WEST PALM BEACH — The Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation has scheduled its upcoming meetings with local municipality officials of all kinds, and is inviting public comment as local legislators plan their top priorities for the action in the Florida Legislature during the 2021 session.

Already, one deadline is looming: On Monday, Nov. 30, at noon is the cutoff time for submission of “Local Bills” to the delegation’s office. Those bills will be heard during a hearing Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, 33401.

That hearing coincides with several other meetings there set for that first Thursday of the new year.

On Nov. 23, the delegation announced its new leadership for the 2021 legislative session in Tallahassee, as well as its rules for public participation and the meeting list. The document said:

“To promote health and safety, social distancing and CDC and county guidelines, the delegation will be holding regional hearings in different parts of Palm Beach County. These hearings will be facilitated by the members representing a region. Members from each region will report back to the entire delegation on Jan. 7, 2021, at the local bill and public hearing. The full delegation will not be at each regional hearing.

“Public comment will be taken at the regional hearings as well as at the local bill and public hearing.

“Maximum time allotted for each presentation is THREE minutes. This time limit will be strictly enforced as a courtesy to all scheduled speakers.

“Those presenting local bills should meet personally with members of the Legislative Delegation prior to the hearing at which they will make their presentation. At least one delegation member attending the hearing at which you are present should have a prior working knowledge of your request.”

Public hearing schedule

Regional Public Hearings will run from 10 a.m. to noon as follows:
• North County Regional Hearing: Thursday, Dec. 3, Florida Atlantic University, John MacArthur Campus, 5353 Parkside Drive, Jupiter, Room B-458;
• West County Regional Hearing: Thursday, Dec. 10, Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center, 1977 S.W. College Drive, Belle Glade;
• South County Regional Hearing, Wednesday, Dec. 16, South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Road, Delray Beach.

A joint workshop/meeting with the Palm Beach County League of Cities, will be held 9 to 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 21, Port of Palm Beach, One E. 11th St., Riviera Beach.

A joint workshop/meeting with the Palm Beach County School Board, 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., on Thursday, Jan. 21, Port of Palm Beach, One E. 11th St., Riviera Beach.

All public hearings and workshops will adhere to the Palm Beach County mandatory mask order. Temperature checks will be performed at the entrance before entering the meeting room. All attendees will wear masks at all times unless speaking.

For the Electronic Public Comment Alternative during COVID-19, members of the public are asked to provide comments no later than noon of the day before the meeting date.

In response to COVID-19, the Legislative Delegation is offering additional ways to submit public comments for meetings. In addition to in-person public comment, members of the public are also able to submit their comments online.

To do that, go to:
https://discover.pbcgov.org/legislativeaffairs/pages/legislative_delegation.aspx

The election of officers took place Nov. 12, and the new slate is as follows:

• State Rep. David Silvers, District 87, delegation chairman; and,

• State Rep. Mike Caruso, District 89, vice chairman.

The joint meeting with the Palm Bach Couunty Board of County Commissioners will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m., with the local bill and public hearing to follow, on Jan. 7 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, 650 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, Room H JJ-101.