The Week Ahead in Florida Politics – October 19, 2015

BY THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE, OCTOBER 16, 2015…..Florida lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Monday for a special legislative session to redraw Senate districts. The session is the latest chapter in long-running legal battles about whether lawmakers in 2012 violated the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" standards when drawing Senate and congressional maps. The special session will overlap with committee meetings, as lawmakers continue preparing for the 2016 regular session, which starts in January.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2015

FAMU TRUSTEES DISCUSS STRATEGIC PLANNING: The Florida A&M Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet and discuss issues such as strategic planning. (Sunday, 8:30 a.m., FAMU Foundation Boardroom, 625 East Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015

Legislature:

HOUSE, SENATE START SPECIAL SESSION: The House and Senate will start a special legislative session to redraw Senate districts. The session stems from a long-running legal fight about whether the Legislature in 2012 violated the anti-gerrymandering "Fair Districts" standards when drawing districts. (Monday, noon, House and Senate chambers, the Capitol.)

COMMITTEES WORK ON SENATE DISTRICTS: The House Select Committee on Redistricting and the Senate Reapportionment Committee will hold a joint meeting to begin work on redrawing Senate districts. (Monday, 2 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

NUCLEAR COSTS AT ISSUE: The state Public Service Commission will consider how much money Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy Florida should collect from customers for nuclear-power projects. (Monday, noon, Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISCUSSED: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2015

Legislature:

FRUIT FLIES, OIL SPILL AT ISSUE: The Senate Agriculture Committee will hear presentations on a series of issues, including efforts to eradicate Oriental fruit flies in South Florida and an update about the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OPEN CARRY GETS SENATE AIRING: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will take up a bill (SB 300), filed by Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry firearms. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

TAX CUTS ON THE TABLE: The Senate Finance and Tax Committee will consider three proposals, filed by Chairwoman Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, to cut taxes. They are a proposal (SB 76) to increase a corporate-income tax exemption; a proposal (SB 116) to reduce a tax on commercial real-estate leases; and a proposal (SB 198) to hold a back-to-school "sales tax holiday" next year. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

GUNS ON CAMPUS GOES BEFORE SENATE PANEL: The Senate Higher Education Committee will take up a proposal (SB 68), filed by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms on college and university campuses. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

NEEDLE EXCHANGE PILOT CONSIDERED: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 81), filed by Rep. Katie Edwards, D-Plantation, that would create a pilot needle-exchange program in Miami-Dade County to try to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT ACCESS TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES: The Senate Health Policy Committee will take up a series of issues, including getting briefed on efforts to improve access to controlled substances for patients who have legitimate prescriptions. Patients say they have difficulties filling prescriptions for pain medications, as state and federal officials have sought to crack down on prescription-drug abuse and trafficking. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

RESCUE BREAK-INS CONSIDERED: The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will take up a proposal (HB 131), sponsored by Majority Leader Dana Young, R-Tampa, and Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Coral Springs, that would allow people to break into locked vehicles to help senior citizens, disabled adults, children and pets. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

STRUGGLING READERS DISCUSSED: The House K-12 Subcommittee will hear presentations about struggling readers, including a presentation by school districts. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAID COSTS, MANAGED CARE AT ISSUE: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will discuss projected Medicaid costs and financial information about the statewide Medicaid managed-care program. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES DISCUSSED: The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee will hear presentations about economic-development incentive programs. The presentations will be made by Bill Johnson, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, and Jesse Panuccio, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building. Also, 3:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Veteran & Military Affairs Subcommittee (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee (Tuesday, noon, Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Community Affairs Committee (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Banking and Insurance Committee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Government Operations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Highway & Waterway Safety Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 116 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Rulemaking Oversight & Repeal Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate General Government Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 3 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 3:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

SCOTT HEALTH PANEL MEETS: The Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding, which was created this year by Gov. Rick Scott to look at issues in the health-care industry, will continue a series of meetings. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

RUBIO STAFF HOLDS OFFICE HOURS: U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's staff will hold "mobile office hours" in Miami-Dade County. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami.)

FAU COMMITTEES HUDDLE: The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees will hold committee meetings. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton Campus, Administration Building, Boca Raton.)

GOP CANDIDATES RAISE MONEY: A fundraising reception is planned for four Republicans seeking state House seats in 2016. They are John Couriel, who is running in Miami-Dade County's District 114; Randy Fine, who is running in Brevard County's District 53; Michael Grant, who is running in Charlotte County's District 75; and Ralph Massullo, who is running in District 34 in Citrus and Hernando counties. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Governor's Club, 202 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

HARKIN DISCUSSES AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT: Former U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, will speak at the University of Florida about impacts of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which he sponsored. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Reitz Union, Grand Ballroom, the University of Florida, Gainesville.)

