Gov. Ron DeSantis could be on the verge of getting his first major legislative victory.
The House is expected during the coming week to approve a bill that would allow patients to smoke medical marijuana, a proposal that has already passed the Senate.
Voters in 2016 passed a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. Lawmakers in 2017 approved a bill to carry out the constitutional amendment and included a ban on smokable marijuana.
A Leon County circuit judge later ruled that the ban violated the constitutional amendment, prompting former Gov. Rick Scott’s administration to appeal. But shortly after he took office in January, DeSantis issued an ultimatum to lawmakers: Get rid of the ban, or he would drop the legal appeal.
With DeSantis wanting action by March 15, lawmakers appear ready to carry out his wishes.
MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2019
Legislature:
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AT ISSUE: The Joint Select Committee on Collective Bargaining will hold a hearing on issues that remain at impasse. (Monday, 11 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCES PROJECTS EYED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will take up dozens of bills seeking funding for local projects and programs. (Monday, 11 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
HEALTH CARE SPENDING CONSIDERED: The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will take up dozens of bills seeking funding for local projects and programs. (Monday, 11 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
TRANSPORTATION, TOURISM MONEY SOUGHT: The House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee will take up dozens of bills seeking funding for local projects and programs. (Monday, 11 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
ANIMAL PROTECTIONS DISCUSSED: Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, and Rep. Sam Killebrew, R-Winter Haven, will host a news conference to discuss legislation aimed at expanding animal protections. (Monday, 11 a.m., fourth floor, the Capitol.)
UNIVERSITY BUILDING PROJECTS EYED: The House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee will discuss a series of building projects that have been funded under the Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, program. Those projects are at Florida Polytechnic University, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, the University of South Florida, Florida International University, Florida Gateway College, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, and Gulf Coast State College. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
‘FRACKING’ BAN CONSIDERED: The Senate Agriculture Committee will take up a bill (SPB 7064) aimed at prohibiting the controversial oil- and gas-drilling technique known as “fracking.” (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
MONEY SOUGHT FOR RURAL COUNTIES: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee will consider a proposal (SB 1162), filed by Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, that would create the Northwest Florida Rural Inland Affected Counties Recovery Fund, which would receive a portion of money from a legal settlement with BP that stemmed from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The state Department of Economic Opportunity would provide grants from the fund for infrastructure and workforce projects in Calhoun, Gadsden, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Liberty and Washington counties. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR DJJ CHIEF: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Simone Marstiller, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
SURGERY CENTERS EYED: The Senate Health Policy Committee will take up a bill (SB 732), filed by Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, that would revamp regulations for office surgery centers after news reports highlighted a rash of patient deaths at two Southeast Florida plastic surgery centers. Flores and Rep. Anthony Rodriguez, R-Miami, will later hold a news conference on the issue. (Monday, committee at 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol. Also, news conference at 3:30 p.m., fourth floor, the Capitol.)
GENETIC TESTS TARGETED: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will consider a proposal (SB 258), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that would largely block life-insurance companies from using genetic-test results in deciding whether to cancel, limit or deny coverage to customers. (Monday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
HUMAN TRAFFICKING DISCUSSED: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will receive a presentation on human trafficking. (Monday, 4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
PROTECTIONS SOUGHT FOR POLICE DOGS, HORSES: The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a bill (SB 96), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that would increase criminal penalties for people who harm police, fire or search-and-rescue dogs or police horses. (Monday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
SENATE SPECIAL ORDER SET: The Senate Special Order Calendar Group will set a special-order calendar, which lists bills that will be heard on the Senate floor. (Monday, 15 minutes after last committee meetings, 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
UTILITY BALLOT MEASURE AT ISSUE: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will discuss a proposed constitutional amendment that would overhaul the state’s electric utility industry. The proposal, backed by the political committee Citizens for Energy Choices, calls for wholesale and retail electricity markets to “be fully competitive so that electricity customers are afforded meaningful choices among a wide variety of competing electricity providers.” It would establish a right for customers to choose electricity providers and would limit the role of investor-owned electric utilities --- private companies such as Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Co. and Gulf Power Co. --- to constructing, operating and repairing transmission and distribution systems. (Monday, 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity will release January unemployment figures. (Monday, 10 a.m.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Duval County. (Monday, noon, Jim Fortuna Senior Center, 11751 McCormick Road, Jacksonville.)
CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS DUE: State candidates and political committees face a Monday deadline for filing reports showing finance activity through Feb. 28.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IN SPECIAL ELECTIONS: Monday is the registration deadline for voters who want to cast ballots in special primary elections in House District 7 and House District 38. The primary elections will be held April 9 in the districts, which opened when former Rep. Halsey Beshears, R-Monticello, was appointed secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation and former Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, was appointed executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2019
Legislature:
ANTI-SEMITISM TARGETED: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 741), filed by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, that would make a series of changes in state law to try to combat anti-Semitism. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
CHEAPER PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SOUGHT: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 19), filed by Rep. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, that would create a program aimed at importing cheaper prescription drugs from Canada. The bill comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis announced support for such a program. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
LOCAL TAXES EYED: The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 15), filed by Rep. Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, that would seek to increase “transparency” about local taxes, including requiring additional public meetings and notices before local officials could vote on tax increases or issuing debt. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
BUDGET REQUESTS PITCHED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee are slated to take up numerous bills seeking money for local projects or programs. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Agriculture & Natural Resources, Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Transportation & Tourism, Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
WATER QUALITY DISCUSSED: Lawmakers will hold a news conference to discuss various pieces of legislation aimed at addressing water problems in the state. Participants are expected to include Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota; Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay; Rep. Rick Roth, R-Loxahatchee; and Rep. Nicholas Duran, D-Miami. (Tuesday, 11:30 a.m., Room 333, the Capitol.)
CRAFT DISTILLERIES ON AGENDA: The House Business & Professions Subcommittee will consider three bills that deal with regulation of alcoholic beverages, including a proposal (HB 1229), filed by Rep. Holly Raschein, R-Key Largo, that would revamp regulations for craft distilleries. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
TRANSPORTATION CHANGES PROPOSED: The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will take up a proposal (HB 905), filed by Rep. Alex Andrade, R-Pensacola, that would make a series of changes related to the Department of Transportation, including eliminating the role of the Florida Transportation Commission in recommending candidates to become secretary of transportation. Under current law, the commission recommends candidates to the governor, who makes the appointment. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
UNIVERSITY BUILDING NAMES AT ISSUE: The Senate Education Committee will take up a bill (SPB 7076) that would direct the state university system’s Board of Governors to adopt regulations about the naming of buildings on university campuses. The bill also would carry out a decision by Florida State University to remove former Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice B.K. Roberts’ name from a law-school building. Roberts has been a controversial figure, at least in part, because of opinions seeking to block a black student from entering the University of Florida law school. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
EMPLOYMENT REGULATIONS TARGETED: The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will consider a proposal (SB 432), filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, that would prevent local governments from regulating employment issues such as wages, employee benefits and hours of work. The bill would “preempt” such regulatory authority, giving it to the state. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
BESHEARS CONFIRMATION CONSIDERED: The Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Halsey Beshears, who was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis as secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
INDIAN RIVER LAGOON MONEY SOUGHT: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee and the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee will consider proposals (HB 141 and SB 368), filed by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, and Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, that could lead to spending $50 million a year on projects to restore the Indian River Lagoon. (Tuesday, House subcommittee at 1:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol. Senate committee at 4 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
LOCAL BUDGET PROJECTS ON AGENDAS: The House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will take up numerous bills seeking money for local programs and projects. (Tuesday, 1:30 p.m., Government Operations & Technology, Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Also, Health Care Appropriations, 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
HUMAN TRAFFICKING AT ISSUE: The Senate Community Affairs Committee will take up a bill (SB 540), filed by Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, that would take steps to try to curb human trafficking. The bill includes requiring public-lodging managers and employees to be trained on how to recognize and report human trafficking to law enforcement. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
SCHOOL BOARD TERM LIMITS DEBATED: The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee will take up a proposal (SJR 274), filed by Chairman Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, that seeks to impose eight-year term limits on county school board members. The measure is a proposed constitutional amendment that would ask voters in 2020 to approve the term limits. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
SANCTUARY CITIES AT ISSUE: The Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee will consider a bill (SB 168), filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, that would seek to block so-called sanctuary cities in Florida. The proposal seeks to ensure local governments comply with requests from federal immigration authorities. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
LAWMAKERS HOPE TO BOOST TELEHEALTH: The House Ways & Means Committee will take up a proposal (HB 23), filed by Rep. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, that would take a series of steps aimed at increasing the use of “telehealth” to provide services to patients. (Tuesday, 4 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
MEDICAL MARIJUANA CONFERENCE HELD: The Medical Marijuana Business Association of Florida is scheduled to hold a day-long conference on medical marijuana issues. Speakers are expected to include Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. (Tuesday, 8:30 a.m., Florida State University, Turnbull Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)
CABINET GETS STORM UPDATE: Gov. Ron DeSantis, state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Attorney General Ashley Moody will take up a series of issues, including receiving a post-Hurricane Michael update from Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Noah Valenstein and Florida Forest Service Director Jim Karels. (Tuesday, 9 a.m. Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)
SUWANNEE WATER BOARD MEETS: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will meet. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)
RURAL COUNTIES AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze issues related to “fiscally constrained” counties, which include many of the state’s rural counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
ST. JOHNS WATER BOARD MEETS: The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board will meet after holding committee meetings. (Tuesday, committee meetings start at 10 a.m., followed by full board, district headquarters, 4049 Reid St., Palatka.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade County. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., Myers Senior Center, 450 S.W. Fifth St., Miami.)
