Educational Opportunity For
Disabled Veterans | HB 45
Sponsored by Rep. Daisy Morales

Property Tax Exemptions For Widows, Widowers, Blind Persons, or Persons Totally Disabled | HB 13
Sponsored by Rep. Daisy Morales

HB 13 Signed into law by the Governor – This bill proposes a 10x property tax exemption increase for residents who are widows, widowers, blind persons, or persons totally and permanently disabled from $500 to $5,000.

Down Syndrome Awareness
Specialty License Plate | HB 213
Sponsored by Rep. Daisy Morales

HB 213 Signed into law by the Governor – The bill directs the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to develop a Down Syndrome Awareness license plate, providing for distribution and use of fees collected from the sale of the plate.

Barber Services
HB 855 
Sponsored By Rep. Daisy Morales

HB 855 Signed into law by the Governor – Authorizes barber to shampoo, cut, or arrange hair in location other than registered barbershop without specified arrangements.

Commercial Telephone Solicitation | HB 857
(HB 857 language amended in HB 1347 / SB 1120)
Sponsored By Rep. Daisy Morales

 SB 1120 Signed into law by the Governor – Crack down on businesses that engage in text message marketing and telemarketing to Florida resident

Puerto Rican Heritage Day
House Resolution: HR 8069
Sponsored by Rep. Daisy Morales

Rep. Daisy Morales introduced House Resolution (8069) designating April 2, 2022 as Puerto Rican Heritage Day in Florida.

DAISY MORALES

Former Florida State Representative | Former Countywide Elected Official | Former Federal Government Official

Public Service Summary

Daisy Morales served as Florida State Representative for House District 48 (2020–2022) after previously serving two elected terms as the Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor (2014–2020). Before her elected service, she worked approximately 24 years in the federal government with the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Her public service experience spans federal, state, and local government and includes legislative policymaking, state budget appropriations, constituent services, emergency response coordination, and intergovernmental collaboration.

Legislative Highlights

Public Offices

• Florida State Representative (2020–2022)
• Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor (2014–2020)
• Approximately 24 years of federal government service

Legislative Record

• Sponsored and co-sponsored over 110 bills enacted into Florida law.
• Sponsor of two House resolutions adopted by the Florida House.
• Sponsor appropriations local projects approved by the Legislature but later vetoed by the Governor.
• Co-sponsored multiple appropriations approved in the State Budget.
• Co-sponsored legislation relating to veterans, first responders, education, telehealth, workforce licensing, and tax policy, etc.

Legislative Responsibilities

As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Morales participated in:

• Drafting legislation.
• Filing bills.
• Serving as a primary bill sponsor.
• Co-sponsoring legislation.
• Presenting legislation before House committees.
• House floor debate.
• Building bipartisan support.
• State budget appropriations.
• Local funding requests.
• Constituent services.
• Coordination with state agencies.

Bills Sponsored That Became Florida Law

Veterans

HB 45 (2022)

Educational Opportunities for Disabled Veterans

Primary Sponsor

• Closed Florida’s G.I. Bill tuition gap for disabled veterans.
• Passed unanimously by the Florida House (115–0).
• Passed unanimously by the Florida Senate (38–0).
• Signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.

Property Tax Relief

HB 13 (2022)

Primary Sponsor

• Increased Florida’s property tax exemption for qualifying widows, widowers, blind residents, and permanently disabled Floridians from $500 to $5,000.

Individuals with Disabilities

HB 213 (2022)

Primary Sponsor

• Created Florida’s Down Syndrome Specialty License Plate.

Workforce Development

HB 855 (2021)

Primary Sponsor

• Modernized Florida’s barber licensing laws.

Consumer Protection

HB 857 (2021)

Primary Sponsor

• Sponsored commercial telephone solicitation legislation.
• Major provisions were incorporated into enacted Florida law.

House Resolutions Sponsored

• HR 8053 — World Vitiligo Day in Florida.
• HR 8069 — Puerto Rican Heritage Day in Florida.

Sponsored Appropriations Funded in the State Budget

Higher Education

College of Nursing Expansion (Lake Nona) — $4 million

Food Security

Food Insecurity — $3 million

Disability Services

Association of Agencies Serving the Blind — $1 million

Environmental Education

Zoo Aquarium Project — $950,000

Sponsored Appropriations Approved by the Legislature but Vetoed

These projects were approved by the Florida Legislature and included in the General Appropriations Act before being removed through the Governor’s line-item veto authority.

• Grow It Forward
• D.U.S.T.
• Magic of Orange County Conservation & STEM
• Are You OK? Mental Health on Blast!
• Smiling at Life
• Medical Gas Education Outreach

Co-Sponsored Appropriations

Morales also served as a co-sponsor for appropriations supporting:

• Higher education
• Workforce development
• Veterans programs
• Healthcare initiatives
• Public safety
• Disability services
• Community nonprofits
• Environmental conservation
• Infrastructure improvements
• Economic development

Major Co-Sponsored Legislation

Legislation relating to:

• Veteran suicide prevention
• Military spouse professional licensing
• Military children educational opportunities
• Veteran teacher certification
• Law enforcement
• Firefighter protections
• Telehealth
• Children with developmental delays
• Tourism development
• Property tax relief
• Critical workforce initiatives

Crisis Leadership and Constituent Services

During her legislative service, Morales’ district office coordinated constituent services and worked with local, state, and federal agencies during several emergencies.

COVID-19 Pandemic

Assistance included:

• Unemployment benefits
• State agency casework
• Small business assistance
• Public health information
• Food assistance
• Veteran services
• Senior services
• Constituent referrals

Hurricanes and Severe Weather

Worked with emergency management officials, local governments, and state agencies to assist residents affected by hurricanes and severe weather.

Flood Recovery

Coordinated with local and state agencies to connect residents with available recovery resources.

Public Service Experience

Federal Government

Approximately 24 years

• U.S. Department of State
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security

County Government

Orange County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor

• Two elected terms
• Countywide office

State Government

Florida House of Representatives

Responsibilities included:

• Legislation
• State budget
• Committee hearings
• House floor debate
• Constituent services
• Intergovernmental coordination
• Local appropriations

Areas of Public Policy Experience

• Veterans Affairs
• Education
• Consumer Protection
• Property Tax Policy
• Workforce Development
• Disability Policy
• Public Safety
• Emergency Management
• Small Business
• Community Development
• Environmental Conservation
• State Budget and Appropriations