In the House SESSION:
HB 7137 – Student Extracurricular Activities by Education – READ 3RD TIME; PASSED THE HOUSE
Providing for periodic review of the Florida High School Athletic Association’s performance of its duties; providing requirements regarding fees and admission prices; revising provisions regarding eligibility, transfer, and recruiting; providing procedures for resolving student eligibility disputes; requiring the FHSAA to adopt guidelines, provide resources, and develop training courses relating to sports ethics; providing that member schools must meet certain requirements relating to the sports ethics guidelines, resources, and training courses provided by the FHSAA; revising the governing structure of the FHSAA; deleting requirements with respect to amendments to the FHSAA’s bylaws; establishing guiding principles for extracurricular activities; revising academic eligibility requirements; specifying grounds for student ineligibility for participation in interscholastic athletics; specifying conditions under which students who are enrolled in public schools, certain private schools, or home education programs may participate in the extracurricular activities of a public school; revising insurance requirements to include students who participate in nonathletic extracurricular activities; requiring that insurance coverage provided by district school boards for participants in extracurricular activities include certain students; providing a period within which an audit of a nonprofit association’s records must be provided to the Auditor General; requiring the Auditor General to conduct operational audits of the nonprofit association’s accounts and records; etc.
SB 408 – Skateboarding, Skating, or Bicycling by Simmons – READ 3RD TIME; PASSED THE HOUSE
Removes requirement that governmental entity that provides designated area for skateboarding, inline skating, or freestyle bicycling post rules indicating written consent of parent or legal guardian of child under certain age is required to participates; provides for application of specified provisions that limit liability of governmental entity.
HB 565 – Retirement by Beshears – READ 3RD TIME; PASSED THE HOUSE
Authorizes local agency employers to reassess designation of positions for inclusion in SMS Class; provides for removal of certain positions.
SB 7024 – State Board of Administration by Governmental Oversight – READ 3RD TIME; PASSED THE HOUSE; PASSED THE LEGISLATURE
Repeals provisions relating to investments in institutions doing business in or with Northern Ireland; provides for distribution of Fund B Surplus Funds Trust Fund assets to certain participants.
HB 915 – Building Codes by Eagle – READ 3RD TIME; PASSED THE HOUSE
Revises educational provisions for building code inspectors, plans examiners, & building code administrators; revises provisions related to the Florida Building Code; revises provisions regarding the Florida Building Code Compliance and Mitigation Program; restricts application of the Building Code for certain aspects of construction; revises provisions related to portable pools; revises provisions regarding the authority of building officials to issue building permits; revises provisions regarding appeal boards; revising provisions addressing certain fire service access elevators; authorizing DBPR to develop code-related training; creating a task force to study electrical safety in swimming pools.
In the Senate SESSION:
Bills on 3rd Reading:
SB 778 – Local Government Construction Preferences by Hays – READ 3RD TIME; AMENDED; PASSED THE SENATE
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 – READ 3RD TIME; PASSED THE SENATE
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.
SB 960 – Bright Futures Scholarship Program by T. Lee – TEMPORARILY POSTPONED
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.
Bills on 2nd Reading:
SB 538 – Disclosure of Sexually Explicit Images by Simmons – READ 2ND TIME; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/23/15
Prohibiting an individual from electronically disclosing a sexually explicit image of an identifiable person with the intent to harass such person if the individual knows or should have known that such person did not consent to the disclosure; requiring a court to order that a person convicted of such offense be prohibited from having contact with the victim, etc.
SB 954 – Involuntary Examinations of Minors by Garcia – READ 2ND TIME; AMENDED; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/23/15
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 622 – Higher Education Facilities Funding by Montford – READ 2ND TIME; SUBSTITUTED FOR HB 461; SB 622 LAID ON THE TABLE
HB 461 – Higher Education Facilities Funding by Sullivan – SUBSTITUTED FOR SB 622; READ 2ND TIME; PLACED ON 3RD READING FOR 4/23/15
Expanding the definition of the term “project” as it relates to the Higher Educational Facilities Financing Act, etc.
