Jason Delgado
The Florida House updated its COVID-19 visitor protocols on Monday ahead of the Legislature’s upcoming Committee Weeks.
The protocols range from general precautions such as mandatory face coverings and social distancing to more tailored directions addressing in-person meetings and public participation. The protocols are intended to stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Visitors diagnosed with COVID-19, who are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or who are in quarantine may not enter House spaces and should reschedule their visit for a different time,” the House protocols state.
According to a House protocol document, all House Committee meetings will be live-streamed via Florida Channel. Socially distanced seating, meanwhile, will be available for reservation on a first-come, first-served basis.
In meetings that allow for public testimony, the public can register for a seat online. During meetings without public testimony, audience seating will be limited to House members, press and invited presenters.
Once a room’s seating capacity is reached, visitors can provide written testimony electronically. Written testimony must be provided no later than three hours before the start of a meeting. It will then be compiled in a report and distributed to committee members “approximately two (2) hours before the start of a committee meeting,” the House documents says.
Lobbyists, meanwhile, will be allowed to record their position on a matter electronically.
“Registered lobbyists who do not wish to provide substantive testimony but would like to record their principal’s position can fill out the electronic committee appearance record to waive in support or opposition of filed bills, amendments, or draft legislation instead of appearing in person,” the documents says.
Reservations and other electronic features can be accessed at the bottom of the House website under the House Meetings and Sessions section.
Notably, the House will not offer public tours and space reservations through the end of the 2021 Legislative Session.
The Florida House encourages the public to utilize its website to check a bill’s status and contact their local representative.
Other COVID-19 protocols for committee weeks can be found online.
Monday marks the beginning of the Senate’s interim meetings before the Legislative Session begins on March 2.
Sen. Kathleen Passidomo has tested positive for COVID-19, making her the latest lawmaker to contract the highly contagious virus. Passadimo will not attend legislative committee meetings this week.
