The 2015 special session of the Florida Legislature ended Friday evening at 6:50 p.m. after the legislature approved a $78.7 billion budget for the fiscal year starting July 1.
The regular legislative session ended in an unexpected fashion in late April when the House adjourned sine die early, due to the vast differences between the two chambers over Medicaid expansion and funding the Low Income Pool (LIP) as well as a lack of agreement on the state budget.
The special session began June 1 and included discussion and debate on the budget, health care funding, tax cuts, and other health-related issues like certificates of need for hospitals.
Ultimately, the House voted down the Senate’s Florida Health Insurance Affordability Exchange (FHIX) program, which would have sought a federal waiver to use Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion monies to help low-income residents purchase health insurance.
In turn, the Senate chose not to take up the House’s health policy changes that House leaders said would lower health costs by increasing competition and reducing regulations. Expect these significant issues to come up again during the upcoming 2016 session.
Here are some highlights on the budget:
Tax cuts
A priority for the Florida House, the legislature passed a $400+ million tax cut package, including a decrease in cellphone and cable television taxes that should save consumers about $20 annually. Legislators also agreed to a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday in August that covers clothes and school supplies. The package also waives sales taxes on college textbooks for a year.
Economic development
Funding for Visit Florida, the state's tourism marketing arm, remains steady at $74 million. The budget also provides $43 million for economic incentives used to recruit businesses.
Amendment 1 funding / environment
Legislators set aside $55 million to acquire conservation lands, but only about $17 million is reportedly going to the Florida Forever program. Close to $50 million is set aside for springs restoration projects and nearly $82 million for Everglades restoration work. The budget also provides $32 million for beach and dune restoration projects.
School funding
Spending for public schools is increased by $780 million and jumps by 3 percent for per-student funding. The new budget also includes $44 million for a bonus program that will award $10,000 scholarships to more than 4,400 teachers. Also, school districts that require school uniforms for kindergarten through 8th grade students will receive an extra $10 per student.
Tuition
The budget includes no university or community college tuition hikes.
Personal learning scholarships
A priority for the Senate president, the budget triples spending on personal learning scholarship accounts. The $55 million will provide therapy, tutoring and educational services to children with disabilities. Legislators also agreed to expand student eligibility.
Affordable housing
Funded at $175 million with certain money targeted to developments serving the elderly, families, homeless persons, and those who have disabling conditions. Additionally, some of the money must go to private nonprofit organizations whose primary mission includes serving persons with developmental disabilities.
Health care
The budget does not include any federal aid to expand health care coverage or Medicaid eligibility. Legislators did agree to use $400 million to offset the expected loss of federal aid that goes to hospitals that treat uninsured and low-income patients.
Prisons
$10 million is allotted to help pay for maintenance and repairs at aging facilities. Money was also added to deal with a deficit in the Department of Correction's operating budget that should allow it to fill positions it had been leaving vacant.
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Governor Scott must now review the budget and has the ability to use his line item veto power to veto individual projects.
This summary was provided by Gunster's government affairs law practice members. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Lila Jaber, Larry Williams or Joanna Bonfanti.
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The 2016 regular legislative session will convene on January 12, 2016.
In preparation for the 2016 session, please be advised the schedule for interim committee meetings of the Florida Legislature are as follows:
- Sept. 16 - 18
- Oct. 5 - 9
- Oct. 19 - 23
- Nov. 2 - 6
- Nov. 16 - 20
- Nov. 30 - Dec. 4
