1 day agoKey senator files teacher pay proposalWith Gov. Ron DeSantis pushing to set a $47,500 minimum salary for public-school teachers, a key senator this week filed a bill aimed at increasing teacher pay.
Florida Senate panel poised to revisit parental consentAfter running out of time during a meeting last month, the Senate Health Policy Committee next week will again take up a controversial proposal that would require parenta...
Florida senators eye ‘Best and Brightest’ repealLegislation that would get rid of the embattled “Best and Brightest” teacher bonus program is set to have its first hearing before the Senate Education Committee next wee...
Recovery care centers re-emerge in Florida HouseA long-debated proposal that would allow health-care facilities known as recovery care centers has re-emerged in the Florida House for the 2020 legislative session.
Measures call for daily ‘reflection’ by students Public school students would have to pause for up to two minutes of silent “reflection” each day, under proposals filed in the House and Senate.
Teacher pay a centerpiece of DeSantis budgetGov. Ron DeSantis is proposing a $1 billion injection into Florida’s public education system in the upcoming fiscal year, money that would largely go toward pay increases...
Florida senator eyes additional compensation for college athletesSen. Randolph Bracy wants to expand the playing field on proposals that would allow college athletes in Florida to get paid for endorsements.
Florida Senate panel signs off on overdose drugs for schoolsSchools could soon stock up on naloxone -- an antidote for people who overdose on opioids, such as heroin -- under a proposal unanimously approved by the Senate Education...
Windshield repairs fuel insurance battleAn effort to crack down on alleged fraud in the auto-glass repair industry, particularly along the Interstate 4 corridor, is spurring an insurance battle in the state Leg...
Fleming Island senator: 'It's time' for sentencing reformA Senate panel on Tuesday threw its support behind a bill that would loosen mandatory minimum sentencing laws for some drug-trafficking offenses, a proposed change that r...
Parental consent for abortion slows down in Florida SenateTime ran short Tuesday, delaying a vote in a Senate health-care panel on a controversial bill that would require minors to get parental consent before having abortions.
Tax ‘holidays' start rolling in Florida SenateTax breaks on hurricane and back-to-school supplies, expected to be in the mix for any tax package lawmakers cook up during the 2020 legislative session, drew initial sup...
Senate panel moves to keep Visit Florida aliveA move to keep the lights on at the state's tourism-marketing agency for most of the next decade easily cleared a Senate committee Tuesday, but the future of Visit Florid...
Florida to hire contractor for drug importation programAgency for Health Care Administration Secretary Mary Mayhew told members of a Senate panel Tuesday that her agency will release an “invitation to negotiate” in the coming...
Bible courses proposed for public schoolsA Senate Republican filed a proposal Monday that would require high schools to offer elective courses in the study of the Bible and religion.
Fracking ban could run into roadblocksA proposal backed by environmentalists to ban fracking in Florida eased through a Senate committee Monday.
Florida lawmakers take aim at sunscreen banIn light of Key West banning the sale of sunscreens that contain chemicals believed to harm coral reefs, Florida lawmakers are fast-tracking proposals that would undo the...
Proposal would provide immunity for treating injured police dogsParamedics and emergency medical technicians would be immune from criminal and civil liabilities when treating an injured police canine, under a bill filed Friday.
House, Senate panels to take up fireworks measuresAn effort to allow Floridians to add some personal sparkle to the Fourth of July and two other holidays makes its first appearance before a pair of legislative committees...
Gov. DeSantis backs bill to make E-Verify mandatory for employersGov. Ron DeSantis wants to crack down on illegal immigration by requiring all employers in the state to check the immigration status of potential hires through the federa...
Safety panel focuses on mental healthA state commission tasked with making school-safety policy recommendations to the Florida Legislature approved a draft report on Thursday that will highlight a need for m...
Proposed concealed carry changes already facing oppositionThere are now more than two million concealed carry license holders in Florida.
‘Safeguards' eyed for college athlete proposalsAfter scoring a victory Tuesday when the NCAA governing board moved toward letting college athletes make endorsement money, Florida lawmakers are looking to add “safeguar...
DeSantis, Florida lawmakers ponder disabilities programGov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he's “very open” about steps the state should take to rein in costs of caring for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Athlete pay remains issue in Florida after NCAA takes actionLegislative efforts to allow Florida college athletes to get paid for endorsements will go forward, even though the NCAA's governing board voted unanimously Tuesday to mo...
