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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO: Moving Business Forward

Good Morning Valued Chamber Member,

We look forward to seeing you Thursday morning at our monthly Membership Breakfast, sponsored by West Boca Medical Center. Doctor Joseph J. Ricotta, MD, MS, FACS, National Medical Director, Vascular Surgery & Endovascular Therapy for Tenant Health will speak about the latest innovations in vascular surgery and endovascular therapy. Purchase a table and bring your colleagues and friends to learn about West Boca Medical Center’s impact on healthcare in our region. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. Please note the breakfast will be held at The Embassy Suites by Hilton Boca Raton.

A new Florida law that has taken effect allows counties and cities to ban smoking at their beaches and parks. Florida House Bill 105 was passed by the House and Senate earlier this year and signed by the Governor on June 24. This new law is part of the Florida Clean Air Act, which hopes to protect the public from the health hazards of secondhand tobacco smoke. According to the Ocean Conservancy, cigarette butts are the most common piece of trash that volunteers pick up on Florida beaches. Unfiltered cigars are currently the only exception to this law and are still permitted under this new law. Delray Beach and Vero Beach already have plans to enforce the ban. Palm Beach County, Boca Raton, and Boynton Beach are still reviewing the new law

After one regular and two special sessions, Governor DeSantis signed 269 bills into law and vetoed 11. All new bills signed into law went into effect July 1. A link to all new laws is included below, however, we have listed a sampling that you may find of interest.

HB 3Law enforcement incentive package – gives agencies tools to boost recruitment and other incentives, including one-time bonus payments of up to $5,000 for recruits.

SB 312Expands telehealth services in the state – allows practitioners to prescribe Schedule III, IV and V controlled substances.

HB 615Human trafficking – requires the Statewide Council on Human Trafficking to assess the extent social media platforms play in facilitating or supporting human trafficking within the state. The law also calls for a suggested list of remedies.

HB 1467K-12 Education – prohibits school board members from appearing on a reelection ballot if they’ve served in that office for 12 consecutive years. The limitation only applies to terms beginning on or after November 8, 2022. According to analysts, school board members reelected to a consecutive term in 2022 could serve another 12 consecutive years before reaching the term limit.

SB 1048Student Assessments – ends the annual Florida Standards Assessments, or FSA testing, for students in the state. The rigorous exams are set to be replaced by progress monitoring, which will provide students with regular evaluations throughout the school year.

In addition, Governor DeSantis included significant cost-saving measures in the budget that save Floridians an estimated $1.24 billion through the next fiscal year. The savings include several sales tax holidays, an October cut to the state gas tax, more dollars for teachers and students, and funds for a state guard, all while maintaining $16 billion in reserves. To view a full list of the legislation that went into effect on Friday, July 1, click here.

Looking for a quick way to find an event, register for an event, and receive pop-up notifications of important Chamber, County, City of Boca Raton, and City of Boynton Beach information? Download the Boca Chamber App – found on the App Store and Google Play Store. Keep your Chamber at the tip of your fingers! You can also stay up to date on all Chamber activities by visiting us at bocachamber.com.

Below is a list of our upcoming in-person activities:

7/13 – 11:45 a.m. In-Person Boynton Beach Lunch and Learn

For more information and to register, click here

7/14 – 7:45 a.m. In-Person Membership Breakfast 

For more information and to register, click here

7/19 – 8:30 a.m. In-Person Master Class Business Workshop 

For more information and to register, click here

7/19 – 3:00 p.m. In-Person Economic Development Committee Meeting 

For more information and to register, click here

7/19 – 5:30 p.m. In-Person PULSE After Hours Network

For more information and to register, click here

7/21 – 8:00 a.m. In-Person Boynton Beach Coffee Plus Network

For more information and to register, click here

7/21 – 11:30 a.m. In-Person Successful Women in Business (SWIB)

For more information and to register, click here

The City of Boca Raton and the Florida Department of Transportation wants to remind drivers that Glades Road will be closed for the better part of this week. The closure will be eastbound and westbound on both sides of I-95. The closure will run between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday, July 10, through Thursday, July 14. The cause is new ramp configuration paving and tie-in activities. Eastbound traffic will be detoured via Butts Road, Town Center Road, Military Trail, Palmetto Park Road, and North Federal Highway. Westbound traffic will be detoured via Airport Road, Spanish River Boulevard, Military Trail, and Butts Road. Weather issues could delay or extend the closures. Expect traffic — even in the middle of the night — in the area.  For more information on current and future road closure projects, click here. Thank you for driving safely!



Together, we continue to Move Business Forward in South Palm Beach County, making our region the best place to Live, Work, Learn and Play!

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