Legislature:
FIREWORKS, SPEEDWAY BILLS TO GET HEARING: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee and the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee are scheduled to take up bills (SB 314 and HB 4005) that would lift a fireworks ban in Florida. Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, and Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, are sponsoring the measures. Under current law, sales are limited to relatively innocuous devices such as sparklers. But a loophole has allowed the sale of fireworks to people who sign statements saying they have exemptions from the law. Also, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee is slated to consider a bill (SB 208) that would direct $2 million a year in state sales-tax dollars for work at Daytona International Speedway. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Dorothy Hukill, R-Port Orange, is similar to past measures that have targeted money to sports venues. (Senate Commerce and Tourism: 9 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol. House Insurance & Banking: 12:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
‘WARNING SHOT’ BILL GETS SENATE HEARING: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will take up a measure that would grant immunity to people who show guns or fire warning shots in self-defense. Sponsored by Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker, the “Threatened Use of Force” bill (SB 448) is identical to a proposal (HB 89) by Rep. Neil Combee, R-Polk City, that would amend the “stand your ground” self-defense law. Also, the committee is expected to take up a bill (SB 224), filed by Senate Majority Leader Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers, that would ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. (9 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
ABSENTEE BALLOT CHANGES AT ISSUE: The House Ethics & Elections Subcommittee is expected to take up a bill that would make changes in what are known as “federal write-in absentee ballots,†which are available to military and other overseas voters. The bill (HB 215), sponsored by Rep. Doug Broxson, R-Midway, would expand the use of the ballots to include uncontested races, merit-retention races and ballot measures. (12:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
PANELS CONSIDER SUNSHINE EXEMPTION FOR UNIVERSITY GROUPS: The House Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee and the Senate Education Committee will take up proposals (HB 115 and SB 318) that would allow university direct-support organization boards to meet in private when they discuss donors and research issues. The proposals have been filed by Rep. Cary Pigman, R-Avon Park, and Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland. Also, the House subcommittee will consider a bill (HB 137), filed by Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, that would rename Edison State College as Florida South Western State College. (House Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee: 12:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Senate Education Committee: 1 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
MEDICALLY FRAGILE CHILDREN DISCUSSED: Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Liz Dudek and state Surgeon General John Armstrong are slated to go before the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee and discuss “medically fragile†children. The U.S. Department of Justice and individual plaintiffs have filed lawsuits contending the state has violated federal law by placing some medically fragile children in nursing homes instead of ensuring that they can receive care in their family homes or communities. The state has adamantly denied wrongdoing in the way it has provided services. (1 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
LAWMAKERS MULL CHANGES IN SEXUAL PREDATOR PROGRAM: The House Healthy Families Subcommittee will hold a workshop on the state’s sexually violent predator program. The House and Senate are looking at making significant changes to the program after the South Florida Sun Sentinel reported in August that nearly 600 sexually violent predators had been released only to be convicted of new sex offenses — including more than 460 child molestations, 121 rapes and 14 murders. Also, the state has faced high-profile incidents, such as the June murder of 8-year-old Cherish Perrywinkle in Jacksonville. Recently-released sex offender Donald Smith was accused of abducting, raping and strangling the child. (3 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
FLOOD INSURANCE PLAN CONSIDERED: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee is expected to take up a proposal (SB 542) that would seek to increase flood-insurance competition by expanding the number of private insurers offering the coverage in the Florida market. The proposal, filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, comes as thousands of Florida homeowners face major premium increases because of changes to the National Flood Insurance Program. (4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
SENATE LOOKS AT ASSISTED LIVING REVAMP: The Senate Health Policy Committee will take up a series of bills, including a proposal (SB 248) that would revamp regulations for assisted-living facilities. Lawmakers have considered changes in the assisted-living industry since The Miami Herald reported in 2011 on abuse and neglect at some facilities. (4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
OTHER HOUSE MEETINGS:
— House Education Appropriations Subcommittee (9:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
— House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee (9:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
— House Health Quality Subcommittee (9:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
— House Transportation & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee (9:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
— House Economic Development & Tourism Subcommittee (12:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
— House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (12:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
— House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee (3 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
— House Rulemaking Oversight & Repeal Subcommittee (3 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
OTHER SENATE MEETINGS:
— Senate Agriculture Committee (9 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
— Senate Democratic Caucus will meet (11:30 a.m., 200 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
— Senate Community Affairs Committee (4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
SCOTT HEADS TO BROWARD COUNTY: Gov. Rick Scott will attend a Broward Workshop event. (8 a.m., Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 S.W. Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale.)
FAMU PRESIDENTIAL FINALISTS TO BE INTERVIEWED: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees is expected to interview two candidates to become the school’s next president. The finalists, who were selected Monday by a search committee, are Elmira Mangum, vice president for budget and planning, Samuel Johnson School of Management at Cornell University, and John Price, former founding president, University of North Texas at Dallas. After being interviewed by the board Wednesday morning, the candidates will take part in a public forum with students, faculty, staff and alumni. FAMU has been seeking a president after James Ammons stepped down from the post last year. (8:30 a.m., Al Lawson Multipurpose Center, Florida A&M campus, Tallahassee.)
DEMS TO BLAST GOP ON UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS: U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who is chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, will join U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., and Annette Taddeo, vice-chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party, in a media conference call to criticize Republicans for not extending long-term unemployment benefits. (10:30 a.m. Media call-in number: 1-888-710-8192. Conference ID: 31459375
BOARD OF MEDICINE HAS CONFERENCE CALL: The Florida Board of Medicine will hold a conference call. (Noon. Call-in number: 1-888-670-3525. Code: 125-528-7056.)
LAWMAKERS CALL FOR HIGHER MINIMUM WAGE: Sen. Dwight Bullard, D-Miami, and Rep. Cynthia Stafford, D-Miami, will hold a news conference to discuss their proposals (SB 456 and HB 385) for raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. (12:45 p.m., outside Senate chambers, fourth-floor, the Capitol.)
PUTNAM TO MEET WITH REPORTERS: Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam will brief reporters about upcoming events and legislative priorities. (1:30 p.m., Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Capitol.)
SCOTT TOUTS TAX AND FEE CUTS: Gov. Rick Scott will a news conference tout his proposal to cut $500 million in taxes and fees during the upcoming legislative session. (5 p.m., Brandon Honda, 9209 East Adamo Dr., Tampa.)
CLELLAND RAISES MONEY: A fund-raising event is scheduled for Rep. Mike Clelland, a Lake Mary Democrat who is seeking reelection in House District 29. (5 p.m., Governor’s Club board room, 202 South Adams St., Tallahassee.)
–source: News Service of Florida