03/11/19

 2019 Session: Week One

Gov. Ron DeSantis, House Speaker José Oliva, and Senate President Bill Galvano have set the tone for the 2019 Legislative Session.
DeSantis, during his State of the State Address at the start of Session, reiterated his “bold” approach to his first two months in office. He’s put forth the largest spending plan in Florida’s history and recommended numerous policy changes for lawmakers to consider this year.
His speech asked for some follow-through from the House and the Senate:
“Be bold in championing economic opportunity, be bold in protecting Florida’s environment, be bold in improving education, be bold in defending the safety of our communities, be bold because while perfection is not attainable, if we aim high we can achieve excellence.” - Gov. Ron DeSantis
Galvano, who helms the ‘upper chamber,’ offered a broad approach to the 60-day lawmaking process during opening remarks delivered last Tuesday. He urged collaboration and thoughtfulness while refraining from diving too deep into specifics.
“If we as a Senate do not feel a bill is right, or ready, let us be willing to step back, rethink, and regroup,” Galvano said. “Most importantly, if necessary, let us have the discipline to be willing to walk away."
Oliva, in contrast, spoke to chamber colleagues primarily about sweeping health care reforms — ideas that are expected to define his tenure in the House.
“Floridians are depending on us to remedy this crisis,” Oliva said. “That is why this year we will pass comprehensive healthcare reform. No single policy will be the solution. A truly comprehensive approach is what is required.”
Pot Change Expedited
A repeal of the state’s ban on smoking medical marijuana could be one of the first pieces of legislation sent to DeSantis’ desk.

That’s no coincidence. DeSantis, during his first few weeks in office, told the Legislature that he wanted a bill dropping the smoking ban by March 15. Otherwise, he’d discontinue an appeal to a lower-court ruling that found the ban unconstitutional.

The Florida Senate, meeting as a chamber for just the second time this year, overwhelmingly approved its version of the repeal. It would allow patients to obtain a 35-day supply of the medicine, but no more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana per prescription, with some exceptions. It also would allow only minors with terminal conditions to smoke the plant.

The change is sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Brandes. It now is in the House’s hands, and state Rep. Ray Rodrigues, who worked with Brandes on the measure, expects Brandes’ Senate version to pass there the second week of Session.
Hurricane Michael
The catastrophic storm that swept through Northwest Florida Oct. 10 is expected to result in more constraints on the spending plan lawmakers craft this year.
Though relief is expected from the federal government, state lawmakers are looking to do their own part and provide cash to the rural governments that were hit by the storm.

It’s estimated the state already has provided $1.2 billion to pay for debris and other cleanup efforts, one of the most daunting challenges presented by the near-Category 5 cyclone.

Senators unveiled a $315 million proposal this week that would make loans to affected governments. It would set up a Public Facilities Hurricane Restoration Cash Flow Loan Program inside the Department of Economic Opportunity to administer the loans.

The other $15 million would be set aside for loans to the timber industry, which suffered an estimated $1.3 billion impact.
Issue Roundup
  • Nebuchadnezzar may come to Florida later this year — the wine bottle size, not the king of ancient Babylon.

    Current law generally makes it illegal to sell wine "in an individual container holding more than 1 gallon." A typical bottle is 750 milliliters, roughly a fifth of a gallon. A bill (HB 6037) by state Rep. Danny Perez, would repeal the bottle-size law. It unanimously cleared the House Business and Professions Subcommittee on Wednesday, and must next get by the Commerce Committee before being available for the floor. A similar bill (SB 220) has also passed the initial Senate Committee.

    If passed, wine bottles of all sizes would be allowed effective July 1, including the "Nebuchadnezzar," which holds 15 liters — the volume of 20 standard wine bottles. 

  • Much-watched legislation that would make a series of changes to K-12 education this week picked up support from the Senate Education Committee.

    Senate Bill 7070 would create the Family Empowerment Scholarship. The new proposal would use revenue dollars to eliminate the wait list for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, which funds vouchers for low-income students who wish to attend private schools.

    The bill, among other things, also would restructure the way Florida public school teachers receive bonuses. These changes are backed by DeSantis.

  • Criminal justice reforms are moving through both the Legislature. A bill in the Senate known as the “Florida First Step Act” passed its first committee this week. Notably, the measure would allow judges to downward depart from mandatory minimums when sentencing non-violent drug traffickers.

    It would also lessen penalties for some violations of probation and would create programs to help returning citizens. The package is aimed at decreasing prison populations. In the House, a bill that would raise the felony-theft threshold to $1,000 or more picked up support from a key committee. It also is aimed at decreasing prison spending.

  • The House is ready to vote on a bill that would allow law enforcement to use drones to survey traffic accidents, to collect evidence at a crime scene, and to assist in crowd control.

    The bill is sponsored by state Rep. Clay Yarborough, who has in the past championed expanding drone use in the state. Some Fourth Amendment privacy concerns have been raised over the legislation, and the Senate version of the bill still has two committee stops to go. 

Looking Ahead

The Senate is not scheduled to hold a floor session in Week 2, but the House, for now, is slated to convene at 3 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. on Thursday.
The House will consider the Senate’s repeal of the medical marijuana smoking ban on Wednesday — two days before DeSantis’ deadline. It’s unclear whether members will cast a final vote during that session or on Thursday.
The House budget committee will meet at 4 p.m. on Monday in room 212 of the Knott Building and the Senate budget panel will meet at 10 a.m. on Thursday in room 412.

Client Spotlight

Lindsey Phillips, Director of External Affairs
My role at Devereux entails: My role as Director of External Affairs at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Healthcare includes all aspects of external relations, strategic communications, media, and government relations, fund development, and community engagement while also serving in an operations role providing oversight of the admissions processes statewide for 255 beds of inpatient and group home behavioral healthcare treatment.  I have the privilege of facilitating ongoing partnerships among government agencies, community organizations, and civic-minded individuals who share a common goal in supporting individuals with unique needs in our community.
Devereux can help you: Devereux offers a broad continuum of services for individuals with mental health challenges and intellectual/developmental disabilities.  We can provide support for those in need of our services and we can provide opportunities for those who are passionate about helping others by getting involved in our awareness and advocacy efforts.  We also offer a number of educational programs to provide training on topics such as the prevention of human trafficking and internet safety for parents and caregivers.
Something you wish people knew about your job or Devereux that might not be obvious: Some may not know that Devereux provides therapeutic services to victims of human trafficking.  Some may also not know that Florida is ranked 3rd in the nation for reports to the national human trafficking hotline and that the majority of these reports are from central Florida.  In 2018, Devereux provided expert clinical care to 133 survivors and their family members and 100% of these cases demonstrated a reduction in trauma symptoms.
What excites you about going to work each day: I could not be more proud of the meaningful work provided by our dedicated team at Devereux each day.  I get to see first-hand the positive changes to people’s lives through their efforts.  I am continuously motivated by the opportunity to facilitate partnerships with individuals and organizations that choose to get involved, and it excites me to see how the collaboration leads to a positive and lasting impact in the community.

GRay Matters Video

2019 Session: Week One
In this week's GRay Matters, Dean Cannon and Jessica Love kick-off the first week of the 2019 Legislative Session. 
Check out our video series and stay informed throughout the 2019 Session.
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