Advances: Week of January 6, 2019

By NSF Staff

TALLAHASSEE --- Tuesday will be about change.

After eight years of Gov. Rick Scott leading the state, Republican Ron DeSantis will become governor and will be joined by two new Cabinet members, Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody and Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried.

With Scott term-limited and preparing to head to the U.S. Senate, change was inevitable. But DeSantis, a former congressman who never served in Tallahassee, brings an added element of change.

When the 2018 Republican gubernatorial primary started, DeSantis was a relative outsider who trailed Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam in name identification and money. What’s more, much of the state’s GOP establishment had lined up with Putnam.

But DeSantis had something that turned out to be more important: the backing of President Donald Trump. And DeSantis ultimately cruised to an August primary victory over Putnam before narrowly defeating Democrat Andrew Gillum in the Nov. 6 general election.

One of the biggest changes Tuesday will not happen in front of the crowd and the TV cameras during the inauguration ceremony. In fact, it will happen across the street from the Capitol at the Florida Supreme Court.

Longtime justices Barbara Pariente, R. Fred Lewis and Peggy Quince will leave the bench Tuesday because they have hit a mandatory retirement age. As of Friday evening, DeSantis had not named replacements. But with DeSantis poised to appoint justices who will shift the Supreme Court to the right, his selections could be his longest-lasting change.

MONDAY, JANUARY 7, 2019

Legislature:

AGRICULTURE DAMAGE EYED: The Senate Agriculture Committee will discuss the effects of Hurricane Michael on the state’s agriculture industry. A November estimate by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said the industry sustained $1.49 billion in damages, with the estimated losses for the timber industry at $1.3 billion. The University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in late October projected that nearly 1 million acres of crops such as cotton, nuts and vegetables, along with beef, dairy and other animal products, were damaged across 25 counties from the powerful Oct. 10 storm that made landfall in Mexico Beach. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

TAX BREAK FOR DIAPERS ON TABLE: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will consider a proposal (SB 60), filed by Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, that would create a sales-tax exemption for diapers, incontinence undergarments, incontinence pads and incontinence liners. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CRIME VICTIMS MEASURE DISCUSSED: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will look at a newly approved constitutional amendment designed to expand the rights of crime victims. Amendment 6, widely known as the “Marsy’s Law” amendment, received support from 61.6 percent of voters in the Nov. 6 election, clearing a 60 percent threshold needed for passage. The amendment included a series of rights for crime victims, including the right to be notified of major developments in criminal cases and the right to be heard in legal proceedings. The proposal was part of a national movement that stems from the 1983 death of a California woman, Marsy Nicholas, who was stalked and killed by an ex-boyfriend. Marsy Nicholas’ brother, Henry, is the co-founder of Broadcom Corp. and has spearheaded the Marsy’s Law effort. The Criminal Justice Committee workshop is expected to include representatives of the Florida Department of Corrections, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, the Florida Prosecuting Attorneys Association, the Florida Public Defender Association, the Florida Sheriffs Association, the state courts system and the group Marsy’s Law for Florida. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAID, OPIOIDS AT ISSUE: The Senate Health Policy Committee will receive an update from the Agency for Health Care Administration about Medicaid and an update from the Department of Health about opioid-related issues. (Monday, 2:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

INSURANCE PANEL LOOKS AT HURRICANE: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will receive a presentation on the recovery from Hurricane Michael. The Oct. 10 storm in Northwest Florida had led to $4.65 billion in estimated insured losses and 134,656 claims as of Dec. 21. (Monday, 4:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

CHILD WELFARE CHANGES CONSIDERED: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will discuss the impact on Florida of federal changes related to child welfare. (Monday, 4:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

Inauguration:

NUNEZ HONORED AT BREAKFAST: Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nunez will be honored during an event titled, “Women Transforming Florida: A Tribute Breakfast.” Nunez, R-Miami, is a former state House member. Also taking part in the event will be incoming First Lady Casey DeSantis. (Monday, 8 a.m., Goodwood Museum, 1600 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee.)

