Legislative Review
Philip L. Leary, AICP Fair Lobbyist
pleary@LearyGAC.com www.LearyGAC.com
The 2015 Legislative Summary The 2015 Legislative Session
was certainly not a normal one, in fact it was one for the history books. In an unexpected move, the House adjourned Sine Die on the afternoon of Tuesday April 28th with over three days remaining in the scheduled 60 day session, citing that its policy work was completed but budget negotiations were at an impasse. As a re- sult, the Senate adjourned on the afternoon April 30 but remained available to conduct business upon the call of the President until the scheduled expiration of the 2015 Regular Session on May 1. The Senate Democratic Caucus filed a Writ of Mandamus with
the Florida Supreme Court, asking for an expedited ruling on whether the House of Representatives violated the state constitution by its motion to unilaterally adjourn sine die with- out prior notice. A majority of the Florida Supreme Court justices agreed it was unconstitutional, but by the time they ruled, there was no reason to order the House to return as the 60 day time- frame ended on that Friday at 12:00 midnight. The early adjournment of the House, three days before the
scheduled end of the session, left a significant number of bills left without the possibility of action and the majority party in the House in complete disarray. A total of 1,754 bills were filed but only 231 (includes 2 concurrent resolutions, 188 general bills, 39 local bills and 2 memorials) were passed by both chambers. The bills now will be presented to Governor Scott, who has 15 days from receiv- ing a bill to sign, let become law without signature or veto. Both Houses agreed that the budget would have to be resolved in a special session. On Friday May15th Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, issued a joint proclama- tion that specifies issues to be considered during a three-week session starting at 1 p.m. June 1st. Included in the list of issues is the Senate's modified version of Medicaid expansion, a health insurance exchange that relies on federal Medicaid money to ex- pand health care to 800,000 uninsured Floridians. House leaders have said that the Senate plan had no chance of passage, but its inclusion in the proclamation is a sign that it will be debated at least once more. Special Session agenda also will include discussion of spending
one-third of documentary stamp proceeds on the voter-approved water and land protections known as Amendment 1; elimination of a certificate of need program for hospital bed expansion and al- lowing more licensed medical professionals to write prescriptions; a coast-to-coast network of bicycle trails, and a package of tax cuts that's important to Republican lawmakers and to Gov. Rick Scott. Legislative leaders acted in part to pre-empt Scott, who said he would convene a special session on his terms if lawmak- ers had not acted. The state constitution requires the Legislature to pass a balanced budget by June 30th. By the time you read this article some of the questions to the
overall funding and state budget for 2015-16 may be resolved. Just prior to submitting this article for publishing, the Federal Health Care Administration sent word that they will fund $1 billion for LIP in next fiscal year, which is critical for the legislature in terms of overall health care funding and balancing the budget. Specifically for Fairs, The fair projects that are in the House
30 Blend Branson-style a cappella
budget will also have to be added to the Senate budget when the legislature reconvenes for the Special Session in order to be fund- ed and sent to the Governor for final approval.
In conclusion, the 2016 legislative session will convene January
3rd, two months earlier than normal, which means interim commit- tee meetings will begin in early September. It will be a very short break after the Special Session ends, and we will be back to work. Please continue to reach out to your Representatives and Senators in support of your Fair and the Association.
Contact your legislators:
https://www.flsenate.gov/senators http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/representatives Regular sessions of the Legislature begin on the first Tues- day after the first Monday in March and continue for 60 con- secutive days, which may be extended by a three-fifths vote of each house. Special sessions may be called by the Gov- ernor, or may be convened by joint proclamation of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Special sessions may not exceed 20 days, unless extended by a three-fifths vote of each house.
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