Federal and State Agency Updates and Resources on COVID-19
Federal and State Agency Updates and Resources on COVID-19
DHS/CISA Alert: COVID-19 Exploited by Malicious Cyber Actors
FDA Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: Daily Roundup April 7, 2020
FEMA_Advisory_FEMA-CBP_ExportCriticalPPE_FINAL_20200408.pdf
Commissioner Fried’s Emergency Orders & Rules
Emergency Order 2020-006 waiving certain packaging and labeling requirements for eggs sold at Florida retail food establishments. Provides that packages of shell eggs will not be required to have printed certain information such as date of pack, grade, and size, although retailers will provide in-store statements with the information typically required. This will allow eggs to be moved more quickly from producers to retailers.
Executed: April 7, 2020
Expires: 30 days, unless extended or rescinded by the Commissioner of Agriculture
Emergency Order 2020-002 Provides relief to pest control, pesticide, fertilizer, and animal feed licensees by suspending the late fees assessed for failure to timely pay fees, or timely renew licenses and certifications. Additionally, it extends (by 30 days) the timeframes required for both quarterly and annual reporting, as well as for renewing licenses and certificates. As a business owner, you already have a lot on your to-do list, making any pest infestation challenging if you’re trying to handle it alone.
Executed: March 20, 2020
Expires: 30 days from enactment date unless extended or rescinded by the Commissioner of Agriculture
Emergency Order 2020-003 waives fees that would typically be imposed for late renewals of the following permits and registrations: solicitors of contributions (charities), brake fluid, commercially-used weights and measures (e.g., scales), motor vehicle repair shops, and dealers of agricultural products.
Executed: March 20, 2020
Expires: 30 days from enactment date unless extended or rescinded by the Commissioner of Agriculture
Emergency Order 2020-004 will help concealed weapon licensees and Chapter 493 licensees by suspending renewal application late fees, providing additional time (30 days) to renew licenses set to expire, providing armed security officers additional time to submit proof of annual requalification, and allowing unarmed security officer training to be conducted by live video conferencing.
Executed: March 20, 2020
Expires: 30 days from enactment date unless extended or rescinded by the Commissioner of Agriculture
Emergency Rule 5JER20-1 states that the COVID-19 global health crisis and the U.S. Center for Disease Control’s directive to limit travel, there is an extreme and unusual oversupply of fuel meeting winter season volatility requirements, known as “winter blend” fuel. This emergency rule will allow winter blend fuel to be sold longer, ensuring the adequate and rapid distribution of available fuel and helping to stabilize the fuel market, and providing consumers a stable supply of gasoline.
Emergency Rule 5PER20-2 extends the deadlines for Sponsors participating in the National School Lunch Program to appeal agency action that may be issued against them by the Department in the coming weeks. The deadlines are being extended to allow Sponsors the extra time needed to comply with recommendations for social distancing when responding to eh agency action and to allow the Department to safely hold hearings at a later date.
Governor Executive Orders Re: COVID- 19
FAQs for Executive Order 20-91 (Essential Services and Activities during COVID-19)
#2020-95 Executive Order re: COVID-19 Emergency Order – Documentary Stamps for SBA Loans
Suspending taxation imposed under Chapter 201, Florida Statutes, for notes and other written obligations made pursuant to Title I of the CARES Act.
Executed: April 6, 2020
Expires: Upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
Suspends evictions for nonpayment of rent due to COVID-19 and mortgage foreclosures for 45 days in the state
Executed: April 2, 2020
#2020-93 Executive Order re: COVID-19 Emergency Order – Reemployment Assistance Program
Executed: April 2, 2020
Expires: upon expiration of Executive Order 20-52 including any extensions
Supersedes any conflicting official action or order issued by local officials in response COVID-19
Executed: April 1, 2020
Executed: April 1, 2020 but effective 12:01 am on April 3, 2020
Expires: April 30, 2020 unless extended by subsequent order.
Immediately closes beaches in Broward and Palm Beach Counties
Executed: March 31, 2020
Expires: Length of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, unless otherwise modified and suspended pursuant to subsequent order
The state employee health plan benefits plan will include telehealth services at no additional cost to employees, and fees for influenza vaccinations will be waived.
Executed: March 26, 2020
Expires: Upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
Directing all persons who enter the State of Florida from an area with substantial community spread, to include the State of Louisiana, inclusive of those entering the State of Florida by roadways, to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days
Executed: March 27, 2020
Expires: Upon expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, or upon an Executive Order lifting the isolation or quarantine after advice from the State Health Officer and Surgeon General
#2020-87 Executive Order re: Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Vacation Rental Closures
Ordering all parties engaged in rental of vacation rental properties to suspend vacation rental operations. Vacation rentals are prohibited from making new reservations or bookings and shall not accept new guests for check-in for the duration of this order.
