The Florida Senate on Wednesday will take up a proposal that would revamp the state's death-penalty sentencing system after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in January.
The Supreme Court ruled that Florida's current system is unconstitutional because it gives too much power to judges -- instead of juries -- in imposing death sentences.
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The House has already approved its version of a bill (HB 7101) that seeks to address the Supreme Court ruling, and the Senate will take up a similar bill (SB 7068) during a floor session Wednesday.
Among other issues, the Senate is expected to consider a controversial measure (SB 110), sponsored by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that is an outgrowth of a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year that said same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry.
The bill, dubbed the "Pastor Protection Act," seeks to prevent clergy members from being forced to perform marriage ceremonies contrary to their beliefs.
Critics say the bill is unnecessary because clergy already have First Amendment protections.
Also during the floor session, the Senate likely will take up a bill (SB 1442), sponsored by Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, that seeks to address a health-industry practice known as "balance billing."
Lawmakers are trying to prevent situations in which patients get unexpected bills for emergency treatment because providers are not in the networks of the patients' insurance companies.