The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – April 13, 2015

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, APRIL 10, 2015…..Florida lawmakers and lobbyists will spend the next week trying to keep bills moving forward in committees and on the House and Senate floors. But the week's biggest event will happen hundreds of miles away in Miami, where U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio will announce Monday whether he is running for president.

SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2015

SCOTT SEEKS JOBS IN CALIFORNIA: Gov. Rick Scott will lead a delegation to California on Sunday and Monday as he tries to attract businesses to move to Florida.

MONDAY, APRIL 13, 2015

Legislature:

CONDOS, HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS AT ISSUE: The House Finance & Tax Committee will consider a bill (HB 791), filed by Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, that would make a series of changes related to condominiums and homeowners' associations. (Monday, 2 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

DEEPWATER HORIZON CLAIMS DISCUSSED: The Senate Agriculture Committee will receive a presentation from Patrick Juneau, claims administrator for the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (Monday, 4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANUCCIO FACES CONFIRMATION HEARING: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Jesse Panuccio, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. (Monday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

DRONE SURVEILLANCE EYED: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider a bill (SB 1178), filed by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, that would place limits on the use of aerial drones. In part, it would make it illegal to use drones to capture images of people or private property if the intent is to conduct surveillance. (Monday, 4 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT NURSE PRACTITIONER POWERS: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee will take up a proposal (SB 532), filed by Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, that would allow advanced registered nurse practitioners to order any medication for administration to patients in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers or mobile surgical facilities. The nurse practitioners would need to work under supervisory arrangements with physicians. (Monday, 4 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.).

AUDITOR GENERAL CONSIDERED: The House Rules, Calendar & Ethics Committee will consider the confirmation of Sherrill Foltz Norman as auditor general, effective July 1. (Monday, 5 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

VETERANS ISSSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida is for Veterans Inc. Board of Directors will meet. Lawmakers last year created Florida is for Veterans Inc. to help encourage veterans and military families to move to the state and to promote veterans' hiring and education. (Monday, 9 a.m., 28 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCOTT TO ATTEND CALIFORNIA BUSINESS FORUM: Gov. Rick Scott will attend the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) Leaders Forum during a trade trip to California. (Monday, 11:30 a.m. Pacific time, Warner Center Marriott, 21850 Oxnard St., Woodland Hills, Calif.)

SCHOOL ENROLLMENT TALLIED: The Education Estimating Conference will analyze enrollment in the public-school system. (Monday, 2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RUBIO TO ANNOUNCE PLANS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will announce whether he will run for president in 2016. (Monday, 5:30 p.m., Freedom Tower, 600 Biscayne Blvd., Miami.)

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015

PANEL TAKES UP PRISON REFORMS: The House Judiciary Committee will consider a bill (HB 7131), filed by Rep. Carlos Trujillo, R-Miami, and Rep. Randolph Bracy, D-Orlando, that would seek to increase oversight of the state's troubled prison system. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SIR LANCELOT JONES COULD GET HIS DAY: The House State Affairs Committee will take up a proposal (HB 585), filed by Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, and Rep. Kionne McGhee, D-Miami, that would designate the second Monday in October as Sir Lancelot Jones Day in Miami-Dade and Monroe counties. Jones, who was born in 1898, lived near the southern end of Biscayne Bay and sold his family's 277 acres of property to the National Park Service for part of what is now Biscayne National Park. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

RED LIGHT CAMERAS AT ISSUE: The House Economic Affairs Committee will consider a proposal (HB 7071), filed by Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, that would make changes in the state's red-light camera laws. In part, it would require that local governments use red-light camera revenues to help pay for public safety. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE CONSIDERS 'GROWLERS,' ADOPTION SUBSIDIES: The Senate will hold a floor session and is expected to vote on a long-debated proposal (SB 186), filed by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, that would allow breweries to fill 64-ounce beer containers known as "growlers." Also, the Senate likely will vote on a bill (HB 7013), spearheaded by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, that would provide subsidies to state workers who adopt foster children. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

LIQUOR STORES PROMPT DEBATE: The House Regulatory Affairs Committee will take up a bill (HB 107), filed by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, that deals with a number of alcoholic-beverage issues, including a law that requires liquor stores to be stand-alone facilities. The bill would allow liquor stores to be connected by inside entrances to other businesses, such as grocery stores. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

TELEHEALTH EYED IN SENATE; The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a bill (SB 478), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, and Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, that would seek to bolster the use of telehealth --- also known as telemedicine --- in Florida. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

TRANSPORTATION 'TRAIN' CONSIDERED: The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a proposal (SB 1554), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would combine a wide variety of transportation issues --- a bill known as a "train" in the Legislature. The bill includes issues ranging form airport-zoning regulations to allowing creation of a Northwest Florida Regional Transportation Finance Authority in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Local & Federal Affairs Committee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Community Affairs Committee (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

ATWATER, BONDI AT PRAYER BREAKFAST: State Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Attorney General Pam Bondi will be among the speakers at the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition Prayer Breakfast. Others expected to take part in the event include Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami; Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala; Rep. Jay Fant, R-Jacksonville; Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O' Lakes; and Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando. The keynote speaker will be former U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn. (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

SCOTT, CABINET TO TAKE UP LAND DEALS: Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Cabinet will take up issues such as proposed land deals in Miami-Dade and Putnam counties. They will consider selling 82 acres of state-owned land to Miami-Dade County for an economic-development project and will consider paying $387,000 for what is known as a "perpetual conservation easement" on a 238-acre tract in rural Putnam County. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

SUWANNEE RIVER WATER BOARD TO MEET: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Osceola and Sumter counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Robert Guevara Community Center, 501 Florida Parkway, Kissimmee. Also, 10 a.m., The Savannah Center, 1545 Buena Vista Blvd., The Villages.)