Executed: March 27, 2020
Expires: In 14 days unless extended by subsequent order
#2020-88 Executive Order re: Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Re-employment of Essential Personnel
Regarding re-employment of essential personnel.
Executed: March 30, 2020
Expires: Upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
Regarding public access restrictions in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and Monroe County
Executed: March 30, 2020
Expires: April 15, 2020, unless renewed or modified by subsequent order
The state employee health plan benefits plan will include telehealth services at no additional cost to employees, and fees for influenza vaccinations will be waived.
Executed: March 26, 2020
Expires: Upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
Directing all persons who enter the State of Florida from an area with substantial community spread, to include the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York), to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into the State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in the State of Florida, whichever is shorter.
Executed: March 24, 2020
Expires: Upon expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, or upon an Executive Order lifting the isolation or quarantine after advice from the State Health Officer and Surgeon General
Directing the State Surgeon General and State Health Officer to issue a public health advisory to all persons over 65 years of age urging them to stay home and to take such other measures as necessary to limit their risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Executed: March 24, 2020
Expires: Upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
#2020-80 Executive Order re: Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Airport Screening and Isolation
directing all persons whose point of departure originates from outside the State of Florida in an area with substantial community spread, to include the New York Tri-State Area (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York), and entering the State of Florida through airports to isolate or quarantine for a period of 14 days from the time of entry into the State of Florida or the duration of the person’s presence in the State of Florida, whichever is shorter.
Enacted: March 23, 2020
Expires: Upon expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions, or upon an Executive Order lifting the isolation or quarantine after advice from the State Health Officer and Surgeon General
Executed: March 1, 2020
Expires: N/A
#2020-52 Executive Order re: Emergency Management – COVID-19 Public Health Emergency
Executed: March 9, 2020
Expires: 60 days from enactment date unless extended
Executed: March 17, 2020
Expires: 30 days from enactment date unless extended
#2020-69 Executive Order re: Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Local Government Public Meetings
Executed: March 20, 2020
Expires: Linked to the expiration of Executive Order 20-52
Executed: March 20, 2020
Expires: The closures in this order shall remain in effect in accordance with the President’s “15 Days to Slow the Spread”, initiated on March 16, 2020. These closures shall expire on March 31, 2020 but may be renewed upon the written request of the County Administrator. The Broward County Administrator and the Palm Beach County Administrator shall have the ability to enforce, relax, modify or remove these closures, as warranted, pursuant to the directives and parameters as set forth in Executive Order 20-68.
#2020-71 Executive Order re: Emergency Management – COVID-19 – Alcohol Sales, Restaurants, and Gyms
Executed: March 20, 2020
Expires: Linked to the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
Executed: March 20, 2020
Expires: Linked to the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
Executive State Agencies Executive Orders
Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Executed: March 14, 2020
Expires: April 13, 2020 at 11:59 or at the expiration or rescission of Executive Order 20-52, unless extended by the Executive Director of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Executed: March 15, 2020
Expires: on the earlier or rescission of Executive Order 20-52, unless extended by the Executive Director of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Office of Financial Regulation
OFR Division of Securities Proclamation
Executed: March 20, 2020
Executed: March 26, 2020
Division of Emergency Management
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Executed: March 23, 2020
Expires: Upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
Executed: March 16, 2020
Department of Economic Opportunity
Executed: March 20, 2020
Expires: May 2, 2020, unless extended by subsequent order
Reemployment Assistance Service Center
Department of Health
Executed: March 10, 2020
Executed: March 16, 2020
Department of Management Services
Executed: March 16, 2020
Department of Transportation
Executed: March 13, 2020
Expires: At the expiration or rescission of Executive Order 20-52 or April 12, 2020 unless extended by the Secretary of FDOT
Department of Children and Families
Executed: March 22, 2020
Expires: Upon the expiration of Executive Order 20-52, including any extensions
Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Executed: March 22, 2020
Department of Education
Executed: March 23, 2020
Department of Juvenile Justice
Executed: March 19, 2020
Department of Lottery
Executed: March 22, 2020
Department of Revenue
COVID-19 – Order of Emergency Waiver Property Tax Due Dates
Executed: March 26, 2020
Expires: Upon expiration or rescission of Executive Order 20-52 or 11:59 PM on May 1, 2020, unless extended by the Executive Director of Dept. of Revenue
COVID-19 – Order of Emergency Waiver Sales and Use Tax Due Dates
Executed: March 26, 2020
Expires: upon expiration or rescission of Executive Order 20-52 or 11:59 PM on May 8, 2020, unless extended by the Executive Director of Dept. of Revenue
NASDA Overview of Federal Agency Actions
Federal agencies have created specific websites to provide updates on their efforts to combat the spread of coronavirus. Below is a quick summary of all the main information resources available.
