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In This Issue...
1. NOTES FROM THE AFC CEO
2. BILL SUMMARY UPDATE
3. FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: WEEKLY ROUNDUP
NOTES FROM THE AFC CEO, MICHAEL BRAWER
In the Home Stretch…
As the 2020 Legislative Session enters week 8, its next to last week, we expect to see significant action on numerous bills heard this week in both Chambers. Many bills currently on the AFC tracking list will move forward or die in committee this week.
Last week, related to higher education, the HB 7087 proposal that initially called for New College to be absorbed by Florida State and for Florida Polytechnical University to be absorbed the University of Florida was amended to put both of the two smallest institutions of the SUS under the University of Florida.
Per the House staff analysis, beginning July 1, 2020,the bill requires the University of Florida (UF), New College of Florida (NCF) Florida Polytechnic University (FPU) boards of trustees (BOTs) to submit an application for merger with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Upon approval of the merger, the BOTs are required to submit an implementation plan to the Board of Governors (BOG), which shall monitor the fidelity of the implementation of the plan. The bill also requires tuition and fees at FPU and NCF to remain in place for current undergraduate and graduate students until they graduate.
Changes proposed to Bright Futures Scholarships in HB 7087 remove the statutory reference to provide an additional award amount of $300 each fall and spring semester that a Florida Academic Scholar is eligible to receive for textbooks. It is replaced with a provision that an additional stipend to be given as funds are appropriated in the General Appropriations Act.
Additionally, the bill revises the Florida Medallion Scholars (FMS) award effective for students initially eligible in the fall 2021 semester, to provide for the following:
• An FMS student who is enrolled in an associate degree program at a Florida College System (FCS) institution is eligible for an award equal to 100 percent of tuition and applicable fees.
• An FMS student who earns an associate degree at an FCS institution with a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or higher is eligible for an award equal to 100 percent of tuition and applicable fees upon enrolling in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution.
• A FMS student who earns an associate degree at an FCS institution with a 2.75 cumulative grade point average or higher, but below a 3.5, is eligible for an award equal to 75 percent of tuition and applicable fees upon enrolling in a baccalaureate degree program at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution. Portions of the bill relating to the Bright Futures scholarships would not be implemented until July 1, 2021; therefore, there are no costs, or cost savings until FY 2021-2022.
The Southern Group reports that both the House and the Senate advanced significant legislation last week in several sectors.
Health Care
The spread of coronavirus is dominating the health care news headlines around the world. It culminated in Florida this week with a press conference by Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Scott Rivkees in which they indicated Florida was preparing for the virus’ inevitable arrival.
Meanwhile, the House doubled down on scope expansion for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Physicians Assistants, by amending the substance of that bill into another bill (HB 607 and HB 7017), then passing both out of their last committee to set up a full vote by the House. The Senate has only offered a limited 10-year pilot program related to this matter.
Education
There are several education packages still in play with two weeks left to go in the 2020 Florida Legislative Session. In addition to HB 7087 described above, HB 23 would require each public school to implement a panic button system. The bill passed its final committee in the House. The companion version of this bill, SB 70, also completed its final committee stop. The topic of panic alarms became a hot topic this week, as multiple vendors opposed the legislation because it would require the Department of Education to issue a competitive solicitation. Those in opposition felt that instead of one statewide vendor there should be multiple vendors across the state.
Cannabis
There appears to be a deal on THC caps. A priority of Speaker Oliva, the cap made an appearance in the Senate for this first time this session in the DOH package this week. As proposed in SB 230, a limit of 10% on THC content would be placed on smokable cannabis flower purchased for patients under 21, however if they are certified as terminal, the cap would not apply.
Environment
Week 7 of Session saw two major environmental measures complete their respective journeys through the committee process in both the House and Senate. SB 1450 and HB 1091, relating to Environmental Enforcement, increase the maximum daily fines for environmental violations, such as an unauthorized discharge of domestic wastewater, and stipulate that each day a violation is not corrected constitutes a separate offense. SB 1450 cleared the Appropriations Committee and HB 1091 cleared the State Affairs Committee.
HB 1343, relating to Water Quality Improvements, also was amended to match up with SB 712. It is a comprehensive water quality package that contains the Governor’s environmental priorities, including oversight of septic systems, creation of a wastewater treatment matching grant program, revision of basin management action plans to combat pollution in water systems, and promotion of best management practices in urban and agricultural settings, to name a few. Both sets of bills are now ready to be heard on the House and Senate Floors during the final stretch of the 2020 Session.
Sales Tax Holiday
The Senate passed its sales tax holiday bills through committee this week. CS/SB 524 establishes an 18-day “disaster preparedness” sales tax holiday, from Friday, May 29, to Monday, June 15, 2020 and CS/SB 542 establishes a 10-day “back-to-school” sales tax holiday, from Friday, July 31, 2020, to Sunday, August 9, 2020. These will eventually be negotiated with the House in the final tax package.
