Fiscal Policy [Source] Translate

The Committee on Fiscal Policy convened with a quorum present, and Chair Gruners was excused. The meeting began with a discussion on the Speech and Debate Bill presented by Senator Broder, which establishes Florida Speech and Debate Week from February 1st to 7th, creates the Florida Debate Initiative, and requires annual public reporting to the Department of Education, with a recurring appropriation of $2.4 million. The bill received support and was reported favorably. Senator Sharif introduced CS for SB 196, focusing on uterine fibroid research to improve data collection, particularly affecting women's health among Black women. The bill received support and was reported favorably. Senator Sharif also presented CS for SB 864, ensuring confidentiality of personal medical information in the uterine fibroid research database, which was discussed briefly and reported favorably. Senator Yarborough introduced SB 432, addressing controlled substances, specifically prohibiting the sale of nitrous oxide products by retailers with a tobacco permit to protect public health. The bill was amended and reported favorably. Senator Grawl presented SB 1630, modernizing Florida's aging and long-term care statutes, which received support and was reported favorably. Senator Garcia introduced SB 1112, amending the Florida Labor Pool Act to eliminate placement fees for workers hired from labor pools, requiring annual registration of labor pools, and strengthening enforcement. The bill aims to support reentry for individuals from the justice system and improve employment opportunities. It received support from various individuals and was reported favorably. The meeting then discussed Senate Bill 194, designating October 14th as Charlie Kirk Day in Florida. The bill faced significant opposition, with many criticizing Kirk's divisive rhetoric and suggesting alternative figures for recognition. The committee voted unanimously against the bill. A related bill, SB 174, proposed to designate a portion of State Road 985 as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue, which received mixed votes and was reported favorably. Senator Simon introduced SB 524, proposing changes to the Medical Examiner Commission's duties, which included granting FDLE rulemaking authority and clarifying responsibilities. The amendment was adopted without opposition, and the bill was reported favorably. Senator Simon also presented CS for SB 530, amending the lottery system's operational security, which was reported favorably. Senator Gates introduced CS for SB 646, addressing drug paraphernalia, particularly tools detecting fentanyl, which was reported favorably. Senator Arrington presented SB 676, making animal cruelty a third-degree felony and expanding the public database of animal abusers, which was reported favorably. He also introduced CS for SB 1180, establishing a recall framework for community development district board members, which was reported favorably. Senator Mayfield presented CS for SB 800, increasing penalties for unlicensed engineering practice, which was reported favorably. The committee then discussed CS for SB 1404 on memory care, creating a specialty license for assisted living facilities serving residents with Alzheimer's disease, which was reported favorably after adopting a late-file substitute amendment. Senator Collado introduced Senate Bill 1072, establishing an antisemitism task force within the Attorney General's Office, which was reported favorably after brief debate. Senator Kaladiu presented CS for SB 1684, establishing a Parkinson's Disease Registry, and CS for SB 1686, providing a public records exemption for personally identifying information in the registry, both reported favorably without debate. The meeting concluded with senators requesting to be recorded on various tabs, and after a brief discussion, the motion to adjourn was adopted without objections.