Critical Infrastructure
Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Guidance on critical infrastructure workforce can be found here.
- DHS-Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) indicated that the guidance will have minor edits as they collect more information from stakeholders. If you believe DHS-CISA guidance needs to be amendment or updates please send to CISA.CAT@CISA.DHS.GOV.
- DHS-CISA does not plan on issuing any guidance on documentation for critical infrastructure workers at this point. States are taking different measures to address this issue such as, state agencies issuing letters, private companies giving letters to employees, and state agencies working closing with law enforcement to address any challenge that might occur. Some state administrations have also explicitly stated that they will not require documentation.
- Industry proposed definition for critical infrastructure for the seed sector:
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- Seed Labs and companies conducting seed research including plant breeding
- Seed producers including producers of research and foundation seed
- Seed processors
- Seed suppliers and brokers
- Seed testing laboratories – private, state and Federal
- Public and private seed certifying agencies
- Manufacturers and suppliers of seed treatments including but not limited to insecticides, fungicides, inoculants and biologicals
- Agricultural retailers and distributers
- Transporters of agricultural inputs
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Workforce
State Department:
- Secretary Pompeo, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, has authorized consular officers to expand the categories of H-2 visa applicants whose applications can be adjudicated without an in-person interview.
- Consular officers can, if they so choose, now waive the visa interview requirement for first-time and returning H-2 applicants who have no potential ineligibility.
- This expansion also increases the period in which returning workers may qualify for an interview waiver. Applicants whose previous visas expired in the last 48 months (increased from 12 months), and who did not require a waiver of ineligibility the last time they applied, do not need to be interviewed in-person if they are applying for the same visa classification as their previous visa.
- We anticipate the vast majority of otherwise qualified H-2 applicants will now be adjudicated without an interview.
- Overall guidance on these actions can be found here.
Department of Labor (DOL): DOL is continuously updating their coronavirus information here.
- The website highlights unemployment, workers comp and workplace safety. H-2A update should come before the end of the week. We are hearing about delays from some states.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): USDA is working with the State Department and White House on H2A issues.
- USDA will continue to update its website on the U.S. embassies status. U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Mexico closed on March 18th.
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- Updates: https://www.farmers.gov/manage/h2a
- Frequently asked questions: here
- If there are specific situations that you are aware of please send the details to (aglabor@usda.gov)
Transportation
Department of Transportation (DOT): DOT is working closely with the White House and industry stakeholders to ensure continuation of critical infrastructure support. More information around DOT coronavirus efforts can be found here.
- Hours-of-Service (HOS): FMCSA has released an Emergency Declaration and Expanded Emergency Declaration that provides hours-of-service relief to truck drivers transporting essential COVID-19 items until the termination of the emergency or April 12th, 2020. Whichever occurs first.
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- Specifically, FMCSA has identified the following food/ag items as exempt: packaging for food, livestock, wood pulp, feed, and fertilizers.
- Currently, FMCSA has deemed pet food as ineligible for HOS relief.
FMCSA continues to monitor the list of eligible products, if there are items that should be included and are not, please reach out to FMCSA at FMCSADeclaration@dot.gov.
- More information on specific exempt items, ELD use, etc. can be found here:
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Waivers: FMCSA has granted, until June 30, 2020, a waiver for expiring commercial driver’s licenses and commercial learner’s permits. More details around the waivers can be found here.
- State to State Resources:
- American Trucking Association is tracking closures of state driver license agencies, CDL expiration date extensions, new CLP and CDL issuance / testing restrictions, increased size and weight limits, parking and rest stop availability across all 50 states here.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture developed a website addressing some of the main areas of concerns as relates to USDA’s activities. Additionally, USDA has added frequently asked questions related to Food Safety, Access to Food, Pet Safety and Trade, and Foreign Agricultural Affairs.
Food Supply Chain Disruption: USDA is part of the food supply chain interagency working group. If you are currently hearing of any major disruptions on the food supply chain in your state or has any questions please contact USDA at foodsupplychain@usda.gov.
