Wednesday marked the halfway point in the Legislature’s 2022 60-day Session.
BUDGET:
With an abundance of cash from federal stimulus money and higher-than-expected state tax collections, lawmakers appear headed toward passing a record budget for the fiscal year that will start July 1. Last week the Senate laid out a $108.6 billion proposal, while the House proposed a $105.3 billion spending plan. This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved SB 2500 with the addition of over 100 amendments. The House Appropriations Committee was more divided, voting 20-9 to approve the House budget proposal (PCB APC 22-01). Both measures are now ready for floor debate and amendments.
HEALTH CARE AND COVID-19:
On Tuesday, State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo was confirmed by the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee after the panel had to postpone the vote and meet again due to numerous questions by members. Ladapo was appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2021 but the physician’s comments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic have been scrutinized by public health officials, who say he has downplayed the pandemic for political reasons. During his first committee hearing, Democrats walked out saying he wouldn’t answer their questions. Ladapo was confirmed along party lines and must now be confirmed by the full Senate.
EDUCATION:
Some of the session’s fiercest debates are playing out on education bills, including House and Senate measures that involve how race-related issues are taught in schools and school discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity.
The House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a proposal that would cut $200 million from the budgets of a dozen school districts that defied Gov. Ron DeSantis and legislators by requiring students to wear masks to combat the spread of COVID despite a state law banning such mandates. Alachua, Duval, Brevard, Broward, Hillsborough, Indian River, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange, Palm Beach, Sarasota and Volusia counties all had mask requirements during the height of the pandemic. Budget legislation approved Wednesday by the House panel would cut $200 million from those districts’ budgets. That money would be shifted to the budgets of the 55 other districts that didn’t put mask mandates in place.
ELECTIONS:
The House and Senate have started moving forward with proposals that include adding steps for voting by mail and creating a state office to investigate alleged election irregularities. Republicans contend the bills would help curb fraud, while Democrats say they would make it harder for people to vote.
INSURANCE:
With homeowners seeing hefty rate increases or losing policies, it remains unclear how lawmakers will address problems in the property-insurance system. A Senate proposal, in part, targets roof-damage claims that insurers blame for increased costs. A House proposal focuses on issues related to the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp.
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
Calling it the “Local Business Protection Act,” the Senate passed a bill that could lead to businesses filing lawsuits against cities and counties if ordinances cause lost profits of 15 percent or more. The issue, which has drawn heavy attention from local governments, is pending in House committees. Source: News Service Florida
Redistricting Update:
The House and Senate have passed the new House and Senate district maps, but there is still more work to be done on the new congressional maps. This week, the Florida Supreme Court unanimously rejected Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request to review the legality of a North Florida congressional district. Following the Supreme Court ruling, House Speaker Chris Sprowls shared that the House Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee will meet next week to resume working on the new proposal. The next House Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee meeting is scheduled for Friday, Feb. 18.
Webinar Replay: Part II Redistricting 101: A Legislative Update on Redistricting- January 28, 2022
