The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – November 30, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2015

Legislature:

PANEL CONSIDERS PUTNAM, LEON AUDITS: The Joint Legislature Auditing Committee will consider a request from Rep. Charles Van Zant, R-Keystone Heights, for an audit of Putnam County and the city of Palatka and a request from Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, for a follow-up audit of the Leon County school district. (Monday, 4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

SOLAR INITIATIVE AT ISSUE: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will discuss a proposed solar-energy ballot initiative backed by a group called Consumers for Smart Solar. (Monday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

LEAGUE OF CITIES DISCUSSES LEGISLATIVE ISSUES: The Florida League of Cities will hold a roundtable discussion with reporters about issues facing municipalities during the 2016 legislative session. (Monday, 10 a.m., Florida League of Cities, 301 South Bronough St., Suite 300, Tallahasssee.)

CITIZENS CLAIMS COMMITTEE TALKS: The Claims Committee of the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will hold a conference call. (Monday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-866-361-7525. ID: 5219676193.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Monroe County. (Monday, 11:30 a.m., Founders Park Community Center, 87000 Overseas Highway, Islamorada.)

TRANSPORTATION PANEL MEETS: The Florida Transportation Commission will meet in Jacksonville. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)

HOUSTON MAYOR SPEAKS TO DUVAL DEMS: Houston Mayor Annise Parker will be the keynote speaker during the Duval County Democratic Party's "Blue Duval Gala." (Monday, 6 p.m., Hilton DoubleTree, 1201 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville.)

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2015

Legislature:

NURSE LICENSURE ON THE TABLE: The House Select Committee on Affordable Healthcare Access will hold a workshop about the "Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact," which involves coordination between states about licensing nurses. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CITRUS DISEASE DISCUSSED: The Senate Agriculture Committee will get an update about "citrus greening," a disease causing widespread damage to Florida's citrus industry. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCOTT BUDGET CHIEF DETAILS SPENDING PLAN: The House Appropriations Committee will hear a presentation from Cynthia Kelly, director of Gov. Rick Scott's Office of Policy and Budget, about the governor's proposed $79.3 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. (Tuesday, noon, 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE DIGS INTO SCOTT TAX CUTS: The House Finance & Tax Committee will discuss Gov. Rick Scott's proposal to cut $1 billion in taxes. (Tuesday, noon, Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT TAXES FOR WATER PROJECTS: The Senate Community Affairs Committee will consider a proposal (SB 346), filed by Sen. Thad Altman, R-Rockledge, that would allow counties to increase sales taxes to help pay for waterway dredging projects. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PUBLIC CORRUPTION TARGETED: The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will take up a bill (SB 582), filed by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, that would take a series of steps to strengthen public-corruption laws. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAL TOURISM, DIRECT PRIMARY CARE AT ISSUE: The Senate Health Policy Committee will consider a proposal (SB 178), filed by Chairman Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that would create a program to market Florida as a "health care destination" --- a concept known as medical tourism. Also, the bill could help clear the way for what are known as "direct primary care" agreements between doctors and patients. Such agreements involve patients paying monthly fees to doctors and then being able to get routine primary care without additional costs. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RAPE KIT TESTING AT ISSUE: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 179), filed by Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, that could help speed up testing of DNA evidence in new sexual-assault cases and also address a large backlog of unanalyzed rape kits. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE PANELS REVIEW SCOTT BUDGET: House subcommittees will start reviewing their portions of Gov. Rick Scott's proposed $79.3 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., House Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

DRUG PRESCRIBING DEBATED: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 423), filed by Chairman Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, that would allow advanced registered nurse practitioners to prescribe controlled substances. (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

COHABITATION BAN COULD BE REPEALED: The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a bill (SB 498), filed by Sen. Eleanor Sobel, D-Hollywood, that would repeal a longstanding law designed to bar men and women from living together if they are not married. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Higher Education Committee (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Banking and Insurance Committee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Military and Veteran Affairs, Space and Domestic Security Committee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Ethics and Elections Committee (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

VETERINARY BOARD MEETS IN DUVAL: The Florida Board of Veterinary Medicine will meet. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., One Ocean, 1 Ocean Blvd., Atlantic Beach.)

