneralshallmaintaincopiesofcourt

ordersthatarereceivedpursuanttosubsectionfof

thissectionandshallmaintainadatabaseofthe


violationofsubsectionAofthissectionandmake

thecourtordersavailableontheattorneygenerals

website.

Section4l

TheAgencyforWorkforceInnovationshall

maintainapublicdatabasecontainingcopiesofall

ordersissuedpursuanttothissectionandmake

suchinformationavailableonitswebsite.

EDUCATION

VIRTUALPUBLICSCHOOLSACT

FloridaLegislation:SB1620/HB7197

Sponsors:

SB1620Sen.AnitereFlores(RepublicanDistrict38)

HB7197

Rep.

Kelli

Stargel

(Republican

District

64);

Co

sponsors:

Ford;

McBurney;

McKeel;

Passidomo;Precourt;Young

LastAction:

SB1620LaidonTable(5/3/11),companionbill(s)passed,seeCS/CS/HB7197(Ch.2011137),

CS/CS/CS/SB1546(Ch.2011232),SB2120(Ch.201155) SJ776


32/54

HB7197ChapterNo.2011137(6/2/11),companionbill(s)passed,seeCS/CS/CS/SB1546(Ch.2011232),

SB2120(Ch.201155)

ALECModelLegislation:VirtualPublicSchoolsAct

Similarities/Analysis:SB1620andHB7197,whicharecompanionbills,provideforexpandingtheuseof

VirtualSchoolsinFlorida. PushingfortheadoptionofVirtualSchoolshasbeenacornerstoneofALEC

policysince2004,whentheEducationTaskForceapprovedtheVirtualPublicSchoolsAct.

TheFloridalegislationprovidesthatforprofitonlineschoolingcorporationscanfullyusurpthe

functionsofpublicschoolsbybeingdesignatedcharterschoolstatus. Undoubtedly,theforprofitonline

providerslikeConnectionsAcademywhoin2011wastheprivatesectorchairoftheEducationTask

Force61standtobenefitmonetarilyfromthepassageofVirtualSchoolbills. AndFloridasschool

childrenwillsuffer. AccordingtotheNationalEducationPolicyCenter,in201127%ofonlineschools

achievedthefederalstandardofadequateyearlyprogress,apercentofachievementthatwasroughly

doubledbypublicschoolsnationally.62


VirtualPublicSchoolsAct

FloridaLegislation

SB1220/HB7197

Declaration.TheGeneralAssemblyherebyfinds

anddeclaresthat:

(2)TheGeneralAssemblyfurtherfindsand

declaresthatvirtualschoolsestablishedinthis

article:

(a)Provide[STATE]familieswithanalternative

choicetoaccessadditionaleducationalresourcesin

anefforttoimproveacademicachievement;

(b)Mustberecognizedaspublicschoolsand

providedequitabletreatmentandresourcesasany

otherpublicschoolinthestate.

SimpleVersion:Nothinginthisbillshallpreclude

theuse

of

computer

and

Internetbasedinstructionforstudentsinavirtual

orremotesetting.

Section1.{Definition}

a.Virtualschoolshallmeananindependent

publicschoolinwhichtheschool

usestechnologyinordertodeliverasignificant

Section3.

1002.33Charterschools.

(1)AUTHORIZATION.Charterschoolsshallbe

partofthestatesprogramofpubliceducation.All

charterschoolsinFloridaarepublicschools.A

charterschoolmaybeformedbycreatinganewschoolorconvertinganexistingpublicschoolto

charterstatus.Avirtualcharterschoolmaybe

createdtoprovidefulltimeonlineinstruction.The

virtualcharterschoolmustcontractwitha

statewidevirtualproviderthatisapprovedunder

s.1002.45.Fundingisasprescribedins.

1002.45(10)(b).Theproviderofonlineinstruction

foravirtualcharterschoolmustfollowthecharter

applicationprocessspecifiedinthissectionand

servestudentsintheschooldistrictinwhichthe

charteris

granted.

However,

the

provisions

of

subsection(18)andparagraph(20)(c)donotapply

toavirtualcharterschool. Apublicschoolmaynot

usethetermcharterinitsnameunlessithasbeen

approvedunderthissection.


