SPECIAL ELECTION IN HOUSE DISTRICT 64 According to unofficial election returns, James Grant (R-Tampa) was re-elected today in a special election held in House District 64. Although it appeared that Representative Grant had been re-elected in the November General Election, a legal controversy arose over whether the write-in candidate in this race was eligible to…
FSBA LEGISLATIVE VIDEO UPDATE #7 Our Video Update for the 7th week of the 2015 Legislative Session has been posted on the FSBA website at www.fsba.org – you may access the video by clicking on the link to 2015 Legislative Session Video Update 7 under “Legislative Session Updates” (located below the pictures on our main page)…
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS In the Senate Appropriations Committee: SB 154 – Hazardous Walking Conditions by Hays – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE (CS) Revising criteria that determine a hazardous walking condition for public school students; requiring a district school board to correct hazardous walking conditions and provide transportation to students who would be subjected…
BUDGET UPDATE Normally, at this point in the legislative session, budget conference committees would be working on resolving differences between the House and Senate budget bills. However, negotiations have been at a stand-still for a few weeks due to a significant disagreement between the House and Senate on funding for the Low Income Pool (LIP),…
UPDATE ON THE ASSESSMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY BILL – SB 7069 Today, Governor Scott signed HB 7069 into law. The bill addresses many of the concerns that have been raised by school board members, superintendents, educators and parents about the state’s accountability and assessment system. We have not completed our detailed analysis of the bill, but…
FSBA LEGISLATIVE VIDEO UPDATE #6 Our Video Update for the 6th week of the 2015 Legislative Session has been posted on the FSBA website at www.fsba.org – you may access the video by clicking on the link to 2015 Legislative Session Video Update 6 under “Legislative Session Updates” (located below the pictures on our main page)…
LEGISLATURE PASSES ACCOUNTABILITY BILL – HB 7069 In a move that took many observers and education advocates by surprise, the House took up and passed the Senate’s version of HB 7069 relating to education accountability. The bill had passed unanimously in the House a few weeks ago, but was amended last week when the Senate…
LEGISLATIVE SPECIAL ELECTIONS Three special elections were held on Tuesday to fill one vacancy in the Senate and two vacancies in the House. The vacancies were all triggered by the departure of Republican Senator John Thrasher who vacated his Senate District 6 seat to accept the post of President of Florida State University. Among the…
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS In the House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee: HB 231 – Transportation by Passidomo — PASSED Revises provisions relating to rights & safety of vulnerable users of public roadway; prohibits assault of bicycle riders; revises provisions for careless driving; provides penalties for specified infractions contributing to bodily injury or death. HB 933 – Growth Management…
FSBA LEGISLATIVE VIDEO UPDATE #2 Our Video Update for the 5th week of the 2015 Legislative Session has been posted on the FSBA website at www.fsba.org – you may access the video by clicking on the link to 2015 Legislative Session Video Update 5 under “Legislative Session Updates” (located below the pictures on our main page)…