RIGHTS RESTORATION ON TABLE: The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, which led efforts to pass a constitutional amendment in November, will hold a news conference as part of an advocacy day at the Capitol. The constitutional amendment called for automatically restoring the rights of most felons who have fulfilled terms of their sentences. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., third-floor rotunda, the Capitol.)
SEX TRAFFICKING AT ISSUE: Department of Children and Families Secretary Chad Poppell will take part in a rally held by the group One More Child to address issues related to sex trafficking. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Old Capitol.)
FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will host an open house to preview construction of the First Coast Expressway from north of State Road 16 to east of County Road 209 in Clay County. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., Clay County elections office, 500 North Orange Ave., Green Cove Springs.)
CRAPPIE MANAGEMENT AT ISSUE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will continue a series of public meetings across the state seeking input on a draft plan involving management of black crappie, a game fish commonly known as “speckled perch” or “specks.” (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Eustis Community Center, 601 Northshore Dr., Eustis.)
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13, 2019
Legislature:
HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AT ISSUE: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs and Space Committee will take up a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 886), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would expand a homestead property-tax exemption provided to disabled veterans. The proposal would provide the exemption to spouses if the veterans die. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
SINGLE SUBJECTS SOUGHT: The Senate Rules Committee will consider a proposal (SJR 74), filed by Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, that would prevent the Constitution Revision Commission from “bundling” multiple issues into single proposed constitutional amendments. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
LOTTERY, DMS SECRETARIES CONSIDERED: The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will hold confirmation hearings for Lottery Secretary Jim Poppell and Department of Management Services Secretary Jonathan Satter. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
HOUSE TAKES UP SMOKABLE MARIJUANA: The House will take up proposals (HB 7015 and SB 182) that would allow patients to smoke medical marijuana in Florida. The Senate has passed its version of the proposal, and the House is expected to go along. Lawmakers in 2017 approved a wide-ranging bill to carry out a 2016 constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. But the 2017 law banned smoking medical marijuana, drawing a legal challenge. A circuit judge ruled the ban violated the constitutional amendment, leading former Gov. Rick Scott’s administration to appeal. Gov. Ron DeSantis, who took office Jan. 8, has demanded that lawmakers drop the smoking ban and has threated to end the legal appeal if they do not act. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)
MEDICAID ELIGIBILITY AT ISSUE: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal (SB 192), filed by Chairman Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that would make permanent a policy requiring people to apply for Medicaid the same month they become ill or suffer catastrophic injuries. In the past, people had 90 days to qualify. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, TRANSPORTATION LEADERS EYED: The Senate Transportation, Tourism & Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will hold confirmation hearings for Department of Economic Opportunity Executive Director Ken Lawson and Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
OTHER SCHEDULED MEETINGS:
--- House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Civil Justice Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Gaming Control Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Higher Education & Career Readiness Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Oversight, Transparency & Public Management Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, noon, Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health Market Reform Subcommittee (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House PreK-12 Quality Subcommittee (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Workforce Development & Tourism Subcommittee (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
FLORIDA POLYTECHNIC TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida Polytechnic University Board of Trustees will meet and hold committee meetings. (Wednesday, full board at 8 a.m., committees start at 10:15 a.m., full board resumes at 1:15 p.m., Florida Polytechnic University, Admissions Building, 4700 Research Way, Lakeland.)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM SOUGHT: Several civil-rights groups will take part in a rally calling on lawmakers to pass reforms to the criminal-justice system. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Old Capitol.)
STATE COLLEGE TRUSTEES GATHER: The Association of Florida Colleges will host a legislative conference for trustees of state colleges. Speakers are expected to include Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran and Florida College System Chancellor Kathy Hebda. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Florida State University, Doak Campbell Stadium, University Center Club, Tallahassee.)
PAROLE CASES WEIGHED: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will consider cases from across the state. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)
MASSAGE THERAPY BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Florida Board of Massage Therapy will hold a conference call. (Wednesday, 9 a.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 508909666.)
UNEMPLOYMENT CASES CONSIDERED: The state Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 101 Rhyne Building, 2740 Centerview Dr., Tallahassee.)
UCF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., University of Central Florida, Millican Hall, Orlando. Call-in number: 1-800-442-5794. Code: 463796.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Sumter, Miami-Dade and Martin counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Rohan Recreation Center, 850 Kristine Way, The Villages. Also, 10:30 a.m., Violeta Duenas Senior Center, 6800 S.W. 117th Ave., Miami. Also, 12:30 p.m., Robert Morgade Library, 5851 S.E. Community Dr., Stuart.)
