In the Local Government Affairs Subcommittee:
HB 527 – Public Works Projects by Van Zant – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE (CS)
Prohibits state & political subdivisions that contract for construction, maintenance, repair, or improvement of public works from imposing certain conditions on certain contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers or carriers; provides exception; prohibits state & political subdivisions from restricting qualified bidders from submitting bids, being awarded any bid or contract, or performing work on public works project.
In the Senate Higher Education Committee:
SB 802 – Vocational Rehabilitation by Gaetz — PASSED
Providing for the future repeal of the designation of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as the administrative unit for purposes of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, subject to legislative review of a required report; requiring the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to initiate, by a specified date, a performance improvement plan designed to achieve specified goals; requiring the division to develop and implement a pilot program to improve the state vocational rehabilitation program, etc.
SB 960 – Bright Futures Scholarship Program by T. Lee — PASSED
Requiring a student, as a prerequisite for the Florida Academic Scholars award, the Florida Medallion Scholars award, or the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholars award, to identify a social or civic issue or a professional area of interest and develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area; prohibiting the student from receiving remuneration or academic credit for the volunteer service work performed, etc.
SB 1140 – Bright Futures Scholarship Program by Montford — PASSED
Providing that the initial award and renewal period for students who are unable to accept an initial award immediately after completion of high school due to a full-time religious or service obligation begins upon the completion of the religious or service obligation, etc.
In the Senate Community Affairs Committee:
SB 924 – Property Prepared for Tax-Exempt Use by Hays – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Consolidating and revising provisions relating to obtaining an ad valorem exemption for property owned by an exempt organization, including the requirement that the owner of an exempt organization take affirmative steps to demonstrate an exempt use; authorizing the property appraiser to serve a notice of tax lien on exempt property that is not in actual exempt use after a certain time; providing that the provisions authorizing the tax lien do not apply to a house of public worship, etc.
SB 782 – County Officers by Montford – TEMPORARILY POSTPONED
Providing that the salaries of a clerk of circuit court, county comptroller, sheriff, supervisor of elections, property appraiser, tax collector, and district school superintendent may not be decreased under specific circumstances as the county population increases, etc.
SB 242 – Publicly Funded Retirement Plans by Brandes – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Requiring that actuarial reports for certain retirement plans include mortality tables; revising information to be included in a defined benefit system or plan’s annual report to the Department of Management Services; providing a declaration of important state interest, etc.
SB 562 – Growth Management by Simpson — PASSED
Requiring plan amendments proposing a development that qualifies as a development of regional impact to be subject to the state coordinated review process; providing that new proposed developments are subject to the state coordinated review process and not the development of regional impact review process, etc.
SB 484 – Regional Planning Councils by Simpson – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Requiring the state land planning agency to identify parties that may enter into mediation relating to the compatibility of developments with military installations; requiring electric utilities to notify the county, rather than the regional planning council, of its current plans to site electric substations; authorizing local governments to enter into agreements to create regional planning entities; revising the requirements for the statewide emergency shelter plan to include the general location and square footage of special needs shelters by county rather than by regional planning council region, etc.
In the Senate Governmental Oversight & Accountability Committee:
SB 848 – Employment of Individuals with Disabilities by Richter – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Citing this act as the “Employment First Act”; requiring specified state agencies and organizations to develop and implement an interagency cooperative agreement; requiring the interagency cooperative agreement to provide the roles, responsibilities, and objectives of state agencies and organizations, etc.
SB 574 – Government Procurement by Montford – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Defining the term “reverse auction”; requiring the Department of Management Services to maintain a program for reverse auctions; authorizing the Department of Education to use reverse auctions and other online procurement programs in assisting district school boards with transportation services contracts; authorizing the Board of Governors to adopt regulations establishing procedures governing a state university’s participation in reverse auctions and other online procurement programs, etc. [NOTE: Today’s amendment narrowed the scope of the bill to apply only to school districts; authorizing competitive procurement strategies through the use electronic auction services or other efficient procurement tools for certain purchases.]
SB 934 – Public Works Projects by Brandes – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Prohibiting state and political subdivisions that contract for the construction, maintenance, repair, or improvement of public works from imposing certain conditions on certain contractors, subcontractors, or material suppliers or carriers; providing an exception; prohibiting state and political subdivisions from restricting qualified bidders from submitting bids, being awarded any bid or contract, or performing work on a public works project, etc.
SB 1054 – Retirement by Evers – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Authorizing local agency employers to reassess designation of positions for inclusion in the Senior Management Service Class; providing for removal of certain positions, etc.
SB 946 – Holidays & Observances / Sir Lancelot Jones by Bullard — PASSED
Designating the second Monday in October of each year as “Sir Lancelot Jones Day”; authorizing the Governor to issue proclamations commemorating the occasion; encouraging public officials, schools, private organizations, and citizens to commemorate the occasion, etc.
