Florida Capital Conversations

Lift Off! Navigating the Growth of the Commercial Space Industry

In this episode of our "Florida Capital Conversations" podcast series, Tallahassee transportation and regulatory compliance attorney Katie Inman discusses the rapid growth of Florida's commercial space industry and what it means for stakeholders. Drawing on her senior experience at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and as former general counsel to Florida's Attorney General, Ms. Inman talks about the surge in FAA-licensed launches and breaks down how private investment and new laws are accelerating the sector. She highlights major federal developments – including the executive order to streamline launch licensing and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, bond financing incentives for spaceport infrastructure and Space Command/Space Force initiatives – as well as Florida's 2025 legislation establishing the International Aerospace Innovation Fund and expanding seaport-spaceport infrastructure support. She additionally explains Space Florida's unique role as an economic development entity, reviews anticipated timelines for infrastructure versus research funding and shares practical steps for companies to engage in this rapidly growing field. This Tallahassee-based podcast series takes a look at the many different aspects of state and local government through the lens of experienced legal professionals. Hosted by attorneys Nathan Adams and Mia McKown, these candid conversations offer a seat at the table to everyone who listens.

Addressing Patient Complaints About Privacy Violations

In the third and final episode of Florida Capital Conversations' healthcare privacy series, Tallahassee attorneys Shannon Hartsfield and Eddie Williams join hosts Nathan Adams and Mia McKown to discuss the challenges of patient privacy complaints under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). They explain that though complaints are common — often concerning alleged misuse or disclosure of protected health information — patients have limited legal recourse beyond filing complaints with providers, state boards or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, as HIPAA does not include a private right of action allowing patients to sue organizations directly. The conversation highlights the importance of clear communication, robust HIPAA policies and thorough documentation in addressing and preventing privacy issues. Ms. Hartsfield and Mr. Williams emphasize timely responses to complaints, comprehensive staff training and proactive protocol updates as key strategies for building patient trust and resolving issues efficiently. As a whole, the series offers practical legal insight into privacy matters affecting Florida's healthcare landscape.

What Healthcare Providers Should Be Telling Students and Interns About HIPAA and Snooping

In the second episode of a "Florida Capital Conversations" mini-series on healthcare privacy, Tallahassee healthcare attorneys Shannon Hartsfield and Eddie Williams focus on Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance for students and interns. They discuss the importance of treating students and interns as part of the healthcare workforce under HIPAA, implementing thorough training on privacy policies and electronic record security, and the serious consequences of unauthorized access to or "snooping" on patient records. The episode imparts practical advice for healthcare providers to prevent privacy breaches and ensure students understand their legal responsibilities to protect sensitive health information in clinical settings. This Tallahassee-based podcast series takes a look at the many different aspects of state and local government through the lens of experienced legal professionals. Hosted by attorneys Nathan Adams and Mia McKown, these candid conversations offer a seat at the table to everyone who listens.

Who Owns Your DNA? Lessons Learned from 23andMe

In the first episode of a "Florida Capital Conversations" new healthcare privacy series, Tallahassee healthcare attorneys Shannon Hartsfield and Eddie Williams discuss the evolving landscape of genetic data privacy, focusing on protections under Florida law and the implications for genetic testing companies such as 23andMe. They explain how Florida law generally recognizes individuals as owners of their DNA and genetic test results, though there are exceptions for clinical or research use. The bankruptcy of 23andMe raises important questions about what happens to consumers' genetic data during company sales, highlighting the tension between consumer privacy promises and business realities. Unlike healthcare providers, consumer genetic information companies are typically not covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) but instead fall under Federal Trade Commission oversight, which enforces privacy commitments made to customers. This Tallahassee-based podcast series takes a look at the many different aspects of state and local government through the lens of experienced legal professionals. Hosted by attorneys Nathan Adams and Mia McKown, these candid conversations offer a seat at the table to everyone who listens.

How to Protect Trade Secrets with Karen Walker and Tiffany Roddenberry

In this episode of our "Florida Capital Conversations" podcast series, Government Section Leader Karen Walker [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/w/walker-karen-d] and litigation attorney Tiffany Roddenberry [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/r/roddenberry-tiffany-a] discuss the intricacies of protecting trade secrets in the realm of public procurement and dealing with Florida government. They highlight the broad definition of public records under Florida law, the potential for private entities to be subject to public records law and strategies for safeguarding confidential and proprietary information. The conversation provides valuable insight into overcoming legal and practical challenges to maintain confidentiality when engaging with state and local governments. This Tallahassee-based podcast series takes a look at the many different aspects of state and local government through the lens of experienced legal professionals. Hosted by attorneys Nate Adams [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/a/adams-nathan-a] and Mia McKown [https://www.hklaw.com/en/professionals/m/mckown-mia-l], these candid conversations offer a seat at the table to everyone who listens.