A heavily lobbied measure that would remove a Depression-era "wall" separating the sale of liquor and groceries was positioned --- after more than two hours of discussion Tuesday --- for a final House vote as soon as Wednesday.
More money would be set aside for land conservation under a House bill rolled out Monday, with some environmentalists contending the proposal could hinder Senate President Joe Negron's push to speed construction of a water-cleaning reservoir in the Everglades.
A move to repeal Florida's no-fault auto insurance system could receive approval Wednesday from the House, though it remains unclear whether lawmakers can agree on the issue before the scheduled May 5 end of the legislative session.
Plans for a $1.5 billion reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee, questioned by sugar farmers and House leaders, received overwhelming Senate approval after nearly three hours of discussion and debate Wednesday.
A debate about how to move forward with 5G wireless, the next generation of high-speed technology, is making big waves in the Legislature.
Proponents say the technology is needed to meet consumer demand and will spur economic growth.
"At the end of the day, I want to make sure Florida is ahead of the technology curve," said Rep. Mike La Rosa, R-St. Cloud.
A move to shift a key burden of proof in "stand your ground" self-defense cases was approved Wednesday by the Senate, as other key bills backed by Second Amendment advocates remain jammed in the Legislature's upper chamber.
With Democrats labeling the self-defense proposal "a shoot to kill" and "how to get away with murder" bill, the National Rifle Association-backed measure (SB 128) was approved in a 23-15 vote, with Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, joining Democrats in opposition.
Florida's embattled business-recruitment agency Tuesday named its executive vice president as interim CEO --- a day after the top position was abruptly vacated by Chris Hart.
Meanwhile, Gov. Rick Scott and House leaders brought their feud over Enterprise Florida to the opening day of the 2017 legislative session.
The Enterprise Florida Executive Committee, at the recommendation of Vice Chairman Stan Connally, agreed to appoint Mike Grissom as interim CEO until a replacement can be found for Hart.
A proposal to abolish Enterprise Florida was readied Monday to go to the House floor, as the state's business-recruitment agency suddenly found itself without a leader.
A measure that would reduce the penalty for people who briefly display a firearm in public and make it a non-criminal offense has been filed in the House.
A House proposal that would kill Gov. Rick Scott's prized economic-development and tourism agencies began moving forward Wednesday over Scott's growing public objections.
The House Careers & Competition Subcommittee voted 10-5 to back a 172-page proposal (PCB CCS 17-01) that would eliminate the public-private Enterprise Florida and tourism marketer Visit Florida, along with a lengthy list of tax-credit and grant programs designed to attract companies to relocate and build in the state.