COMING UP TOMORROW
[REMINDER: Most meetings are available via Florida Channel webcasts at http://thefloridachannel.org]
The House will be in SESSION (9:00 am – completion of business) to consider the following items and others:
Bills on 2nd Reading:
HB 383 – Private Property Rights by Edwards
Authorizes governmental entity to treat written claim as pending litigation for certain purposes; provides that certain settlement agreements reached between owner & governmental entity apply irrespective of when agreement was executed; authorizes property owner to bring action to recover damages caused by prohibited exaction; requires owner to provide written notice of such action to governmental entity; authorizes governmental entity to treat such claim as pending litigation for certain purposes; specifies burdens of proof; authorizes award of attorney fees & costs under certain circumstances; 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.
HB 163 – Public Records/Contractors by Beshears
Requires certain public agency contracts for services to include contact information of custodian of public records; revises provision in such contracts regarding contractor’s compliance with public records laws; requires records request relating to such contracts be made to agency; requires contractor to produce requested records; specifies penalties & attorney fee awards for reasonable costs of enforcement. [NOTE: The comparable Senate bill that has already passed the Senate — SB 224 – is also on the agenda. It is expected that one version of the bill will be laid on the table and the other version will move forward to 3rd Reading.]
HB 113 – Local Government Construction Preferences by Perry
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 1145 – Education / Parent and Student Rights by Sprowls
Revises provisions relating to public and private school choice, fiscal transparency, controlled open enrollment, educational funding accountability, assignment of teachers, salary incentives, and certification of adjunct educators. [NOTE: Although the bill has been improved through recent amendments, concerns remain about the logistics of implementing this bill. In addition, amendments have been filed for consideration on 2nd Reading that would incorporate provisions relating to charter schools and standard attire.]
HB 7095 – Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts by Education
Revises provisions of Florida Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Program relating to definitions, use of funds, terms of program, DOE obligations, commissioner authority & obligations, parent & student responsibilities, administration of accounts, funding & payments, & audits; revises provisions of Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program relating to applications & audits; provides requirements for use of program funds in Florida Prepaid College Program. [NOTE: The comparable Senate bill that has already passed the Senate — SB 602 – is also on the agenda. It is expected that one version of the bill will be laid on the table and the other version will move forward to 3rd Reading.]
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 7017 – Early Learning by Education
Includes large family child care homes in local zoning regulation requirements; revises certain minimum standards for child care facilities & requirements for certain personnel; provides for inspection of programs regulated by DCF; provides exemptions from child care facility licensing standards; revises restrictions on residential property insurance coverage to include coverage for large family child care homes & Child Care Executive Partnership; provides OEL with authority to allocate certain funds.
HB 153 – Literacy Jump Start Pilot Project by L. Lee
Requires Office of Early Learning to establish pilot project in St. Lucie County to assist low-income, at-risk children in developing emergent literacy skills; requires OEL to select organization to implement pilot project; provides eligibility requirements for participation; requires background screening for childcare personnel; requires OEL to allocate funds for pilot project.
HB 935 – Individuals with Disabilities by Rodrigues
Creates “Florida Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act”; requires Florida Prepaid College Board to establish direct-support organization known as “Florida ABLE, Inc.”; authorizes organization to use certain services, property, & facilities of Florida Prepaid College Board; provides that specified moneys, assets, & income of qualified ABLE program, including Florida ABLE program, are not subject to attachment, levy, garnishment, or certain legal process in favor of certain creditors or claimants. [NOTE: The similar Senate bill that has already passed the Senate — SB 642 – is also on the agenda. It is expected that one version of the bill will be laid on the table and the other version will move forward to 3rd Reading.]
