Florida Legislature

Florida’s Legislative Black Caucus members are calling on Republicans to hear their bills. It’s not unusual for Democrats to struggle to get their proposals before committees in the Republican-led chambers. But the social justice protests over the summer and increased focus on health disparities during the pandemic have caucus members saying their proposals are too important to be ignored.

Gun safety advocates are backing legislation they say would make mass shootings less deadly. The groups want lawmakers to ban the sale of assault-style weapons and large capacity magazines.

A proposed bill would make the sale, transfer or possession of military-grade weapons or large-capacity magazines illegal. Sen. Gary Farmer (D-Ft. Lauderdale) says if the rule was in place prior to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas high school shooting, more people would’ve survived.

“If Nicholas Cruz had just had to reload more often fewer people would be dead today," said Farmer.

90,000.

That's about how many fewer students are enrolled in public schools this year. It's also a number that could determine everything from school funding to how the state should count student test scores, and it's a figure that's weighing heavily on the minds of lawmakers that will have to come up with plans to address COVID-19's impact on education.

When a police dog is injured on the job, Florida lawmakers want to ensure the animal can get care as quickly as possible.

Sen. Tom Wright (R-Port Orange) is sponsoring a measure to help them get medical care more quickly. He's a former police K-9 officer.

“This bill is intended to save the lives of our officers whether they’re two-legged or four-legged,” Wright says.

Bills were filed Wednesday that would kill the plan to build three new toll roads through rural parts of Florida.

Tina Polsky, D-Palm Beach County, filed the bill (SB-1030) in the state Senate. She said the plans to build 330 miles of highways are competing with more pressing needs.

TALLAHASSEE --- Senate budget chief Kelli Stargel says she appreciates Gov. Ron DeSantis’ optimism.

But after Stargel and members of the Senate Appropriations Committee heard a presentation Tuesday about DeSantis’ newly proposed $96.6 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, she signaled the Senate will take a more conservative approach when it draws up a spending plan.

“I like to prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” said Stargel, a Lakeland Republican who chairs the committee.

A bill to ban oil drilling in Florida is back before the legislature for the third time. The proposal also calls for the state to use 100% renewable sources for electricity by 2040. The bill's sponsor is Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orlando). She says she's spoken with Republican leaders about the proposal.

Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) wants COVID-19 liability protections for healthcare facilities.

"It is my priority to ensure liability protections are extended to the healthcare industry this session," said Brandee. "These are people at the front lines of this pandemic who have worked tirelessly to protect residents and patients and we must stand up for them."

Legislation increasing penalties for violent protesters passed its first stop in the House Wednesday on a party-line vote. Democrats argue the measure is targeted at the Black Lives Matter movement. Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R-Sebring) pushes against that characterization.

“Every American has the right to peacefully protests in whatever they believe in," said Tuck. "But no American has the right to violently riot. The bill provides the necessary tools to prosecute those who intend to commit violent and unlawful acts mob intimidation and destroy property.”

Trying to return former President Donald Trump and other banned conservatives to social-media platforms, two Florida lawmakers filed proposals Tuesday that would prohibit state agencies and local governments from contracting with some tech-industry giants.

The proposals (SB 810 and HB 439), filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, and Rep. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County, target Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Apple and Alphabet.

TALLAHASSEE --- Senate President Wilton Simpson doesn't expect his side of the Capitol to be open to the public or lobbyists until after the upcoming 60-day legislative session, as many lawmakers and staff members likely will continue to await COVID-19 vaccinations.

During a meeting Monday about Senate procedural issues, Simpson advised members to get used to talking with lobbyists outside the Capitol complex. And he said public comments during Senate committee meetings will continue to be streamed online from rooms a few blocks away at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.

Legislation shielding Florida businesses from COVID-19 related claims is moving in the state Senate. Sen. Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) is carrying the proposal in the chamber:

“If we had not had businesses stay open especially our essential businesses individuals would not have had access to pharmaceuticals. They would not have access to gas in their cars or food at their table," said Brandes. "Senate Bill 72 creates a civil liability protection for individuals, businesses, or other organizations against COVDI-19 related claims.”

Florida legalized medical marijuana in 2016. Since then, state lawmakers have tried to make changes. This year is no different. Proposals for full legalization and one providing employee protections for medical marijuana users are on the table.

Republican legislative leaders are lauding a sweeping school-choice measure filed Thursday, while Senate Democrats have vowed to “fight like hell” against the proposal.

The legislation, filed by Republican Sen. Manny Diaz of Hialeah, would expand eligibility for school-voucher programs, consolidate existing school-choice programs and allow parents to use taxpayer-backed education savings accounts for private schools and other costs.

For much of the past year, state transportation officials heard strong opposition to plans for three major new toll roads in Florida. But the controversial projects aren’t dead. They were back before the Legislature just last week.

Thousands of Floridians criticized the planned roads at dozens of task force meetings held over the past year. As a result, the task forces sent a report to the Legislature in November with no consensus on whether they should be built. But the Department of Transportation is forging ahead with the next step — environmental and economic studies.

The Florida Legislature wants to stop scammers from taking advantage of people seeking vaccine doses. Fraudsters created fake internet pages designed to look like Pasco and Pinellas County Health Departments and charged money for fake vaccination appointments. And they aren’t the only ones. The Department of Legal Affairs Consumer and Protection Division has been contacted more than 14,000 to report COVID-19 related fraud. (R-Land O' Lakes) is the bill sponsor.