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Staff ReportsJanuary 31, 2017

Newly filed legislation could affect how much power local governments have to regulate the right of way when it comes to telecommunications equipment. Sen. Travis Hutson, chairman of the Senate Regulated Industries committee, filed the “Advanced Wireless Infrastructure Deployment Act” (SB 596) on Monday. The bill, among other things, would prohibit the Department of Transportation […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 30, 2017

Sen. Jeff Brandes has filed a bill aimed at providing standardized visitation plans for unmarried parents. The St. Petersburg Republican filed legislation (SB 590) Monday, which would create a standard visitation schedule for unmarried parents. If adopted, the proposal would encourage contact between non-custodial parents and their children. “Spending time with our children is the […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 26, 2017

Sen. Keith Perry has filed a bill calling for a 10-day back-to-school tax holiday in August. Under the proposed legislation (SB 490), certain school supplies would be tax exempt from Aug. 4 through 14. “As I talk to folks across north central Florida, I hear the same thing over and over – people are working […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 23, 2017

Drug Free America is urging Florida lawmakers to “proceed with caution” as they begin crafting legislation to implement the state’s newest medical marijuana law. “While we were opposed to Amendment 2 for a number of specific reasons, we recognize Florida voters have spoken,” said Calvina Fay, the executive director of Drug Free America, in a statement. “We also […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2017

Update: State Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, a Naples Republican, on Friday filed the Senate companion to the House bill, which she says is identical save for “a few punctuation differences.” State Rep. Colleen Burton will try again to overhaul the state’s alimony law, filing a bill on Wednesday. The Lakeland Republican still aims to toughen the standards by which alimony is […]

Scott PowersJanuary 18, 2017

While giving his blessing to state Rep. Jason Brodeur to run for his current post, state Sen. David Simmons says he’s weighing his options to go after the Florida attorney general’s post, Florida’s 7th Congressional District seat, which Democrats just flipped, or staying full-time with his growing law firm. The attorney general option could come sooner […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJanuary 18, 2017

Jason Brodeur has his eyes on the Florida Senate. The Sanford Republican announced this week he plans to run for the Florida Senate in 2020. Brodeur said in plans to run in Senate District 9, which is currently held by Sen. David Simmons. “My roots in Central Florida run deep. Growing up here, I witnessed […]

Michael MolineJanuary 12, 2017

Senate Appropriations Chairman Jack Latvala sent a message Thursday to the House leadership: Don’t expect to force the Senate to abide by your strict new budget rules. “We have our own rules in the Senate. We are going to abide by our own rules,” Latvala told reporters following a committee meeting. “I think it would […]

A.G. GancarskiJanuary 12, 2017

A bill filed Thursday in the Florida Senate would fast-track court rulings in challenges to electoral district boundaries, while requiring current boundaries to be used if the ruling isn’t rendered in a timely fashion. Senate Bill 352, filed by Elkton Republican Travis Hutson, seeks to resolve uncertainty among candidates and voters alike – a utilitarian […]

Staff ReportsJanuary 12, 2017

EMTeLINK, a leading medical information company, has enlisted the help of Solaris Consulting. David Bishop, the president of Solaris Consulting, registered as a lobbyist to represent EMTeLink on Dec. 13 A technology company, EMTeLINK provides first responders with information patients medical conditions in the event of an emergency. The technology allows first responders and medical […]

Tag: Florida Senate

Travis Hutson telecom bill would preempt right of way regulation

Jeff Brandes files bill to standardize visitation plans

Keith Perry files bill to create 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday

Drug Free America urges caution as lawmakers discuss Amendment 2 implementation

Alimony reform bill filed for 2017

David Simmons weighing Florida attorney general, congressional runs

Jason Brodeur announces 2020 state Senate bid

Jack Latvala to House: The Senate makes its own rules

Florida Senate bill seeks expedited hearings for district map changes

EMTeLink hires David Bishop as legislative lobbyist