By Peter Schorsch
Sixty Days Newsletter
March 9, 2022
On Tuesday, the Senate passed a controversial bill (HB 1557) governing classroom instruction on LGBTQ matters. The bill, labeled “Don’t Say Gay” by opponents, cleared the chamber on a mostly party-line vote, with Republican Sens. Jeff Brandes and Jennifer Bradley crossing the aisle to vote against it. Its passage comes after weeks of heated debate among lawmakers, protests by students at the Capitol, and a lampooning on SNL. The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it into law. But LGBTQ rights group Equality Florida said the fight is far from over. Shortly after the vote, the organization announced plans to challenge the bill’s implementation in court. Here’s your nightly rundown.
Funding boost. The House and Senate agreed to send an extra $212 million in Medicaid funding to nursing homes to address staffing shortages.
Inflation fund. Top state budget negotiators have agreed to set aside $1 billion in a fund to address the impacts of inflation on state contracts.
Just kidding! House budget negotiators have scaled back their plan to hold back $200 million from school districts that flouted state laws on mask mandates.
Pay bump. Budget negotiators agreed to hike pay by 5.4% across the board and set a $15 an hour minimum wage for state employees.
Firewall funding. The House and Senate agreed to set aside more than $87 million to fortify the state’s cybersecurity infrastructure.
New big house. The criminal and civil justice budget is set, including spending $645 million for a new prison.
Jet set. Lawmakers agreed to spend $20 million to purchase two new state airplanes.
Five more years. The Legislature has approved a bill (SB 434) to extend VISIT FLORIDA’s authorization from 2023 through 2028.
Second chances. A bipartisan bill (HB 195) that would broaden juveniles’ ability to expunge arrest records is on its way to DeSantis’ desk.
Home court advantage. Lawmakers are creating a new appeals court headquartered in Lakeland — the hometownof Senate Budget Chief Kelli Stargel.
Round trip. The House approved an amended bill (SB 1950) overhauling the state’s Medicaid Managed Care program, sending it back to the Senate.
DBPR bill doomed? A suite of House changes have imperiled an omnibus bill (SB 714) changing licensing requirements and fees administered by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Dollars and sense. A bill (SB 1054) that would require Florida high school students to take a financial literacy class is headed to the Governor’s desk.
Scholarship money. It looks like the Benacquisto Scholarship Program has made the grade with appropriations leaders, snagging $2.15 million in the budget.
Hackers beware. The Legislature OK’d a bill (SB 1798) to beef up criminal penalties for stealing sexually explicit pictures and other sexual image-related crimes.
Overdue update. The House unanimously approvedupdates (SB 1262) for the Baker Act and Marchman Act, which govern involuntary commitment for mental health or substance abuse.
PaulBlart.edu. A bill (SB 1474) that would allow online security officer training and certification now awaits the Governor’s signature.
Got milk? Florida could soon allow donated human milk to infants as part of the Medicaid program under a bill (SB 1770) headed to DeSantis.
Shields up. The Senate passed a bill (SB 542) giving more protection to businesses if employees sue them during a state of emergency.
On the range. The Legislature approved a bill (SB 1186) that would make clear agriculture-related property tax benefits apply to agritourism farms.
Plate count. The House approved a revision (SB 364) of the state’s specialty license plate program, but an amendment cutting the number of tags in circulation means it heads back to the Senate.
What’s in a name? Lawmakers gave final approval to a bill (SB 160) that bestows names on 26 transportation facilities across the state.
