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ABOUT DIANNE

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HISTORY

1955

Dianne Hart was born June 26, 1955, to a single mother with three small children. Unable to care for them all, Ms. Hart was raised by her godparents in the heart of East Tampa. Ms. Hart has been a community servant since she was a child, running store errand for the seniors in the neighborhood to babysitting for free. Due to the lack of education, her godparents could not read so at an early age Ms. Hart was taught how to pay the bills and take care of the finances in the house.

1973-1985

1986

At eighteen, Ms. Hart landed her first job at General Telephone Electric Company (GTE) and joined the IBEW Union Local 824; she worked as an operator for two years. She was a promoted to the accounting department working as an accounting clerk, where she would remain for ten years before taking a buy-out because of downsizing, which began a new chapter in her life. During, this time, her father had a heart attack this was devastating for the family. Now she became the sole breadwinner of her family.

After the passing of her father, Ms. Hart decided to go into business for herself. She collaborated with two other women and purchased a beauty salon. Attended beauty school, graduated, and went on to buy her second salon in Ft. Myers Fla. Ms. Hart maintained the two salons for a year and six months. Then she sold the Fort Myers location but retained the Tampa location to present. Ms. Dee’s World of Beauty Salon and Barber Shop employed five barbers, and six stylists. Several of her employees went on to own their own businesses after working and training under her.

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1990-2000

Ms. Hart had a successful business, but something was missing. She joined East Tampa Business and Civic Association in the early 90’s. She had volunteered for five years before she was offered a job as a community developer, and within nine years, she became the CEO of the organization.

Through her upbringing and working with ETBCA, Ms. Hart became an outstanding community leader who is tireless in her efforts in raising awareness about issues of hunger, affordable housing, economic development and bring awareness to the violence in our community. She has driven East Tampa and other areas in the City to new heights and set an example for other community leaders as well.

In addition to this work, Ms. Hart has been deeply committed to and involved in the local food initiative in the Hillsborough County area. Ms, Hart strives to utilize every available “pulpit” in her efforts to raise awareness about the issue of gun violence. She has presented programs on stopping the violence in East Tampa by working with Tampa Police Department, and various social groups. She has organized letter-writing campaigns on behalf of funding for food banks, targeted affordable housing, and gun violence.

Ms. Hart has worked with local, state and federal officials to assist in the change in her community.

2022-2023

  • Dec. 2022 elected Region 6 chair for NBCSL covering Florida and Georgia 

  • Jan. 2023 

    • Black Caucus hold first ever live Dem party chair debate 

  • Fought against Governor's affirmative action ruling, Dept. Of Education African America History Standards, and suspension of State Attorneys Andrew Warren and Monique Worrell

  • Kicked off State of Black Florida Tour 

  • Fought for funding to secure HBCUs

2024

Bills passed:

  • 2022- Peer Specialist bill

    • Helps those with background challenges become certified as a peer specialist for individuals battling addiction​

  • 2023

    • Ava’s Law- allows judge discretion to allow a woman to have her baby before beginning her prison sentence

    • Peer Specialist pilot program- creates a pilot program within certain correctional facilities so that incarcerated individuals can become certified peer specialist

 

Criminal Justice:

  • Has filed Criminal Justice Reform bills every year for five years. Bills that would create an enumerated bill of rights for inmates. Bills to modernize the state’s parole system, reduce gain-time to 65%. Representative Hart has visited over 50 correctional facilities throughout the state

 

As a member of the Ways & Means committee she has fought to reduce taxes on consumers and small business owners.

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Appropriations:

  • Has secured Millions of Dollars of dollars for various causes such as Hands of Hope sickle cell foundation, the historic Jackson House, Florida Children’s initiative, Veterans, HBCUs, and Housing. Millions secured for Hillsborough county for sidewalks in low income neighborhoods, community betterment projects, and economic boosting projects.

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Current Committee Assignments

​Sponsored:

  • 2024    HB 233    Treatment of Inmates    

  • 2024    HB 235    Criminal Rehabilitation    

  • 2024    HB 237    Pregnant Women in Custody    

  • 2024    HB 711    Coverage for Mammograms and Supplemental Breast Cancer Screenings    

  • 2024    HB 963    Early Voting Sites    

  • 2024    HB 965    Election Board Composition    

  • 2024    HB 1397    Student Suspensions and Expulsions

  • 2024    HB 1399    Historically Black Colleges and Universities    

  • 2024    HB 1401    Cosmetologist Retirement Savings Program    

  • 2024    HB 6009 Relief/Patricia Ermini/Lee County Sheriff's Office

 

Co-Sponsored:

  • 2024    CS/HB 151    Florida Retirement System    Ordered engrossed, then enrolled

  • 2024    CS/CS/HB 159    HIV Infection Prevention Drugs    Ordered engrossed, then enrolled

  • 2024    CS/CS/HB 165    Sampling of Beach Waters and Public Bathing Spaces    Ordered enrolled

  • 2024    CS/CS/HB 385    Safe Exchange of Minor Children    Ordered enrolled

  • 2024    HB 523    Florida Seal of Fine Arts Program    Ordered enrolled

  • 2024    CS/HB 775    Surrendered Infants    Ordered enrolled

  • 2024    HB 1227    Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day    Ordered enrolled

  • 2024    CS/CS/CS/HB 1271    Individuals with Disabilities    Laid on Table

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