DESANTIS DISCUSSES VISION: Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis will speak to private- and public-sector leaders during a luncheon event titled, “Bold Vision for a Brighter Future: Thought Leaders Luncheon.” Among the expected participants are Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nunez; Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton; House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes; Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby; Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor; Rep. Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast; and Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry. (Monday, noon, Florida State University, University Center Club B, 403 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee.)

MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT HONORED: An appreciation event will be held for veterans, members of the military and law enforcement. The event is titled, “A Call to Action: Honoring Service, Sacrifice and Country.” Participants are expected to include Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis; Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nunez; incoming First Lady Casey DeSantis; Attorney General-elect Ashley Moody; state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis; and Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried. (Monday, 2 p.m., Tallahassee Automobile Museum, 6800 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

PIZZA PARTY FOR PATRONIS: An inaugural party will be held for state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis at a pizza restaurant a few blocks from the Capitol. (Monday, 4 p.m., The Deck Pizza Pub, 224 East College Ave., Tallahassee.)

FRIED CELEBRATES TAKING OFFICE: Agriculture Commissioner-elect Nikki Fried will hold a “Growing a Stronger Florida” celebration on the night before she takes office. (Monday, 7:30 p.m., Florida State University, Doak Campbell Stadium, University Center Club, 403 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee.)

Also:

ENTERPRISE FLORIDA BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Enterprise Florida Board of Directors will hold a conference call and is expected to consider appointing Jamal Sowell as the public-private agency’s president. Sowell most recently has served as chief of staff at Port Tampa Bay. (Monday, 11 a.m. Call-in number: 1-800-501-8979. Code: 9565631)

JUDGE HEARS ARGUMENTS ON BROWARD SUPERVISOR: A federal judge will hear arguments in a legal battle about whether suspended Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes should be able to regain her job. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark Walker will consider a preliminary-injunction request by Snipes, who filed a lawsuit against Gov. Rick Scott and Senate President Bill Galvano, arguing that her due-process rights had been violated. After a turbulent election in Broward County, Snipes announced on Nov. 18 that she would resign from the supervisor’s post effective Jan. 4. Scott on Nov. 30 issued an executive order to suspend Snipes, but she decided to rescind the resignation and fight the suspension. The Senate has the constitutional authority to remove from office or reinstate suspended elected officials, but Galvano, R-Bradenton, said the Senate would not take up the Snipes matter because of a lack of time to conduct a “full investigation into the serious assertions” in Scott’s executive order. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block Scott and Galvano from enforcing parts of state law and a Senate rule dealing with suspensions. (Monday, 1 p.m., United States Courthouse, 111 North Adams St., Tallahassee.)

VISIT FLORIDA PRESIDENT DISCUSSED: The Visit Florida Board of Directors will hold a conference call to discuss the selection of a new president and CEO for the tourism-marketing agency. The board is seeking a replacement for Ken Lawson, who was named by Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis to serve as executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. DeSantis has backed former state Sen. Dana Young to lead Visit Florida. (Monday, 1 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-354-0094. Code: 699912#)

GULF RED SNAPPER AT ISSUE: The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will kick off 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. (Monday, 6 p.m., Hyatt Place Fort Myers at the Forum, 2600 Champion Ring Road, Fort Myers.)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2019

Legislature:

HOUSE MEMBERS GET FINANCIAL PICTURE: The House Appropriations Committee will receive a presentation about an annual report known as the Long Range Financial Outlook, which details issues such as projected revenues and expenses in the coming years. Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic and Demographic Research, made a similar presentation Dec. 12 to the Senate Appropriations Committee and warned that the state budget for 2019-2020 could be affected by expenses related to Hurricane Michael. (Tuesday, 9:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL SAFETY DISCUSSED: The Senate Education Committee will receive an update on school safety and security issues. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

SENATE PANEL JURISDICTION EXPLAINED: The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will receive an overview of its jurisdiction. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

