NFIB State Executive Director Bill Herrle released the following statement today following final passage of House Bill 403, legislation that would ease the regulatory burden on home-based businesses:
“Small business is the foundation of Florida’s economy, and a lot of those businesses began in people’s homes, in their garages or around the kitchen table. We believe entrepreneurs have a right to create and operate businesses at home as long as those businesses don’t bother their neighbors or violate local zoning ordinances. House Bill 403 would stop local governments from creating a patchwork quilt of confusing and conflicting rules and regulations that would affect home-based businesses beyond ordinary zoning laws and homeowners’ association rules.
“On behalf of our members, I want to thank House Speaker Chris Sprowls, Rep. Mike Giallombardo, Senate President Wilton Simpson and Sen. Keith Perry for their leadership in shepherding HB 403 through the legislature and standing up for Florida’s start-ups. We look forward to Gov. Ron DeSantis signing HB 403 into law and clearing the way for more entrepreneurs to create businesses and create jobs.”
Other victories
“Today’s vote on the home-based business bill capped a fantastic session for Florida’s small businesses,” Herrle said. Other small business victories this session include:
- House Bill 7061, a tax bill that allows businesses the option of paying sales tax on behalf of their customers and establishes a “Freedom Week” sales tax holiday.
- Senate Bill 72, legislation to provide COVID-19 liability protections to small businesses and other organizations that follow the government’s health and safety guidelines.
- Senate Bill 50, legislation that addresses the state unemployment trust fund and a tax on business rentals. Under SB 50, unemployment insurance tax rates will return to pre-COVID-19 levels, and Florida’s onerous tax on business property rentals will be on track to fall from 5.5% to 2% once the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund is financially sound.
