Recent Developments in Florida Energy and Environmental Legislation
Eminent Domain: First Principles, Kelo, and In Service of Infrastructure Buildout
In a Rare Pre-Election Review, California Supreme Court Strikes Ballot Measure that Would Revise Constitution to Limit Revenue-Raising Authority of State and Local Governments - On June 20, 2024, the California Supreme Court...more
The City of Los Angeles ULA Tax—a new city tax on certain real estate transactions, commonly referred to as the “mansion tax”—may be invalidated through the November 2024 election....more
In a unanimous decision (Mothering Justice, et al. v Attorney General) issued January 26, 2023, the Michigan Court of Appeals overturned a July 2022 Court of Claims ruling that the Michigan Legislature lacked the...more
For nearly two decades, Nevada has utilized a unique two-tier minimum wage system that permitted employers that offered qualified health benefits to employees to pay $1.00 less per hour than employers that did not offer such...more
A constitutional ballot initiative was recently filed for Florida's 2024 General Election titled "Adult Personal Use of Marijuana." If approved by Florida voters, individuals 21 or older will be allowed "to possess, purchase,...more
As Holland & Knight has previously reported, California courts have consistently enforced state housing laws that preempt land use and planning decisions by local governments. (See previous Holland & Knight alerts, "Court of...more
Welcome to Compliance Notes from Nossaman’s Government Relations & Regulation Group – a periodic digest of the headlines, statutory and regulatory changes, and court cases involving campaign finance, lobbying compliance,...more
The Colorado Supreme Court provided a big victory on Monday to proponents of a citizen-initiated statewide ballot measure that would ask voters whether to repeal a provision in the Colorado Constitution known as the Taxpayer...more
The Illinois General Assembly enacted a number of new tax measures in a flurry of activity at the end of its legislative session. Some of the changes are taxpayer friendly and others are not. Unlike the no-deal chaos of past...more
Legislative activity increased this week as bill introductions continued and committees began to vote on bills. Constitutional Amendment (H140) - Rep. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson) was joined by fellow lawmakers Rep....more
In its first hearing for the 2019-2020 election cycle, the Colorado Title Board stalled an attempt to repeal the state’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR)....more
During the 2018 midterm elections, Arkansas voters weighed in on Issue 4, a referendum to amend their state constitution to allow full-scale casino gambling. Voters approved the measure by an 8.2% percent margin....more
On Election Day in 2018, voters in three states approved amendments to rules involving a variety of ethics reforms involving lobbying, contributions and gifts....more
Floridians for Solar Choice, Inc. (“FSC”), is a Florida not-for-profit corporation formed for the purpose of qualifying for a solar energy amendment ballot initiative in Florida’s general election....more
Earlier this year during its once every 20-year process, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission approved 20 proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. These proposed amendments were grouped into eight ballot...more
The Tax Fairness, Transparency and Accountability Act of 2018, a ballot initiative that would have amended portions of the California Constitution to further restrict state and local agencies from imposing new or increased...more
In December 2017, two proposed state constitutional initiatives were submitted to the California Attorney General concerning the scope and approval process for certain state and local taxes and fees. ...more
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) met in an extended session on April 16, and approved a total of eight ballot measures to revise the Florida Constitution. This extended session acted as the final meeting for...more
With a May 10 deadline approaching, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) began its own “session” last week, forwarding 25 of 37 proposals to amend the Florida Constitution to the Style and Drafting Committee to...more
As we enter the new year, there are new changes in state and federal lobbying, gift and campaign finance laws. California: In September, Gov. Jerry Brown signed new campaign finance laws that require political committees...more
It is an issue that has been with us since the earliest days of politics: The wealthy tend to have disproportionate influence over our political leaders in contrast to the poor and middle class. In the immortal words of the...more
A decision affecting Jefferson County’s one-cent sales tax increase to pay for a bond refinancing has been appealed to the Alabama Supreme Court, but the ramifications of the circuit court ruling have proved to be much...more
Late last week the Ohio ballot board certified a constitutional amendment (the “Amendment”), proposed by Ohioans for Medical Marijuana (“OMM”), to create a comprehensive regulatory program for the provision and sale of...more
Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has been outspoken in his support of a $15/hour national minimum wage. However — at least for private employers – such a change can come only through joint action by both Congress and...more
On February 11, 2016, New Jersey State Senate President Steven Sweeney, D-Gloucester, formally introduced legislation for a ballot referendum that would authorize an amendment to the New Jersey State Constitution to raise the...more