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 candidates vying for the Senate District 6 seat were two current members of the Florida House – Republican Ronald “Doc” Renuart (House District 17) and Republican Travis Hutson (House District 24) – both of whom had to submit a resignation from their House seats that became effective on the date of the special elections (April 7) which opened their House seats for election. Travis Hutson was elected to fill the Senate District 6 seat vacated by John Thrasher, Republican Paul Renner was elected to fill the House District 24 seat vacated by Travis Hutson, and Republican Cyndi Stevenson was elected to fill the House District 17 seat vacated by Ronald “Doc” Renuart.
TODAY’S HAPPENINGS
In the House Judiciary Committee:
HB 151 – Sexual Cyberharassment by Goodson — PASSED
Prohibits person from willfully & maliciously sexually cyberharassing another person; authorizes law enforcement officer to arrest, without warrant, person that he or she has probable cause to believe has committed sexual cyberharassment; authorizes search warrant to be issued in specified instances; provides civil remedies; provides exceptions; authorizes law enforcement officer to arrest, without warrant, person that he or she has probable cause to believe has committed sexual cyberharassment; provides exception to prohibition on search warrants being issued to search private dwellings.
HB 383 – Private Property Rights by Edwards – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE (CS)
Authorizes government to treat written claim as pending litigation for certain purposes; provides that settlement agreement reached between owner & government applies issues are resolved; authorizes property owner to bring an action for injunctive relief or recovery of damages caused by prohibited exaction; requires owner to provide written notice of action to relevant government; specifies burdens of proof; authorizes award of prejudgment interest & attorney fees & costs; waives state’s sovereign immunity for certain causes of action; specifies that action concerning prohibited exaction is not to be construed in pari materia with certain other provisions of law.
In the House State Affairs Committee:
HB 113 – Local Government Construction Preferences by Perry – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Prohibits local ordinances & regulations from restricting competition for award of construction services based upon certain conditions; requires state college, school district, or other political subdivision to make specified disclosures in competitive solicitation documents.
HB 1083 – Employment of Individuals With Disabilities by Rooney – PASSED
Provides legislative findings & purpose; requires specified state agencies & organizations to develop & implement interagency cooperative agreement for certain purposes.
In the Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee:
SB 888 – Educational Professional Practices by Detert — PASSED
Authorizing certain employees or agents of the Department of Education to have access to certain reports and records; revising the membership of the Education Practices Commission; authorizing the Commissioner of Education to appoint emeritus members to the commission; authorizing the commissioner to issue a letter of guidance in response to a complaint against a teacher or administrator in lieu of a probable cause determination, etc.
SB 942 – Rapid Response Education & Training Program by D. Gaetz — PASSED
Establishing the Rapid Response Education and Training Program within the Complete Florida Plus Program; requiring the Complete Florida Plus Program to work with Enterprise Florida, Inc., to offer certain education and training commitments to businesses, etc.
SB 948 – Career Education and Job Training by D. Gaetz – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Revising characteristics of an apprenticeable occupation; requiring a low-performing elementary school to administer the required additional hours of instruction in a summer program during specified fiscal years; establishing the Rapid Response Education and Training Program within the Complete Florida Plus Program; 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, etc. [NOTE: The bill was substantially expanded via a “strike all” amendment that added several new provisions, including some that were the subject of separate bills. Among the elements added are provisions relating to digital classrooms (similar to provisions of SB 1264 below), provisions relating to standard student attire (similar to provisions in HB 7043 & SB 1474), provisions relating to instruction regarding the terrorist attacks (similar to provisions in HB 85 & SB 358), and provisions relating to teacher evaluations.]
SB 1252 – Higher Education by Stargel – TEMPORARILY POSTPONED
Deleting a provision prohibiting the State Board of Education from approving Florida College System institution baccalaureate degree program proposals during a certain timeframe; revising accountability measures for the Department of Education regarding career education to include program standards that reflect the quality components of the career and technical education programs, etc.