SCOTT HEALTH CARE PANEL MEETS: The Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding, which was created this year by Gov. Rick Scott to delve into health-care financing and regulatory issues, will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

PSC CONSIDERS NEW FPL PLANT: The Florida Public Service Commission will hold a hearing on what is known as a "determination of need" for a proposed Florida Power & Light plant in Okeechobee County. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Palm Beach, Pinellas, Monroe, Martin and Hillsborough counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Acreage Branch Library, 15801 Orange Blvd., Loxahatchee. Also, 10 a.m., St. Petersburg Public Library, North Branch, 861 70^th Ave. North, St. Petersburg. Also, 11:30 a.m., San Carlos Institute, 516 Duval St., Key West. Also, 1 p.m., Martin County Blake Library, 2351 S.E. Monterey Road, Stuart. Also, 2 p.m., Charles J. Fendig Library, 3909 West Neptune St., Tampa. Also, 4 p.m., Monroe County Public Library-Marathon, 3251 Overseas Highway, Marathon.)

HONOREES INDUCTED INTO VETERANS HALL OF FAME: An induction ceremony will be held for the 2015 class of the Florida Veterans' Hall of Fame. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

POPULATION AT ISSUE: The Demographic Estimating Conference will analyze the state's population. (Tuesday, 3:15 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2015

Legislature:

'FRACKING' DEBATED IN HOUSE PANEL: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 191), sponsored by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, and Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, that would create a new regulatory structure in Florida for oil and natural-gas drilling, including the controversial practice known as "fracking." (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE PANELS REVIEW SCOTT BUDGET: House subcommittees will continue reviewing their portions of Gov. Rick Scott's proposed $79.3 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, 11:30 a.m., House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, 4 p.m., House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, 4 p.m., House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee, 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

UBER, LYFT AT ISSUE: The House Highway & Waterway Safety Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 509), sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, and Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, that deals with regulation of "transportation network companies," such as app-based Uber and Lyft. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 116 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

TERRORISM LAWSUITS ON THE TABLE: The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 3), filed by Rep. Mike Hill, R-Pensacola Beach, that could help people file lawsuits if they are injured by acts of terrorism. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MENTAL HEALTH AT ISSUE: The House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 439), filed by Rep. Charles McBurney, R-Jacksonville, that could help revamp mental-health services in the criminal-justice system. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATORS DIG INTO SCOTT BUDGET: The Senate Appropriations Committee will hear a presentation about Gov. Rick Scott's proposed $79.3 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT ECONOMIC INCENTIVES: The House Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee will receive a presentation about Gov. Rick Scott's economic-development proposals, which include creating a $250 million fund for business incentives. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

VETERANS' NURSING HOMES AT ISSUE: The House Health Innovation Subcommittee will consider a series of issues, including a proposal (HB 581), filed by Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta, that would create a site-selection process for new state veterans' nursing homes. (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

NEGRON DESIGNATED AS SENATE PRESIDENT: A ceremony will be held to formally designate Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, as the next Senate president. Negron will take over the job after the 2016 elections. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

CHARTER SCHOOL CHANGES PROPOSED: The House Choice & Innovation Subcommittee will consider a proposal (PCB CIS 16-01) that would make a series of changes in the state's charter-school laws and create the Florida Institute for Charter School Innovation. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING DISCUSSED: The House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Department of Transportation about long-term transportation funding trends. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Government Operations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House K-12 Subcommittee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Local Government Affairs Subcommittee (Wednesday, 11:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Business & Professions Subcommittee (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

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 Dec. 8 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

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.)

