Gov. Ron DeSantis issued two executive orders and a directive to the DBPR to address supply chain issues caused by a port strike and support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, including logistics assistance, election protection, and temporary housing provisions.

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a pair of executive orders and a directive to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) on Thursday, aimed at mitigating supply chain disruptions caused by a port strike and supporting recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene.

The first Executive Order directs the Florida National Guard, Florida State Guard, Department of Transportation, and the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to take immediate actions to address the impact of the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) strike. The strike, which began earlier this week after the ILA rejected an offer from the United States Maritime Alliance, is affecting several major Florida seaports, including JAXPORT, Port Tampa Bay, Port Everglades, and PortMiami.

The disruption comes as Florida works to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm. The governor’s order includes waivers for tolls, weight restrictions, and licensing requirements for commercial vehicles transporting goods to and from the state’s ports.

The executive order also authorizes the activation of the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard, if necessary, to assist with logistics. The Florida Department of Transportation is additionally instructed to convene a task force to assess the economic impact of labor disruptions at the state’s ports and provide recommendations to mitigate future disruptions.

The second Executive Order focuses on ensuring that the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Helene does not disrupt election activities. The order includes provisions to protect election infrastructure, such as polling locations and communication systems, and to address logistical challenges caused by the storm, including power outages and damaged polling stations.

The order also urges coordination between county election supervisors and emergency management officials to ensure that elections proceed smoothly despite the ongoing recovery.

The issued DBPR directive temporarily lifts rental length restrictions for individuals displaced by the hurricane, allowing those who lost their homes to secure emergency shelter without limitations on the duration of their stay.