This document does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives.
STORAGE NAME: h0535z1.CRG.docx
DATE: 5/31/2023
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF FINAL BILL ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/CS/HB 535 Funeral Service Benefits for Public Safety Officers
SPONSOR(S): State Affairs Committee and Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations
Subcommittee, Botana and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: CS/CS/SB 364
FINAL HOUSE FLOOR ACTION: 110 Y’s
0 N’s GOVERNOR’S ACTION: Approved
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
CS/CS/HB 535 passed the House on April 13, 2023, and subsequently passed the Senate on April 27, 2023.
State employees may be granted administrative leave for a variety of authorized purposes. State and local
officers and employees may also be reimbursed by their employing agency for certain travel expenses
necessary to achieve a public purpose and subject to limitations established by law.
Current law authorizes state law enforcement agencies to permit their personnel using state vehicles to make
incidental stops for personal errands. In addition, current law requires $1,000 to be paid towards the funeral or
burial expenses of a state law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer who is killed in the
line of duty under certain circumstances.
The bill provides that the act may be cited as the “Respecting their Sacrifice Act.”
The bill authorizes the head of a law enforcement agency to grant up to eight hours of administrative leave to a
law enforcement officer in order for the officer to attend a funeral service within Florida of another officer who
was killed in the line of duty. The agency head may deny the use of administrative leave for such purpose in
order to maintain minimum or adequate staffing requirements. The bill also permits the head of a law
enforcement agency to authorize travel expenses for a law enforcement officer to attend such funeral service.
In addition, the bill permits a state employed law enforcement officer to use the officer’s state vehicle to attend
a funeral service within Florida of another officer killed in the line of duty if authorized by the agency head.
The bill increases the amount that must be paid towards the funeral or burial expenses of a state law
enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer who is killed in the line of duty under certain
circumstances from $1,000 to $10,000.
The bill will have an indeterminate, but likely insignificant, negative fiscal impact on state government
expenditures, and may have a fiscal impact on local governments that choose to provide the benefits
authorized by the bill. See Fiscal Analysis & Economic Impact Statement.
The bill was approved by the Governor on May 25, 2023, ch. 2023-145, L.O.F., and will become effective on
October 1, 2023.
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I. SUBSTANTIVE INFORMATION
A. EFFECT OF CHANGES:
Background
State Personnel Management System
The state’s personnel management system provides a means to recruit, select, train, develop, and
maintain an effective and responsible workforce. The statutes include policies and procedures for
employee hiring and advancement, training and career development, position classification, salary
administration, benefits, discipline, discharge, employee performance evaluations, affirmative action,
and other related activities.
1
The Department of Management Services (DMS) is charged with establishing and maintaining a
classification and compensation program addressing Career Service, Selected Exempt Service, and
Senior Management Service positions.
2
The classification of a position determines the types of benefits
assigned and its compensation and collective bargaining. A position must be classified as Career
Service unless specifically exempted by statute.
3
Career Service, Selected Exempt Service, and Senior Management Service employees may be
granted paid time off in the form of administrative leave for a variety of authorized purposes. The
employing agency is responsible for monitoring the use of administrative leave to ensure that its use is
within the applicable statutory or rule cap, or does not otherwise exceed a reasonable amount
consistent with the circumstances.
4
Generally, state employees may be granted administrative leave for
the following purposes:
Participating in certain international competitions;
5
Receiving treatment for a military-service disability;
6
Volunteering for certain disasters;
7
Participating in certain family activities;
8
Attending jury duty;
When subpoenaed as a witness;
Taking an examination for military service;
Attending a family member’s funeral;
When offices are closed under emergency conditions;
When an employee is under formal investigation;
Voting in an election;
Taking certain other examinations; or
Participating in the Governor’s Mentoring Initiative.
9
1
S. 110.105(1), F.S. Chapter 110, F.S., establishes the state’s personnel management system.
2
S. 110.2035(1), F.S.
3
S. 110.205(1), F.S.
4
Department of Management Services Division of State Human Resource Management Policy Guideline, Administrative Leave –
Prudent Fiscal Management Through Tracking and Monitoring, available at
https://www.dms.myflorida.com/content/download/91707/528058/2018-
005_Administrative_Leave_Prudent_Fiscal_Management_Through_Tracking_and_Monitoring_[7-1-20].pdf (last visited Mar. 10, 2023).
5
S. 110.118, F.S.
6
S. 110.119, F.S.
7
S. 110.120, F.S.
8
See s. 110.1522, F.S., and R. 60L-34.0051, F.A.C.
9
See R. 60L-34.0071, F.A.C.
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Travel Expenses of Public Employees
The rates, procedures, and limitations placed on the use of taxpayer funds for travel by state and local
government employees and officers is standardized by general law.
10
For public officers and
employees, all travel must be authorized and approved by the head of the employing agency.
