Advances:  Week of January 20, 2019

By NSF Staff

TALLAHASSEE --- Pick a hot topic. School safety. Felons’ voting rights. Water woes. The list goes on.

Florida lawmakers will be confronted with those issues during the annual legislative session that starts March 5. But as they return to Tallahassee during the coming week for committee meetings, the spadework on major issues will continue.

Perhaps the biggest issue in Florida during the past year has focused on keeping schoolchildren safe. That discussion, of course, has stemmed from the Feb. 14 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that killed 17 students and faculty members.

A commission spent months investigating the Marjory Stoneman Douglas attack and looking for ways to bolster school security. It will present a report Tuesday to House and Senate education committees, an initial step as lawmakers look for ways to prevent the unthinkable from happening again.

Also Tuesday, representatives of a variety of groups will gather in a Senate committee to discuss Amendment 4, a voter-approved measure that restores the voting rights of felons who have fulfilled their sentences. Debate remains about whether lawmakers need to pass legislation to carry out the constitutional amendment.

Among the other issues during the coming week, a House panel Wednesday will hear a presentation about toxic algae and red tide that have fouled waterways and coastlines in parts of the state during the past year. Gov. Ron DeSantis has already signaled that water quality will be one of his priorities, which likely increases pressure on lawmakers to grapple with the algae and red-tide issues.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 2019

STATE OFFICES CLOSED: State offices will be closed for the Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. holiday.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2019

Legislature:

FRIED SPEAKS TO AGRICULTURE PANEL: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who took office Jan. 8, will appear at a meeting of the Senate Agriculture Committee. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

AMENDMENT 4 GETS AIRING: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will hold a workshop about Amendment 4, a ballot measure that passed in November to restore the voting rights of felons who have fulfilled their sentences. The workshop is expected to include representatives of the Florida Association of Court Clerks & Comptrollers, the Florida Commission on Offender Review, the Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Department of State, the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition and the Florida State Association of Supervisors of Elections. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAID AT ISSUE: The Senate Health Policy Committee will receive an update from the state Agency for Health Care Administration about the Medicaid program. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL SAFETY REPORT DISCUSSED: The House Education Committee and the Senate Education Committee will receive presentations on a report by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which was created after the mass shooting in February in Parkland. The report addresses numerous issues, such as the possibility of arming teachers and ways to bolster the security of school buildings. (Tuesday, House committee at 11 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Senate committee at 2:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

ATTORNEY FEES DEBATED: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will hold a workshop about a bill (SB 122), filed by Chairman Doug Broxson, R-Gulf Breeze, that would restrict the assignment of attorney fees in insurance disputes. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PROPOSAL AIMED AT HELPING SENIORS: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will consider a series of issues, including a bill (SB 176), filed by Sen. Lori Berman, D-Lantana, that would offer sales-tax exemptions on items that can help seniors live independently. Under the measure, items such as handrails, bed rails, grab bars and shower seats would be exempt from sales taxes. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

‘SINGLE SUBJECT’ REQUIREMENT CONSIDERED: The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up proposals (SJR 74 and SJR 86) that would impose a single-subject requirement on constitutional amendments placed on the ballot in the future by the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. The similar proposals, filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, and Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D-Miami, target what are known as “bundled” ballot measures. The issue drew attention last year after the Constitution Revision Commission bundled seemingly unrelated issues into single amendments. As an example, one amendment that was approved by voters Nov. 6 combined a ban on offshore oil drilling with a ban on vaping or use of electronic cigarettes in workplaces. The Constitution Revision Commission, a 37-member panel that meets every 20 years, has unique powers to place measures on the ballot. The commission will not meet again until 2037 in advance of placing measures on the 2038 ballot. But the Senate proposals could go before voters in 2020 and, if approved, would apply to the 2037-2038 Constitution Revision Commission. Both proposals would require Constitution Revision Commission measures to “embrace but one subject.” (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATA EYED: The House Judiciary Committee will receive an update on an initiative about transparency of criminal-justice data. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

BUILDING CODE ON TABLE: The House Commerce Committee will receive an overview about issues related to the Florida Building Code. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

UCF FINANCES SCRUTINIZED: The House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee will receive a presentation from the Auditor General’s Office about an audit of the University of Central Florida and will receive a presentation from committee staff members about an investigation into UCF construction funding. The scrutiny stems, in part, from a state audit last year that determined UCF had improperly used $38 million in state funding to construct a campus building. The school’s use of the accumulated operating funds was a direct violation of state policy that restricts that funding to activities like instruction, research, student services and maintenance. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SPRINGS PROTECTION CONSIDERED: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee will take up a series of issues, including an update on the implementation of the Florida Springs and Aquifer Protection Act. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building the Capitol.)

Also:

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet in Sarasota County. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Southwest Florida Water Management District, 6750 Fruitville Road, Sarasota.)

REFUGEE SERVICES DISCUSSED: The Tampa Bay Refugee Task Force will meet to discuss refugee services. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Department of Children and Families, 9393 North Florida Ave., Tampa.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade County. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Goodwill-Alicia Mogul Conference Room, 2121 N.W. 21st St., Miami.)

