What's Moving And What's Not Moving, With Bills In Tallahassee

Miami FL

09 February, 2022

7:29 PM

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By Bianca Marcof, Miami Times Staff Writer, the Miami Times Feb 8, 2022 From Black state lawmakers expressing concerns over legislation not moving forward in a largely white and Republican Legislature to the Supreme Court weighing in on Florida's new redistricting map, there are only a few weeks left of the legislative session as it reaches its midway point. It can be difficult to keep up with which bills are advancing in Tallahassee. Here's what you might have missed last week and where current legislation stands at this point in the session: Making churches essential After nationwide disputes over restrictions on in-person religious services during the COVID-19 pandemic, SB 254 and HB 215 would consider churches and other houses of worship as essential services, allowing them to operate in the event of another state emergency order. The House State Affairs Committee advanced the House Bill last Wednesday with a 15-7 vote, but not without bill sponsor and Republican Rep. Nick DiCeglie acknowledging that it is subject to some changes, like further clarifying what constitutes as a religious activity, after other members questioned whether revival concerts of prayer or bible study would be protected under the bill. DiCeglie told members that the bill will be reworked to be more specific and intentional, but its intent is clear. His proposal heads to the House Judiciary Committee while the Senate is expected to pass its identical version this week. If the bill becomes law, it would take effect July 1. Meeting the needs of children (pexels) The House Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee approved its proposed bill Thursday, PCB CFS 22-01, sponsored by Republican Rep. Thad Altman. It looks at establishing a number of programs to address the needs of fathers and helping them meet their child support, as well as supporting at-risk boys who may become involved with the state's juvenile system and young adults aging out of the foster care system. It would also increase the monthly stipend for postsecondary education services by $464 per month for foster youth who are pursuing education past high school. The act should take effect July 1 as well. "We will do everything we can at the Florida House to support family stability and ultimately our children," said Republican Rep. Colleen Burton, chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee. Black Caucus priorities Members of the Florida Legislative Black Caucus. (Florida Legislative Black Caucus via Facebook) During a news conference last Thursday, the Florida Legislative Black Caucus' Democratic members pointed out that their proposals have not gained traction in the GOP-controlled legislature. They have pushed for at least 59 proposals tackling key issues affecting Black residents including affordable housing, criminal justice reform, education and health care – yet none have made it to the House or Senate floor for a vote. Among the caucus-sponsored bills that have not been heard is a proposal sponsored by Democratic Rep. Marie Woodson – HB 1089 – that would provide a tax credit to landlords who lease or sell affordable housing to college students and recent college graduates. "Some of these issues are community issues that go in conflict with regard to some of the principals of our leadership, but most of the things that we work on together are able to get some type of resolution," said Sen. Bobby Powell, the caucus chair. Substance abuse & mental health Democratic and Republican lawmakers came together last week to pass a series of substance abuse and mental health bills. The first to pass the Senate Thursday was Republican Sen. Jim Boyd's bill on counteracting an opioid overdose, SB 544. It would allow pharmacists, child protective investigators and law enforcement staff to administer opioid-blocking drugs like naloxone in emergency situations like a suspected overdose. A similar House bill, HB 731, is ready for a vote on the House floor. Senators also passed a proposal from Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson (SB 282) that would add peer specialists for those who are recovering from addiction or mental illness. The bill on the House side, HB 795, is ready for the full chamber's consideration. SB 704 by Republican Sen. Gayle Harrell was also passed, which would create additional requirements for substance abuse treatment providers to ensure they are providing genuine care. And another bill to pass the Senate from Republican Sen. Joe Gruters (SB 566) would fix problems in mental health and social worker licensing created when the legislature eased licensing requirements in 2020. The House version, HB 343, is ready on the House floor. New legislative districts The Senate voted unanimously to approve a plan that sets new boundaries for the 40 Senate seats and 120 House seats – SJR 100. Maps with new legislative lines, which would allow Republicans to maintain control of the legislature into the 2030s, are headed to the Florida Supreme Court for review. The legislative and congressional districts need to be in place before qualifying for this year's elections begins June 13. There are concerns that Florida's minority populations aren't adequately represented in the changes. Primarily at issue is the dismantling of Black-held congressional districts. Gov. Ron DeSantis asked the court for an advisory opinion about his effort to revamp what is now Congressional District 5, which runs from Jacksonville to Gadsden County and is held by U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, a Black Democrat. Lawson said the governor is "race baiting" to build political points with his base. More power for DeSantis Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaking at a press conference. (DeSantis Press Office) This Thursday, the Senate is scheduled to hear a proposal that would allow the governor to appoint top agency officials without state Cabinet approval. The Senate Rules Committee last week voted 11-4 to approve SB 1658, filed by Republican Sen. Aaron Bean. The legislation grants an increase in DeSantis' power to appoint the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, the commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the executive director of the Department of Veterans' Affairs. This comes after DeSantis named Shawn Harrison as secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection last summer without approval from the Cabinet, which has long signed off on leaders of state agencies. The move drew opposition from Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is running to be the Democratic gubernatorial candidate and called the proposal a "power grab" in a statement. In other news · The House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee is moving ahead with HB 425, a bill that could make correctional and probation officers eligible for worker's compensation benefits when diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. A different bill giving first responders who have job-induced PTSD more time to file for workman's compensation (HB 689) is advancing to the State Affairs Committee – its last stop before it is ready for the House floor. (pexels) · HB 1239 and SB 804, which call for changes in the state's nursing homes staffing requirements and reducing the number of nursing hours that facilities are required to provide to patients, will be heard this week by lawmakers. · A bill asking public employee to annually reaffirm union membership (HB 1197) is heading to the House State Affairs Committee where it could be approved and take effect July 1. · The House is also moving ahead with HB 461, which allows paid work to meet volunteer requirements for a college Bright Futures scholarship. The program requires 100 service hours. The Miami Times is the largest Black-owned newspaper in the south serving Miami's Black community since 1923. The award-winning weekly is frequently recognized as the best Black newspaper in the country by the National Newspaper Publishers Association.