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

Legislature:

SENATE PANEL EYES DISTRICTS: The Senate Reapportionment Committee is scheduled to meet as lawmakers work to redraw Senate districts. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

LAND MANAGEMENT AT ISSUE: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will hear presentations about management of state-owned lands. The presentations will be made by the Department of Environmental Protection, water management districts, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Department of State. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MCKAY SCHOLARSHIPS DISCUSSED: The House Choice & Innovation Subcommittee will receive a presentation about McKay scholarships, a school-choice program for students with disabilities. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

DOT OFFERS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS: The House Transportation & Ports Subcommittee will hear a presentation about the Department of Transportation's 2016 legislative proposals. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MANUFACTURING TAX CUTS CONSIDERED: The House Finance & Tax Committee will discuss options for cutting manufacturing taxes, a top priority of Gov. Rick Scott. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House Business & Professions Subcommittee (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Ethics and Elections Committee (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott 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 meet to discuss issues in advance of an Oct. 27 state Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

WORKERS COMP RATES AT ISSUE: The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a hearing on proposed workers-compensation insurance rates. The National Council on Compensation Insurance, which proposes rates each year, is seeking an overall average rate decrease of 1.9 percent. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., state Division of Administrative Hearings, DeSoto Building, 1230 Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee.)

CITRUS COMMISSION GATHERS IN BARTOW: The Florida Citrus Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Citrus, 605 East Main St., Bartow.)

PAROLE CASES HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will start two days of meetings in Broward County. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Fort Lauderdale City Hall, 100 North Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.)

VETERANS ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Veterans Florida Board of Directors will hold a conference call. Lawmakers created the program last year to help encourage veterans and military families to move to the state and to promote veterans' hiring and education. (Wednesday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-877-619-2945.)

LONG-TERM CARE DISCUSSED: The Agency for Health Care Administration is scheduled to hold a meeting about a proposed rule dealing with long-term care services in the state's Medicaid program. The rule seeks to address how people should be prioritized to get into the managed-care system. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Building 3, Tallahassee.)

SPACE INDUSTRY AT ISSUE: The Space Florida Board of Directors will meet. (Wednesday, 3:45 p.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2015

Legislature:

CHILD WELFARE: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will take up a wide-ranging bill aimed at making changes in the state's child-welfare system. (Thursday, 12:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER SCHEDULED LEGISLATIVE MEETINGS:
--- House State Affairs Committee (Thursday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Judiciary Committee (Thursday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA BOARD MEETS: The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will meet after holding committee meetings Wednesday. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, 9300 Jeff Fuqua Blvd., Orlando.)

PAROLE CASES HEARD: The Florida Commission on Offender Review is scheduled to continue two days of meetings in Broward County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Fort Lauderdale City Hall, 100 North Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale.)

CHILDREN'S HEALTH CARE AT ISSUE: The Florida Healthy Kids Corp. Board of Directors will meet. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Orlando Airport Marriott Lakeside, 7499 Augusta National Dr., Orlando.)

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

LOPEZ-CANTERA CAMPAIGNS IN GAINESVILLE: Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, is scheduled to speak at a joint meeting of the UF College Republicans and the Alachua County Republican Executive Committee. (Thursday, 7 p.m., University of Florida, Gainesville.)

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015

Legislature:

REDISTRICTING WORK CONTINUES: The Senate Reapportionment Committee is scheduled to meet as it works on drawing new Senate districts. (Friday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

ETHICS COMMISSION MEETS: The Florida Commission on Ethics will meet. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

CHILD ABUSE PANEL HOLDS CALL: The State Child Abuse Death Review Committee will hold a conference call as it seeks to find ways to prevent child-abuse deaths. (Friday, 9 a.m.. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525 Code: 702-170-0355.)

PODIATIC BOARD GATHERS: The Board of Podiatric Medicine will meet in Central Florida. (Friday, 9 a.m., B Resort, 1905 Hotel Plaza Blvd., Lake Buena Vista.)

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2015

DESANTIS SPEAKS IN LAKE COUNTY: Congressman Ron DeSantis, who is running in 2016 for the U.S. Senate, is scheduled to speak at the Lake County Republican Party's Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinner. (Saturday, 6 p.m., Harbor Hills Country Club, 6538 Lake Griffin Road, Lady Lake.)

BEAR HUNTING SEASON STARTS: Florida is scheduled to start its first bear-hunting season in more than two decades. The controversial season, which is expected to last two to seven days, will allow hunting of black bears in four regions of the state.