Access to food: USDA created flexibility for their Food & Nutrition Service (FNS) programs during the pandemic response. More information can be found here.
Find your local FNS office here.
- Child Nutrition Waivers: USDA released three additional nation-wide waivers for Child Nutrition programs.
- Parent pick-up waiver: Allows for;
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- State level waiving of the student pick-up requirements across all child nutrition programs in a targeted and justified approach.
- Parents or guardians to pick up meals for children without the children needing to be present at the site.
- NOTE: State agencies must have a plan in place for ensuring that Program operators are able to maintain accountability and program integrity at open sites.
- Meal pattern flexibility: Allows for;
- State level waiving of the meal pattern requirements across all child nutrition programs in a targeted and justified approach.
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- State agencies to waive certain meal patterns in the Child Nutrition programs at various sites, provided that local Program operators requests are targeted and justified based upon disruptions to the availability of food products resulting from unprecedented impacts of COVID-19.
- NOTE: Local Program operators must contact their State agency for approval to utilize this waiver, and State agencies must report to their FNS Regional Office when and where this waiver is in effect and for what food components.
- Delay in CEP Requirements:
- This waiver extends the data collection, notification, and election deadlines for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year allowing additional flexibilities for this reporting during these unprecedented times.
USDA is also working with the private sector to deliver boxes of food to children affected by coronavirus related school closures. If you know of any stakeholder in your state that would like to be part of this effort please have them reach out to feedingkids@usda.gov.
Food Safety: USDA is ensuring food safety during the COVID-19 outbreak. The following agencies have provided operational updates and can be found here.
Food Safety and Inspection Service:
- Meat, poultry, and processed egg inspection services continue as normal.
- Planning for absenteeism is a part of normal FSIS operations and as such, FSIS is closely monitoring and tracking employee absenteeism to plan for and minimize impacts to operations.
- FSIS is also working to prioritize inspection at establishments based on local conditions and resources available.
Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS):
- APHIS and AMS continue to provide critical inspections and grading services.
- APHIS and AMS are ensuring the health and safety of USDA employees while still providing the timely delivery of the services to maintain the movement of America’s food supply moving from farms to forks.
- APHIS and AMS are prepared to remedy any possible disruptions in their services.
- AMS will continue to report commodity prices through its market news service.
- Commodity markets can be assured that the USDA will keep America’s food supply safe as well as abundant during this national emergency.
- The National Veterinary Stockpile maintains supplies of PPE and disinfectant which is used to support animal health disease events, such as the ongoing virulent Newcastle disease incident in California. Any request to redirect for the public health emergency should come through federal partners (HHS/FEMA) to ensure supplies are distributed to the areas with most need. In determining what to release, a decision on minimum levels to maintain for animal health mission activities and the ability to restock to maintain response capabilities and lab operations would have to be made.
- Find APHIS FAQs here.
Trade operations: In collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, USDA continues to inspect imported agriculture and food products. The Foreign Agricultural Service has postponed trade promotion activities, including trade missions and shows.
Rural Development: USDA Rural Development launched a website specific to the RD covid-19 responses here.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
NASDA is in communication with FDA about continuity of operations. We should have more will be provide you updates from the agency pertinent to cooperative agreements and inspections as soon as we receive advice from the agency.
Audit Guidance: Temporary Policy Regarding Preventive Controls and FSVP Food Supplier Verification Onsite Audit Requirements
FDA issued guidance outlining that due to restrictions, FDA is aware that the ability to do onsite audits as part of the supplier verification activities under the PCHF, PCAF, and FSVP regulations is going to be impacted due to coronavirus. This guidance provides a temporary enforcement discretion policy.
Clarifying food worker status as part of critical infrastructure sector: FDA is working with state and federal officials to ensure that law enforcement agencies are made aware that human and animal food workers are part of the critical infrastructure and must be allowed to travel to and from their jobs.
Please spread this message and work with your sister agencies and food stakeholders to spread this word. There have been instances of workers being stopped.
If your stakeholders are experiencing issues regarding supply chains, delivery of goods, or business continuity, please contact the FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center at NBEOC@fema.dhs.gov. This is a 24/7 operation and they can assist in directing your inquiry to the proper contact.
Environmental Protection Agency
Additional information on approved disinfectants, and expedited product approvals.
EPA’s announcement on enforcement and compliance.
U.S. Trade Representative
USTR staff continue to work on implementation and enforcement of trade agreements. No updates to share regarding current negotiations.
