The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – February 13, 2017

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, FEBRUARY 10, 2017....... Florida lawmakers during the coming week will focus heavily on Gov. Rick Scott's $83.5 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Scott's proposal serves as a starting point as lawmakers prepare to negotiate a budget during the spring legislative session. Also during the coming week, House members will consider a series of health-care bills.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2017

DEUTCH HOLDS TOWN HALL: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., will hold a town-hall meeting in Broward County. (Sunday, 2 p.m., The Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 North Dixie Highway, Wilton Manors.)

MONDAY, FEBUARY 13, 2017

CHILD ABUSE DEATHS AT ISSUE: The state Child Abuse Death Review Committee, which looks for ways to reduce child abuse deaths, will hold a conference call. (Monday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-870-3525 Code: 702-170-0355.)

PUBLIC SCHOOL ENROLLMENT ANALYZED: The Education Estimating Conference will discuss enrollment in prekindergarten through 12th grade. (Monday, 10 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

POPULATION DISCUSSED: The Demographic Estimating Conference will analyze Florida population numbers. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2017

Legislature:

LOCAL ETHICS CHANGES SOUGHT: The House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee will take up a bill (PCB PIE 17-03) that would take steps to strengthen local-government ethics requirements. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCOTT TAX CUTS PRESENTED: The House Ways & Means Committee will receive a presentation about Gov. Rick Scott's proposal to cut taxes by $618 million. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS DISCUSSED: The House Education Committee will discuss turnaround strategies for low-performing schools. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE AT ISSUE: The House Health & Human Services Committee will consider a bill (PCB HHS 17-01) that would revamp the state-employee health insurance program. The bill, in part, would lead to health-insurance plans offering four different levels of benefits beginning in 2020. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD MEETS: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet after holding committee meetings. (Tuesday, committee meetings start at 9 a.m., followed by full board, district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)

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

UF PRESIDENT SPEAKS TO ECONOMIC CLUB: University of Florida President Kent Fuchs will speak to the Economic Club of Florida. (Tuesday, noon, FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2017

Legislature:

GALVANO AT CHAMBER 'INTERNATIONAL DAYS' EVENT: Sen. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, is expected to be among the speakers during the Florida Chamber of Commerce's "International Days" event. Other speakers are expected to include Enterprise Florida President Chris Hart and Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Cissy Proctor. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

INVASIVE SPECIES AT ISSUE: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about invasive species. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

UNANIMOUS JURIES ON THE AGENDA: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 527), filed by Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, that would require unanimous jury recommendations before defendants could be sentenced to death. The Florida Supreme Court last year found unconstitutional a law that would have required at least 10 of 12 jurors to recommend death. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

RENEWABLE ENERGY TEED UP: The House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee will receive presentations about renewable-energy resources in Florida. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE TAKES UP TELEHEALTH: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will take up a wide-ranging bill (PCB HQS 17-01) that could help expand the use of "telehealth," which involves doctors using technology to provide care remotely to patients. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

VETERANS TAX HOLIDAY CONSIDERED: The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will consider a bill (HB 263), filed by Rep. Mel Ponder, R-Destin, that would provide a sales-tax break to military veterans when buying clothes during the Veterans Day holiday. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCOTT BUDGET PRESENTED: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, the Senate Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate Health and Human Service Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about Gov. Rick Scott's proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1. (Wednesday, Criminal and Civil Justice, 9:30 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Environment and Natural Resources, 9:30 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Higher Education, 2 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol. Also, Health and Human Services, 2 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

STRUGGLING SCHOOLS AT ISSUE: The Senate Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee will discuss programs for struggling schools and students. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA CHIEF ON THE AGENDA: Enterprise Florida President Chris Hart is expected to appear before the Senate Transportation, Tourism & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

