On Tap in the Capital- Wednesday, April 26, 2017

By the News Service of Florida

Legislature:

SENATE DEMOCRATS GATHER: The Senate Democratic caucus is scheduled to meet before a floor session. (9 a.m., 200 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.

GAMBLING TALKS CONTINUE: A conference committee will meet as the House and Senate continue trying to reach agreement on a gambling bill. The House and Senate have taken significantly different positions on gambling issues but are trying to reach agreement before the legislative session ends May 5. (9:45 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

FINANCIAL LITERACY SOUGHT: The Senate will hold a floor session and could vote on a proposal (SB 392), filed by Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, that would require high-school students to take financial-literacy courses. Among numerous other issues, the Senate is expected to consider a bill (SB 90), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would carry out a renewable-energy constitutional amendment that voters approved during August's primary election. (10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

'LIQUOR WALL' AT ISSUE: The House will hold a floor session and could take up dozens of bills, including a proposal (SB 106), spearheaded by Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, that would repeal a Depression-era law that requires stand-alone liquor stores --- an issue that has become known as the "liquor wall." Among other bills, the House will take up a proposal (HB 7109), filed by Rep. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, that would make a series of tax cuts. (10:30 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

Also:

BOARD OF EDUCATION HOLDS CALL: The State Board of Education is scheduled to hold a conference call. (10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-419-5570. Code: 42035290.)

OPA-LOCKA FINANCES AT ISSUE: The Financial Emergency Board for the city of Opa-locka is scheduled to meet. (10 a.m., Opa-locka City Commission chamber, 215 North Perviz Ave., Opa-locka.)

WATER DISTRICT PREPARES FOR HURRICANE SEASON: The South Florida Water Management District will conduct an annual exercise to prepare for hurricane season. (11 a.m., South Florida Water Management District headquarters, Emergency Operations Center, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

CONSTITUTION PANEL MEETS IN GAINESVILLE: The Florida Constitution Revision Commission, which will place proposed constitutional amendments on the November 2018 ballot, will meet in Gainesville. (5 p.m., University of Florida, Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, 3201 Hull Road, Gainesville.)