The Week Ahead in Florida Politics

By the News Service of Florida

THE CAPITAL, TALLAHASSEE…..A budget surplus makes everybody a little happier at the Capitol. But that doesn't mean everybody agrees on how to divvy up a spending plan that will ultimately be in the neighborhood of $75 billion. House and Senate appropriations committees have set aside several hours during the coming week for debate and possible changes to their initial budget proposals. Meanwhile, lawmakers will grapple with other high-profile issues, such as fixing the troubled child-welfare system and resolving a hospital-industry battle about new trauma centers.

MONDAY, MARCH 24, 2014

Legislature:

HOUSE LOOKS AT SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY: The House Education Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a bill (HB 7117), sponsored by Rep. Janet Adkins, R-Fernandina Beach, that would make changes in the state’s school-accountability system, including the school-grading formula. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

BILL TARGETS RED-LIGHT CAMERAS: The House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a proposal (HB 7005), filed by Rep. Frank Artiles, R-Miami, that would block local governments from installing additional red-light cameras and would reduce penalties for motorists who are cited because of the cameras. (Monday, 12:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE TO WEIGH IN ON TRAUMA CENTERS: The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 7113) that could ensure the continued operation of disputed trauma centers at Blake Medical Center in Manatee County, Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Pasco County and Ocala Regional Medical Center in Marion County. Parts of the hospital industry have been embroiled in a nearly three-year legal fight about approvals of new trauma centers. (Monday, 3 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

‘GROWLERS’ GET AIRING: The House Business & Professional Regulation Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 1329), filed by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, aimed at allowing the craft brewing industry to sell 64-ounce “growlers” of beer. (Monday, 3 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

FLOOD INSURANCE AT ISSUE: The House Government Operations Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a bill (HB 879), sponsored by Rep. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, that seeks to help build a private flood-insurance market in Florida. (Monday, 3 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PARK MONUMENTS COULD FACE CHANGES: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will take up a proposal (HB 493), filed by Rep. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, that would require legislative approval of new historical monuments in the state park system. The bill comes after a debate about a Union monument proposed for the Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park near Lake City. (Monday, 4 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAL MARIJUANA AT ISSUE: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will consider a proposal (SB 1030) that could open the door for the use of a marijuana extract that supporters say would help children who suffer from severe seizures because of a form of epilepsy. The measure is sponsored by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, and Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg. (Monday, 4 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

LAWMAKERS MULL SPORTS FACILITY FUNDING: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will take up a bill (SB 1216), filed by Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater, that would create a new application and approval process for professional sports franchises seeking state tax dollars for stadium projects. (Monday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST TARGETED: The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will consider a bill (SB 990), filed by Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, that would seek to prevent conflicts of interest involving officials of special tax districts and drainage- and water-control districts. (Monday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER HOUSE MEETINGS:
--- House Criminal Justice Subcommittee (Monday, 12:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee (Monday, 12:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health Quality Subcommittee (Monday, 12:30 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Veteran & Military Affairs Subcommittee (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee (Monday, 3 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Rules & Calendar Committee (Monday, 5:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

SPACE FLORIDA LEADERS TO TALK: The Space Florida Board of Directors will hold a conference call. (Monday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-204-5987. Code: 4503386#)

PIPELINE DISCUSSED IN SUWANNEE COUNTY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a meeting in Suwannee County to gather information about a plan by Sabal Trail Transmission to build a 474-mile natural gas pipeline from Alabama to Central Florida. (Monday, 6 p.m., Live Oak City Hall, 101 White Ave. S.E., Live Oak.)

LAWMAKERS GET READY TO ROCK: Senator Jeff Clemens and the All-Stars Band will perform at an event to benefit the ALS Association. The event will be sponsored by Clemens, D-Lake Worth; Sen. Jack Latvala, R-Clearwater; Sen. Nancy Detert,R-Venice; Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker; Rep. Katie Edwards,D-Plantation; Rep. Dane Eagle, R-Cape Coral; Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello; and Rep. Ray Pilon, R-Sarasota. (Monday, 6:30 p.m., The Moon, 1105 East Lafayette St., Tallahassee.)

