Scott PowersApril 23, 2019
10min682
Civil liens can erase requirements for fees, fines, but not restitution.
Tag: Senate Rules CommitteeImage via AP.
Scott PowersApril 23, 2019
Ryan NicolApril 17, 2019
6min601
A strike-all amendment expanded violations for which drivers could be pulled over.
Jim RosicaJanuary 11, 2018
3min397
Legislation to replace a statue of a Confederate general representing Florida in the U.S. Capitol is heading to the Senate floor. The bills (SB 472, SCR 184), which cleared their final committee Thursday, would replace the likeness of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith with educator and civil-rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune. “Dr. Bethune received the unanimous vote of the members […]
Staff ReportsApril 20, 2017
2min467
On Thursday, dozens of protesters gathered outside Frank Artiles‘ office in Kendall to protest racist and sexist slurs he used against Florida Senate colleagues. Constituents from his district called for his resignation, chanting outside the shuttered district office. The protest comes as elected officials, community leaders and organizations throughout the country demand he resigns from the Senate. […]
Mitch PerryMarch 29, 2017
1min170
A bill to make Secretary of State an elected, Cabinet-level post advanced Wednesday through the Senate Rules Committee. Legislation by Fernandina Beach Republican Aaron Bean (SB 882) rolled through the committee with neither debate nor discussion. Historically, the Secretary of State in Florida was elected by the public, but that changed in 1998 when constitutional changes […]
Drew WilsonMarch 29, 2017
3min356
The Associated Industries of Florida and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America didn’t mince words after a bill by Republican Sen. Greg Steube cleared its final committee stop Wednesday. “AIF opposes legislation that would make it more expensive for businesses to operate in our state, and that is exactly what SB 334 would do,” […]
Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017
2min565
A Senate bill that would allow plaintiffs to recover prejudgment interest on noneconomic claims, including pain and suffering, was suddenly postponed during its final review panel Thursday. Sen. Rob Bradley, a Fleming Island Republican, moved to yank the bill (SB 334) from consideration during its public comment period before the Rules Committee. When done during […]
Jim RosicaMarch 9, 2017
4min576
A bill aimed at streamlining the handling of political redistricting court cases cleared its last committee Thursday. The legislation (SB 352) was OK’d by the Senate Rules Committee on a 7-3 party-line vote. It’s now ready for the full Senate. It also “encourages” courts “to follow certain procedures to maintain public oversight when drafting a […]
Scott PowersFebruary 9, 2017
5min746
A Florida Senate committee overwhelmingly approved the latest attempt to expand the state’s Stand Your Ground self-defense law. On Thursday, the Senate Rules Committee passed the measure after advocates said it would stop unnecessary prosecutions. Opponents alleged it would stop a lot of necessary prosecutions, as well. Senate Bill 128 would allow gun defendants to […]
Scott PowersFebruary 29, 2016
7min363
A bill that started out seeking to expand Florida’s limited medical marijuana program to give relief to end-of-life patients has grown into a measure to expand the program in several directions. And it got approval Monday by the Senate Rules Committee. The overhauled Senate Bill 460 now heads back to the Senate floor, from where […]