SB 7042 – Florida Retirement System by Governmental Oversight – SUBMITTED AS A COMMITTEE BILL
Authorizing renewed membership in the retirement system for retirees who are reemployed in a position eligible for the Elected Officers’ Class under certain circumstances; authorizing renewed membership in the retirement system for retirees who are reemployed in a position eligible for the Elected Officers’ Class under certain circumstances; authorizing renewed membership in the retirement system for retirees who are reemployed in a position eligible for the Elected Officers’ Class under certain circumstances, etc.
COMING UP TOMORROW
[REMINDER: Florida Channel webcasts available at http://thefloridachannel.org]
The House Government Operations Subcommittee will meet (8:00 am-12:00 pm) to consider the following item and others:
HB 565 – Retirement by Beshears
Authorizes local agency employers to reassess designation of positions for inclusion in SMS Class; provides for removal of certain positions.
The Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will meet (9:00 am-12:00 pm) to consider the following item and others:
SB 380 – Persons with Developmental Disabilities by Bradley
Requiring the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to allow an applicant whose parent or guardian is a member of the United States Armed Forces, the Florida National Guard, or the United States Reserve Forces to receive Medicaid home and community-based waiver program services under certain conditions, etc.
The Senate Transportation, Tourism, & Economic Devel. Appropriations Subcommittee will meet (9:00am-12:00 pm) to consider the following item and others:
SB 346 – School Bus Stop Safety by Simmons
Citing this act as the “Gabby’s Law for School Bus Stop Safety”; revising penalties for failure to stop a vehicle upon approaching a school bus that displays a stop signal; providing for criminal penalties under certain circumstances; amending provisions relating to application of specified provisions, disposition of penalty amounts received, and trauma payments, etc.
The House Children, Families, & Seniors Subcommittee will meet (10:00 am-12:00 pm) to consider:
HB 177 – Persons with Developmental Disabilities by Hill
Allows eligible individual whose parent or guardian is member of U.S. Armed Forces, Florida National Guard, or U.S. Reserve Forces to receive Medicaid home and community-based waiver services under certain conditions.
HB 291 – Involuntary Examinations of Minors by Harrell
Provides requirements for notification of involuntary examination of minors by public schools, charter schools, & receiving facilities.
The House Highway & Waterway Safety Subcommittee will mee (10:00 am-12:00 pm) to consider the following item and others:
HB 231 – Transportation by Passidomo
Revises provisions relating to the rights & safety of vulnerable users of public rights-of-way; prohibits assault of bicycle riders; revises provisions for careless driving; provides penalties for specified infractions contributing to bodily injury of vulnerable users; requires traffic law & substance abuse education courses to include certain instruction; requires driver license examinations to include test of applicant’s knowledge of certain traffic laws; requires driver education courses offered by school district to include certain information.
The House K-12 Subcommittee will meet (10:00 am-12:00 pm) to consider:
HB 19 – School Safety by Steube
Permits school superintendent, with approval of the school board, to authorize school safety designee to carry concealed weapon or firearm on school property; provides requirements for school safety designees; provides exception to prohibition on possession of firearms or other specified devices on school property or other specified areas; provides for fingerprint processing & retention; requires that fees be borne by school safety designee or school; requires school boards to formulate policies & procedures for dealing with active shooters & hostage situations in consultation with law enforcement; requires district school boards & private schools allow campus tours by local law enforcement agencies for specified purposes & that their recommendations be documented; permits district school boards to commission one or more school safety officers on each school campus. [NOTE: Representative Steube has worked diligently to address concerns that have been raised about this bill and has revised the bill to ensure school district local control and authority in any district that may wish to pursue these provisions. However, FSBA remains gravely concerned about the potential tragedies and unintended consequences that may result in any district that may choose to pursue the provisions of this bill.]
HB 85 – Public School Instruction / Terrorist Attacks by Hill
Requires that instructional staff of public schools provide instruction to students about terrorist attacks occurring on September 11, 2001, & impact of those events.
HB 181 – Educational Facilities / SREF Flexibility by Bileca
Provides for school district construction flexibility; authorizes exceptions to certain SREF educational facilities construction requirements under certain circumstances.
HB 587 – Educational Professional Practices by Spano
Authorizes certain employees or agents of DOE to have access to certain reports & records; revises membership of Education Practices Commission; authorizes Commissioner of Education to appoint emeritus members to commission; authorizes commissioner to issue letter of guidance in response to complaint against teacher or administrator in lieu of probable cause determination.
The House Judiciary Committee will meet (1:00-3:00 pm) to consider the following item and others:
HB 493 – Concealed Weapon / Evacuations by Fitzenhagen
Provides exemption from criminal penalties for carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm while in the act of evacuating pursuant to mandatory evacuation order during declared state of emergency; defines “in the act of evacuating.”