TUESDAY, MARCH 25, 2014

Legislature:

BILL WOULD MOVE UP LEGISLATIVE SESSION: The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider a bill (SB 72), filed by Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, that calls for starting legislative sessions in January during even-numbered years. Sessions now typically start in March. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT VOTER REGISTRATION: The House Ethics & Elections Subcommittee will hold a workshop to discuss online voter registration. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PHARMACY AUDITS AT ISSUE: The House Health Innovation Subcommittee will consider a bill (HB 745) that would place new restrictions on pharmacy audits. Groups such as the Florida Pharmacy Association and the pharmacy giant Walgreens are backing restrictions on the audits, which are done by pharmacy-benefit managers on behalf of managed-care plans. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

BRIGHT FUTURES CHANGES DISCUSSED: The Senate Education Committee is scheduled to take up a wide range of bills, including a proposal (SB 566), filed by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, that would change community-service guidelines in the Bright Futures scholarship program. The changes would include allowing business internships and political campaigns to fulfill community service requirements. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE LOOKS AT BOLSTERING CHILD WELFARE: The House Healthy Families Subcommittee will take up a wide-ranging plan (PCB HFS 14-03) that seeks to better protect children from abuse and neglect. The House and Senate have spent months working on the issue after reports of numerous child deaths last year. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM CONSIDERED: The House Government Operations Subcommittee is slated to consider a bill (HB 491) that would create a pilot program in Miami-Dade County for needle and syringe exchanges. The proposal, filed by Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach, is aimed at preventing the transmission of infectious diseases by allowing drug users to exchange used needles and syringes for clean needles and syringes. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

TRAUMA FACILITIES, NURSE PRACTITIONERS AT ISSUE: The Senate Health Policy Committee will consider a series of bills, including a proposal (SB 1276), filed by Sen. Denise Grimsley, R-Sebring, that would revamp the way trauma centers are approved. Also, the committee will consider a bill (SB 1352), filed by Grimsley, that would address a controversy about the authority of advanced registered nurse practitioners. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL CONSIDERS GUNS DURING EMERGENCIES: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security Committee is expected to take up a bill (SB 296), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would allow people without concealed-weapons licenses to carry concealed firearms when forced outside in times of emergency. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

‘MAGELLAN’ PROJECT COULD GET MONEY: The Joint Legislative Budget Commission will consider a request from the Department of Economic Opportunity to release $20.8 million for an economic-development effort dubbed “Project Magellan.” The money would come through what is known as the “Quick Action Closing Fund.” (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER HOUSE MEETINGS:
--- House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee (Tuesday, 8 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Civil Justice Subcommittee (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House K-12 Subcommittee (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Rulemaking Oversight & Repeal Subcommittee (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Rules & Calendar Committee (Tuesday, 6:15 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

OTHER SENATE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Democratic Caucus (Tuesday noon, 200 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Banking and Insurance Committee (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Community Affairs Committee (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

COURT TO HEAR PERFORMANCE PAY CASE: The 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a constitutional challenge to a 2011 law that linked teacher pay and evaluations to student performance. A Leon County circuit judge last year upheld the law, dubbed the "Student Success Act." (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

RANGEL TRIES TO BOOST HEALTH CARE ENROLLMENT: Rep. Ricardo Rangel, D-Kissimmee, will host health-care “navigators” in his district office to try to help increase enrollment in coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 704 Mabbette St., Kissimmee.)

SIGN-LANGUAGE CHANGES URGED: Advocates for deaf Floridians will hold a news conference to urge lawmakers to approve bills (SB 1304 and HB 1125) that would make changes such as requiring certification of sign-language interpreters. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Capitol courtyard.)

SHELDON TO RAISE MONEY IN TALLAHASSEE: Democratic attorney-general candidate George Sheldon is expected to attend a fund-raising event in Tallahassee. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Clyde’s and Costello’s, 210 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)

SCOTT COULD DISH UP RECORD PIE: Gov. Rick Scott is expected to help serve what is being touted as the world’s largest key-lime pie during a Florida Keys event at the Capitol. (Tuesday, 5 p.m., Capitol courtyard.)

DOT SECRETARY TO SPEAK AT UF: Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad is scheduled to speak about the state of Florida’s infrastructure during an appearance hosted by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Pugh Hall, the University of Florida, Gainesville.)

PIPELINE DISCUSSED IN GILCHRIST COUNTY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a meeting in Gilchrist County to gather information about a plan by Sabal Trail Transmission to build a 474-mile natural gas pipeline from Alabama to Central Florida. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Bell High School, 930 South Main St., Bell.)

