The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – February 15, 2016

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, FEBRUARY 12, 2016…. Florida lawmakers during the coming week will grapple with controversial issues such as gambling and the state retirement system. The Senate Regulated Industries Committee will consider two major gambling bills, including a measure that focuses on a potential $3 billion deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The House Appropriations Committee, meanwhile, will take up proposed changes in the state retirement system, which has been a priority for House Republican leaders.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2016

LOBBYIST REPORTS DUE: Lobbyists face a Sunday deadline for filing reports about their compensation from Oct. 1 through Dec. 31.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2016

Legislature:

HOUSE AGENDA SET: The House Rules, Calendar & Ethics Committee will set a special-order calendar, which lists bills that will be heard on the House floor. (Monday, 4:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

GRIMSLEY HOLDS MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold mobile office hours in Okeechobee County. (Monday, 10 a.m., Okeechobee Chamber of Commerce, 55 South Parrott Ave., Okeechobee.)

FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will meet. (Monday, noon, Florida Polytechnic University, Wellness Center, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland.)

CLINTON CAMPAIGNS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will attend a campaign event in Palm Beach County. (Monday, 2 p.m., Port of Palm Beach, Cruise Terminal, 1 East 11th St., Riviera Beach.)

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Legislature:

LAWMAKERS LOOK AT BLOCKING REFUGEES: The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 1095), filed by Rep. Lake Ray, R-Jacksonville, that could prevent at least some refugees and immigrants from entering the state. The bill, in part, would prevent state or local government agencies from taking part in resettlement efforts for refugees or immigrants from parts of the world where terrorists are known to originate or train. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

GUNS IN AIRPORT TERMINALS CONSIDERED: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider a proposal (SB 1500), filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms in airport terminals. People would continue to be barred from carrying weapons in what are known as airport "sterile areas," which are generally controlled by the federal Transportation Security Administration and include parts of airports where passengers board planes. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

'SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY' HOLIDAY PROPOSED: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee will take up a bill (SB 1236), filed by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, that would create a sales-tax "holiday" for small businesses on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, one of the busiest shopping times of the year. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

AIRPORT ZONING AT ISSUE: The House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 1379), filed by Rep. Mike Miller, R-Winter Park, that would revamp a law, originally passed in 1945, that deals with issues such as land use around airports. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
 
PROCTOR, ARMSTRONG FACE CONFIRMATION HEARINGS: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Cissy Proctor, the new executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Also, the Senate Health Policy Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Surgeon General John Armstrong, who serves as secretary of the Department of Health. (Tuesday, Commerce and Tourism, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building. Health Policy, 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building. the Capitol.)

'BALANCED BILLING' AT ISSUE: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will consider a proposal (SB 1442), filed by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, that would seek to shield patients from receiving unexpected bills for emergency care --- an issue known as "balanced billing." Such bills can come when patients receive care from physicians or other providers who are outside of the patients' insurance networks. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

POLICE BODY CAMERAS DISCUSSED: The Senate Community Affairs Committee will take up a bill (SB 418), filed by Sen. Chris Smith, D-Fort Lauderdale, involving police agencies that decide to use body cameras. Under the bill, those agencies would be required to establish policies and procedures addressing the proper use, maintenance and storage of body cameras and recorded data. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

ELECTED SECRETARY OF STATE PITCHED: The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will consider a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 1424), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that could lead to Florida having an elected secretary of state who would serve on the Cabinet. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

STATE RETIREMENT SYSTEM AT ISSUE: The House Appropriations Committee will take up a proposal (HB 7107), filed by Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-North Fort Myers, that would make changes in the state retirement system. The bill includes changing what is known as the "default" if a new employee does not choose the traditional pension plan or a 401(k)-style investment plan. Under the proposal, the employee would default into the investment plan. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

EARLY SESSION DATE ON THE TABLE: The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will consider a proposal (SPB 7076) that would lead to starting the 2018 legislative session on Jan. 9, nearly two months earlier than usual. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ALIMONY CHANGES AT ISSUE: The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a bill (SB 668), filed by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, that would revamp the state's alimony laws. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

BROWARD DELEGATION MEETS: The Broward County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet to discuss delegation rules and regulations. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., 221 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

JOLLY SPEAKS IN PINELLAS COUNTY: Republican U.S. Senate candidate David Jolly is slated to speak to the Sunrise Leadership Republican Club in Pinellas County. (Tuesday, 7:30 a.m., Perkins Restaurant, 2626 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater.)

JAMES CAMPAIGNS IN NORTH PORT: Edward James, a candidate in state House District 72, is expected to speak to the North Port Democratic Club. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 West Price Blvd., North Port.)

VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Floridians face a Tuesday deadline for registering to vote in the March 15 presidential primary elections.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016

Legislature:

PALM BEACH DELEGATION MEETS: The Palm Beach County legislative delegation is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 8:15 a.m., 228 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SPRINGS PROTECTIONS SOUGHT: The Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (SB 1312), filed by Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, that would require the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to establish "protection zones" around natural springs. Restrictions would be placed on boat speeds and operations in the zones. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CERTIFICATES OF NEED DISCUSSED: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal (SB 1144), filed by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, that would create exemptions to the "certificate of need" regulatory process for new or expanded health-care facilities. The exemptions would be available if facilities meet criteria for providing enough care to low-income and uninsured patients. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

EDUCATION PILOT PROPOSED: The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (SB 1714), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would create a "competency-based innovation pilot program." Under the pilot, some schools could get waivers from state rules related to student progression and awarding credits. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PEOPLE WITH AUTISM AT ISSUE IN CRIMINAL CASES: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (SB 936), filed by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, that would require trained professionals to be present when people with autism or related disabilities are interviewed by police in criminal cases. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The House is scheduled to meet on the floor. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

OVERNIGHT ANCHORING DEBATED: The Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Commission will consider a proposal (SB 1260), filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would bar overnight anchoring of boats in some waterways in Broward, Miami-Dade and Okaloosa counties. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

GAMBLING PROPOSALS CONSIDERED: The Senate Regulated Industries Committee will take up a pair of bills (SPB 7072 and SPB 7074) that address major issues in the gambling industry. Lawmakers are considering a proposed gambling deal reached by Gov. Rick Scott and the Seminole Tribe of Florida and could make substantial changes in the pari-mutuel industry. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

POVERTY IMPACTS DISCUSSED: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will receive a presentation from Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research, about the impacts of poverty on Florida children and families. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

'PASTOR PROTECTION' PITCHED: The Senate Rules Committee will consider a proposal (SB 110), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that would seek to prevent clergy members from being forced to perform marriage ceremonies contrary to their beliefs. The proposal, known as the "Pastor Protection Act," stems from the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling last year that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER SCHEDULED LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Education Committee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health & Human Services Committee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Local & Federal Affairs Committee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Regulatory Affairs Committee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Fiscal Policy Committee (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Transportation Committee (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

ELECTIONS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Elections Commission will consider cases involving candidates and political committees from various parts of the state. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida State University, Turnbull Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola 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.)

GRIMSLEY HOLDS MOBILE OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, will hold mobile office hours in Polk County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Mulberry Library, 905 N.E. Fifth St., Mulberry. Also, 1:15 p.m., Fort Meade Community Center, 10 S.W. Third St., Fort Meade. Also, 3 p.m., Latt Maxcy Memorial Library, 15 North Magnolia Ave., Frostproof.)

FLORIDA COMMUNITIES TRUST MEETS: The Florida Communities Trust Governing Board will meet and discuss the program, which helps local communities protect natural resources and preserve working waterfronts. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

WISCONSIN SENATOR APPEARS IN SARASOTA COUNTY: U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., is scheduled to appear at a Republican Party of Sarasota County luncheon event. (Wednesday, noon, The Starlight Room, 1001 Coconut Ave., Sarasota.)

RED MASS HELD: With Catholic bishops from across the state expected to take part, the annual "Red Mass" will be held to pray for state officials and judges. Among the participants will be Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, 900 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS HONORS LAWMAKERS: The League of Women Voters of Florida will host a "legislative gala reception" and honor Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, Rep. Dave Kerner, D-Lake Worth, and Sen. Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami. Also honored will be Mary Ellen Klas, Tallahassee bureau chief of the Miami Herald. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Old Capitol.)

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2016

Legislature:

SENATE DIGS INTO COMPUTER CODING: The Senate will hold a floor session and consider numerous issues, including a proposal (SB 468), filed by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, that would require high schools to offer computer coding as a foreign-language option for students. Among the other bills is a proposal (SB 586), filed by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, that would require hospitals to give notice to doctors 120 days before closing obstetrical departments. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The House is scheduled to hold a floor session. (Thursday, 1 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

OTHER SCHEDULED LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Economic Affairs Committee (Thursday, 8 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House State Affairs Committee (Thursday, 8 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Judiciary Committee (Thursday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Appropriations Committee (Thursday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

ELECTIONS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Elections Commission is scheduled to continue two days of meetings. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Florida State University, Turnbull Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS: The State Board of Education will meet and take up a series of issues, including student performance standards. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

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

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2016

STATE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS GATHER: The Florida College System Council of Presidents will meet near the Capitol. (Friday, committee meeting starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by council meeting, TCC Capitol Center, 300 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

LAND PANEL MEETS: The state Acquisition and Restoration Council, which works on land-acquisition and management issues, will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Douglas Building, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee.)

GRAYSON, KEITH AT TAMPA TIGER BAY: Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Alan Grayson and Pam Keith are scheduled to appear at the Tampa Tiger Bay Club. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Ferguson Law Center, 1610 North Tampa St., Tampa.)

HASTINGS DISCUSSES SOCIAL SECURITY: U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., will hold a town-hall meeting to discuss Social Security issues. (Friday, 2 p.m., Kings Point Tamarac, Cabaret Room, 7620 North Nob Hill Road, Tamarac.)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2016

HAGER HOLDS COFFEE WITH CONSTITUENTS: State Rep. Bill Hager, R-Delray Beach, will hold a "coffee and conversations" event to talk with constituents. (Saturday, 9:30 a.m., Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, 2240 North Federal Highway, Boynton Beach.)