33/54

portionofinstructiontoits

studentsviatheInternetinavirtualorremote

setting.

b.Sponsorshallmeanthepublicschooldistrict,

charter

school

board,

or

state

departmenthavingafiduciaryresponsibilityfor

theoperationofthevirtualschool.

PARENTTRIGGERACT

FloridaLegislation:HB1191

Sponsors:Rep.MichaelBileca(RepublicanDistrict117);Cosponsors:Ahern;Brandes;Corcoran;

Costello;Gaetz;Gonzalez;Nunez;Trujillo;Wood;Young

LastAction:DiedinEducationPreK12(3/9/12)

ALECModelLegislation:TheParentTriggerAct

Similarities/Analysis:SB1204ismodeledafterALECsParentTriggerAct.Bothactsprovide

mechanismstoreplacepublicschoolswithcharterschoolsuponthepetitionofmorethan50%ofthe

parentsorlegalguardiansofpupilsattendingorplanningtomatriculateintheschoolsinaparticular

year. A2009studybytheUniversityofStanfordoncharterschoolsdemonstratedthat,inFlorida,

learninggainsmadeincharterschoolswerelowerthanthosemadeintraditionalpublicschools;andthat

onawhole,nationally,traditionalpublicschoolsoutperformcharterschools.63

Nevertheless,charterschoolsprovideanopeningforforprofitentitiestotakeovereducatingour

children,attaxpayerexpense. Logically,thequestionarises:isitreallywisetohandourchildrens

educationovertobusinesseswhoseprimarymotiveisincreasingprofits?


TheParentTriggerAct

FloridaLegislation

HB1191

ModelLegislation

Section1:{ShortTitle}

ThisactmaybecitedastheParentEmpowerment

andChoiceActortheParentTriggerAct.

Section3.{ParentEmpowerment}

Section4.Section1003.07,FloridaStatutes,is

createdto

read:

(1)Thissectionmaybecitedasthe Parent

Empowerment1Act.

(2)(a)Ifmorethanonehalfoftheparentsof

studentsattendinganelementaryschool,middle

school,orhighschoolormorethanonehalfofa


34/54

Forallpublicschoolswheremorethanonehalfof

theparentsorlegalguardiansofpupilsattending

theschool,oracombinationofmorethanonehalf

oftheparentsorlegalguardiansofpupils

attending

the

school

and

the

elementary

or

middle

schoolsthatnormallymatriculateintoamiddleor

highschool,asapplicable,signapetition

requestingthelocaleducationalagencyto

implementoneormoreofthethreeinterventions

identifiedpursuanttoSection(5),thelocal

educationalagencyshallimplementtheoption

requestedbytheparents.

combinationoftheparentsofstudentsattendinga

middleschoolorhighschoolandtheparentsof

studentsattendinganelementaryschoolormiddle

schoolwhonormallymatriculateintothatmiddle

schoolorhighschool,asapplicable,signanddatea

petition

requesting

the

implementation

of

one

of

theschoolimprovementoptionsdescribedins.

1008.33(5),theschooldistrictmustsubmitaplan

implementingthatoptioninlieuoftheschool

districtsoptiontotheStateBoardofEducationfor

approval.

Section5.{SchoolInterventionModels}

Therearethreeschoolinterventionmodels:restart

model,schoolclosure,oreducationalchoicemodel.

Eachisdescribedbelow.

(A)Restartmodel.Arestartmodelisoneinwhich

anLEAconvertsaschoolorclosesandreopensa

schoolunderacharterschooloperator,acharter

managementorganization(CMO),oraneducation

managementorganization(EMO)thathasbeen

selectedthrougharigorousreviewprocess.(A

CMOisanonprofitorganizationthatoperatesor

managescharterschoolsbycentralizingorsharing

certainfunctionsandresourcesamongschools.AnEMOisaforprofitornonprofitorganizationthat

provideswholeschooloperationservicestoan

LEA.)Arestartmodelmustenroll,withinthe

gradesitserves,anyformerstudentwhowishesto

attendtheschool.

(B)Schoolclosure.Schoolclosureoccurswhenan

LEAclosesaschoolandenr

Study of ALEC impact in Florida

Documents