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26, 2014

Legislature:

SENATE IN SESSION: The Senate will meet in a morning session and could take up a wide range of issues, including a proposal (SB 542), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would seek to boost a private flood-insurance market in Florida. It also could consider issues such as proposal (SB 670), filed by Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, that would add restrictions on lawsuits against nursing homes. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE IN SESSION: The House will meet in a morning session. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

HOUSE BUDGET DEBATED: The House Appropriations Committee will take up the House’s initial budget proposal for the 2014-15 fiscal year. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE TAX PACKAGE DISCUSSED: The House Finance and Tax Subcommittee is expected to consider a package of proposed tax cuts, including a series of sales-tax holidays. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL MATERIALS AT ISSUE: The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will take up a proposal (SB 864), filed by Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, that would shift responsibility for selecting instructional materials from the state to local school boards. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE EYES RED-LIGHT CAMERAS: The Senate Transportation Committee is scheduled to consider a bill (SB 144), filed by Chairman Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would repeal the state’s red-light camera law. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL LOOKS AT PHARMACY TECHS: The Senate Rules Committee will consider a wide range of bills, including 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 SENATE MEETINGS:
--- Senate Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- Senate Regulated Industries Committee (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

CANVASSING COMMISSION TO MEET: The Elections Canvassing Commission will meet to certify the results of two elections held March 11. Republican David Jolly won a special general election in Congressional District 13, while former state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle won a special Republican primary election in state House District 44. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

RANGEL TRIES TO BOOST HEALTH CARE ENROLLMENT: Rep. Ricardo Rangel, D-Kissimmee, will host health-care “navigators” in his district office to try to help increase enrollment in coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 704 Mabbette St., Kissimmee.)

SUPREME COURT CONSIDERS SEARCH CASE: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in a case that focuses on a police officer’s search of a juvenile that led to weapons charges. The officer stopped the juvenile based on information from an unidentified man who said he had been threatened with a gun. The juvenile argues that the stop was unconstitutional because it stemmed only from a physical description provided by the unidentified man. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)

SHELDON TO RAISE MONEY FOR AG RACE: Democratic attorney-general candidate George Sheldon is expected to take part in a fund-raising event in Tampa. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., 1523 East Seventh Ave., Tampa.)

PIPELINE DISCUSSED IN MARION COUNTY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a meeting in Marion County to gather information about a plan by Sabal Trail Transmission to build a 474-mile natural gas pipeline from Alabama to Central Florida. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Rainbow Springs Country Club, 19330 Southwest 82nd Place Road, Dunnellon.)

THURSDAY, MARCH 27, 2014

Legislature:

SENATE BUDGET DEBATED: The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider its initial budget proposal for the 2014-15 fiscal year. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE IN SESSION: The House will meet in a late-afternoon session. (Thursday, 4:30 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

OTHER POTENTIAL HOUSE MEETINGS (meeting notices had not been posted as of Friday afternoon):
--- House State Affairs Committee (Thursday, 8 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Judiciary Committee (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Rules & Calendar Committee (Thursday, 12:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Education Committee (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health & Human Services Committee (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Regulatory Affairs Committee (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Local & Federal Affairs Committee (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

RANGEL TRIES TO BOOST HEALTH CARE ENROLLMENT: Rep. Ricardo Rangel, D-Kissimmee, will host health-care “navigators” in his district office to try to help increase enrollment in coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 704 Mabbette St., Kissimmee.)

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

SHELDON RAISES MONEY IN TAMPA: Democratic attorney-general candidate George Sheldon is expected to raise money at a home in Tampa. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., 16201 Sonsoles de Avila, Tampa.)

DENAPOLI HOLDS MEET AND GREET: Republican Richard DeNapoli, who is seeking to replace term-limited Rep. Doug Holder, R-Venice, in House District 74, is scheduled to hold a meet-and-greet campaign event. (Thursday, 5:45 p.m., The Plantation Country Club 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice.)

PIPELINE DISCUSSED IN LAKE COUNTY: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission will hold a meeting in Lake County to gather information about a plan by Sabal Trail Transmission to build a 474-mile natural gas pipeline from Alabama to Central Florida. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Citrus Tower, 141 North Highway 27, Clermont.)

FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014

Legislature:

HOUSE IN SESSION: The House will meet in a morning session. (Friday, 9 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)

Also:

UF TRUSTEES TO MEET: The University of Florida Board of Trustees will meet. The trustees will hold a strategic discussion by the university president and then hold the regular board meeting. Also, trustee committees will meet Thursday. (Friday, 9:30 a.m., Emerson Alumni Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville.) 

JOBS REPORT RELEASED: The state Department of Economic Opportunity is expected to release February unemployment numbers. (10 a.m.)

MEDICAID DRUGS AT ISSUE: The Agency for Health Care Administration’s Pharmaceutical and Therapeutics Committee, which makes recommendations for a Medicaid preferred-drug list, will meet in Tampa. (Friday, 1 p.m., Tampa Airport Marriott, Tampa International Airport, Tampa.)

SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 2014

SHELDON TO RAISE MONEY IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY: Democratic attorney-general candidate George Sheldon is expected to raise money at a home in St. Johns County. (Saturday, 2 p.m., 9150 Mellon Court, St. Augustine.)