11
The
travel request must be accompanied by a signed statement by the traveler’s supervisor stating the
purpose of the travel and such travel is for official business. The agency head may only pay for travel
expenses necessary to achieve the public purpose and subject to limitations established by state law.
12
Per diem costs related to foreign travel may be paid by advancement or reimbursement, at current
rates specified in the federal publication “Standardized Regulations (Government Civilians, Foreign
Areas).”
13
Travel is divided into four categories:
Class A: Continuous travel of 24 hours or more away from official headquarters.
14
Class B: Continuous travel of less than 24 hours which involves overnight absence from official
headquarters.
Class C: Travel for short or day trips where the travel is not away from official headquarters
overnight.
Foreign travel: Travel outside the United States.
15
Reimbursements for travel time are calculated based on the type of travel. Class A travel is calculated
based on a calendar day, while Class B travel is calculated based on the travel period.
16
Travelers
conducting Class A or Class B travel are reimbursed for each travel day included in the travel period at
the rate of one-fourth of the authorized per diem rate for each six-hour period. Class C travelers are not
reimbursed per diem, but may receive a subsistence allowance based on the time of travel.
17
Class C travelers receive a subsistence allowance of $6 for breakfast, $11 for lunch, and $19 for
dinner.
18
The per diem and subsistence allowance for Class A and B travelers is the greater of $80 per
day or the sum of actual expenses for lodging at a single-occupancy rate plus the value of the
subsistence allowance for Class C travelers for the same number of meals.
19
Travelers are only reimbursed for the actual expenses of lodging or meals when the lodging or meals
are provided at a state institution and may not be reimbursed for any meal or lodging included in a
convention or conference registration fee paid for with taxpayer funds.
20
Public officers and employees may also receive reimbursement for transportation expenses.
21
Travel is
reimbursed according to a “usually traveled route,” with any costs associated with deviation from that
route being borne by the traveler. The agency head or designee must determine the most economical
method of travel considering the nature of the business, the most efficient and economical means of
travel (including a consideration of time and impact on productivity of the traveler), and the number of
persons making the trip.
22
If the traveler pays for the cost of official travel out of pocket, the traveler
10
S. 112.061, F.S.
11
S. 112.061(3)(a), F.S. (travel must be approved by “head of the agency”). The “head of the agency” is defined as the highest
policymaking authority of a public agency. S. 112.061(2)(b), F.S.
12
S. 112.061(3)(b), F.S.
13
S. 112.061(3)(f), F.S.
14
The official headquarters of an officer or employee assigned to an office is the city or town in which the office is located, unless an
exception applies. See s. 112.061(4), F.S.
15
S. 112.061(2)(k)-(m), F.S.
16
S. 112.061(5)(a), F.S.
17
S. 112.061(5)(b), F.S.
18
S. 112.061(6)(b), F.S.
19
S. 112.061(6)(a), F.S.
20
S. 112.061(6)(a), (c), F.S.
21
See s. 112.061(7), F.S.
22
S. 112.061(7)(a), F.S.
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must provide documentation for reimbursement.
23
Use of a personal vehicle for official business is
reimbursed to the traveler at the rate of 44.5 cents per mile, or at the common carrier fare for such
travel.
24
Mileage is calculated based on the current map of the Department of Transportation, plus
vicinity mileage traveled for the conduct of official business.
25
Travelers may also be reimbursed for taxi and ferry fares; bridge, road, and tunnel tolls; parking fees;
communication expenses; and convention registration fees, if the convention or conference serves a
direct public purpose relating to the employer of the public official.
26
Counties, county constitutional officers, school boards, special districts, and metropolitan planning
organizations may adopt per diem, subsistence, and mileage rates that vary from this framework, as
long as their adopted rates are not less than the statutorily established rates in effect for the 2005-2006
fiscal year.
27
Alternative rates may be adopted by ordinance or resolution of the governing body and
such rates must apply uniformly to all travel conducted by officers and employees of the government
entity.
28
Travelers are not required to provide notarized documentation of travel expenses but must include a
written declaration that the claimed travel expenses were necessary for the performance of official
duties and accurately reflect travel costs. A traveler making a deliberate misrepresentation is guilty of a
second-degree misdemeanor and is civilly liable for the amount of overpayment.
29
Limitation on the use of motor vehicles
State-owned vehicles are available for official state business as authorized by agency heads.
30
Agency
heads are required to consider the following criteria in determining appropriate use of state vehicles:
Carrying out state official or employee job assignments;
Transporting an employee, state official, or other person for the purpose of conducting official
state business or performing services for the state;
Providing security; and
To protect life or property in any emergency situation that requires the use of a state vehicle.
31
For law enforcement officers employed by the state, the term “official state business” is interpreted to
permit the use of the motor vehicle during normal duty hours to and from lunch or meal breaks and
incidental stops for personal errands if such use is at the direction of or with the permission of the
agency head. However, substantial deviations from official state business are prohibited.
