Opening Day "History is not going to judge the success of this session by the number of bills we pass. To the contrary, it will judge the success of this session by the quality of our actions. At the end of the day, we have only one requirement by our Constitution and that’s to pass the budget, a meaningful, responsible budget, for the people of Florida. So, as we work together, let us do so boldly, proudly, and as the Florida Senate." - Senate President Bill Galvano Tuesday, March 5th, was the official first day of this year's Legislative Session. To mark the beginning of the legislative process, Senators joined with House members to hear from Governor Ron Desantis, as he outlined his priorities for Florida and gave a recap of his first few months in office. Senate Infrastructure Package Senate Bill 7068, Transportation, introduced by the Senate Committee on Infrastructure and Security and presented by Chairman Tom Lee, passed unanimously out of its first committee. The bill creates the Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance (M-CORES) Program dedicated to infrastructure expansion to encourage growth in Florida’s rural communities. Senate Bill 7068 aims to extend the Suncoast Parkway to the Georgia state line, extend Florida’s Northern Turnpike to a juncture with the Suncoast Parkway, and to create a new expressway, the Southwest-Central Florida Connector, from Polk County to Collier County. The bill also requires Florida Department of Transportation to identify opportunities within these corridors for turnpike expansion; broadband connectivity; potable water, sewer and energy distribution; and alternative modes of transportation and rural transit. Infrastructure improvements in rural communities will serve not only to grow rural economies, but to create business opportunities and jobs, provide additional hurricane evacuation routes, and to make Florida more accessible to alternate transportation modes. This legislation would also authorize the use of funds for the Transportation Disadvantaged (TD) Program. The TD Program coordinates a network of local and state programs providing transportation services for elderly, disabled, and low-income citizens. Smokeable Medical Marijuana Passes out of Senate When the Legislature passed implementing language for Amendment 2, which passed in 2016, it included a ban on smoking medical marijuana. This ban was challenged in the Circuit Court of the Second Judicial Circuit, which ruled that the "smoking ban" is unconstitutional. The Department of Health, under Governor Rick Scott, appealed this ruling in the First District Court of Appeals. Governor DeSantis has publicly stated his intention to withdraw the appeal if the Legislature fails to remove the smoking ban by March 15th. To address this, Senate Bill 182, introduced by Senator Jeff Brandes, allows doctors to certify patients to smoke medical marijuana. In order to approve a patient to smoke medical marijuana, a physician has to provide information on the negative health risks associated with smoking marijuana. Additionally, the physician has to submit extensive documentation to the Board of Medicine or Osteopathic Medicine supporting their decision. The bill was passed on the Senate Floor last week and has been sent over to the House for consideration. Assignment of Benefits Bill Passes its First Committee Stop Last week, Senate Bill 122, sponsored by Senator Doug Broxson, passed out of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. This bill helps fight Assignment of Benefits abuse, which has caused property insurance rates to increase, hurting homeowners. This bill will be heard next in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Standing with Venezuela Senate Joint Resolution 682, sponsored by Senator Manny Diaz, passed out of the Senate Rules Committee and is on its way to the Senate Floor. This Resolution, which I have co-sponsored, expresses solidarity with the people of Venezuela in their pursuit of a strong and stable democratic government under which they may enjoy the political freedoms and economic security that are the hallmarks of democracy. It calls for the recognition of Juan Guaidó as Venezuela’s new president. Legislative resolutions have no force of law and are not subject to the approval or veto powers of the Governor. Distracted Driving Bill Passes Second Committee The Senate Committee on Innovation, Industry, and Technology passed Senate Bill 76. The bill, which I have co-sponsored, would make "Driving While Distracted" a primary offense, allowing law enforcement officers the discretion to pull distracted drivers over. The bill defines "driving while distracted" to include: reading; writing; grooming; applying beauty products; interacting with pets and unsecured cargo; using personal wireless communications devices; and engaging in any other activity which causes distractions. This bill will ensure that drivers stay alert while traveling on our roads. Alligator Alley Bill Passes its Second Committee Senate Bill 72, which I have introduced, passed the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, its second committee stop. This bill would codify the current funding for the fire station at Mile Marker 