TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate is bringing in a team from Tampa General Hospital to help determine how to safely hold committee meetings and the 2021 legislative session as the state continues to struggle with COVID-19. “They will help us develop educational information for senators and staff on practical, actionable infection prevention steps,” Simpson wrote. Tampa General’s Prevention Response Outreach team is expected to begin its work on the Senate plans this week, according to the hospital. “We’re dedicated to safeguarding the health and well-being of the citizens of Florida, and that includes creating a safe environment for our elected officials to work,” Tampa General President and CEO John Couris said in a prepared statement. The team, set up in May, has previously consulted with Florida Aquarium, The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, The Tampa Bay Lightning and TECO.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – State general revenues came in just above a forecast amount in July, but the coronavirus pandemic continued to hammer sales-tax collections. In the latest numbers, corporate income taxes, corporate filing fees and highway safety fees came in a combined $175.1 million above projections. With bars closed and restaurants limited in occupancy, beverage taxes were $8.2 million off in the July numbers. General revenue plays a vital role in funding schools, health care and prisons. Ron DeSantis started efforts to reopen the state’s economy in May, moving most of Florida into a second phase in June.

Ron DeSantis to toss out a lawsuit challenging Israel’s removal from office. The Senate’s removal of the veteran law enforcement officer came after a special master, appointed by Galvano, recommended that the Senate reinstate Israel. “The nature of the challenged conduct here is not consistent with the traditional legislative process immunizing legislatures and legislators. “But when the governor opposed the special master’s ruling, the Florida Senate relied on suspicion, innuendo, and unnoticed speculation to declare that Sheriff Israel must be removed from office,” Kuehne wrote. Rejecting Special Master Dudley Goodlette’s recommendation that he be reinstated, the Senate voted 25-15 during the October special session to remove Israel from office.

The Senate banged into session first, opening its session by commemorating the Dec. 6 shooting at the Pensacola naval air station that killed three sailors. In his remarks, Oliva criticized what he called the "health care industrial complex,'' including drug companies, hospitals and medical device companies that he called "the great robber-barons of our time.'' Chief among them continues to be health care,” Oliva told his chamber. “We did not choose health care as our priority,” he said. While the Florida Pharmacy Association backs the bill, the Florida Association of Health Plans is critical of it, according to the News Service of Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – When state lawmakers talk about Florida prisons, a trifecta of problems often comes up: staffing levels, health care costs and crumbling facilities. He said he fears that if longstanding prison issues are not addressed, it could ultimately result in a federal takeover of the prison system. In recent months, Inch has issued dire warnings to state lawmakers, saying years of budget cuts have contributed to anemic staffing levels, violence behind bars and inadequate treatment for inmates. The Senate president last week was also hesitant to endorse any major prison health-care changes. A new audit estimated the state could save $46 million a year if it moved away from a private contract for prison health-care services.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Time ran short Tuesday, delaying a vote in a Senate health-care panel on a controversial bill that would require minors to get parental consent before having abortions. The Senate Health Policy Committee met for 90 minutes to discuss the bill (SB 404), but Democrats on the panel proposed 15 amendments. While the committee didn't take public testimony on the bill, the meeting drew supporters and opponents to the Senate. Senate Health Policy Chairwoman Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, said she will put the parental-consent measure on the committee's agenda when it meets again next month. Along with the Health Policy Committee, the bill would need to go to the Senate Judiciary and Rules committees before it could get a vote in the full Senate.

The Senate Health Policy Committee is scheduled Tuesday to consider the bill (SB 404), filed by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland. The House passed a parental-consent bill during the 2019 session, but the proposal died in the Senate. Stargel's bill and a House version (HB 265) are filed for the 2020 session, which starts in January. Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, also said last week he supports a parental-consent requirement. If ultimately passed, the proposal would ban physicians from performing abortions on minors unless the physicians receive notarized, written parental consent or court orders waiving the parental consent requirement.