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD TO MEET: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 11:15 a.m. or upon the conclusion of earlier committee meetings, district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

MEDICAID ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Medical Care Advisory Committee, which reviews and provides input about Medicaid issues, will meet. (Tuesday, subcommittee sessions start at 1 p.m., followed by committee meeting at 2 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

PANUCCIO TO MEET WITH FISH AND WILDLIFE PANEL: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will start a three-day meeting. Among the topics: Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Jesse Panuccio is expected to discuss ways that the agencies can promote such things as fish and wildlife resources in recruiting employers. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Florida A&M University, Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1800 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee.)

MEDICAID MANAGED CARE CHANGE AT ISSUE: The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a public meeting about a proposed change in the statewide Medicaid managed-care system. AHCA is seeking federal approval to assign people to Medicaid managed-care plans immediately after they are determined eligible for the program. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2015

Legislature:

BILL WOULD EXPAND LOBBYIST REGISTRATION: The Senate Rules Committee will take up a wide-ranging bill (SB 1372), filed by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, that would expand the types of government agencies that require lobbyists to register. The bill would require lobbyist registration with hospital districts, children's services districts, expressway authorities, port authorities and independent special districts that have annual revenues topping $5million and levy property taxes. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM CONSIDERED: The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee will take up numerous bills, including a proposal (SB 1040), filed by Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, that would create a pilot needle exchange program in Miami-Dade County. The program would allow drug addicts to exchange used needles and syringes for clean needles and syringes as a way to prevent the spread of diseases. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE HITS THE FLOOR: The House is scheduled to spend the day in a floor session. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

DUDEK FACES CONFIRMATION HEARING: The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Liz Dudek, secretary of the state Agency for Health Care Administration. It also will consider the confirmation of appointees to a number of state boards, including the State Board of Education, the Florida Citrus Commission and the Florida Board of Medicine. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ABORTION WAITING PERIOD AT ISSUE: The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a proposal (SB 724), filed by Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, that would require a 24-hour waiting period before women could have abortions. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Transportation Committee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Regulated Industries Committee (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee (Wednesday, 5 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

BEAR HUNTING AT ISSUE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will meet and discuss a set of proposed rules that would allow the first black-bear hunting season in two decades. The proposal stems from concerns about dangerous interactions between bears and people in some areas of the state. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Florida A&M University, Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1800 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee.)

BOARD OF EDUCATION TO MEET: The State Board of Education will take up a series of issues, including two charter-school appeals from Palm Beach County and discussion of critical teacher-shortage areas for the upcoming school year. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines St., Tallahassee.)

PAROLE CASES HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider numerous parole cases involving crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

THURSDAY, APRIL 16, 2015

Legislature:

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS PANEL IN SPOTLIGHT: The Senate Appropriations Committee has scheduled a day-long meeting. The committee serves as a final stop for many bills before they can go to the full Senate. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE TO HUNKER DOWN ON FLOOR: The House is scheduled to spend the day in a floor session. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., House chamber the Capitol.)

Also:

FISHING ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will finish a three-day meeting and consider fishing-related issues such as the recreational harvest season for red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Florida A&M University, Alfred Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center, 1800 Wahnish Way, Tallahassee.)

PSC CONSIDERS GULF SOLAR PLAN: The Florida Public Service Commission will take up a series of issues, including a plan by Pensacola-based Gulf Power to purchase power from large solar-energy facilities that would be built on three military bases in Northwest Florida. The solar facilities would be built and operated by subsidiaries of Charlottesville, Va.-based HelioSage, LLC. Gulf would purchase energy produced by the facilities and pass along the costs to customers. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

SUPREME COURT TO RELEASE OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is expected to release its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Miami-Dade County.(Thursday, noon, Miami Dade County Library, West Flagler Branch, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami.)

FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015

RIVERA CASE GOES TO ETHICS COMMISSION: The Florida Commission on Ethics will take up a series of issues, including a judge's recommendation that former state lawmaker and Congressman David Rivera pay nearly $58,000 in fines and restitution in a case that focuses on travel reimbursements and financial disclosure. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

JOBS NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is scheduled to release March unemployment numbers. (Friday, 10 a.m.)

FINANCE REPORTS DUE IN HD 64: Campaign-finance reports are due in a special election in House District 64 in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Former Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, is running against write-in candidate Daniel Matthews in the April 21 special election.

SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Duval County. (Saturday, 10 a.m., Caroline Arms Apartments, 6457 Fort Caroline Road, Jacksonville.)

LOPEZ-CANTERA AT BROWARD GOP EVENT: Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera and state Rep. George Moraitis, R-Fort Lauderdale, are expected to take part in the Broward County Republican Party's Lincoln Day dinner. The event is expected to feature conservative commentator Ann Coulter. (Saturday, 7 p.m., Signature Grand, 6900 State Road 84, Davie.)

EARLY VOTING TO END IN HD 64: Early voting will end in the April 21 special election in House District 64 in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Former Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, is running against write-in candidate Daniel Matthews.