Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryMarch 29, 2017

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

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

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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

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

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

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 […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 10, 2016

Equal time for both parents after a divorce would be the starting line in child custody cases under a bill heading to the Senate floor. The Rules Committee cleared the measure (SB 250) on a 7-4 party-line vote on Wednesday. The legislation, sponsored by Brandon Republican Tom Lee, creates a legal assumption that 50-50 time-sharing is in the best […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 20, 2016

Legislation that would protect one’s “digital assets” after death has cleared the last of its three review panels. The Senate Rules Committee unanimously OK’d the bill (SB 494) on Wednesday, making it available to be heard on the Senate floor. Under the bill, someone of a person’s choosing could have access to and control their financial accounts, social media […]

Associated PressJanuary 15, 2016

The Florida Senate is going to change its official seal one more time. The Senate last year voted to remove the Confederate battle flag from the official seal but did not make a final decision on what the new seal should look like. A temporary version without the battle flag was placed in the Senate […]

Jim RosicaJanuary 5, 2016

The Florida Senate’s bronze seal, which usually hangs behind the Senate President’s lectern, was removed this week not only to replace the seal’s depiction of the Confederate flag but also in anticipation of still more design changes, a spokeswoman said Tuesday. In October, the Senate decided to remove a Confederate flag from the chamber’s official seal and replace […]

Tag: Senate Rules Committee

Senate continues to roll bill making secretary of state an elected position

AIF, PCI blast Greg Steube’s prejudgment interest bill

Senate Rules panel temporarily postpones prejudgment interest bill

Senate redistricting bill clears last review panel

Senate Rules Committee stands its ground on Stand Your Ground

Senate Rules panel OKs expanded medical marijuana bill

Bill on equal time in child custody heads to full Senate

“Digital assets” bill heading to Senate floor

New Florida Senate seal limited to U.S. and Florida flags

State Senate seal could be changing – again