Technology
Week 7 of the 2020 Florida Legislative Session brought unanimous passage of HB 969 Broadband Internet Service on the House floor. The bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to allocate funding from the State Transportation Trust Fund toward broadband infrastructure projects. Its Senate companion, SB 1166, has been placed on the on the calendar on second reading. The trio of bills creating the Florida Digital service and a state financial technology sandbox have all been added to the agenda in their final Senate committees and are slotted for hearing next week. The House companion measures are also in their last committees of reference and await placement on their respective agendas.
We welcome you to track our progress weekly in Capitol Perceptions. Feel free to share it with a college friend who is not an AFC member. The online AFC Advocacy Toolkit is filling up with valuable and informative resources for you including a link to each week’s most recent 2020 AFC/FCS Bill Tracking Matrix.
BILL SUMMARY/UPDATE
For a complete summary spreadsheet of all bills being tracked download each week’s: 2020 AFC/FCS Bill Tracking Matrix.
To review the Council of Presidents Legislative Budget Request CLICK HERE.
Priority Bills the AFC is tracking:
HB 3231: The Florida College Risk Management Consortium (Rep. Ponder/Sen. Hutson)
• APPROPRIATION Request: $18,668,823
• The Florida College System Risk Management Consortium;
• Provides an appropriation to offset extensive reserve payouts due to storms for deductibles.
HB 3231 Reported out of Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee 12/10/2019. Now in Appropriations Committee. 1st Reading on Tuesday, January 14, 2020.
HB 171/SB 372: Postsecondary Education for Certain Military Personnel (Rep. Ponder/Sen. Lee).
• Postsecondary Education for Certain Military Personnel BOG and SBE, in consultation with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, to create a uniform process for the awarding of postsecondary credit to certain service members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces
HB 171 CS passed as amended; YEAS 111 NAYS 0 -HJ 644.
SB 372 Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/03/20.
HB 725/SB 418: Workforce Education (Rep. Robinson/Sen. Diaz)
• Authorizes school district career centers to offer an AAS or ASN degree program in nursing, but only to graduates of a licensed practical nursing program offered at that same career center.
HB 725 passed; YEAS 117, NAYS 0 on Thursday, February 20, 2020 2:09 PM.
SB 418 passed 6-1 in Education Committee, now in Appropriations Education Subcommittee.
HB 953: Charter Schools (Rep. McClain )
• Authorizes state universities & Florida College System institutions to sponsor charter schools;
• Revises reporting & accountability requirements; provides for funding;
• Authorizes career & professional academy to be offered by charter school.
HB 953 added to Second Reading Calendar on Monday, February 17.
HB 187: Postsecondary Education for Secondary Students (Rep. Zika)
• Provides reporting requirements for postsecondary institutions;
• Revises provisions relating to dual enrollment programs;
• Renames collegiate high school programs as early college acceleration programs;
• Revises requirements for such programs, provides free instructional materials to certain DE students
HB 187 added to second reading calendar on 02/24/20.
SB 1246: Dual Enrollment (Sen. Stargel)
• Students eligible for dual enrollment programs include students who are enrolled in home education programs;
• Prohibiting district school boards and Florida College System institutions from denying students who have met eligibility requirements from participating in dual enrollment except under specified circumstances;
• Providing that certain independent colleges and universities are eligible for inclusion in the dual enrollment and early admission programs;
• Establishing the Dual Enrollment Scholarship Program, etc.
SB 1246 passed out of Appropriations Subcommittee on Education on 02/18/2020, now in Appropriations.
SB 774/HB 7081: Public Records and Meetings/Applicant for President/State University or Florida College System Institution
(Sen. Diaz/Rep. Latvala)
• Providing an exemption from public records requirements for any personal identifying information of an applicant for president of a state university or Florida College System institution;
• Providing an exemption from public meeting requirements for any meeting held for the purpose of identifying or vetting applicants for president of a state university or Florida College System institution and for any portion of a meeting held for the purpose of establishing qualifications of, or any compensation framework to be offered to, such potential applicants which would disclose personal identifying information of an applicant or potential applicant; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemptions; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.
SB 774 2/27/2020 Senate - Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading.
HB 7081 (formerly SAC4) 2/27/2020 House - Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/03/20.
CS/HB 393/SB738: Jury Service
(Judiciary Committee; Rep. Stone; Sen. Harrell)
Jury Service; Requires certain full-time students who meet specified criteria to be excused from jury service upon request.
CS/HB 393 added to Second Reading Calendar on Friday, February 14, 2020.
SB 738 now in Rules.
CS/HB 7087: Higher Education
(Rep. Fine)
Provides for mergers of University of Florida & Florida Polytechnic University & University of Florida & New College of Florida, respectively; revises Florida Academic Scholars award & Florida Medallion Scholars award.
HB 7087 2/27/2020 House - Placed on Calendar -HJ 681.
FROM THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA….