SENIOR SCAMS TARGETED: The Florida Department of Financial Services will hold one in a series of "Be Scam Smart" workshops to help seniors avoid financial scams. (Wednesday, noon, Lakeside United Methodist Church, 1901 12th Ave. South, Lake Worth.)
THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 2019
Legislature:,
HOUSE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The House is scheduled to hold a floor session. (Thursday, 9 a.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)
SENATE SPECIAL ORDER SET: The Senate Special Order Calendar Group will set a special-order calendar, which lists bills that will be heard on the Senate floor. (Thursday, following Senate Appropriations Committee meeting, 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
JUVENILE PROSECUTION CHANGES SOUGHT: The coalition No Place for a Child will hold a rally and news conference to discuss proposals aimed at preventing youths from being prosecuted as adults. The event is expected to include speakers such as Sen. Bobby Powell, D-West Palm Beach; Rep. Ramon Alexander, D-Tallahassee; Rep. James Bush, D-Miami; and Rep. Juan Alfonso Fernandez-Barquin, R-Miami-Dade County. (Thursday, 11 a.m., Old Capitol steps.)
SENATE HOLDS FLOOR SESSION: The Senate will hold a floor session. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.)
OTHER SCHEDULED MEETINGS:
--- Senate Appropriations Committee (Thursday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Commerce Committee (Thursday, noon, 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee (Thursday, noon, 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House State Affairs Committee (Thursday, noon, Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Education Committee (Thursday, 3 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Health & Human Services Committee (Thursday, 3 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Judiciary Committee (Thursday, 3 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
--- House Rules Committee (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
GENERAL REVENUE ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will update projections of general revenue, a key source of funding for schools, health-care programs and prisons. Lawmakers will use the updated projections in negotiating a budget during the legislative session. (Thursday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
SOUTH FLORIDA WATER BOARD MEETS: The South Florida Water Management District Governing Board is scheduled to meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., district headquarters, 3301 Gun Club Road, West Palm Beach.)
UNF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of North Florida Board of Trustees will meet after holding a workshop and committee meetings. (Thursday, events start at 9 a.m., with full board meeting at 1:30 p.m., University of North Florida, Center for Entrepreneurship, Jacksonville.)
SENIOR SCAMS TARGETED: The Florida Department of Financial Services will hold one in a series of "Be Scam Smart" workshops to help seniors avoid financial scams. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Gifford Youth Achievement Center, 4875 43rd Ave., Vero Beach.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade and Seminole counties. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Smathers Branch Senior Center, 1040 S.W. 29th Court, Miami. Also, 1:30 p.m., Seminole County Library in conjunction with the Seminole County Legal Aid Society, 215 North Oxford Road, Casselberry.)
SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)
FINANCIAL ‘OUTLOOKS’ DISCUSSED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss what are known as “outlooks” for the Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund and general revenue. (Thursday, 4 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
BRIDGE RAMPS EYED: The Florida Department of Transportation and city of Jacksonville will host a public hearing on proposed improvements to the Hart Bridge ramps to Liberty Street in downtown Jacksonville. (Thursday, 4 p.m. Florida Department of Transportation, Urban Office Training Center, 2198 Edison Ave., Jacksonville.)
CITIZENS RATE HIKES AT ISSUE: The Office of Insurance Regulation will hold a hearing in Miami-Dade County on a proposal by the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to raise rates. While the increases would vary depending on the type of policy and other factors, the average increase would be 8.2 percent for homeowners, condominium owners and renters. (Thursday, 5 p.m., Florida International University, Biscayne Bay Campus, Kovens Conference Center, 3000 N.E. 151st St., North Miami.)
‘SUNSHINE’ AWARD WINNERS HONORED: The First Amendment Foundation will hold an event to present its 2018 “Sunshine Awards” to Craig Waters, director of public information at the Florida Supreme Court, and Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi, reporters for the Tampa Bay Times who worked on an investigative series about heart surgery at Johns Hopkins Al Children’s Hospital. (Thursday, 6 p.m., Florida State University College of Law, 425 West Jefferson St., Tallahassee.)
FRIDAY, MARCH 15, 2019
STATE COLLEGE PRESIDENTS HUDDLE: The Council of Presidents of the Florida College System will meet. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Association of Florida Colleges, 1725 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)
FIU HOLDS MOMENT OF SILENCE: Florida International University will hold a moment of silence to mark the one-year anniversary of a pedestrian-bridge collapse that killed six people. University President Mark Rosenberg will take part. (Friday, gathering at 1:30 p.m., with moment of silence at 1:47 p.m., Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Betty Chapman Plaza, 11200 S.W. Eighth St., Miami.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Hillsborough County. (Friday, 2 p.m., Plant City Chamber of Commerce, 106 North Evers St., Plant City.)