GAMBLING MONEY AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss state revenue from slot machines and Indian gaming. (Wednesday, 2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2015

Legislature:

DISABLED VETERANS AT ISSUE: The House Economic Affairs Committee will consider a bill (HB 235), filed by Rep. Ken Roberson, R-Punta Gorda, that would require local governments and airports to provide free parking for vehicles with disabled-veterans licenses plates and Paralyzed Veterans of America license plates. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS ON THE TABLE: The House State Affairs Committee will take up a bill (PCB SAC 16-04) that would give authority to the state to set municipal election dates. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

COMPUTER CODING DIALED UP: The Senate Education Pre-K-12 Committee will take up a proposal (SB 468), filed by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, that would require high schools to offer computer-coding courses --- and would allow students to use the courses for foreign-language credits. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT EDUCATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: The House Education Committee will consider a series of bills, including a proposal (HB 7011), sponsored by Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, and Rep. Michael Bileca, R-Miami, that would seek to increase educational options for students with intellectual disabilities. (Thursday, noon, Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

AGENCY HEADS FACE CONFIRMATION: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will hold confirmation hearings for Department of Children and Families Secretary Mike Carroll, Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Barbara Palmer and Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Sam Verghese. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

LOTERY TERMINALS AT ISSUE: The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee will take up a series of issues, including a proposal (SB 402), filed by Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples, that would allow people to buy lottery tickets using "point-of-sale" terminals at gas pumps, ATMs and other places where credit cards can be swiped. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL CONSIDERS 'STAND YOUR GROUND' BILL: The Senate Rules Committee will consider a bill (SB 344), filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that could make it easier legally for people to claim self-defense in shooting incidents. The measure would change a burden of proof in cases involving Florida's "stand your ground" law. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

TRANSPORTATION CHIEF FACES SENATE COMMITTEE: The Senate Transportation Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Department of Transportation Secretary Jim Boxold. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SPECIAL DISTRICT CHANGES DISCUSSED: The House Local & Federal Affairs Committee will take up a proposal (HB 479), filed by Rep. Larry Metz, R-Yalaha, that would place additional requirements on special districts, including requirements about providing budget information. (Thursday, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA AT ISSUE: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a bill (SB 460), filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that would allow terminally ill patients to obtain medical marijuana to help cope with pain. (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PERFORMANCE FUNDING ON THE TABLE: The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an update about performance funding in the Florida College System. (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RULES COMMITTEE BILLS CONSIDERED: The House Rules, Calendar & Ethics Committee will take up a series of procedural bills (PCB RCEC 16-01, PCB RCEC 16-02, PCB RCEC 16-03 and PCB RCEC 16-04), dealing with state laws. (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE PANELS PONDER SCOTT BUDGET: Five Senate appropriations subcommittees will receive presentations about Gov. Rick Scott's proposed budget for the fiscal year starting July 1. (Thursday, 3:30 p.m., Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Education Appropriations Subcommittee, 412 Knott Building, the Capitol. Also, General Government Appropriations Subcommittee, 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee, 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol)

Also:

PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Public Service Commission will consider a series of issues, including a debate about financial hedging by utilities on natural-gas costs. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

TANF NUMBERS AT ISSUE: The Social Services Estimating Conference will analyze caseloads and expenditures in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

USF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of South Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., University of South Florida, Marshall Student Center, Tampa.)

CITIZENS ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Consumer Services Committee of the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors will hold a conference call. (Thursday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-866-361-7525. ID: 6487811621#.)

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

TOBACCO TAXES ON THE TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss tobacco taxes. (2 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2015

Legislature:

COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AT ISSUE: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining will hold a hearing on issues at impasse. (Friday, 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

BOARD OF MEDICINE MEETS IN JACKSONVILLE: The Florida Board of Medicine will meet and consider disciplinary cases from various parts of the state. (Friday, 8 a.m., Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 East Coastline Dr., Jacksonville.)

EDUCATION ISSUES DISCUSSED: The State Board of Education will hold a conference call to discuss a series of issues. (Friday, 9:30 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-339-2688. Code: 568 736 12.)