WEEKLY ROUNDUP: GRAPPLING WITH THE UNEXPECTED
By Jim Saunders
Recap and analysis of the week in state government and politics
TALLAHASSEE --- Expanding school vouchers. Merging universities. Cracking down on hiring undocumented immigrants.
As the 2020 legislative session enters its home stretch, bills on those and dozens of other issues moved forward this week in committee rooms across the Capitol.
But lawmakers, Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders also were grappling with two big issues that have seemingly caught everybody off guard since the session started in mid-January: the coronavirus and a financial scandal at the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
The focus on those issues was evident Thursday as DeSantis held a news conference to give assurances that the state is doing everything it can to keep the coronavirus at bay and signed a quickly passed bill that ended a contract the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence had with the Department of Children and Families.
Lawmakers have been stunned as they have delved into the finances of the nonprofit coalition --- and particularly into compensation paid to former coalition Chief Executive Officer Tiffany Carr.
DeSantis issued a statement Thursday as he signed the bill (HB 1087) and pretty much summed up the feelings of many lawmakers about the coalition.
“Today’s bill signing is not a celebratory occasion, as it is the result of a deliberate abuse of state dollars, an inexcusable lack of transparency and a calculated breach of public trust,” DeSantis said.
ASSURANCES BUT NOT ANSWERS
Flanked by Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez and state Surgeon General Scott Rivkees, DeSantis went before reporters and cameras Thursday to give assurances about the state’s efforts to address the coronavirus.
After starting in China, the virus, or COVID-19, has spread across the globe, causing more than 2,800 deaths and sending stock markets spiraling downward.
The good news for Florida: At least as of Thursday, the state did not have any confirmed cases of the virus, DeSantis stressed during the news conference. Also, Rivkees gave some insight into how the state would respond if cases occur.
“If there are individual cases or linked cases, our strategy will be to make sure these individuals first have the medical care they need. And that they are isolated so they cannot transmit this virus to others,” Rivkees, who also is secretary of the Florida Department of Health, said. “However, if there are multiple other unlinked cases where there appears to be widespread COVID-19, community-based strategies will be implemented, and this will involve avoiding group activities and group meetings.”
But the DeSantis administration also faced questions from reporters and criticism from Democrats about not providing information on how many Floridians have been tested for the highly contagious virus.
“Treating this as other jurisdictions have, where they don’t share information, they try to manage it internally and try to put on a face that everything is fine, that doesn’t shore up confidence,” Sen. Jose Javier Rodriguez, D- Miami, said.
DeSantis said that he was open to disclosing the testing information to the public but that Rivkees had advised him not to do so.
“I actually wanted to give all the numbers, but they pointed me to the regulation of the statute,” DeSantis said, referring to a patient confidentiality statute.
‘AGHAST’
Until Thursday, the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence managed tens of millions of dollars a year in state and federal funds for 42 domestic violence centers, which provide children and victims with services that include emergency shelter, education and counseling.
But that came crashing down after the House began probing how Carr received more than $7 million over a three-year period. After DeSantis signed the bill to end the state’s sole-source contract with the coalition, the Department of Children and Families will manage the money for the domestic-violence centers.
Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican who presented the bill in the Senate, said Department of Children and Families Secretary Chad Poppell told him the agency is prepared to offer “uninterrupted aid” to all victims.
“DCF is fully prepared and assuming the role of the provider,” Bean said.
Much of the attention this week focused on two days of hearings held by the House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee, which took testimony from coalition executives and board members. Part of the focus was on millions of dollars in paid time off that Carr received in addition to her salary and benefits, according to financial records obtained by the House.
Committee Chairman Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, told reporters after a four-hearing Thursday that it was “certainly coincidental” that Carr increased the compensation of the nonprofit's executives as her own compensation package was boosted.
“It appears to me that the employees, along with Ms. Carr, worked collectively to cheat the system to make it so they could bonus themselves up with Ms. Carr,” Leek said.
Coalition Chief Financial Officer Patricia Duarte and Chief Operating Officer Sandy Barnett testified during Thursday’s hearing about the financial arrangements. Both women admitted Carr’s multimillion-dollar cash-out of paid time off was “excessive.”
“I wouldn’t say unethical, but wrong? I would say it could be viewed as excessive,” Duarte told the committee, when pressed about the issue.
Earlier in the week, House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, described the situation differently after coalition board members testified.
“I was aghast,” Oliva said, referring to the board members’ testimony. “It was disturbing. Scandalous. I don’t know what other word I can use to fully express what I thought of that.”
STORY OF THE WEEK: Lawmakers probed the finances of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, while stripping the coalition’s contract to manage state and federal funds for domestic-violence centers across the state.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “These universities became universities because of decisions this Legislature made. They didn’t happen on their own. A stork didn’t fly over the state and drop a basket. We’re the only ones who can merge them. That is our job.” --- House sponsor Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, on a controversial bill that would merge Florida Polytechnic University and New College of Florida into the University of Florida.
Capitol Perceptions is compiled weekly during the Florida Legislative Session and distributed to AFC members.
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