FLORIDA SENATE

Under HB 269 , leaving hateful messages would be a third-degree felony in Florida.

Senate Bill 256 would place new restrictions on Unions.

News4JAX talked with drag performers and lawmakers about how the law could impact Jacksonville.

A fight is developing in Florida's legislature over a measure that would allow fire stations and hospitals to install boxes where distressed mothers could leave their unwanted newborns.

The Florida Senate is expected to vote Tuesday on a bill that would clear the way for the state to revoke the licenses of restaurants and other establishments that allow children to attend drag shows.

A Senate panel on Thursday moved Florida one step closer to allowing people to carry concealed firearms without licenses, as critics on opposite sides took aim at the proposal.

Insurance experts are calling it the most groundbreaking property insurance reform legislation ever introduced in the state of Florida.

Florida Republicans gained four seats in the state Senate on Tuesday, ousting two incumbents as Democrats were eclipsed in the midterm elections up and down the ballot.

Florida will require statewide recertification of condominiums over three stories tall under new legislation Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law.

Lawmakers are trying to find a way to lower home insurance premiums for Floridians.

The House passed the bill last month in a 74-41 party-line vote.

A new map has now been set for the 120 districts in the Florida House.

A new map has now been set for the 40 districts in the Florida Senate.

Gov. DeSantis has indicated that he is in favor of the measure.

The Florida Senate is on the verge of passing a bill that would prohibit doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, one of the most bitterly disputed issues of the 2022 legislative session.

5th Congressional District, represented by Democrat Al Lawson, being debated by state legislature and the governor.

As the 2022 Florida legislative session comes to a close, state lawmakers are still working to finalize new congressional maps for the state. A key sticking point is the north Florida district currently known as District 5, stretching from Jacksonville to the Tallahassee area.

As the 2022 Florida legislative session comes to a close, state lawmakers are still working to finalize new congressional maps for the state. A key sticking point is the north Florida district currently known as District 5, stretching from Jacksonville to the Tallahassee area.

Let the Florida budget negotiations begin.

Protests outside people's homes could become illegal in Florida.

Florida redistricting proposals are stirring controversy in Tallahassee.

The president of the Florida Senate said state legislators will consider a similar bill to Texas’ controversial new abortion law.

With Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville, running for the Florida Senate next year, a second candidate has emerged to try to replace him in the Florida House.

Gov. Ron DeSantis expects late this month to reinstate a requirement that people in the unemployment system submit weekly "work search" updates.

Florida public-school students might soon have a required moment of silence at the start of each day, under a measure passed Thursday by the Florida Senate and headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

A controversial bill that would ban transgender females from playing on girls’ and women’s high-school and college sports teams has hit a roadblock in the Florida Senate.

Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature has approved stiffer penalties against violent protesters.

After a three-and-a-half hour hearing Wednesday, time ran out before a Florida Senate committee in the Capitol could vote on a controversial election reform bill.

The Florida Senate unanimously passed a $95 billion budget and will now have to work out differences with the House.

With work continuing to prevent a potentially catastrophic collapse of a reservoir wall, the Florida Senate will consider a budget amendment Wednesday to spend as much as $200 million to clean up the site of a former phosphate plant in Manatee County.

The Florida Senate is using some creative procedural maneuvering to resurrect the controversial “anti-riot” bill and the move is drawing criticism from Republicans and Democrats.

The Florida Senate is poised to start moving forward with a proposal designed to crack down on social-media companies that block users from their platforms, a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Senate President Wilton Simpson said Thursday he will use a procedural maneuver to ensure that a controversial law-and-order proposal pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis starts moving in the Senate.

Ron DeSantis on Wednesday proposed a $1,000 bonus for public school principals and full-time classroom teachers for grades Pre-K through 12 who have been apart of a historic and challenging school year. “The past year included so much uncertainty for our state’s students, parents and educators,” DeSantis said. “In Florida, we knew how important it was for our students to return to school, and our principals and teachers answered the call. The state’s largest teachers union said it’s a reward that teachers deserve. Recommending a $1,000 bonus for some school employees continues the governor’s strategy of picking winners and losers in our schools.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In a unanimous vote, the Florida Senate has given a thumbs up to a bill that would ease restrictions on craft distilleries in the state. Republican Sen. Travis Hutson is the sponsor of Senate Bill 46, which he says levels the playing field. “Senate Bill 46 attempts to put our craft distilleries on the same playing field nationally as other states,” Hutson was quoted by Florida Politics as having told the Senate Rules Committee. As noted in the bill, the term “craft distillery” now refers to a licensed distillery in Florida which distills or blends 250,000 gallons or less of spirits per calendar years on its premises. Additionally, effective July 1, 2026, a minimum of 60% of a craft distillery’s total finished branded product has to be distilled in Florida.

