Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryApril 5, 2017

A bill that would create the first statewide law regulating ride-sharing companies passed unanimously in the Florida House on Wednesday, 115-0. Now it moves to the Senate. It’s the second straight year that such a bill has passed in the Florida House, but the chances of it getting through the Senate are considered much greater than […]

Jim RosicaApril 4, 2017

The House on Tuesday began consideration of a Senate bill changing the state’s “stand your ground” law to make it easier to claim self-defense. But the House soon amended the measure (SB 128) to change the burden of proof to overcome self-defense to “clear and convincing evidence,” a lower threshold than the Senate’s “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The […]

Mitch PerryApril 4, 2017

Legislation to regulate transportation network companies (TNC) in Florida advanced Tuesday on its second reading through the Florida House. The bill sponsored by Palm Harbor Republican Chris Sprowls and Tampa Republican Jamie Grant (HB 221) requires ride-sharing companies to have third-parties conduct local and national criminal background checks on drivers. “That includes a multistage, multi-jurisdictional background check, a […]

Mitch PerryMarch 28, 2017

Momentum remains strong in Tallahassee for the first bill in Florida to regulate ridesharing companies Uber and Lyft. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the proposal (SB 340) unanimously without debate. The bill, sponsored by St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes, would require ride-sharing companies to carry $100,000 of insurance for bodily injury or death and $25,000 for property […]

Staff ReportsMarch 27, 2017

It’s never too early to start thinking about the next election cycle, and a host of legislative hopefuls are already thinking about the next election cycle. State election records show dozens of members of the House, Senate, and other legislative hopefuls have filed to run in 2018. Rep. Shevrin Jones filed to run for re-election […]

Drew WilsonMarch 21, 2017

A Hillsborough County school teacher announced this week that she will challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Jamie Grant for the District 64 seat in the Florida House. Jessica Harrington originally planned to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in 2018, but said she decided to change course after a trip to Tallahassee. “I realized that no […]

Staff ReportsMarch 15, 2017

The House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee approved an assignment of benefits reform bill Tuesday. The bill links fees to pre-litigation offers of judgment and requires policyholders receive notice if a contractor files suit. “The Consumer Protection Coalition applauds Rep. Jamie Grant and House leadership for taking on the issue of Assignment of Benefits fraud and […]

Jim RosicaMarch 14, 2017

The House “whiskey & Wheaties” bill has limped out of another committee with a one-vote margin. And that was after its sponsor fixed a problem that could have cost the Department of Business and Professional Regulation more than $250,000 in lost liquor license revenue. The legislation (HB 81) cleared the Government Operations and Technology Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday by a […]

Staff ReportsMarch 14, 2017

A bill to shutter the Hillsborough County Public Transportation Committee continued its rapid pace through the House, quickly passing the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Tuesday. Transportation and Infrastructure, which oversees taxicabs and limousines, has clashed with municipalities lately over the regulation of ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft. In past years, several members of the […]

Mitch PerryMarch 14, 2017

Legislation to provide statewide regulations for transportation network companies (TNC’s) advanced in its latest committee stop in the Florida Senate Tuesday. St. Petersburg Republican Jeff Brandes‘ bill (SB 340) received only two votes in opposition in clearing the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, though there were substantial concerns expressed about funding for paratransit that animated the debate. […]

Tag: Jamie Grant
Jonathan Dickinson State Park. Image via Visit Florida.

Ride-sharing legislation speeds ahead in Florida House

House amends Senate’s ‘Stand Your Ground’ bill

House gets one step closer to passing statewide regs on Uber, Lyft

Senate Judiciary Committee gives big win for ridesharing regulation

More legislative hopefuls file to run in 2018

Jamie Grant picks up challenger in HD 64

Capitol Reax: AOB reform, workers compensation, medical marijuana, gun bills

House ‘whiskey & Wheaties’ bill clears another panel — barely

House committee pushes through local bill abolishing Hillsborough PTC

Bill regulating ride-sharing in Florida advances in Senate Committee