The Week Ahead in Florida Politics

By the News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, MARCH 31, 2014….. Florida lawmakers file hundreds of bills. They spend countless hours talking in committees and casting votes. But put aside all that. Each spring, they have one must-do job --- pass a budget. The House and Senate during the coming week will take a major step toward carrying out that job when they approve their respective budget proposals. That will set the stage for negotiations during the second half of the legislative session on a final budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1.

MONDAY, MARCH 31, 2014

Legislature:

ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS COULD BE EASED: The House Government Operations Subcommittee will take up a proposal (HB 1151), filed by Rep. Dave Hood, R-Daytona Beach Shores, that would help make it easier to get access to public records. Among other things, it would make clear that records requests do not have to be made in writing unless there is a specific reason in state law requiring a written request. Also, it would limit fees that agencies can charge for staff time needed to comply with records requests. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AT ISSUE: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a bill (HB 703), filed by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, that would change numerous laws dealing with environmental and growth-related regulations. (Monday, 4 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE LOOKS AT SPRINGS PROTECTIONS: The Senate Agriculture Committee will take up a proposal (SB 1576), filed by Sen. Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, and other senators, that would seek to bolster protections for Florida’s natural springs. (Monday, 4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION DISCUSSED: The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will consider a bill (SB 784), filed by Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, that would require the state Division of Elections to develop an online voter-registration system. (Monday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER HOUSE MEETINGS:
--- House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee (Monday, 11 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee (Monday, 11 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER SENATE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee (Monday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Criminal Justice Committee (Monday, 4 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

OFR COMMISSIONER TO SPEAK AT SECURITIES INDUSTRY SEMINAR: Drew Breakspear, commissioner of the state Office of Financial Regulation, will deliver the opening remarks at the annual Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Compliance and Legal Society Seminar. (Monday, 8:20 a.m., Grande Lakes Orlando, 4040 Central Florida Parkway, Orlando.)

SCOTT TO SIGN GI BILL: Joined by Senate President Don Gaetz and House Speaker Will Weatherford, Gov. Rick Scott is expected to sign legislation (HB 7015) known as the "Florida GI Bill." The legislation, in part, will increase educational opportunities for veterans while also seeking to help draw more military families to the state. (Monday, 9:30 a.m. Central time, National Guard armory, 3121 Lisenby Ave., Panama City.)

MACMANUS AT TALLAHASSEE TIGER BAY: University of South Florida political science professor Susan MacManus will speak at the Capital Tiger Bay Club. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

VOTING RIGHTS TO BE DISCUSSED: The National Commission on Voting Rights, organized by the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, will hold a hearing on elections and voting issues. (Monday, 3 p.m., University of Miami School of Business Administration, Storer Auditorium, 5520 University Dr., Coral Gables.)

DEUTCH TO HOLD TOWN HALL: U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., will hold a town-hall meeting in Broward County. (Monday, 7 p.m., Coconut Creek Community Center, 1100 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek.)

TUESDAY, APRIL 1, 2014

Legislature:

LAWMAKERS LOOK TO SHIFT TEXTBOOK CONTROL: The House Education Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 921), filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, that would shift more responsibility for instructional materials from the state to local school boards. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

EXPRESSWAY AUTHORITIES TARGETED: The House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 353), filed by Rep. Jeanette Nunez, R-Miami, that would make changes to the state’s expressway authorities, including adding new ethics standards. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

IMMIGRANT TUITION BILL DEBATED: The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a proposal (SB 1400), filed by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, that would make a series of changes in college and university tuition, including allowing undocumented immigrant students to qualify for in-state tuition rates. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HUMAN TRAFFICKING TARGETED: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will take up two bills (SPB 7088 and SB 1440) aimed at preventing human trafficking and helping youths who are victims of trafficking. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

LAWMAKERS SEEK TO BOOST TELEMEDICINE: The Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee will consider a proposal (SB 1646), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that seeks to increase the use of telemedicine in Florida. The bill would establish guidelines and requirements for health providers who want to treat patients remotely through the use of Internet and telecommunications technology. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE IN SESSION: The House will hold a floor session and take up issues including a bill (HB 7035), filed by Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, that would revamp state sentencing laws dealing with juveniles who commit murders or other serious felonies. The bill is intended to bring Florida in line with two major U.S. Supreme Court decisions about life sentences for juveniles. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

SENATE IN SESSION: The Senate will hold a floor session and take up a series of issues, including a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 1188), filed by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, that deals with gubernatorial appointments to the Florida Supreme Court. Also, the Senate is expected to vote on a proposal (SB 670) filed by Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, that would add restrictions to lawsuits about injuries suffered by nursing-home residents. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

