The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – November 2, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015

Legislature:

LOBBYIST COMPENSATION AUDITS AT ISSUE: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee will discuss issues related to audits of lobbyist-compensation reports. (Monday, 9:30 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

LAWMAKERS HOLD TAX PRESS CONFERENCE: Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, and Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, will hold what supporters are calling a "Smash the Home Tax" press conference. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., outside the Capitol.)

HOUSE WADES INTO REDISTRICTING PLAN: The House Select Committee on Redistricting will discuss a proposed Senate redistricting plan (SJR 2-C). The Senate has approved the plan, which stems from a lawsuit alleging the Legislature in 2012 violated the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" standards. (Monday, noon, 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL CONSIDERS AGRITOURISM: The Senate Agriculture Committee will take up a bill (SB 304), filed by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, that would prevent local governments from enforcing ordinances or regulations that would restrict agritourism. (Monday, 1 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CORRECTIONS CHANGES MULLED: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider a bill (SPB 7006) that would make changes involving the Florida Department of Corrections, such as establishing a new felony offense for prison workers who harm inmates by withholding such things as food, water, clothing and medical services. (Monday, 1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

KIDCARE ELIGIBILITY ON THE TABLE: The Senate Health Policy Committee will take up a proposal (SB 248), filed by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, that would help children of legal immigrants get health coverage through the KidCare subsidized health-insurance program. The proposal would eliminate a five-year waiting period for "lawfully residing" immigrant children to receive KidCare coverage. (Monday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Finance and Tax Committee (Monday, 1 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Banking and Insurance Committee (Monday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (Monday, 4 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Rules, Calendar & Ethics Committee (Monday, 4:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

TRUSTEES CONSIDER UCF PRESIDENT CONTRACT: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will hold a conference call to discuss an amended contract with university President John Hitt. (Monday, 8:30 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-442-5794. Code: 463796.)

BUSH CAMPAIGNS IN FLORIDA: Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who is seeking the Republican presidential nomination, will make three appearances in the state as part of what his campaign has dubbed the "Jeb Can Fix It" tour. (Monday, 10:30 a.m., The Tampa Garden Club, 2629 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa. Also, 1 p.m., Conductive Education Center of Orlando, 931 South Semoran Blvd., Winter Park. Also, 4 p.m., Kaman Aerospace, 780 Whittaker Road, Jacksonville.)

CARSON SIGNS BOOKS IN TALLAHASSEE, CENTRAL FLORIDA: Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is scheduled to continue a series of book-signing events in Florida. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Books-A-Million, 3521 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee. Also, 4:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 1055 Old Camp Road, The Villages. Also, 8 p.m., Books-A-Million, 2605 West Osceola Parkway, Kissimmee.)

UTILITY COSTS SCRUTINIZED: The Florida Public Service Commission will start what could be a multi-day hearing about a series of costs for electric utilities. Such hearings are held each year to determine how much customers will pay for expenses including power-plant fuel costs. (Monday, 1 p.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

'STEP THERAPY' AT ISSUE: The American Cancer Society Action Network will host a forum that will focus on health-care practices known as "step therapy" and prior authorization. The forum is expected to include state Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, House Health & Human Services Chairman Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, and representatives of health-industry groups. (Monday, 1 pm.., DoubleTree by Hilton, 101 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

TOP NURSING HOMES CONSIDERED: The Governor's Panel on Excellence in Long-Term Care will hold a conference call to review applications for Gold Seal Award designations for nursing homes. (Monday, 2 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 8050334011.)

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2015

Legislature:

JUDICIAL TERM LIMITS DEBATED: The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will take up a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 197) that would lead to term limits for Supreme Court justices and appeals-court judges. The proposal, sponsored by Rep. John Wood, R-Winter Haven, and Rep. Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, would limit justices and appeals-court judges to two full six-year terms, though partial terms would not count toward the limit. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

EVERGLADES RESTORATION DISCUSSED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and the Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will hear presentations from the Department of Environmental Protection about Everglades restoration. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building. Also, 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL PRINCIPALS COULD GET MORE LEEWAY: The House K-12 Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 287), filed by Rep. Manny Diaz, Jr., R-Hialeah, that would create a pilot program aimed at giving principals more autonomy in running public schools. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

ENERGY MEASURE CONSIDERED: The Senate Communications, Energy and Public Utilities Committee will consider a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 170), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would provide tax breaks for renewable-energy devices that are installed on property. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

DEMOCRATIC LAWMAKERS OPPOSE GUN BILLS: Rep. Dave Kerner, D-Lake Worth, Rep. Clovis Watson, D-Alachua, Rep. Victor Torres, D-Orlando, and Rep. John Cortes, D-Kissimmee, will hold a news conference to oppose two gun-related bills. One of the bills (HB 163) would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry firearms, while the other (HB 4001) would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on college and university campus. (Tuesday, 11:15 a.m., 333C, the Capitol.)