AdThe proposed voting changes, which come after millions of voters in Florida and throughout the country opted to cast mail-in ballots amid the COVID-19 pandemic, are causing alarm for elections experts as well as Democrats. Election supervisors in Florida also encouraged the use of mail-in ballots in advance of the November election, and the numbers of mail-in ballots skyrocketed. The measure would require voters to request mail-in ballots prior to every general election. AdTrump has frequently voted by mail, but the former president and his allies have asserted that mail-in ballots are vulnerable to fraud. Ingoglia defended the provision in the Senate proposal that would require voters to sign up for mail-in ballots more frequently.

Earlier this month, the House approved liability protections for most businesses and was to later take up another bill specific to health care providers. The version coming before the Senate combines both into a single bill, and would put pressure on the House to follow suit. He argues that a spate of lawsuits could translate to the loss of jobs. AdImmunity from COVID lawsuits is especially important for long-term care facilities. There was national outrage last year after a widely circulated video showed a law enforcement officer zip-tying a crying 6-year-old schoolgirl.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Parents in Florida are currently required to keep their children in booster or car seats until they turn 5 years old. For a decade, the federal government has recommended that age 7 be the cutoff for these seats. But even a compromise that would raise the age to 6 hasn’t gone anywhere in the Florida Legislature. Raising the age limit from 5 to 6 is a move supported by science. He said the biggest challenge will be educating parents on the changes if the age limit is increased.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Aaron Bean, president pro tempore of the Florida Senate, and his wife tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday morning as they arrived at the state Capitol for the opening session of the 2021 Legislature, a Senate spokeswoman confirmed. Bean had tested negative on Monday and attended committee meetings while wearing a mask as called for in safety protocols in place as lawmakers return to work in Tallahassee this year. #OpeningDay pic.twitter.com/hrmoShF5cn — Aaron Bean (@AaronPBean) March 2, 2021To adhere to social-distancing requirements during the 60-day legislative session, the House is offering limited seating on a “first-come, first-served basis” for committee meetings in which legislation is discussed. Members of the public who aren’t registered lobbyists and can’t attend committee meetings in person will be allowed to submit written comments to committee members electronically. Bean is among dozens of Florida lawmakers who have contracted the virus over the past year, including Senate President Wilton Simpson and Senate Democratic Leader Gary Farmer.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As a COVID-19 precaution, no more than three state Senate committees will meet at the same time when lawmakers return to Tallahassee next year. Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, announced new block scheduling for committees Thursday, as he announced committee member assignments. “This schedule will allow us to utilize the committee rooms with the largest seating area for Senators, 412 Knott (Building), 110 (Senate Office Building), and 37 (Senate Office Building), to accommodate appropriate social distancing,” Simpson wrote in a memo to senators. The first of five pre-session committee weeks will start Jan. 11. Officials have not released plans about public attendance inside the Capitol during the committee weeks and the session.

Simpson’s comments came as the Trilby Republican took up the mantle as leader of the Florida Senate during an organization session, in which newly elected lawmakers were sworn in and House and Senate leaders officially took the helm. General revenue, which includes such money as sales taxes and corporate income taxes, play a vital role in funding schools, health care and prisons. But Florida Education Association President Andrew Spar said public-school funding was slashed during the recession that hit the state hard in 2008. While a significant amount of the cuts have been restored, public schools still lag behind pre-2008 base funding levels, according to Spar. We recognize that this will be a challenging budget year due to COVID-19, but our public schools should be spared any cuts.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Democratic candidate for a state Senate seat that stretches from Clay County west across North Florida Central Florida to the Gulf Coast died of thyroid cancer on Tuesday night. She was also the first transgender woman running for a Florida Senate seat. Barratt told co-workers that she wanted to take her fight for equity for all women by running for public office and signed up to run in state Senate Dist. Marissa McCool, who featured Barratt in her podcast, said remembers her for being willing to represent those who are voiceless. “Vote for Melina despite the fact that she’s crossed over,” Lakey Love, secretary of Florida National Organization for Women, told WCJB-TV.

That is pretty much what TPRO (the program) is doing every day.”Lakshmi and her team were brought in after the Florida Senate signed a two-year contract with Tampa General Hospital for prevention response and outreach services. TPRO has not been contacted by the House of Representatives or the governor’s office, which, along with the Florida Senate, are located in the Capitol building. Lakshmi illustrated how the components work together by telling a story of a turtle in a briar patch. “Imagine you are a turtle in a briar patch. The environmental control is the briar patch that is thorny.

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.

REPUBLICAN CANDIDATEJennifer BradleyParty affiliation: RepublicanAge: 49Candidate’s family: My husband Rob and I have been married for 25 years. Defending North Florida conservative values like protecting the unborn and standing up for our Second Amendment rights. I am a lifelong Republican who will fight for north Florida values in Tallahassee. I'd like to be remembered as a leader who treated everyone with respect, led with humility and created a lasting legacy of accomplishments that improved north Florida. Her name remains on the ballot and votes cast for her will go to a replacement candidate named by the Florida Democratic Party.

