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Staff ReportsMarch 21, 2017

The Florida Senate Tuesday passed a bill aimed at streamlining the handling of political redistricting court cases. The legislation (SB 352) was approved without debate 24-14, sending it to the House. Bill sponsor Travis Hutson, an Elkton Republican, has said the plan “locks the maps in place on qualification day,” giving clarity to candidates. It also […]

Staff ReportsMarch 21, 2017

The head of Associated Industries of Florida came out in opposition Tuesday to the Senate’s plan to repeal a tax break to the insurance industry. “AIF supports reducing the business rent tax,” AIF president & CEO Tom Feeney said. “However, we cannot support this tax break on the back of creating what would be the largest Florida […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

In addition to the Sunshine State, Pennsylvania lawmakers have now filed legislation to break down the wall of separation between liquor and other goods. On Saturday, the Philadelphia-based Billy Penn news site reported that bills in that state’s “House and Senate would create a new category of license that would allow grocery and convenience stores […]

Jim RosicaMarch 20, 2017

The House of Representatives’ omnibus gambling bill will again be heard this week, records show. The bill (HB 7037) is on the agenda for the Ways & Means Committee, chaired by Bradenton Republican Jim Boyd, on Tuesday. Though it includes a renewed blackjack agreement between the state and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the legislation overall […]

Jim RosicaMarch 17, 2017

The Florida Senate’s bill to remove the “wall of separation” between hard liquor and other retail goods is scheduled for the floor next week. The “whiskey and Wheaties” legislation (SB 106) is on the special order calendar for next Tuesday, according to the chamber’s website on Friday. Meantime, the House companion (HB 81) has been struggling, escaping […]

Jim RosicaMarch 15, 2017

The Florida Senate has passed a change to the state’s “stand your ground” law that would make it easier for criminal defendants to claim self-defense. It was approved on a 23-15 vote during Wednesday’s floor session. Specifically, the bill would require prosecutors to prove “that a defendant is not immune from prosecution.” The bill (SB 128), […]

Staff ReportsMarch 13, 2017

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Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation Monday requiring a unanimous jury recommendation before the death penalty can be imposed. Lawmakers passed the bill out of the House and Senate last week, rushing the measure through the process in hopes of fixing the state’s death penalty law. The House voted 112-3 to approve the measure Friday, one […]

Staff ReportsMarch 10, 2017

A change how the state’s nursing homes that accept Medicaid are paid is still being mulled in the Senate. According to POLITICO Florida, Senate President Joe Negron said his chamber is still changing the system from a cost-based system to a prospective payment plan. Negron said the issue is still being discussed by senators, and […]

Michael MolineMarch 9, 2017

The Senate voted Thursday to require unanimous jury verdicts to sentence someone to death, and to advance a measure that would require prosecutors to prove “stand your ground” immunity shouldn’t apply in criminal cases. The death penalty bill, SB 280, which the Senate passed unanimously, was a response to a Florida Supreme Court ruling requiring […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 9, 2017

Two Florida lawmakers want to raise the legal age to purchase tobacco in the Sunshine State. Sen. Darrly Rouson and Rep. Lori Berman held a press conference Thursday to tout legislation they filed to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21. The proposals (SB 1138 and HB 1093), lawmakers said, would help lower the […]

Tag: Florida Senate

Redistricting-related bill OK’d by Senate

Tom Feeney calls Senate plan “largest Florida tax hike in many years”

Pennsylvania joins Florida in considering ‘whiskey & Wheaties’

House gambling bill set for Ways & Means this week

Senate’s ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill teed up for floor

Senate passes fix to ‘stand your ground’ law

Rick Scott signs death penalty fix into law

Report: Senate could consider changing way nursing homes are paid

Senate votes to raise bar for death penalty, ‘stand your ground’ prosecutions

Darryl Rouson, Lori Berman urge Florida to become a ‘Tobacco 21’ state