Ron DeSantis wants to crack down on illegal immigration by requiring all employers in the state to check the immigration status of potential hires through the federal E-Verify system. The move comes after DeSantis pushed through a ban on so-called sanctuary cities earlier this year. "I think the best way to help deter illegal immigration is to pursue E-Verify," said DeSantis. Legislation filed for the 2020 session would make it mandatory for all employers use E-Verify to check every potential employee, or else their licenses could be suspended or even revoked. "I'm very concerned about the E-Verify bill and what that could potentially do to our smaller farmers in creating these additional paperwork and burden on their everyday concerns," said Fried.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A state commission tasked with making school-safety policy recommendations to the Florida Legislature approved a draft report on Thursday that will highlight a need for more mental health funding. The report, crafted by the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, is expected to be finalized and sent to Gov. Following a conference call on Thursday, commissioners made a few last-minute changes to the 150-page report, including a recommendation that would allow Florida judges to offer mental health treatment options to minors who enter the criminal justice system. Commissioners had already made a number of recommendations to Florida lawmakers that focused on mental health, including a request for more money, based on a finding that the state's "mental health system is not adequately funded." While the commission has not specified a dollar amount, it did note that lawmakers should require entities that receive state funding for mental health to coordinate with public and private entities, "especially school-based providers."

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Secretary of State Laurel Lee has sent a memo to county elections supervisors with direction about complying with a federal judge's ruling on felons' voting rights -- but questions remain about how the state will move forward. The Legislature this spring passed a law to carry out the amendment, but the law drew federal court challenges because it requires felons to pay "legal financial obligations," such as restitution, fines and fees, to get their rights restored. Hinkle disputed the characterization of a poll tax, but his ruling said Florida cannot deny the right to vote to felons who have served their sentences and are "genuinely unable" to pay legal financial obligations. Until Florida establishes this process, all other returning citizens who owe legal financial obligations are left waiting." Justices are slated to hear arguments Nov. 6, and Hinkle's ruling left resolution of that issue to the state court.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - There are now more than two million concealed carry license holders in Florida. Shortening a permit's validity will raise about 25 percent more revenue for the department; a fully staffed department that can only use that money on concealed carry permits. Retraining would cost concealed carry permit holders anywhere from $50 to $200. The reason for the wide range in costs for training for a concealed carry permit is because the state sets no standards for the training. Click here for a county-by-county breakdown of concealed carry permits.

Ron DeSantis on Tuesday continued his full-throated support of a plan to increase minimum teacher salaries in Florida to $47,500, but Senate President Bill Galvano cautioned it might be difficult to carry out. Lawmakers also can direct pots of money, known in Tallahassee-speak as categoricals, for specific purposes -- a potential approach in setting a statewide minimum salary. DeSantis has made a top priority of the $47,500 minimum salary for the 2020 legislative session, which starts Jan. 14. Its every teacher would need to be paid a minimum salary of $47,500, DeSantis said. The Florida Education Association teachers union, meanwhile, contends DeSantis plan doesnt go far enough because it wouldnt raise pay for teachers who make more than the proposed minimum salary or for other school employees.

I expect there will be a robust debate, but the case is going to have to be made before it passes. The first indication of hurdles an E-Verify bill (SB 664) could face in the Senate will come with the number of committee assignments it gets. I am very concerned about the E-Verify bill and what that can potentially do to our smaller farmers in creating this additional paperwork and burden, Fried said. Under the Senate bill, employers would lose all applicable licenses if they do not register with the E-Verify system. It seems like they would be perfectly equipped to have this type of system.In the House, state Rep. Cord Byrd has said he intends to file the E-Verify bill.

Galvanos comments came after the House Health & Human Services Committee last week, in a partisan vote, approved the 2020 version of the House parental-consent bill. If ultimately passed, the proposal would ban physicians from performing abortions on minors unless the physicians receive notarized, written parental consent or court orders waiving the parental consent requirement. But a consent requirement would be more-restrictive than a notice requirement. According to a staff analysis of the House bill, 224 petitions for waiver of the parental-notification requirement were filed in 2017. Similar to the current notification requirement, the consent bill would allow exemptions for teens who already are parents or are in medical emergencies.

Ron DeSantis that would allow college athletes in Florida to cash in on their names and images. Galvano also said the proposal, announced last week by DeSantis, doesn't appear to have full Senate support. Galvano said lawmakers might be able to do some things regarding social media to make the situation fair for college athletes. DeSantis reiterated his support Tuesday for the direction of bills filed for the 2020 legislative session that propose what he said is needed reform for college athletes. Gavin Newsom last month signed into law a measure that, starting in 2023, would allow California college athletes to hire agents and sign endorsement deals.

Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesTALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Sierra Club Florida Chapter Director Frank Jackalone warned Friday that time is running short as the state faces the consequences of climate change. The Sierra Club has been a fierce critic of the toll-road projects, which were a priority of Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, during the 2019 session. Jackalone praised lawmakers for being more open to talk about climate change than in the past. Jackalone warned that by failing to adequately address climate change, money going into Everglades restoration will be wasted. "We're seeing waters rising to the point where the southern tip of the Everglades (is already) being threatened sea level rise," Jackalone said.

The projects were put on a fast track, with three task forces created to consider issues such as routes and environmental impacts. "So, the earlier we can start the planning and segmentation, the earlier we can start PD&E," Watts said. The task forces -- known as the "Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance," or M-CORES, task forces -- have met once, in a joint introductory session in August. The legislation establishing the task forces outlined environmental areas to avoid, such as springs, aquifers and conservation lands. The task forces are comprised of local officials, environmentalists, representatives of agricultural interests, transportation planners, members of business groups and educators.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Shortly after Trilby Republican Wilton Simpson was formally elected Tuesday as Florida's next Senate president, he characterized himself as a farmer and an entrepreneur --- and not a politician. Simpson will succeed President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, after the November 2020 elections and will hold one of the most powerful political jobs in Florida. One thing he would like to see fixed in the foster care system is cutting down the waiting time for qualified parents to adopt children. He also wants to keep children from bouncing from foster home to foster home. When Simpson takes over as president, his counterpart as House speaker will be Palm Harbor Republican Chris Sprowls.

Tyler Barrick/Getty ImagesTALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A second House bill, this time from a Republican, has been filed to allow college student athletes in Florida to be able to cash in on their names and images. Both proposals seek to allow Florida college and university athletes to be compensated through endorsement deals. The California law, which takes effect in 2023, allows student athletes to hire agents and sign endorsement deals. "I look forward to working with our student athletes and university leaders on this important bill," LaMarca tweeted Friday. "The time to act is now -- 2020 is the year that our student athletes will enter the free market!"

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A state senator is looking to build support for legislation that would enhance Florida's firearm background check process. Kate Kyle, with Moms Demand Action, delivered 807 letters from Florida voters to Lee. This seems like the most common sense thing to do is to see if there's some holes in the background check system that could be tightened up, Lee said. "I understand that there were about 9,000 people last year that applied for a background check ... that were denied and ostensibly because they had a prior felony. At least eight unique bills aimed at increasing gun control have been filed for the 2020 session.

Israel appealed his suspension to the Senate, which has the authority to remove or reinstate elected officials. "That said, the evidence offered has not demonstrated that Sheriff Israel should be removed from office based on this incident. "Overall, the evidence presented to me suggests it was individual failures that plagued the Stoneman Douglas response, not neglect or incompetence by Sheriff Israel," Goodlette concluded. "However, I cannot adopt the governor's position that their personal failures, in and of themselves, create grounds to remove Sheriff Israel. To be sure, Sheriff Israel bears ultimate responsibility for the neglect of his deputies," Goodlette wrote.

Galvano said he wants the Senate to work on "clarifying" a school safety law, which outlines the training requirements for armed school personnel, including classroom teachers, under the guardian program. The school board already had paid the company $67,100, according to court documents. Gualtieri, who is also a lawyer, was the first to publicly air concerns about Invictus' training. Under the school guardian program, individuals are required to complete a 144-hour course, largely focused on firearms training. Galvano said he is aware of the lawsuit and the concerns Gaultieri raised about the state law being misinterpreted again.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - After a directive from Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, a Senate committee next week will start looking into issues related to mass violence. Galvano in August directed the Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee to examine the issues after mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. The committee chaired by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, will hold a workshop Monday that will include presentations about academic research, law-enforcement issues, mental-health issues and judicial-system issues, according to an agenda. Among the speakers will be Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen, leaders of the Florida Sheriffs Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association, professors from the Florida State University College of Criminology and Criminal Justice and officials from the Florida Department of Children and Families and Apalachee Center Inc., a Tallahassee-area mental health treatment program. News Service of Florida

Reports from the task forces are due in 13 months, and construction is slated to begin in three years. "This is really a defining moment for our state," Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault said during the meeting of the task forces. Citrus County officials, which has three commissioners serving as task force members, voiced support for efforts to extend north the Suncoast Parkway. Each task force is comprised of about 40 people, including local officials, environmentalists, representatives of agricultural interests, transportation planners, members of business groups and educators. The task forces include representatives from 1000 Friends of Florida, Audubon Florida, Defenders of Wildlife, The Nature Conservancy and the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

News Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE, Fla. - House Republicans have killed an effort by their Democratic colleagues to call the state Legislature to Tallahassee to address gun violence in a special session. Democrats needed 72 of 120 votes in the House and 24 of 40 in the Senate to require the special session. The polling that began Wednesday showed 30 House Democrats have voted in support of the special session. In the Senate, voting also was split along party lines, with 16 Republicans against and 10 Democrats in favor of the session. House Democrats called for the special session in the wake of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, earlier this month, but were quickly opposed by Republicans leaders in both chambers.

News Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Initial voting for a legislative special session on gun violence confirm House Democrats will have a tough time reaching the required 60 percent approval in both chambers. Among the votes cast by House members, the results also ran along party lines, with 14 Democrats in support and 23 Republicans against the proposal. Without losing any of their own members, Democrats have to convince seven Republicans in the Senate and 25 Republicans in the House to support the call for a special session. The House Democrats launched the demand for the special session in the wake of mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, earlier this month. Cementing bipartisan support for a special session on the topic of guns seems unlikely, however.

While Galvano says he's open to possibly expanding Florida's "red flag" laws, he told the Associated Press on Thursday that the two issues should be addressed separately. Since Florida's "red flag" law went into effect in March 2018, there have been 2,434 risk protection orders reported to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which prompted the agency to suspend 595 concealed weapons licenses. In the wake of those shootings, Florida Republicans have focused their condemnation on hate groups and their attention on keeping guns away from those with mental illness. A trio of Republican state senators began circulating a resolution on Thursday that rejects white nationalism as "hateful, dangerous, and morally corrupt." In a letter sent to Galvano on Wednesday, she said it was still too easy to access a gun in Florida.

Hill proposed a similar bill for the 2019 legislative session (HB 6073), but it was not heard in committees. Red flag laws have drawn heavy attention nationwide after separate shootings last weekend that left 22 people dead in El Paso, Texas, and 10 people dead in Dayton, Ohio. U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., was among people urging U.S. Senate leaders to take up a red flag bill he introduced in 2018 after the Parkland shooting. On Monday, Florida Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, directed Senate Infrastructure and Security Chairman Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, to lead efforts to determine if any further action is needed on state gun laws. News Service of Florida

News Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE, Fla. - In the run-up to the 2020 legislative session, the Florida Senate will review acts of mass violence such as the deadly shootings this weekend in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, along with factors such as white nationalism. The shootings come after years of debate in Florida about gun-control issues, including whether to ban assault weapons. A political committee Ban Assault Weapons NOW is trying to get a proposed ban on the November 2020 ballot. This weekend, we saw yet two more mass shootings in our country take the lives of 31 fellow Americans, with both shooters armed with military-grade assault weapons, Gail Schwartz, chairwoman of Ban Assault Weapons NOW, said in a prepared statement. It must be confronted aggressively so that it cannot metastasize further.Sen. Gary Farmer, D-Fort Lauderdale, urged Floridians to back the 2020 ballot proposal to ban assault weapons.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida transportation officials have set up a website for citizen engagement on three planned toll roads on the western side of the state. Called "Multi-use Corridors of Regional Economic Significance," or M-CORES, state lawmakers have promoted the new roads as critical to help Florida prepare for future growth and to aid in disaster evacuations. The Department places public engagement as one of the highest priorities and we welcome public feedback throughout this initial thirteen-month evaluation process, Thibault said. But Thibault said protecting the environment and natural resources will be a priority during the process of developing the road plans. The law requires task forces to be established for each road, to study the environmental and economic impacts of potential routes.

Oliva reported a $15.2 million net worth, bolstered by $7.25 million in bank and investment accounts and $5.59 million in real estate investments. The $15.2 million number was up from a net worth of $13.65 million as of Dec. 31, 2017, reports show. An attorney who chairs the House Rules Committee, Sprowls had reported a net worth of $232,879 a year ago. Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican who listed a net worth of nearly $25.92 million, is in line to take over as Senate president after the 2020 elections. Simpson has seen his net worth grow 66.5 percent since being elected to the Senate in 2012.