PANEL TO CONSIDER CHILD-WELFARE OVERHAUL: The House Appropriations Committee will take up three bills, including a wide-ranging proposal (HB 7169), sponsored by Rep. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, that would make changes in the state’s child-welfare system. Lawmakers have focused on the issue after a series of reports during the past year about children who died of neglect or abuse. (8:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
MARIJUANA PLAN DISCUSSED: The House Judiciary Committee will take up a proposal (HB 843), filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, that could help clear the way for a type of medical marijuana. Supporters say the strain of marijuana does not get users high and can help children who have epilepsy and suffer from severe seizures. (10:45 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
HOUSE MOVES FORWARD WITH PENSION BILL: The House State Affairs Committee will consider a proposal (PCB SAC 14-06) that would revamp the state retirement system. The issue has been a priority of House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. (10:45 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
ABORTION DEBATE IN SENATE: The Senate Rules Committee is expected to consider about 20 bills, including a proposal aimed at preventing abortions after fetuses reach the point of “viability.” Under current law, abortions in most cases are barred during the third trimester of pregnancy. But the bill (SB 918), sponsored by Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, would require that physicians conduct examinations before performing abortions to determine if fetuses are viable. If viability is reached, abortions would generally not be allowed — a change that the bill’s supporters say could prevent abortions around the 20th week of pregnancy. (1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
HOUSE LOOKS AT EDUCATION ISSUES: The House will hold a floor session and take up a series of issues, including a bill (HB 7083), filed by Rep. Manny Diaz, Jr., R-Hialeah, that would make changes in charter-school laws. Also, the House will consider a proposal (HB 7069), filed by Rep. Marlene O’Toole, R-Lady Lake, that would change requirements for early-learning and child-care providers. Among other issues, the House is expected to take up a measure (HB 255), filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, that would seek to prevent insurers from discriminating against customers because of gun ownership. (2 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)
PANEL CONSIDERS CONFIRMATIONS: The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will consider the confirmations of dozens of appointees to state, regional and local positions. Those appointees include Florida Public Service Commission members Ronald Brise and Art Graham, along with trustees at 20 state colleges. (4:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
–Source: The News Service of Florida