SB 1264 – Digital Classrooms by Legg – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
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.
SB 1522 – Workforce Training by Detert – AMENDED AND PASSED WITH A CS
Requiring the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Opportunity, to identify and recommend specified apprenticeship programs; requiring the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Economic Opportunity, to identify and recommend specified preapprenticeship programs, etc.
SB 7050 – Digital Classrooms by Governmental Oversight – NOT CONSIDERED
Requiring the Agency for State Technology to establish and publish information technology architecture standards for purposes of implementing digital classrooms by a specified date; requiring the agency’s annual assessment of the Department of Education to review specified issues with respect to school district digital classrooms plans and to provide planning assistance to address and reduce issues identified by the assessment, etc.
In the Senate Health & Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee:
SB 1526 – Athletic Trainers by Legg — PASSED
Deleting the requirement for the Governor to appoint the initial members of the Board of Athletic Training; revising the board’s authorization to adopt certain rules relating to communication between an athletic trainer and a supervising physician; revising responsibilities of athletic trainers to include requirements that a trainer must practice under the direction of a physician; revising general background screening provisions to include athletic trainers, etc.
In the House SESSION:
Bills on 2nd Reading:
HB 361 – Military Housing Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions by Trumbull – READ 2ND TIME; AMENDED; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/9/15
Grants certain leasehold interests & improvements to land owned by U.S. or agency thereof, branch of U.S. Armed Forces, or quasi-governmental agency exemption from ad valorem taxation; exempts such leasehold interests & improvements without need to apply for exemption or property appraiser approving exemption; provides nonapplicability & retroactive applicability.
HB 7141 – Taxation by Finance & Tax – READ 2ND TIME; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/9/15
Increases property tax exemptions for certain persons; reduces tax rate to certain satellite services; revises distributions of tax revenues from sales & use tax, communications services tax, & gross receipts tax; revises provisions concerning communications services tax & rates; exempts various products from sales & use tax; repeals estate tax; requires circuit court judges to provide monthly reports concerning decedents; creates Defense Works in Florida Incentive to reduce computation of adjusted federal income for certain contractors; extends date for tax credit for certain community contribution donations; increases tax credits for rehabilitation of certain contaminated sites; provides various sales tax holidays.
HB 541 – Athletic Trainers by Plasencia — READ 2ND TIME; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/9/15
Deletes requirement for Governor to appoint initial members of Board of Athletic Training; revises board’s authorization to adopt certain rules; revises requirements for licensure; authorizes board to require background screening; revises responsibilities of athletic trainers to practice under direction of physician; prohibits sexual misconduct by athletic trainers; prohibits unlicensed practice of athletic training; prohibits unlicensed person from using specified titles; revises which acts constitute grounds for disciplinary action; provides exemptions; revises general background screening provisions to include athletic trainers.
HB 493 – Concealed Weapon / Evacuations by Fitzenhagen – READ 2ND TIME; SUBSTITUTED FOR SB 290; HB 493 LAID ON THE TABLE
Provides exemption from criminal penalties for carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm while in act of evacuating pursuant to mandatory evacuation order during declared state of emergency.
SB 290 – Concealed Weapon / Evacuations by Brandes – SUBSTITUTED FOR HB 493; READ 2ND TIME; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/9/15
Providing an exemption from criminal penalties for carrying a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm when evacuating pursuant to a mandatory evacuation order during a declared state of emergency, etc.
In the Senate SESSION:
Bills on 3rd Reading:
SB 408 – Skateboarding, Skating, or Bicycling by Simmons – READ 3RD TIME; PASSED THE SENATE
Deleting the requirement that a governmental entity that provides a designated area for skateboarding, inline skating, or freestyle bicycling obtain the written consent of the parent or legal guardian of a child under a certain age before allowing the child to participate in these activities in such area; requiring the governmental entity to post a rule indicating that consent forms are required for children under a certain age before participation in paintball or mountain and off-road bicycling, etc.
