Hillsborough County Payment and Performance Bond Waiver Program
HB 985 is a local bill sponsored by Representative Rachel Burgin (Hillsborough Co.) on behalf of Hillsborough County that would extend the sunset of the Economic Development Department’s successful Payment and Performance Bond Waiver Program to the year 2016. Working in partnership with the Florida Surety Association and local financial institutions, the programs has assisted 69 small and minority‐owned businesses to obtain training and experience on numerous government capital projects necessary to grow and qualify for large scale construction projects in the future. The bill passed its second of three committees of reference, the House Government Operations Subcommittee by a vote of 12‐0 on Tuesday, March 29. The bill has one remaining committee reference. Hillsborough County staff will continue to provide needed support and information to ensure its successful passage.
Honoring Fallen Tampa Bay Law Enforcement Officers
To recognize and honor law enforcement officers who recently lost their lives in the line of duty, Senator Jack Latvala and Senator Arthena Joyner (both representing Hillsborough County) are sponsoring SB 782 that designates State Road 583/North 50th Street in Hillsborough County from Melbourne Blvd/East 21st Avenue to State Road 574/Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd is designated as “Officer Jeffrey A. Kocab and Officer David L. Curtis Memorial Highway”. Officer Jeffrey A. Kocab joined the Plant City Police Department in 2005, and later joined the Tampa Police Department in 2009. During his years as a police officer, Officer Kocab was decorated with multiple awards as employee of the month and Officer of Year in 2007 and 2009. Officer David L. Curtis served in the Tampa Police Department for over 3 years. In 2007, Officer Curtis was named Officer of the Month for his dedication involving a child neglect case. Officer Jeffrey A. Kocab and Officer David L. Curtis were killed while attempting to make an arrest at a traffic stop. Officer Kocab is survived his wife, Sara. Officer Curtis is survived by his wife, Kelly, and four sons. The bill has passed all three of its committees of reference by unanimous votes, including the last, Senate Rules Committee, by a vote of 12‐0. It is now available for consideration by the full Senate on 2nd Reading. Its House companion, HB 601 by Representative Jim Frishe also cleared its final committee of reference, House Economic Affairs, by a unanimous vote. It is now ready for consideration on the House floor.