U.S. 90 UPGRADES ON AGENDA: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a meeting on U.S. 90 improvements in Jefferson County. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 325 West Walnut St., Monticello.)

GULF RED SNAPPER AT ISSUE: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will continue a series of meetings about state management of Gulf red snapper. The council is seeking input on a draft plan that would allow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to set the recreational red snapper fishing season and, potentially, other management measures in state and federal waters off Florida. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 West Fort Island Trail, Crystal River.)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2019

Legislature:

NURSING HOMES ON AGENDA: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about nursing-home services, behavioral-analysis services and community-based care services. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

WATER WOES AT ISSUE: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Department of Environmental Protection about algae blooms and red tide. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

TECHNOLOGY, SURVEILLANCE EYED: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will receive a presentation about the impact of technology and surveillance on Fourth Amendment rights that shield people from unreasonable searches and seizures. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HURRICANE POWER RESTORATION ON TABLE: The House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee will discuss electricity-service restoration after Hurricane Michael. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

HEALTH CARE WORKFORCE DISCUSSED: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will receive presentations on physician and nursing workforce issues. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

VEGETABLE GARDENS GET BACKING: The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 145), filed by Rep. Elizabeth Fetterhoff, R-DeLand, that would largely prevent local regulation of vegetable gardens on residential property. The bill stems from a legal dispute between homeowners Hermine Ricketts and Laurence Carroll and the Village of Miami Shores over an ordinance that banned front-yard vegetable gardens. The couple had maintained a front-yard garden for nearly two decades but uprooted their vegetables when faced with the possibility of fines. They challenged the constitutionality of the ordinance but lost in court. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

WASTEWATER INCIDENTS DRAW ATTENTION: The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Department of Environmental Protection about wastewater-incident reporting, compliance and enforcement. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM CONSIDERED: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation about criminal-justice reform. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES AT ISSUE: The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an overview of mental-health programs and services in public schools. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY GETS ATTENTION: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will take up issues including an overview of challenges facing the state’s agriculture industry. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES EYED: The House Business & Professions Subcommittee will receive a presentation about professional and occupational licensing “reciprocity” with other states. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PATRONIS SPEAKS TO HOUSE PANEL: State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is slated to speak to the House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENTS DISCUSSED: The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about Medicaid reimbursements for hospitals and nursing homes. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CHARTER SCHOOLS AT ISSUE: The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee will receive a presentation about charter-school governance. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL WEIGHS RED-LIGHT CAMERA REPEAL: The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 6003), filed by Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, that would eliminate a law that allows red-light cameras. The House voted during the 2018 legislative session to approve such a repeal, but the Senate version did not advance in committees. The House estimated at the time that lifting the law would save drivers $159 million a year. Supporters of the cameras say the devices help improve traffic safety, but critics contend they are more about increasing government revenue than public safety. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET CONSIDERED: The House Health Market Reform Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Office of Insurance Regulation about the state’s health-insurance market. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

WORKFORCE EDUCATION ON AGENDA: The House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an overview of workforce education. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

LAWMAKERS DELVE INTO WORKERS’ COMP: The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee will receive information about workers’ compensation insurance issues, including the status of litigation and attorney fees. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

TEACHER CERTIFICATION ON TABLE: The House PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee will receive presentations about teacher certification and school improvement. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will meet to discuss issues in advance of a Jan. 29 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)

PAROLE CASES ON AGENDA: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider parole cases from various parts of the state. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Osceola, Miami-Dade and Duval counties. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Robert Guevara Community Center, 501 Florida Parkway, Kissimmee. Also, 9:30 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami. Also, 1 p.m., Olga L. Bradham and Etta L. Brooks Branch Library, 1755 Edgewood Ave. West, Jacksonville.)

UNEMPLOYMENT CASES CONSIDERED: The state Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 101 Rhyne Building, 2740 Centerview Dr., Tallahassee.)

CORCORAN, LAWMAKERS AT JAMES MADISON EVENT: Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, House Education Chairwoman Jennifer Sullivan, R-Mount Dora, and Senate Education Chairman Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, are expected to speak at The James Madison Institute’s Dr. J. Stanley Marshall Day event. The event is part of National School Choice Week. (Wednesday, noon, The Columns, 100 North Duval St., Tallahassee.)

U.S. 1 IMPROVEMENTS EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting on plans for improvements to part of U.S. 1 in Miami-Dade County. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., South Dade Regional Library, 10750 S.W. 211th St., Cutler Bay.)

