Legislative Affairs

Legislative Affairs The Florida Division of Emergency Management's Legislative Affairs Office serves as the Division's primary liaison to elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels. Acting as FDEM's front line at the Florida Capitol, the office develops and advances the agency's legislative priorities each session, supports leadership and subject matter experts during committee weeks and legislative session, and tracks state and federal legislation and the budget process affecting emergency management. Legislative Affairs also coordinates all external communications with elected officials, assists legislators with questions related to legislation, disaster response, and recovery in their districts, and connects residents and officials with the appropriate experts and resources. During disaster activations, the office maintains constant communication with elected officials to provide timely updates, address community concerns, and help identify solutions that support response, recovery, and resilience statewide. Resources The Florida Senate - FLSenate.gov Florida House of Representatives - FLHouse.gov Senior Officials Course (section 252.38(1)(b), F.S.) The Legislature passed section 252.38 (1)(b), Florida Statutes on May 2, 2025, and Governor DeSantis signed it into law on June 26. The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) requires a training requirements training for that county or municipal administrators, county or city managers, county or municipal emergency management directors, and county or municipal public works directors or other officials responsible for the construction and maintenance of public infrastructure must complete biennially in addition to the training required pursuant to section 252.38(1)(b), F.S. FDEM will provide training to meet these requirements or approve training to be given by a not-for-profit corporation. The Florida Senior Officials Course facilitates a discussion focused on the education of Florida's senior officials led by their local emergency management director and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, centered on the National Incident Management System component of command and coordination. Once you have completed the course, fill out the form to obtain your Certificate of Completion. Be sure to check the "Virtual (Self-Paced)" option. Once you have submitted the form, a member of the team will email you your certificate within 72 hours.