HB 489 – Value Adjustment Board Proceedings by Sullivan — READ 3RD TIME; PASSED THE SENATE
Requires clerk of VAB to have available & distribute specified forms; authorizes owner of multiple items of tangible personal property to file joint petition with VAB; requires property appraiser to include property record card in evidence list for VAB hearing.
Bills on 2nd Reading:
SB 802 – Vocational Rehabilitation by D. Gaetz – READ 2ND TIME; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/14/15
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 – TEMPORARILY POSTPONED ON 2ND READING; RETAINED ON SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR
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 — TEMPORARILY POSTPONED ON 2ND READING; RETAINED ON CALENDAR
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.
SB 7002 – Workforce Services by Commerce & Tourism – READ 2ND TIME; SUBSTITUTED FOR HB 7019; SB 7002 LAID ON THE TABLE
Renaming Workforce Florida, Inc., as CareerSource Florida, Inc.; creating a task force on preparation for the state’s implementation of the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act; requiring CareerSource Florida, Inc., to submit a specified state plan to the United States Department of Labor, etc.
HB 7019 – Workforce Services by Economic Development & Tourism – SUBSTITUTED FOR SB 7002; READ 2ND TIME; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/14/15
Renames Workforce Florida, Inc., as CareerSource Florida, Inc.; creates task force on preparation for state’s implementation of federal Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act; provides membership & duties of task force; requires task force to submit report & recommendations for approval by CareerSource Florida, Inc.; requires CareerSource Florida, Inc., to submit specified state plan to USDOL; provides for abolishment of task force.
SB 778 – Local Government Construction Preferences by Hays — TEMPORARILY POSTPONED ON 2ND READING; RETAINED ON SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR
Prohibiting local ordinances and regulations from restricting competition for the award of a contract for construction services based upon certain conditions; requiring a state college, county, municipality, school district, or other political subdivision of the state to make specified disclosures in competitive solicitation documents, etc.
SB 378 – Juvenile Justice by Garcia – RETAINED ON SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR
Authorizing a law enforcement officer to issue a warning to a juvenile who admits having committed a misdemeanor or to inform the child’s parent or guardian of the child’s infraction; requiring a law enforcement officer who does not exercise one of these options to issue a civil citation or require participation in a similar diversion program; providing that, in exceptional situations, a law enforcement officer may arrest a first-time misdemeanor offender in the interest of protecting public safety, etc.
COMING UP TOMORROW
[REMINDER: Most meetings are available via Florida Channel webcasts at http://thefloridachannel.org]
The Senate Children, Families, & Elder Affairs Committee will meet (9:00 – 11:00 am) to consider the following item and others:
SB 344 – Mental Health First Aid Training Program by Sobel
Requiring the Department of Education to establish a mental health first aid training program; requiring the department to use a competitive procurement process to select a statewide association to develop, implement, and manage the program; providing for expiration of the program; providing an appropriation; requiring the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to submit a report to the Legislature by a specified date, etc.
The House Education Committee will meet (9:00 – 11:00 am) to consider:
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 1045 – Homebound Instruction by Burgess
Requires school districts to provide instruction to homebound or hospitalized students; provides for student eligibility, methods of providing instruction to homebound or hospitalized students, & initiation of services.
HB 1145 – Education / Parent and Student Rights by Sprowls
Revises provisions relating to public & private school choice, fiscal transparency, controlled open enrollment, educational funding accountability, assignment of teachers, salary incentives, & certification of adjunct educators.
HB 1153 – Vocational Rehabilitation by Ingoglia
Requires Workforce Florida, Inc., to include measurable performance goals for employment of persons who have a disability in a state strategic plan.
HB 7125 – Postsecondary Access & Affordability by Higher Education
Revises provisions relating to apprenticeships, postsecondary tuition & fees, tuition differentials, career education, textbooks & instructional materials, & Higher Education Coordinating Council; creates Florida Apprenticeship Grant Program & Rapid Response Education & Training Program; provides requirements for programs.
