Can Florida's new digital data law tame the 'Wild West' of online privacy?

Floridians may have new privacy options this summer if you use Amazon, Facebook or Google, thanks to a new digital privacy law that goes into effect July 1. Big tech companies have had a year to prepare for the new law, which expands what’s considered personal data to include your voice, fingerprints and face. Supporters say it allows users more control over their data and how large Internet companies that make money from advertising use it. [Source: WUWF]

Judge finalizes decision about projects that affect Florida wetlands

In a case closely watched by business and environmental groups, a U.S. district judge Friday finalized his rejection of a 2020 move by the federal government to shift permitting authority to Florida for projects that affect wetlands. Judge Randolph Moss issued a 27-page opinion that, as he acknowledged, likely will set the stage for the case to go to an appeals court. The opinion came after a Feb. 15 ruling in which Moss vacated the transfer of permitting authority because he said federal officials had not followed required steps before making the 2020 decision. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Florida is a leader when it comes to fraud complaints, especially for credit cards

As the use of credit cards becomes more common in the day-to-day lives of many Americans, identity theft and credit card scams have been on the rise, seeing more victims every day. In a recent study from USA Today, experts found that Florida and its major cities topped the lists for the highest amount of fraud per 100,000 residents. [Source: TC Palm]

Is your water safe? How to check for ‘forever chemicals’ and reduce toxins in Florida

Public water systems across the country, including in Florida, will have five years to comply with the new “legally enforceable” tap water limits for PFAS set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. These long-lasting chemicals have been “linked to deadly cancers, impacts to the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children,” according to the federal agency. [Source: Miami Herald]

DeSantis signs law forbidding local governments from setting heat-exposure rules for workers

Without fanfare and after business hours, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law that prevents local governments from requiring worker protections from heat exposure and forbidding them to impose minimum wage requirements on contractors. The bill, backed by business groups, was fiercely debated and received final approval from the House and Senate on March 8, the final day of the session. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Miami Marine Stadium resurrection? After 32 years, support grows to reopen historic venue [Miami Herald]
It’s been more than three years since the Miami city commission approved a comprehensive plan to restore the historic yet long-shuttered Miami Marine Stadium. Eight years since the commission authorized $45 million in bonds, never issued, to fund its renovation. Yet today the assertively angular, raw-concrete stadium grandstand still visibly languishes on the edge of Virginia Key and the Rickenbacker Causeway, one foot on land and the other in the water — a uniquely situated design that likely could not be replicated today.

› Orlando's top tech firms have these innovations in the works [Orlando Business Journal]
This week, Orlando Business Journal features the region's largest technology companies, ranked by their local employment — and takes a look at their recent innovations. Orlando's largest tech companies range from defense to software, energy, autonomous vehicles and sports.

› Muscle car museum owner's big PAC contribution raises suspicions in Melbourne mayor's race [Florida Today]
American Muscle Car Museum owner Mark Pieloch is flexing some political muscle with a $100,000 contribution to a new political action committee in Brevard County. Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey said he thinks the PAC, named Honesty & Integrity for Brevard, may be targeting him and his support of Providence Place, a 120-unit affordable-housing project proposed across Sarno Road from Pieloch's American Muscle Car Museum Inc.

› ‘We need to come up with a plan:’ Fort Lauderdale bracing for state’s new homeless camp law [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A new state law that bans overnight sleeping in public places has Fort Lauderdale leaders nervous — particularly since the law paves the way for critics to sue cities that fail to enforce the ban. Fort Lauderdale Vice Mayor Steve Glassman says he wants to come up with a plan before the ban takes effect in October. “I never want to see us get to the point of a Los Angeles. Or a San Francisco. Or a San Diego,” Glassman said. “We have got to come up with a plan.”

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› Report: Rays' stadium, development district to exceed initial cost estimates [The Center Square]
A new report shows that a new Tampa Rays stadium could cost taxpayers far more than initially thought. The new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays would include the development of 65 acres in the historic Gas Plant District that surrounds the field, which would offer affordable housing, shopping and entertainment venues at an initial cost estimate of $1.3 billion.

› Summer youth employment program looking for businesses partners [WCJB]
“I wanted to be a part of Teenswork Alachua cause I thought it was a really good experience for kids my age,” Leila Galloso joined Teenswork Alachua last summer and is now a permanent employee at Trinity’s Day Spa located in Thronebrooke Village. Teenswork Alachua provides 14 to 18-year-old Alachua County students with paid internships and jobs.

› Jacksonville-based transport and logistics firm files for IPO [Jacksonville Daily Record]
A Jacksonville-based auto transportation and logistics company run by the former CEO of Saia Inc. is planning an initial public offering. Proficient Auto Logistics Inc. filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission April 11 to sell an unspecified amount of stock in its IPO.

› Federal government denies SRQ airport land sale to New College [Business Observer]
A yearslong effort to sell 31 acres of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport land to New College of Florida has been blocked by the Federal Aviation Administration. On Friday, SRQ President and CEO Rick Piccolo told the Observer Media Group that he has been notified that the land — granted to the airport by the federal government in the 1940s — cannot be conveyed to the college.