63 on Alligator Alley. The bill will now go to its third and final committee, the Senate Committee on Appropriations before being heard by the full Senate. The Family Empowerment Scholarship Program Senate Bill 7070, proposed by the Senate Education Committee, creates the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program. This program would provide children with limited financial resources with expanded educational options. The scholarship would pay private school tuition and fees for up to 15,000 students on a first-come, first-serve basis. This bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee, and will be heard next in the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government The Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government heard a presentation from the Florida Water Environmental Association Utility Council on domestic wastewater collection and treatment in Florida and some of the challenges that arise in the day-to-day operations, including septic conversions and aging infrastructure. Both of these challenges have been on my radar, and the Senate is working to address them. Even with these challenges, the Utility Council informed the Committee that Florida is number one in the nation in water reuse and over 1.5 billion gallons of wastewater is collected and properly treated every day. The Florida Onsite Wastewater Association (FOWA) also presented to the committee regarding onsite Nitrogen reduction efforts and highlight some of the more successful systems in place that can help in reducing nitrogen. Rebuild Florida in Hendry County Week of March 11th Rebuild Florida Outreach Team will be in Hendry County this week to help homeowners register for assistance to rebuild Hurricane Irma damaged homes and answer questions. Rebuild Florida is a program of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), created to help Florida recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Irma. The state of Florida is committed to helping homeowners affected by Hurricane Irma rebuild or replace their damaged homes. Rebuild Florida will repair and rebuild damaged homes across the hardest-hit communities of our state, with priority funding for those low-income residents who are most vulnerable, including the elderly, those with disabilities and families with children under age 18. Monday - Thursday: 10AM-5PM Friday: 10AM-4PM Clewiston Goodwill (969 W Sugarland Hwy, Clewiston, FL 33440) The deadline to register for assistance from Rebuild Florida to repair, rebuild or replace a damaged home was extended to March 29, 2019. Last Week in the Florida Senate Panhandle Senators Announce Bipartisan Legislation Delivering Relief to Hurricane Michael Victims Senator George Gainer, Senator Doug Broxson, President Pro Tempore David Simmons and Senator Bill Montford held a press conference to announce the filing of Senate Bill 1610, Emergency Mitigation and Response, as well as other ongoing Senate efforts to provide necessary relief to the Florida Panhandle struggling to recover from Hurricane Michael which struck in October, 2018. Senate Bill 1610 focuses on both immediate assistance for Hurricane Michael victims, and hurricane preparedness to mitigate the impacts of future storms. This bill creates a loan program to fund rebuilding efforts, creates the Hurricane Michael Recovery Task Force, expands the Agricultural Economic Development Program to include timber as an eligible crop for the emergency loan program, and addresses affordable housing needs for Hurricane Michael victims. In addition, Senators Broxson, Gainer and Montford are working with Senate Appropriations Subcommittees to include vital funding investments for hurricane recovery across all areas of the state budget. Florida National Guard Briefs Senate Committee on Response to Hurricane Michael Brigadier General Rafael Ribas of the Florida National Guard provided a presentation on the response to Hurricane Michael at the Senate Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and Space. The Soldiers and Airmen of the Florida National Guard remain a ready and capable response partner when Florida is in a time of need and continue to apply lessons learned from previous deployments. Senators on the committee applauded the National Guard’s efforts, which mobilized more than 3,000 soldiers for the response and recovery of Hurricane Michael in October, 2018. The committee discussed if improvements to the overall response to Hurricane Michael would have occurred if the National Guard had an expanded role, and also considered convening a task force to explore granting the Florida National Guard a higher level of authority during a hurricane or other emergency situations. Welcome to the Florida Senate The Florida Senate welcomed the following groups to the Capitol:
Constituent Corner Last week I was proud to sponsor Alexis Van Dien as one of our Senate Pages! As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office any time that I can be of assistance. Kathleen C. Passidomo Senate Majority Leader Naples Office: 3299 East Tamiami Trail LaBelle Office: 25 East Hickpochee Avenue Tallahassee Office: 330 Senate Office Building Not paid for at taxpayer expense. |