Ensuring Floridians have a right to clean air and water and ensuring that Florida is carbon negative by 2030. His district and capital offices are closed and haven’t responded to our emails in over 3 weeks. Experience is important and the Senate is not a place where one should seek on the job training. I have life, work, and political experience in order to best represent the needs of my district. Like all sectors of private and public employment in Florida, Covid has made things difficult.

Ron DeSantis moratorium on evictions expires Wednesday, and thousands in Florida could soon face being removed from their homes. Why dont you, like, try to keep us in our house? said Trish Brown with the Florida Housing Justice Alliance. The Florida Housing Justice Alliance counts as many as 2,600 evictions cued up and ready to start moving through the courts. DeSantis was asked Tuesday afternoon at a South Florida news conference if he would be extending the midnight expiration of the eviction moratorium. The eviction moratorium was extended hours before it expired June 1.

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.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In a long-running issue watched by communities and businesses across the state, a Senate committee Monday approved a proposal that would take away power from cities and counties to regulate vacation rental properties. The Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee backed a bill (SB 1128), sponsored by Sen. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, that would “preempt” regulation of vacation rentals to the state. But critics contend that such rentals, in many cases, have turned into commercial operations in residential areas. “We can’t just preempt,” Passidomo said. “We have to preempt and set rules.”Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville, has filed a House version of the bill (HB 1011).

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.

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.

Ron DeSantis by removing embattled Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel from office. The full Senate vote --- in which three Democrats joined the Republican majority --- came two days after the Senate Rules Committee ignored Goodlette's recommendation and voted to back removing Israel from office. From 450 miles away, the governor substituted his judgment for yours and installed his own sheriff in Broward County," Israel said. "I view the action we are about to take not as a vote for Sheriff Israel or against Gov. To take away that office deprives the people of an important right," Kuehne said after the Senate vote.

The governor alleged Israel was incompetent and negligent in his duties related to the shooting at Stoneman Douglas and another a year earlier at the Fort Lauderdale airport. DeSantis is a Republican who was elected governor last year; Israel is a Democrat first elected as Broward County sheriff in 2012 and again in 2016. Supporters of the suspended sheriff also showed up at the State Capitol in Tallahassee on Monday, wearing buttons with the words "The People's Sheriff" printed on them. No matter what the state Senate decides, the outcome is expected to be controversial. "Sheriff Israel has never, never taken the position that anybody, including himself, acted perfectly.

Ron DeSantis' ouster of Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. Speaking to reporters after the vote, Israel, who is running for re-election in 2020, was subdued. Tony Montalto, whose 14-year-old daughter Gina died in the school shooting, was among the family members who addressed the senators. We never fired a sheriff," he said, adding that the Senate was poised to put Broward voters "in harm's way." In 2016, I voted for Scott Israel, and I ask you today, hear my voice.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - People who leave dogs outside and unattended during freezing temperatures or other severe weather could face up to a year in jail or a fine of up to $5,000, under a measure filed Wednesday in the Florida Senate. The proposal (SB 522) by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, would lead to first-degree misdemeanor charges for people who leave dogs outside, "regardless of whether the dog has access to an outdoor shelter," when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or the National Weather Service has issued a severe weather advisory or warning. The bill is filed for the 2020 legislative session, which starts Jan. 14. During the 2019 session, Gruters backed a similar bill, which did not pass. It said 49 dogs and two cats were rescued by animal control officers.

Online sellers would have to automatically collect sales tax from Floridians and submit it to the state under a bill moving in the Florida Senate. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Online sellers would have to automatically collect sales tax from Floridians and submit it to the state under a bill moving in the Florida Senate. Republican Sen. Joe Gruters said Florida consumers are required to pay the sales tax, but rarely do so if online sellers don't collect it. Florida's sales tax is 6%. Forty-three of 45 states with a sales tax jumped on the idea. If they sell less than 100 products or have sales less than $200,000 annually, they do not have to collect Florida sales tax.

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.

For the first time ever, a Florida Senate committee is delving into the causes of mass violence. Copyright 2019 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.

News Service of FloridaTALLAHASSEE, Fla. - With more than 2,400 cases this year, a Florida Senate committee will receive an update next week about the state's hepatitis A outbreak. The state Department of Health on Tuesday is slated to brief the Senate Health Policy Committee about the disease, which can cause liver damage. By comparison, it had 122 cases in 2016, 276 cases in 2017 and 548 cases last year. Pasco County, for example, led the state as of Saturday with 385 cases this year, while neighboring Pinellas County had 354 cases. The Health Policy Committee will hold its first meeting next week as it begins preparing for the 2020 legislative session, which starts in January.

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. - Suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel on Monday filed paperwork to run again next year for the post he was stripped of by Gov. DeSantis also accused Israel of mishandling the response to a mass shooting at Hollywood-Fort Lauderdale International Airport that resulted in five deaths. Israel has appealed his suspension to the Florida Senate, which has the power to reinstate or remove elected officials. Israel and his lawyers have called the suspension a political ploy by DeSantis designed to curry favor with voters. If youre not happy with decisions an elected official made, theres a process in place to get rid of an elected official.