K-12 GOVERNANCE AT ISSUE: The House Education Committee will receive an overview of the governance structure for the kindergarten through 12th-grade system. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MEDICAID MANAGED CARE DISCUSSED: The House Health & Human Services Committee will receive a presentation from the Agency for Health Care Administration about the Medicaid managed-care program. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE COMMITTEES LOOK AT JURISDICTION: The House Judiciary Committee, the House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee and the House State Affairs Committee will receive overviews about their jurisdictions. (Judiciary, 3 p.m., 404 House Office Building the Capitol. Also, Public Integrity & Ethics, 4:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, State Affairs, 4:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

VEGETABLE GARDENS GET BACKING: The Senate Community Affairs Committee will take up a bill (SB 82), filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that would largely bar local regulations on 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. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

HURRICANE ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE EYED: The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee will discuss the environmental impacts of Hurricane Michael, which caused massive damage after making landfall Oct. 10 as a Category 4 storm in Mexico Beach. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

ETHICS, ELECTIONS AT ISSUE: The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will receive presentations from the Florida Commission on Ethics and the Florida Elections Commission. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

STATE ECONOMY ON TABLE: The House Commerce Committee will receive a Florida economic overview. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

Inauguration:

PRAYER BREAKFAST HELD: A prayer breakfast will be held at Florida A&M University as part of the inauguration events for Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis. Joining DeSantis will be Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nunez. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Florida A&M University, 1601 South Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tallahassee.)

DESANTIS SWORN IN: The swearing-in ceremony for Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis, Lt. Gov-elect Jeanette Nunez and Cabinet members Jimmy Patronis, Ashley Moody and Nikki Fried will be held. DeSantis, a former Republican congressman, defeated Democrat Andrew Gillum in the Nov. 6 election, while Patronis held on to his state chief financial officer post and Moody and Fried were elected attorney general and agriculture commissioner, respectively. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., steps of the Old Capitol.)

DESANTIS ADDRESS LAWMAKERS, CABINET MEMBERS: New Gov. Ron DeSantis will address legislative leaders and Cabinet members during a luncheon event after being formally sworn into office. Participants in the event will include Lt. Gov.-elect Jeanette Nunez; Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton; and House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., fourth floor, the Capitol.)

ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE OFFERS TOURS: New Attorney General Ashley Moody plans to hold an open house after she is sworn into office. (Tuesday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., Attorney General’s Office, first floor, the Capitol.)

INAUGURATION CELEBRATED: An inaugural ball will be held to celebrate Republican Ron DeSantis taking office as governor and Jeanette Nunez taking office as lieutenant governor. (Tuesday, 7 p.m., Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)

Also:

FLORIDA GULF COAST TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees is scheduled to meet. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Florida Gulf Coast University, Cohen Center Ballroom, 10501 FGCU Blvd. South, Fort Myers.)

MARIJUANA SMOKING CASE HEARD: A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a legal battle about whether a ban on smoking medical marijuana violates a 2016 constitutional amendment. The case stems from a 2017 state law that was designed to carry out a voter-approved 2016 constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. The 2017 law included a ban on smoking marijuana, which drew a challenge from plaintiffs including the group People United for Medical Marijuana and two patients. Leon County Circuit Judge Karen Gievers ruled in May that the smoking ban violated the constitutional amendment. But supporters of the ban have argued that smoking poses health risks for patients, who can use medical marijuana in other forms to treat their conditions. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

SUWANNEE WATER BOARD MEETS: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)

UTILITY ISSUES WEIGHED: The Florida Public Service Commission will take up a series of issues related to electric utilities, telecommunications and water and wastewater service. Following a regular meeting, the commission will consider Duke Energy Florida’s tax impacts from a federal tax overhaul passed in December 2017. That overhaul included cutting corporate income-tax rates from 35 percent to 21 percent. (Tuesday, 9:30 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 Duval and Bay counties. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Duval County Pablo Creek Regional Library, 13295 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville. Also, noon, Bay County Public Library, 898 West 11th St., Panama City.)

