Proven Leadership
Maria Sachs is currently State Senator for District 30. She previously served two terms (4 years) as State House Representative. She was elected by her peers to serve as Chairman of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation. Former Governor Charlie Crist appointed her to serve on the prestigious Statewide Taskforce against Human Trafficking. Recently, she represented our State at the 10th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates in Berlin, Germany, and traveled to Israel on a trade mission.
Maria is Vice Chair of Regulated Industries. She is the only Palm Beach County Democratic Senator selected to be on the Redistricting Committee. She also serves in the following committees: Higher Education; Military Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities; Reapportionment; Budget Subcommittee on Finance and Tax; Budget Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development Appropriations.
Legislative Accomplishments
Successfully passed HB 844 – Safeguard Our Seniors: This legislation increases the fines for deliberate manipulation of annuities. In the course of these transactions, existing life insurance policies or annuity contracts, the insurance agents get a commission even as the consumer may get nothing. This legislation authorizes the department of Financial Services to force a crooked agent to make full restitution to a senior who has been defrauded.
Successfully passed HB 1317 – Condo/Homeowner Foreclosure Bill: Provides & revises provisions relating to community associations, including insurance requirements, fire alarm systems, definitions, duties of owners & associations, meetings, officers, governance, fines, etc.; creates “Distressed Condominium Relief Act” to provide regulatory provisions to bulk assignees & bulk buyers; repeals provision relating to public elevators & emergency operation plans.
Successfully passed HB 1455 – Veterans Bill: Prohibits person from falsely representing himself or herself as member of or representing U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard for purpose of solicitation of charitable contributions or participation in charitable or sponsor sales promotion.
Successfully passed HB 723 – Education Bill: Authorizes state universities & community colleges to waive tuition & fees for public school classroom teachers for courses in mathematics, science and special education. Requires State Board of Education rulemaking; prohibits cause of action against state university for actions or decisions of state university student government, etc.
Successfully sponsored HB 207 – Foreign Languages Bill: Expands the number of languages available for teacher certification from 4 to 15. Allows teachers seeking certification in a world language to demonstrate mastery through a subject area exam.
Successfully co-sponsored HB 65 – Firefighter Death Benefits Bill: Revises provisions providing death benefits for firefighters. Expands activities entitling firefighters to death benefits to include participation in training exercises and injury by an unlawful and intentional act which results in death. Provides legislative findings that the act fulfils an important state interest.
Successfully sponsored HR 9107 – Florida’s Athletes and the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness: Honors Florida’s athletes for their athletic endeavors, commends Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness for its leadership, & recognizes Chris Evert for her contributions in promoting physical fitness.