SPORTS FACILITIES AT ISSUE: The House Appropriations Committee will consider a proposal (HB 7095), filed by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City, that would set up an application and evaluation process for state funding of sports-stadium projects. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAL TOURISM UNDER MICROSCOPE: The House Finance & Tax Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 1223), filed by Rep. Patrick Rooney, R-West Palm Beach, that would lead to marketing the state as a place for people who need health-care services --- a concept dubbed “medical tourism.” (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE PANEL LOOKS AT ‘BAD FAITH’ CASES: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will take up a bill (SB 1494), filed by Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, that could help shield insurers from what are known as “bad faith” lawsuits. Such cases stem from allegations that insurers have not properly settled claims. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CONCEALED FIREARMS AT ISSUE: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space and Domestic Security Committee will consider a proposal (SB 296), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would allow people to carry concealed firearms without licenses during times of emergency. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

--- House Finance & Tax Subcommittee (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER SENATE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Community Affairs Committee (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Health Policy Committee (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2014

Legislature:

BILL FOCUSES ON STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a bill (SB 1512), filed by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, that includes creating a new scholarship program called “Personalized Accounts for Learning” for students with disabilities. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE TO TAKE UP BUDGET: The House will take up its proposed 2014-15 budget and consider amendments. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

SENATE DEMOCRATS MEET: The Senate Democratic caucus is scheduled to meet. (Wednesday, 11:45 a.m., 200 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CHILD WELFARE AT ISSUE: The Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will consider bills (SB 1666 and SB 1668) aimed at improving Florida’s child-welfare system. Lawmakers have focused heavily on the system in recent months after a series of child deaths caused by neglect and abuse. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

BILL WOULD HELP PREPARE FOR STORMS: The Senate Finance & Tax Subcommittee will consider a series of issues including a bill (SB 362), filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that would allow Floridians to buy hurricane supplies from June 1 to June 12 without paying sales taxes on the items. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SESSION DATES, PHARMACY TECHS ON TAP: The Senate Rules Committee will take up bills such as proposal (SB 72), filed by Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, to move up the start of the 2016 legislative session to January. Also, the committee will consider a proposal (SB 278), filed by Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, that would increase the number of pharmacy technicians that pharmacists are allowed to supervise. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER POTENTIAL HOUSE MEETING (meeting notice had not been posted as of Friday):
--- House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER SENATE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Transportation, Tourism & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

PAROLE COMMISSION TO MEET: The Florida Parole Commission will consider numerous cases stemming from crimes committed in the 1970s and 1980s. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 4070 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

GAETZ TO MEET WITH CITY LEADERS: Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, will meet with about a dozen city leaders from communities stretching from Tallahassee to Pensacola. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Senate president’s office, fourth floor, the Capitol.)

THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2014

Legislature:

HOUSE TO APPROVE BUDGET: The House is expected to approve a roughly $75 billion budget proposal for the 2014-15 fiscal year. This is a key step before negotiations with the Senate on a final spending plan. (Thursday, 11 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

SENATE TO DEBATE BUDGET: The Senate is scheduled to take up its proposed 2014-15 budget and consider amendments. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

OTHER POTENTIAL HOUSE MEETINGS (meeting notices had not been posted as of Friday):
--- House Local & Federal Affairs Committee (Thursday, 8 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Education Committee (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health & Human Services Committee (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Regulatory Affairs Committee (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER POTENTIAL SENATE MEETINGS (meeting notices had not been posted as of Friday):
--- Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee (Thursday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (Thursday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Regulated Industries Committee (Thursday, 9 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Transportation Committee (Thursday, 9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

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

FRIDAY, APRIL 4, 2014

Legislature:

HOUSE IN SESSION: The House has set aside time for a morning floor session. (Friday, 8 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

SENATE TO PASS BUDGET: The Senate is expected to pass its roughly $75 billion budget proposal for the 2014-15 fiscal year. (Friday, 10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

POTENTIAL HOUSE MEETINGS (meeting notices had not been posted as of Friday):
--- House Economic Affairs Committee (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Judiciary Committee (Friday, 9:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House State Affairs Committee (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

BOARD OF MEDICINE MEETS: The Florida Board of Medicine will consider disciplinary cases involving doctors from across the state. (Friday, 8 a.m., Doubletree by Hilton Deerfield Beach, 100 Fairway Dr., Deerfield Beach.)

FIRST LADY SPEAKS TO PINELLAS REPUBLICANS: Florida First Lady Ann Scott is expected to speak to the Belleair Women’s Republican Club. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., Belleair Country Club, 1 Country Club Lane, Belleair.)

CITRUS COMMISSION HOLDS CONFERENCE CALL: The Florida Citrus Commission will hold a conference call to discuss issues such as international marketing contracts. (Friday, 3 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 2265370149#.) 

FINANCE REPORTS DUE IN HD 44: Republican Eric Eisnaugle and Democrat Shaun Raja face a Friday deadline for filing campaign-finance reports in a special election in state House District 44. Eisnaugle and Raja will compete April 8 to replace former Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, who resigned earlier this year.