HEARING HELD IN OIL DRILLING DISPUTE: A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a dispute about whether the Florida Department of Environmental Protection should allow a Broward County landowner to drill an exploratory oil well in the Everglades. An administrative law judge recommended in 2017 that Kanter Real Estate LLC, a major landowner in western Broward County, should be allowed to drill an exploratory well. But under administrative law, the recommendation went back to the Department of Environmental Protection for final action. Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein issued a final order denying the drilling permit, saying the lands involved are “in the environmentally sensitive Everglades” and that the department had not issued such an exploratory permit in the Everglades since 1967. Kanter then took the dispute to the Tallahassee-based appeals court. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

COURT TAKES UP LIFE INSURANCE CASE: A panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a case stemming from a 2016 law that, in part, placed new requirements on life-insurance companies to try to determine if policyholders had died and to contact beneficiaries. The law was designed to spur insurers to pay benefits or to turn over unclaimed money to the state. State Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and the Florida Department of Financial Services took the case to the appeals court after a Leon County circuit judge ruled that part of the law requiring insurers to apply the changes retroactively to policies dating back as far as 1992 violated the companies’ constitutional due-process rights. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 1st District Court of Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)

FLORIDA GATEWAY TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Gateway College Board of Trustees will hold a workshop, followed by a regular board meeting. (Tuesday, workshop at 4 p.m., board meeting at 5 p.m., Florida Gateway College, Administration Building, Lake City.)

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. Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park, 950 Lake Carillon Dr., St. Petersburg.)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2019

Legislature:

SEPTIC SYSTEMS GET ATTENTION: The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation on nutrient loads caused by septic systems. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

CIVIL CITATIONS ON TABLE: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will receive presentations about civil-citation programs, including the program in Leon County. Civil citation programs can be used for juvenile offenders. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HOUSE PANEL HEARS ABOUT PSC: The House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee will receive overviews of the Florida Public Service Commission and the state Office of Public Counsel, which represents consumers in utility issues. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EYED: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will receive an overview of the Florida Department of Health. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

VETERANS, MILITARY BENEFITS AT ISSUE: The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will receive an update about recent legislation that provided licensing and education benefits to veterans, military members and their spouses. (Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

BASE BUDGETS DISCUSSED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee will receive overviews of their base budgets. (Wednesday, Agriculture & Natural Resources, 10:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Transportation & Tourism, 10:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

UNIVERSITY BUILDING PROJECTS SCRUTINIZED: The House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee, the House Higher Education & Career Readiness Subcommittee and the House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee have scheduled a joint meeting to discuss improper spending on building projects at the University of Central Florida and oversight issues in the higher-education system. 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. The revelation about the UCF spending prompted the university system’s Board of Governors to call for all 12 universities to review their funding of building projects over the last decade. The meeting of the House panels is scheduled to include a series of topics, including an investigation of the UCF spending, audit processes in the university system and the use of what are known as “carry forward” fund balances at state universities and colleges. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

STATE REVENUES ON TABLE: The House Ways & Means Committee will receive a staff presentation about the outlook for state general revenue and other major revenue sources. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

MILITARY AFFAIRS AT ISSUE: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs and Space Committee will receive an overview of its jurisdiction and a presentation from the Department of Military Affairs. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)

SPRINGS, EVERGLADES GET ATTENTION: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will receive an overview of a law dealing with the protection of natural springs and issues related to Everglades restoration. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

BEVERAGE LAWS ON TAP: The House Business & Professions Subcommittee will hold a panel discussion related to beverage laws. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

EARLY LEARNING, SCHOLARSHIPS ON AGENDA: The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee will receive presentations about early-learning and state-scholarship programs. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

TOLL ROADS TARGETED: The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will receive an overview about tolling operations in the state. (Wednesday, 5 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

BASE BUDGETS EYED: The House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will receive overviews of their base budgets. (Wednesday, Government Operations & Technology, 5 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Health Care, 5 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

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

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

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade County. (Wednesday, noon, West Kendall Regional Library, 10201 Hammocks Blvd., #159, Miami. Also, 1:30 p.m., Kendale Lakes Branch Library, 15205 S.W. 88th St., Miami.)

LANDFILLS EYED: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, South District, will hold a workshop on landfills, with a focus on issues such as regulation updates, permitting requirements and training requirements. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., Joseph P. D'Alessandro Building, Room 364, 2295 Victoria Ave. Fort Myers.)