GULF RED SNAPPER AT ISSUE: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will continue a series of meetings about state management of Gulf red snapper. The council is seeking input on a draft plan that would allow the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to set the recreational red snapper fishing season and, potentially, other management measures in state and federal waters off Florida. (Wednesday, 6 p.m., Farris Bryant Building, 620 South Meridian St., Tallahassee.)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2019

Legislature:

DCF STORM RESPONSE AT ISSUE: The House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee will receive a presentation about the Department of Children and Families’ response to Hurricane Michael. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

ACCESS TO COURTS DISCUSSED: The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Florida Commission on Access to Civil Justice, which was created by Supreme Court Justice Jorge Labarga to increase access to civil courts. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

GAMBLING MONEY ON TABLE: The House Gaming Control Subcommittee will discuss gambling revenues. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PERFORMANCE FUNDING DETAILED: The House Higher Education & Career Readiness Subcommittee will receive presentations about performance funding in the state university system and the state college system. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

ELECTION LAWSUITS AT ISSUE: The House Oversight, Transparency & Public Management Subcommittee will receive a presentation by Secretary of State Mike Ertel about election litigation in 2018. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL FUNDING FORMULA CONSIDERED: The House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation about the Florida Education Finance Program, which is the main funding formula for public schools. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

BRIGHT FUTURES MONEY EYED: The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which is made up of House and Senate leaders and can make mid-year budget changes, will consider pumping an additional $25.3 million into the Bright Futures scholarship program amid higher-than-expected student participation this year. Lawmakers provided nearly $520 million for the Bright Futures program in the state budget. But the latest estimate from state analysts showed an increase in qualifying students could push the cost to about $545 million. The Department of Education is requesting that lawmakers approve an additional $25.3 million for the program, which is funded through what is known as the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. That trust fund receives money from the Florida Lottery. With backing from key lawmakers such as former Senate President Joe Negron, R-Stuart, the Legislature has dramatically increased higher-education financial aid programs in recent years. Lawmakers, for example, expanded top-level Bright Futures awards to cover full tuition and fees, as well as to pay for some textbooks. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

MARIJUANA RULES ON AGENDA: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee will consider rules about the state’s medical-marijuana system. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

AUDITING COMMITTEE GETS OVERVIEWS: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee will receive overviews of the Office of the Auditor General and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

UCF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet after holding a series of committee meetings. (Thursday, committees start at 8:15 a.m., with full board at 1 p.m., University of Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Orlando.)

CABINET DISCUSSES VETERANS’ AFFAIRS CHIEF: Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Cabinet members will hold a conference call to discuss the appointment of an executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. DeSantis has backed state Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, for the post. (Thursday, 9 a.m., public access in the Cabinet meeting room at the Capitol.)

FLORIDA TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION HOLDS CALL: The Florida Transportation Commission will hold a conference call to discuss issues such as personnel. (Thursday, 10 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 312683122.)

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

NORTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The Northwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Thursday, 1 p.m., district headquarters, 81 Water Management Dr., Havana.)

ATHLETIC TRAINING BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Florida Board of Athletic Training will hold a conference call. (Thursday, 1 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 599196982)

FAMU TRUSTEES HOLD CALL: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees will hold a conference call after a meeting of its Budget, Finance and Facilities Committee. The full board is expected to take up issues such as industrial-hemp research projects. (Thursday, committee at 3 p.m., followed by full board, Florida A&M University, Lee Hall, Tallahassee.)

MORRIS SPEAKS TO GOP CLUB: Political consultant and commentator Dick Morris will speak at a meeting of the Republican Federated Women of South Florida. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Boca Country Club, 17751 Boca Club Blvd., Boca Raton.)

NORTH CENTRAL PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The North Central Florida Regional Planning Council will meet in Columbia County. (Thursday, 7 p.m., Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites, 213 S.W. Commerce Blvd., Lake City.)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019

PSYCHOLOGY BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Psychology will meet in Miami-Dade County. (Friday, 8 a.m., DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport and Convention Center, 711 N.W. 72nd Ave., Miami.)

ETHICS COMMISSION TAKES UP DANIELS CASE: The Florida Commission on Ethics will consider a series of cases, including a case stemming from allegations that Rep. Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville, filed inaccurate financial-disclosure forms. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

CHIROPRACTIC BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Chiropractic Medicine will meet in Orange County. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Rosen Plaza, 9700 International Dr., Orlando.)

OPTICIANRY ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Florida Board of Opticianry will meet. (Friday, 9 a.m., Florida Department of Health, 4042 Bald Cypress Way, Tallahassee.)

VISIT FLORIDA ISSUES VISITED: The Executive Committee of the tourism-marketing agency Visit Florida will hold a conference call in advance of a Feb. 1 meeting of the agency’s board. (Friday, 10 a.m. Call-in number 1-888-354-0094. Code: 699912.)

SENIOR SCAMS TARGETED: The Florida Department of Financial Services will hold one in a series of "Be Scam Smart" workshops to help seniors avoid financial scams. (Friday, noon, Pinellas Park Senior Center, 7625 59th St. North, Pinellas Park.)

PUERTO RICO CONGRESSWOMAN AT TIGER BAY: Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colon, who represents Puerto Rico in Congress, will speak to the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. (Friday, noon, Citrus Club, 255 South Orange Ave., #1800, Orlando.)

MEDICAID MANAGED CARE AT ISSUE: The Agency for Health Care Administration will hold a meeting about efforts in the statewide Medicaid managed-care program to reduce “potentially preventable events” and to improve birth outcomes. (Friday, 1 p.m., Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Dr., Building 3, Tallahassee.)