HOUSE DRILLS INTO 'FRACKING' ISSUE: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will take up a bill ((HB 191), filed by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, and Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, that would create a new regulatory structure for oil and gas drilling and production, including the controversial practice known as "fracking." (Tuesday, noon, Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

'LIP' ON THE TIP OF TONGUES: The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a series of issues, including an update from the Agency for Health Care Administration about the Low Income Pool program. Commonly known as LIP, the program provides additional money to hospitals and other health providers that care for large numbers of poor and uninsured patients. (Tuesday, noon, 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SEXUAL ASSAULT KITS AT ISSUE: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will discuss the processing of sexual-assault kits. Lawmakers are looking at the issue after Attorney General Pam Bondi said last month that the state has a huge backlog in analyzing evidence in alleged sexual assaults. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

ECONOMIC INCENTIVES DEBATED: The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation about Gov. Rick Scott's proposal for economic incentives. Scott has announced he will ask lawmakers for $250 million in 2016 for business incentives. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE WEIGHS REDISTRICTING: The House will hold a floor session and is expected to consider plans to redraw Senate districts. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Choice & Innovation Subcommittee (Tuesday, noon, 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

SUPREME COURT HEARS MURDER CASES: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in murder cases from Palm Beach, Broward and St. Johns counties. The Broward case involves an appeal from Death Row inmate Lancelot Armstrong, who was convicted in the 1990 shooting of sheriff's Deputy John Greeney. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Collier and Lee counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Ave Maria Master Association Community Room, 5076 Annunciation Circle, #103, Ave Maria. Also, 2 p.m., Bonita Springs Area Chamber of Commerce, 25071 Chamber of Commerce Dr., Bonita Springs.)

CARSON SIGNS BOOKS IN TAMPA, LAKELAND: Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is scheduled to continue a series of book-signing events in Florida. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 11802 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa. Also, 6 p.m., Books-A-Million, 1520 Towne Center Dr., Lakeland.)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015

Legislature:

PANEL WEIGHS GUNS ON CAMPUS: The House Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 4001), sponsored by Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, and Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on college and university campuses. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE EYES REPLACING CONFEDERATE STATUE: The House Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 141), filed by Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, R-Miami, that calls for replacing the bronze statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith at the U. S. Capitol. A federal law allows each state to provide two statues of deceased prominent citizens to be placed in the National Statuary Hall at the U.S. Capitol. Florida is represented by statues of Smith and former Apalachicola resident John Gorrie, who is considered the father of air conditioning. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

FOCUS PLACED ON BODY CAMERAS: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 93), filed by Rep. Shevrin Jones, D-West Park, and Rep. Alan Williams, D-Tallahassee, that addresses the use of body cameras by law-enforcement officers. The bill, in part, would require that policies are in place for the proper use and maintenance of body cameras if law-enforcement agencies allow their officers to wear the devices. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

WATER POLICY GETS AIRING: The Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee will take up a bill (SB 552), filed by Chairman Charlie Dean, R-Inverness, that addresses a wide range of issues involving water quality and water quantity across the state. The bill deals, for example, with natural springs, water supplies in Central Florida and water bodies near Lake Okeechobee. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

LOTTERY TERMINALS CONSIDERED: The Senate Regulated Industries Committee will consider a proposal (SB 402), filed by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, that would allow the sale of lottery tickets through terminals that would accept credit and debit cards. (Wednesday, 11 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The House is scheduled to hold a floor session and is expected to take up a Senate redistricting plan. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

EARLY STEPS AT ISSUE: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will receive a presentation about the Early Steps program, which serves infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities and delays. The program has been struggling to keep up with the demand for services. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The Senate has scheduled a floor session to deal with redistricting issues. (Wednesday, 4:30 p.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Transportation Committee (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

PEFORMANCE FUNDING, ONLINE EDUCATION DISCUSSED: Committees of the state university system's Board of Governors will meet throughout the day. Among the issues will be a University of Central Florida Conference Center Hotel project, a draft strategic plan for online education and proposed changes to the board's performance-based funding model. (Wednesday, meetings start at 8:30 a.m., Florida International University, Modesto Maidique Campus, Graham University Center, 11200 S.W. Eighth St., Miami.)

CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Rick Scott, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam and Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater will discuss issues in advance of a Nov. 10 state Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

DUVAL DEATH PENALTY CASE REVIEWED: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including an appeal by Death Row inmate Rodney Newberry, who was convicted in the 2009 fatal shooting of Terrese Pernell Stevens in Duval County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval 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.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Escambia and Orange counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. Central time, Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola. Also, 1:15 p.m., Alafaya Branch Library, 12000 East Colonial Dr., Orlando.)

CARSON SIGNS BOOKS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is scheduled to continue a series of book-signing events in Florida. (Wednesday, noon, Bookstore1, 1359 Main St., Sarasota. Also, 3:30 p.m., Books-A-Million, 9360 Dynasty Dr., Fort Myers. Also, 6:30 p.m., Costco, 6275 Naples Blvd., Naples.)


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2015

Legislature:

HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TEED UP: The House Education Committee will hold a workshop on legislation related to the Florida High School Athletic Association. (Thursday, 8 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PROPERTY TAXES AT ISSUE: The House Finance & Tax Committee are expected to consider issues related to property taxes, including a proposed committee bill (PCB FTC 16-01) on "ad valorem" taxation. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE SCHEDULES FLOOR SESSION: The Senate could hold a floor session related to a Senate redistricting plan. (Thursday, 2 p.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE COULD HOLD FLOOR SESSION: The House has set aside time for a floor session if it is needed on redistricting issues. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

Also:

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Nassau, Okaloosa, Washington, Charlotte, Baker and Leon counties. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce, 961687 Gateway Blvd., #101G, Fernandina Beach. Also, 9 a.m. Central time, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Dr., Crestview. Also, 10:30 a.m., Callahan Library Branch, 450077 State Road 200, Callahan. Also, noon Central time, Chipley City Hall, 1442 Jackson Ave., Chipley. Also, 1:30 p.m., Punta Gorda City Hall, 326 West Marion Ave., Punta Gorda. Also, 2 p.m., Baker County Commission conference room, 55 North Third St., Macclenny. Also, 2 p.m., Dr. B. L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library, 2817 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

TAXES ON FLOWER SALES AT ISSUE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in four cases, including a dispute about whether Florida should be able to collect sales taxes on flowers ordered online and delivered in other states. The Department of Revenue is asking the Supreme Court to overturn an appeals court ruling last year that said it is unconstitutional for the state to try to collect sales taxes from a Palm Beach County company for flowers that go to people outside Florida. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

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

CARSON SIGNS BOOKS IN SOUTH FLORIDA: Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson is scheduled to continue a series of book-signing events in Florida. (Thursday, noon, Barnes & Noble, 12405 North Kendall Dr., Miami. Also, 4 p.m., Barnes & Noble, 2051 North Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale. Also, 6:30 p.m., Costco, 17800 Congress Ave., Boca Raton.)

UCF DOWNTOWN CAMPUS DISCUSSED: The state university system's Board of Governors will meet after holding committee meetings Wednesday and earlier Thursday. The board is expected to hear a presentation from Jesse Panuccio, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and elect a chairman and vice-chair. Also, it is expected to take up issues such as a proposed downtown Orlando campus for the University of Central Florida. (Thursday, full Board of Governors meets at 1:15 p.m. or upon adjournment of earlier meetings, Florida International University, Modesto Maidique Campus, Graham University Center, 11200 S.W. Eighth St., Miami.)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2015

Legislature:

HOUSE COULD HOLD FLOOR SESSION: The House has set aside time for a floor session if it is needed on redistricting issues. (Friday, 8 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

SENATE SCHEDULES FLOOR SESSION: The Senate has scheduled a floor session related to drawing new Senate districts. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

Also:

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Liberty, Miami-Dade, Levy, Calhoun and Escambia counties. (Friday, 9 a.m., Bristol City Hall, 12444 N.W. Virginia G. Weaver St., Bristol. Also, 10 a.m., Millennium Senior Center, 14611 S.W. 42nd St., Miami. Also, 10 a.m., Haven Hospice Chiefland, Tri-Counties Care Center, 311 N.E. Ninth St., Chiefland. Also, 10 a.m. Central time, Calhoun County Extension Building community/board room, 20816 Central Ave. East, Blountstown. Also, 10 a.m. Central time, Tryon Branch Library, 1200 Langley Ave., Pensacola.)

PRIEBUS SPEAKS AT ORLANDO TIGER BAY: Reince Priebus, chairman of the Republican National Committee, is slated to speak to the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. (Friday, 11:30 a.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Downtown, 65 Ivanhoe Blvd., Orlando.)