32
Death Benefits
A full-time law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer who is employed by a state
agency and killed in the line of duty while engaged in law enforcement duties, or as a result of an
assault against the officer under riot conditions, is entitled to certain death benefits. Specifically, the
officer’s beneficiaries or estate is entitled to receive $1,000 towards the funeral or burial expenses of
the officer.
33
The benefit is in addition to any other benefits to which the beneficiaries or estate is
entitled under the Workers’ Compensation Law or any other state or federal statutes. The officer’s
23
S. 112.061(7)(c), F.S.
24
S. 112.061(7)(d)1., F.S.
25
S. 112.061(7)(d)3., F.S.
26
S. 112.061(8)(a), F.S.
27
S. 112.061(14)(a), F.S.
28
S. 112.061(14)(b), F.S.
29
S. 112.061(10), F.S. A second-degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 60 days imprisonment and a $500 fine. Sections 775.082
and 775.083, F.S.
30
S. 287.17(1), F.S.
31
S. 287.17(2), F.S.
32
S. 287.17(3)(b), F.S.
33
S. 112.19(2)(f)1., F.S.
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employing agency also may pay up to $5,000 directly towards the venue expenses associated with the
funeral and burial services.
34
Effect of the Bill
The bill provides that the act may be cited as the “Respecting their Sacrifice Act.”
The bill authorizes the head of a law enforcement agency to grant up to eight hours of administrative
leave to a law enforcement officer
35
in order for the officer to attend a funeral service within Florida of
another officer who was killed in the line of duty. The agency head may deny the use of administrative
leave for such purpose in order to maintain minimum or adequate staffing requirements. The bill also
permits the head of a law enforcement agency to authorize travel expenses for a law enforcement
officer to attend a funeral service within Florida of another officer who was killed in the line of duty.
The bill permits a state employed law enforcement officer to use the officer’s state vehicle to attend a
funeral service within Florida of another officer killed in the line of duty if authorized by the agency
head.
The bill increases the amount that must be paid towards the funeral or burial expenses of a law
enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer who was employed full time by a state
agency and killed in the line of duty while performing law enforcement duties or as a result of an assault
against the officer under riot conditions from $1,000 to $10,000.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
The bill may have an indeterminate, but likely insignificant, negative fiscal impact on state
government expenditures. The bill increases the amount that must be paid towards the funeral of a
law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer under certain
circumstances from $1,000 to $10,000. In addition, the bill authorizes a law enforcement agency to
grant up to eight hours of administrative leave to an officer to attend a funeral service within Florida
of another officer who was killed in the line of duty and to authorize travel expenses for such
purpose. To the extent that some funerals may meet specified circumstances, agencies may
subsequently authorize leave, and officers may utilize authorized leave, the dollar amount of
expenditures required or authorized by the bill is indeterminate. See Fiscal Comments.
34
S. 112.19(2)(f)2., F.S.
35
“Law enforcement officer” means any person who is elected, appointed, or employed full time by any municipality or the state or any
political subdivision thereof; who is vested with authority to bear arms and make arrests; and whose primary responsibility is the
prevention and detection of crime or the enforcement of the penal, criminal, traffic, or highway laws of the state. It also includes all
certified supervisory and command personnel whose duties include, in whole or in part, the supervision, training, guidance, and
management responsibilities of full-time law enforcement officers, part-time law enforcement officers, or auxiliary law enforcement
officers but does not include support personnel employed by the employing agency.
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B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
The bill may have an indeterminate, but likely insignificant, negative fiscal impact on local
government expenditures. The bill authorizes a law enforcement agency to grant up to eight hours
of administrative leave to an officer to attend a funeral service within Florida of another officer who
was killed in the line of duty and to authorize travel expenses for such purpose. To the extent that
an agency may choose to authorize leave and travel expenses, there may be indeterminate
expenditures for a law enforcement officer to attend such funeral service.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
None.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
Due to the rarity of deaths under the circumstances described by the bill, any required expenditures will
likely be insignificant and may be absorbed within existing resources. The Department of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles has made funeral benefit payments four times since 2019.
36
The
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has had three line-of-duty deaths since 2016.
37
The
Department of Law Enforcement reported two officer deaths in its most recent annual report.
38
While
the dollar amount of expenditures required by the bill remains indeterminate, it is unlikely that they have
a significant negative impact.
36
Email from Austin Stowers, Director of Legislative Affairs, Florida Department of Financial Services, HMSV Death Benefit (Mar. 10,
2023) on file with the Appropriations Committee.
37
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Agency Analysis of 2023 Senate Bill 364, p.3 (Feb. 3, 2023) on file with
the Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee.
38
Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Law Enforcement Officer Killed Feloniously, 1980-2020, available at
https://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CJAB/UCR/Annual-Reports/UCR-Officer-Data (last visited Mar. 10, 2023).