LIQUOR WALL BILL LINED UP: The House Careers & Competition Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 81), filed by Rep. Bryan Avila, R-Hialeah, that would repeal a Depression-era law requiring liquor stores and bars to be separated from groceries and other retail goods, an issue commonly referred to as the "liquor wall." (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL DELVES INTO MEDICAID PAYMENTS: The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations from the Agency for Health Care Administration about Medicaid payment systems related to hospital outpatient care and nursing-home care. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

ACHIEVEMENT GAP ANALYZED: The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee will receive presentations on closing the academic achievement gap. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

REAGAN LICENSE PLATE PROPOSED: The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 323), filed by Rep. Rick Roth, R-Loxahatchee, that would create a Ronald Reagan specialty license plate. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

EMPLOYEE HEALTH INSURANCE DISCUSSSED: The Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will receive recommendations from the Division of State Group Insurance. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CERTIFICATE OF NEED REPEAL AT ISSUE: The House Health Innovation Subcommittee will consider a series of health-care regulatory changes, including a proposal (HB 7), filed by Rep. Alex Miller, R-Sarasota, that would repeal the state's "certificate of need" laws, which help determine whether hospitals, nursing homes and hospice facilities are built. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CIVICS EDUCATION EYED: The House PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee will receive a presentation on civics education. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Mashburn Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

GOP HOUSE MEMBERS RAISE MONEY: A fundraising reception is scheduled for state Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers; Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta; Rep. Kathleen Peters, R-Treasure Island, and Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Governors Club, 202 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

Also:

UNCLAIMED PROPERTY ON THE TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss issues related to unclaimed property. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2017

Legislature:

FOSTER CHILDREN DRIVER'S LICENSES AT ISSUE: The House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 217), filed by Rep. Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, that would make permanent a pilot program that helps foster children get driver's licenses and auto insurance. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

RECORDS EXEMPTION CONSIDERED: The House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 239), filed by Rep. Larry Lee, D-Port St. Lucie, that would create a public-records exemption for some petitions for injunctions that are dismissed. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MAIL-IN BALLOT FIXES ON THE TABLE: The House Oversight, Transparency & Administration Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 105), filed by Minority Leader Janet Cruz, D-Tampa, that deals with situations in which vote-by-mail ballots are rejected because signatures do not match the signatures on file with supervisors of elections. In such cases, the bill would allow voters to submit affidavits before the election to resolve the discrepancies. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

APPROPRIATIONS PROJECTS CONSIDERED: The House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee will review information about "recurring appropriations project forms." (Thursday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

LOCAL FUNDING REQUESTS DISCUSSED: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a workshop about local-funding requests. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

EDUCATION BUDGET AT ISSUE: The Senate Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a budget workshop. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY EYED: The Senate Transportation, Tourism & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will discuss the operations of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCOTT BUDGET REVIEWED: The Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation about Gov. Rick Scott's budget recommendations, including potential reductions. (Thursday, 11 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSING FINANCE AUDIT AT ISSUE: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee will receive a presentation about an audit of the Florida Housing Finance Corp. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

GOP HOUSE MEMBERS RAISE MONEY: A fundraising reception is scheduled for House Majority Leader Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero; Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral; and Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Governors Club, 202 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

Also:

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS: The State Board of Education will meet in Alachua County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Alachua County School Board, 620 East University Ave., Gainesville.)

DEFENSE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works on issues related to military installations in the state, will hold a conference call. (Thursday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-501-8979. Code: 8784566.)

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

COURT SYSTEM MONEY CONSIDERED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss what are known as "Article V" revenues, which help pay for the court system. (Thursday, 2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2017

BOARD OF DENTISTRY MEETS: The Florida Board of Dentistry will meet in Orlando. (Friday, 7:30 a.m., Rosen Plaza Hotel, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)

TANF, MEDICAID NUMBERS TALLIED: The Social Services Estimating Conference will consider caseloads and expenditures in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program and caseloads in the Medicaid program. (Friday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

BOARD OF OPTOMETRY MEETS: The Florida Board of Optometry is scheduled to meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Health, 4042 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 7342425515.)

REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE MEETS: The Revenue Estimating Conference will hold what is known as an "impact" conference. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)