The Senate Education PreK-12 Committee will meet (2:00-4:00 pm) to consider:
Proposed SB 7046 – Education by Education PreK-12
Requiring a state research university to enter into and maintain a formal agreement with a specified organization to offer college-sponsored merit scholarship awards as a condition of designation as a preeminent state research university; authorizing a low-performing elementary school to administer the required additional hours of instruction in a summer program; revising the types and amounts of bonuses that a teacher may receive in any given school year, etc.
SB 518 – Voluntary Prekindergarten Program by Gibson
Revising provisions relating to calculation of the kindergarten readiness rate for Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program providers and schools; requiring the administration of a pre-assessment and post-assessment to students based upon adopted performance standards, etc.
SB 954 – Involuntary Examinations of Minors by Garcia
Requiring school health services plans to include notification requirements when a student is removed from school, school transportation, or a school-sponsored activity for involuntary examination; requiring a receiving facility to provide notice of the whereabouts of an adult or emancipated minor patient held for involuntary examination; providing conditions for delay in notification, etc.
SB 1116 – Literacy Jump Start Pilot Project by Abruzzo
Requiring the Office of Early Learning to establish the pilot project in St. Lucie County to assist low-income, at-risk children in developing emergent literacy skills; requiring the office to select an organization to implement the pilot project; encouraging the coordination of basic health screening and immunization services in conjunction with emergent literacy instruction, etc.
SB 1264 – Digital Classrooms by Legg
Establishing requirements for digital classrooms technology infrastructure planning by the Agency for State Technology or a contracted organization; requiring the Office of Technology and Information Services of the Department of Education to consult with the Agency for State Technology in developing the 5-year strategic plan for Florida digital classrooms; specifying conditions for a school district to maintain eligibility for Florida digital classrooms allocation funds, etc.
The Committee will also conduct a Workshop on School Choice Issues, including discussion of the following bills:
SB 254 – Charter Schools by Clemens
Requiring a charter school to demonstrate it meets certain needs that the local school district does not or is unable to provide to students in that district in order to obtain approval, etc.
SB 692 – Charter Schools by Brandes
Providing an exception to the prohibition on a high-performing charter school establishing more than one charter school in this state under specified circumstances; authorizing certain out-of-state entities to apply for designation as a high-performing charter school system; requiring that charter schools established by such entities receive a reduction in certain administrative fees, etc.
SB 720 – School Choice by Ring
Requiring a person or officer of an entity who submits a charter school application to undergo background screening; prohibiting a sponsor from approving a charter school application until completion and receipt of the results of such screening; requiring a charter school applicant to provide evidence of accreditation, etc.
SB 906 – Charter Schools by Sobel
Requiring an application for a charter school to contain a list of certain information regarding all charter schools currently or previously operated by the applicant, applicant group, or proposed management company; requiring a sponsor to consider current or previous charter school performance by the applicant, applicant group, or proposed management company; authorizing a sponsor to deny an application based on charter school failures, etc.
SB 952 – Charter School District Pilot Program by Garcia
Creating the Charter School District Pilot Program; requiring district school boards participating in the pilot program to allocate a specified percentage of certain funds to participating schools; providing additional authority and responsibilities of the principal of a participating school in a charter school district, etc.
SB 1036 – Charter Schools by Montford
Requiring a charter school application and charter to document that the governing board is independent of a management company; specifying circumstances under which a student is considered to have voluntarily withdrawn from a charter school; establishing procedures and requirements for audits and investigations of charter schools; deleting provisions relating to performance contracts for innovation schools of technology, etc.
SB 1038 – Charter Schools by Montford
Creating the “Charter School Excellence Act”; specifying the duties and responsibilities of the Department of Education with respect to the issuance of statements of need; requiring an applicant to file a letter of intent with the department before applying for a statement of need; authorizing the department to hold a public hearing regarding a proposed project under certain circumstances; prohibiting a person from undertaking a project subject to review without holding a statement of need, etc.
SB 1336 – Charter Schools by Braynon
Requiring a charter school applicant to provide verified evidence of a surety bond or secured escrow account in a certain amount within a specified timeframe, etc.
SB 1448 – Student Choice by Legg
Authorizing a parent to enroll his or her child in and transport his or her child to any public school that has not reached capacity, including charter schools, in any school district in this state; clarifying requirements for the creation of a virtual charter school; revising conditions for termination of a virtual instruction provider’s contract; establishing the Florida Charter School Innovation Institute, etc.
SB 1552 – Parent and Student Rights by Benacquisto
Providing the right of a parent to know the average amount of money expended for the education of his or her child; deleting the definition of and provisions relating to controlled open enrollment; requiring each school district to instead establish a public school parental choice policy that allows students to attend any public school that has not reached capacity in their district; requiring each school district board to establish a classroom teacher transfer process for parents, approve or deny a request within a certain timeframe, and post an explanation of the transfer process in the student handbook, etc.
Ruth Haseman Melton
Director of Government Relations
Florida School Boards Association
Office: 850 / 414-2578
Cell: 850 / 509-6411
Email: melton@fsba.org