HB 7127 – Higher Education by Higher Education
Revises provisions relating to apprenticeships, baccalaureate degree programs, career centers & charter technical career centers, applied technology diplomas, common placement test, & adult & workforce education programs.
The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee will meet (9:00 – 11:00 am) to consider the following item and others:
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.
The House will be in SESSION (1:00 pm – completion of business) to consider the following items and others:
Bills on 3rd Reading:
HB 361 – Military Housing Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions by Trumbull
Grants certain leasehold interests & improvements to land owned by U.S. or agency thereof, branch of U.S. Armed Forces, or quasi-governmental agency exemption from ad valorem taxation; exempts such leasehold interests & improvements without need to apply for exemption or property appraiser approving exemption; provides nonapplicability & retroactive applicability.
HB 7141 – Taxation by Finance & Tax
Increases property tax exemptions for certain persons; reduces tax rate to certain satellite services; revises distributions of tax revenues from sales & use tax, communications services tax, & gross receipts tax; revises provisions concerning communications services tax & rates; exempts various products from sales & use tax; repeals estate tax; requires circuit court judges to provide monthly reports concerning decedents; creates Defense Works in Florida Incentive to reduce computation of adjusted federal income for certain contractors; extends date for tax credit for certain community contribution donations; increases tax credits for rehabilitation of certain contaminated sites; provides various sales tax holidays.
HB 541 – Athletic Trainers by Plasencia
Deletes requirement for Governor to appoint initial members of Board of Athletic Training; revises board’s authorization to adopt certain rules; revises requirements for licensure; authorizes board to require background screening; revises responsibilities of athletic trainers to practice under direction of physician; prohibits sexual misconduct by athletic trainers; prohibits unlicensed practice of athletic training; prohibits unlicensed person from using specified titles; revises which acts constitute grounds for disciplinary action; provides exemptions; revises general background screening provisions to include athletic trainers.
SB 290 – Concealed Weapon / Evacuations by Brandes
Providing an exemption from criminal penalties for carrying a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm when evacuating pursuant to a mandatory evacuation order during a declared state of emergency, etc.
The Senate Appropriations Committee will meet (1:00 – 4:00 pm) to consider the following items and others:
SB 686 – Military Housing Ad Valorem Tax Exemptions by T. Lee
Providing that certain leasehold interests and improvements to land owned by the United States, a branch of the United States Armed Forces, or any agency or quasi-governmental agency of the United States are exempt from ad valorem taxation under specified circumstances; providing that such leasehold interests and improvements are entitled to an exemption from ad valorem taxation without an application being filed for the exemption or the property appraiser approving the exemption, etc.
SB 818 – Maximum Class Size by Garcia
Requiring the calculation of a school district’s class size categorical allocation reduction at the school average when maximum class size requirements are not met; revising the calculation, etc.
SB 1050 – Agriculture and Consumer Services by Montford
Removing provisions requiring the department to give certain priority consideration when evaluating applications for funding of agriculture education and promotion facilities; authorizing the department to secure letters of patent, copyrights, and trademarks on work products and to engage in acts accordingly; authorizing the Commissioner of Agriculture to create an Office of Agriculture Technology Services; repealing provisions relating to the authority of the Florida Forest Service to dedicate and reserve state park lands for public use, etc.
SB 1054 – Retirement by Evers
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 1114 – Membership Associations that Receive Public Funds by Stargel
Requiring a membership association that receives more than a specified percentage of its budget from public funds to file a report with the Legislature; prohibiting a membership association whose membership dues are paid for by public funds from expending such funds on litigation against the state, etc.
Ruth Haseman Melton
Director of Government Relations
Florida School Boards Association
Office: 850 / 414-2578
Cell: 850 / 509-6411
Email: melton@fsba.org