DeSantis teacher pay plan faces questionsGov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday continued his full-throated support of a plan to increase minimum teacher salaries in Florida to $47,500, but Senate President Bill Galvano c...
'Robust debate' expected on E-Verify in FloridaGov. Ron DeSantis will prioritize a controversial proposal that would require Florida businesses to use a federal system to check the immigration status of new hires, but...
Key senator backs parental consent requirement for abortionSenate President Bill Galvano on Tuesday said he supports legislation that would require minors to get consent from their parents before obtaining abortions, increasing t...
Bill could aid reform school victimsA House Democrat has filed a proposal that could be a step toward providing compensation to victims of abuse at two notorious state reform schools.
Costs could increase for opioid fightIf the state wants to continue efforts at current levels to curb opioid abuse, it will need to find about $76 million, members of a Senate health-care spending panel were...
Florida surgeon general: Pot patients should talk with doctors about vapingAmid an outbreak of vaping-related illnesses across the country, state Surgeon General Scott Rivkees on Wednesday said Floridians should not use “illicit THC products” an...
Bill would allow smoking bans in parksA Senate Republican filed a proposal Wednesday that would allow cities and counties to restrict smoking in public parks.
Florida House ready to take up parental consent for abortionGirls younger than 18 would need consent from a parent or guardian before getting an abortion under a bill approved by a Florida House committee Tuesday that will head to...
Florida senators back scrapping time limits in rape casesA Senate criminal justice panel on Tuesday pushed forward a bill that would remove time restrictions for prosecuting sexual-assault cases where victims are younger than 1...
Bill could boost job efforts for Florida inmatesFlorida inmates could work toward licensure in state-regulated professions while incarcerated, under a bill advanced Tuesday by the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
Florida looks for ‘best route' to deal with vaping illnessesDespite the spread of vaping-related illnesses, Florida's top health official told legislators the state isn't taking dramatic steps at this time to address the issue.
Senate panel backs ouster of Broward County sheriffIgnoring the conclusions of a Senate special master, a key committee voted along party lines Monday night to uphold Gov. Ron DeSantis' ouster of Broward County Sheriff Sc...
Special session begins Monday to decide fate of sheriffFlorida senators will start a special session Monday to decide the fate of suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.
DCF seeks help from lawmakers to address children who refuse placementThe Department of Children and Families is asking Florida lawmakers to help with a pressing issue: What to do with children in the foster care system who refuse placement...
Back-to-school tax holiday proposedA Senate Republican has proposed holding a 10-day back-to-school tax “holiday” as children get ready to return to classes next year.
Lawmaker takes aim at shark fin salesImporting, exporting and selling shark fins would be illegal in Florida, under a proposal filed Thursday by state Rep. Kristin Jacobs, D-Coconut Creek.
Florida House looks for ways to boost teacher payA House education panel on Thursday began delving into the issue of raising teacher pay, with a key lawmaker saying that while "everything is on the table," the panel sti...
Senator seeks to protect dogs during bad weatherPeople 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 measu...
DeSantis readies environment plan for 2020 sessionGov. Ron DeSantis intends to use the first set of recommendations from the state's Blue-Green Algae Task Force to craft his environmental proposals for the 2020 legislati...
Agriculture, septic tanks targeted by Blue-Green Algae Task ForceThe state's Blue-Green Algae Task Force published its first round of recommendations for state lawmakers, aimed at cleaning up Florida's waterways.
Florida lawmakers take aim at sunscreen bansWith the sponsor pointing to concerns about skin cancer, a Senate committee Monday approved a measure that would prevent local governments from banning over-the-counter s...
Lawmakers file dueling Electoral College proposalsWith the 2020 presidential election looming, Florida House members have filed dueling proposals about the Electoral College. Rep. Bob Rommel, R-Naples, filed a proposed r...
CPR training sought in high schoolsA Democratic senator wants to require high-school students to be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
DeSantis takes aim at occupational licensingGov. Ron DeSantis during the 2020 legislative session will continue to push lawmakers to simplify occupational licensing requirements for jobs such as interior designers,...
Gov. DeSantis proposes raising starting salary for teachers to $47,500Standing in front of a podium at Middleburg High School on Monday morning, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis rolled out a plan that would increase the minimum starting salary...