HB 937 – Trust Fund / Florida ABLE Program by Rodrigues
Creates Florida ABLE Trust Fund within State Board of Administration; authorizes sources of funds; specifies purpose of trust fund & authorized uses of assets; provides for future review & termination or re-creation of trust fund; provides for contingent effect. [NOTE: The similar Senate bill that has already passed the Senate — SB 644 – is also on the agenda. It is expected that one version of the bill will be laid on the table and the other version will move forward to 3rd Reading.]
HB 939 – Public Records / Florida ABLE Program by Rodrigues
Provides exemption from public records requirements for certain personal financial & health information held by Florida Prepaid College Board, Florida ABLE, Inc., Florida ABLE program, or agent or service provider thereof; authorizes release of such information under specified circumstances; provides for future legislative review & repeal of exemption; provides for contingent effect. [NOTE: The similar Senate bill that has already passed the Senate — SB 646 – is also on the agenda. It is expected that one version of the bill will be laid on the table and the other version will move forward to 3rd Reading.]
HB 549 – Associations of Government Officials by M. Diaz
Defines “membership association”; requires membership association to file annual report with Legislature; specifies required elements of report; prohibits membership association from expending moneys received from public funds on litigation against state. [NOTE: This bill is very narrowly drawn and it appears to impact only the Florida School Boards Association.]
HB 99 – Juvenile Justice Civil Citations by Clarke-Reed
Authorizes law enforcement officer to issue warning to juvenile who admits having committed misdemeanor or to inform juvenile’s parent or guardian of infraction; allows law enforcement officer who does not exercise one of these options to issue civil citation or require participation in similar diversion program; limits number of civil citations that may be issued to a juvenile; requires law enforcement officer to provide written documentation in certain circumstances; provides that repeat misdemeanor offenders may participate in civil citation program or similar diversion program.
The Senate will be in SESSION (10:30 am – 6:00 pm) to consider the following items and others:
Bills on 3rd Reading:
SB 960 – Bright Futures Scholarship Program by T. Lee
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. [NOTE: The similar House bill that has already passed the House — HB 747 – is also on the agenda. It is expected that one version of the bill will be laid on the table and the other version will move forward to final passage.]
SB 538 – Disclosure of Sexually Explicit Images by Simmons
Prohibiting an individual from electronically disclosing a sexually explicit image of an identifiable person with the intent to harass such person if the individual knows or should have known that such person did not consent to the disclosure; requiring a court to order that a person convicted of such offense be prohibited from having contact with the victim, 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.
HB 461 – Higher Educational Facilities by Sullivan
Expanding the definition of the term “project” as it relates to the Higher Educational Facilities Financing Act, etc.
Bills on 2nd Reading:
SB 7070 – Mental Health & Substance Abuse by Judiciary
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; adding substance abuse services as a program focus for which the Department of Children and Families is responsible; providing authority of facilities of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct certain examinations and provide certain treatments; creating the “Jennifer Act”; requiring the Department of Children and Families to implement a Forensic Hospital Diversion Pilot Program in five specified judicial circuits, etc.
SB 908 – Transportation by Altman
Providing criminal penalties for certain noncriminal traffic infractions that cause serious bodily injury or death to a person; defining the term “serious bodily injury”; prohibiting passing and turning in front of a vulnerable user in an unsafe manner; providing penalties; prohibiting harassing, taunting, or throwing an object at a person riding a bicycle; providing mandatory revocation of license for a specified conviction, etc.
SB 574 – Electronic Auction Services by Montford
Revising the powers and duties of the district school board to authorize the adoption of rules regarding procurement practices; authorizing a district school board’s use of electronic auction services in conjunction with bid pooling for school buses and related purchases, etc.
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. [NOTE: The similar House bill that has already passed the House — HB 361 – is also on the agenda. It is expected that one version of the bill will be laid on the table and the other version will move forward to 3rd Reading.]
Ruth Haseman Melton
Director of Government Relations
Florida School Boards Association
Office: 850 / 414-2578
Cell: 850 / 509-6411
Email: melton@fsba.org