FDOT SECRETARY SEARCH CONDUCTED: The Florida Transportation Commission will continue to review applications for a new secretary of the Department of Transportation. Former Secretary Mike Dew left Dec. 3 to join Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ transition team. (Wednesday, 2 p.m. Florida Department of Transportation, Burns Building Auditorium, 605 Suwannee St., Tallahassee. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 312683122.)

GORKA SPEAKS IN PALM BEACH: Sebastian Gorka, a former strategist for President Donald Trump, will speak at an event hosted by the Palm Beach Republican Club. (Wednesday, 6:15 p.m., The Beach Club, 755 North County Road, Palm Beach.)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 10, 2019

Legislature:

APD, ELDER AFFAIRS AT ISSUE: The House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee will receive overviews of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Department of Elder Affairs. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

COURT FILINGS CONSIDERED: The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Office of the State Courts Administrator about court-system filings and dispositions. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

GAMING PANEL GETS OVERVIEW: The House Gaming Control Subcommittee will receive an overview. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

COLLEGE SYSTEM AT ISSUE: The House Higher Education & Career Readiness Subcommittee will receive a presentation about the State Board of Education’s governance of the Florida College System. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

RULEMAKING DETAILED: The House Oversight, Transparency & Public Management Subcommittee will receive a presentation about rulemaking and legislative oversight of agency rulemaking. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

EDUCATION BUDGET EYED: The House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an overview of the base education budget. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

AHCA DUTIES AT ISSUE: The House Health Market Reform Subcommittee will receive an overview about the roles and responsibilities of the Agency for Health Care Administration. (Thursday, 11 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

HIGHER EDUCATION BUDGET DISCUSSED: The House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an overview of the higher-education base budget. (Thursday, 11 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)

PANEL HEARS ABOUT OIR, CITIZENS: The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee will receive overviews of the Office of Insurance Regulation, Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and the Florida Department of Financial Services. (Thursday, 11 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

JUSTICE SYSTEM BUDGET EXPLAINED: The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an overview of the justice-system base budget. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT GETS FOCUS: The House PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee will receive a presentation on school improvement. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)

CAREERSOURCE FLORIDA EYED: The House Workforce Development & Tourism Subcommittee will receive a presentation from CareerSource Florida. (Thursday, 11 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)

Also:

FDOT SECRETARY SEARCH CONDUCTED: The Florida Transportation Commission will continue to review applications for a new secretary of the Department of Transportation. Former Secretary Mike Dew left Dec. 3 to join Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis’ transition team. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Florida Department of Transportation, Burns Building Auditorium, 605 Suwannee St., Tallahassee. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 312683122.)

SOUTH FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)

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

CITI OFFICIAL SPEAKS TO ECONOMIC CLUB: Sandy Kaul, a managing director and global head of business advisory services for Citi, is scheduled to speak to the Economic Club of Florida. (Thursday, noon, FSU Alumni Center, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee.)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Gulf and Seminole counties. (Thursday, noon, American Legion Post 116, 1774 Trout Ave., Port St. Joe. Also, 1:30 p.m., Seminole County Library, in conjunction with the Seminole County Legal Aid Society, 215 North Oxford Road, Casselberry.)

FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates running in 2020, political committees and parties face a Thursday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Dec. 31.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2019       

COLLEGE PRESIDENTS GATHER: The Council of Presidents of the Florida College System will meet. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Association of Florida Colleges, 1725 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)

PODIATRIC BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Podiatric Medicine will meet in Orange County. (Friday, 9 a.m., Hilton Gardens Inn Orlando at SeaWorld, 6850 Westwood Blvd., Orlando.)

NURSING HOME ADMINISTRATORS HOLD CALL: The Florida Board of Nursing Home Administrators will hold a conference call. (Friday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 136103141)

RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Nassau County. (Friday, 9 a.m., Nassau County Council on Aging, 1901 Island Walkway, Fernandina Beach.)

CITRUS FORECAST UPDATED: The U.S. Department of Agriculture is scheduled to release an updated forecast for Florida’s citrus-growing season. (Friday, noon.)