Department of Interior (DOI)
The Department does not anticipate any delays with processing or approving federal grazing permits. Turnout for the summer grazing season is proceeding as planned.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Burn Rate Calculator is a spreadsheet-based model that provides information for healthcare facilities to plan and optimize the use of PPE for response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Similarly, non-healthcare facilities (e.g., correctional facilities) may find this tool useful for planning and optimizing PPE use as part of the response to COVID-19.
Federal Agency Coronavirus Announcements/Quick Links:
Administration Actions and Federal Agency Resources: USA.gov is cataloging all U.S. government activities related to coronavirus. From actions on health and safety to travel, immigration, and transportation to education, find pertinent actions here. Each Federal Agency has also established a dedicated coronavirus website, where you can find important information and guidance. They include: Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Department of Education (DoED), Department of Agriculture (USDA), Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of Commerce (DOC), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Department of the Treasury (USDT), Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), and U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC). Find out how you can protect yourself and helpful resources on DOJ’s Coronavirus Fraud Prevention website. The Federal Trade Commission has also established a website with helpful information to help consumers avoid coronavirus-related scams. The U.S. Department of the Treasury has setup a website with up-to-date guidance on CARES Act implementation.
NASDA Coronavirus Resource Page
House Ag Committee Coronavirus Resource Page
President Donald J. Trump Approves Florida Disaster Declaration
SBA Launches Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)
For more information and application link here: www.sba.gov/paycheckprotection
USDA ag-specific FAQs can be found here under the “Paycheck Protection Program” header. More extensive FAQs can be found at the Treasury Department’s CARES Act website (PDF, 50 KB).
Click here for an overview of SBA Guidance & Loan Resources related to COVID-19
Effective March 26, the State Department has expanded scope of H-2 Processing | H-2A Q&A PDF
DOL Office of Foreign Labor Round 2 FAQs (focuses on potential issues regarding the H-2A temporary agricultural labor certification program)
USDA and DOL Announce Information Sharing to Assist H-2A Employers
USDA Adds Flexibilities for Crop Insurance to Support America’s Farmers and Ranchers
USDA Adds Additional Flexibilities for Crop Insurance to Support America’s Farmers and Ranchers
USDA Working with Dairy Industry to Ensure Americans Consistent Access to Milk
USDA AMS extends flexibility to states on Specialty Crop Block Grant Program
The CARES Act of 2020 provided an extension of the normal Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) maturity. FSA issued a notice of that 12- month extension.
USDA Makes it Easier to Feed Kids and Those Who Need Food During the COVID-19 National Emergency
Implementation of the nutrition and anti-hunger provisions included in the phase 2 & 3 coronavirus response legislation is taking place. See this resource for an overview of those provisions and programs.
USDA Rural Development Launches COVID-19 Resource Webpage
FDA Issues Guidance on Conduct and Review of Studies to Support New Animal Drug Development
FDA To Temporarily Conduct Remote Importer Inspections Under FSVP Due to COVID-19
FDA Fact Sheet: Safely distributing unused human food for use as animal food
New FDA FAQ: Should employees in retail food and food production settings wear face coverings to prevent exposure to COVID-19?
Updated FDA FAQ: How do I maintain social distancing in my food production/processing facility and food retail establishment where employees typically work within close distances?
FCA encourages Farm Credit System institutions to work with borrowers affected by COVID-19
USDA FSIS Special Alert on Temporary Allowances for Labels Going to Retail
SBA Implements Automatic Deferment on Existing SBA Disaster Loans Through End of 2020
FTC Data Shows Jump in Coronavirus-related Complaints from Consumers
Electronic applications for window two may be submitted through grants.gov beginning April 14, 2020, and are due no later than July 13, 2020. Paper applications will not be accepted under the second window. Additional information on how to apply will be available on grants.gov on April 14.
USDA to Temporarily Suspend Activities at Veterinary Services Miami Port Office
Issued: 03/30/2020; Effective: 03/28/2020. Please note: The MIA port remains open and operational for the import and export of APHIS regulated animals. This notice does not impact APHIS VS live animal inspections performed at privately owned import quarantines or livestock export inspection facilities. APHIS operations will continue at the Miami International Airport.
Ed Rodriguez | Veterans Affairs Director
Office of Commissioner Nicole “Nikki” Fried
Florida Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services
Email: Ed.Rodriguez@FDACS.gov
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Please note that Florida has a broad public records law (Chapter 119, Florida Statutes.) Most written communications to or from state employees are public records obtainable by the public upon request. Emails sent to me at this email address may be considered public and will only be withheld from disclosure if deemed confidential pursuant to the laws of the State of Florida
