Septic tank legislation, state permitting changes and millions of dollars for Everglades restoration and land-buying capped off a relatively under-the-radar session for environmental issues.
Despite being overshadowed by insurance, redistricting and higher education issues, among others, environmental groups say they had a better session than last, with both legislative leaders and Gov. Rick Scott being more open to their input.
A controversial overhaul of Florida's no-fault insurance system is slated for a full Senate vote on Wednesday after muscling through a contentious session Tuesday that made significant changes, and raised the temperature in the usually staid chamber.
Following hours of amending, questions and debate, the chamber gave preliminary approval to changes that critics say don't go far enough and even backers acknowledge may be a bit far from a competing House plan for lawmakers to reach agreement by the end of session.
A proposal to shift the way the state-backed insurer pays claims is on its way to the Senate floor after being changed to lower the state's overall risk following a major storm.
Legislation that would give parents more ability to determine how to make over a failing school was rammed through a Senate committee on Saturday, a likely preview of a contentious floor fight over charter schools, unions and parental support.
By a 13-7 vote, the Senate Budget Committee on Saturday approved SB 1718, the so-called "parent trigger" bill. The most controversial element would allow parents of a failing school to dictate recovery strategies, including the use of for-profit charters, if a majority of them sign petitions to do so.
The House took up its proposal to revamp Florida's no-fault auto insurance market on Thursday, setting the stage for an upcoming showdown with a dissimilar Senate proposal over how to lower costs.
Following a flurry of amendments that made relatively minor changes, the House gave preliminary approval to HB 119, which backers say is needed to reduce fraud in an industry that is costing policyholders $1 billion a year in additional premiums.
An effort to prevent the introduction of next-generation slot machines -- which look more like casino games -- at racetracks around the state was shot down in a Senate committee Tuesday, despite fears from regulators that allowing them may put the state at odds with the Seminole Tribe.
The Senate Regulated Industries Committee overwhelmingly rejected the bill, SB 986, which would have prevented the introduction of new multiplayer games at pari-mutuel facilities.
Pitting the chamber against the wishes of Gov. Rick Scott, the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday approved a spending plan that calls for an 8 percent tuition increase, continuing an effort to shift more of the cost in higher education to students instead of taxpayers.
A federal appellate court on Tuesday upheld a 2010 constitutional amendment that attempts to ensure that congressional political districts are drawn fairly, rejecting an appeal backed by the Republican-led Florida Legislature.
A bill to allow workers' compensation insurance companies to keep about $25 million a year instead of returning the profit to the businesses that pay the premiums passed a House committee on Monday with the support of two of the state's biggest business advocates.
Florida became Ground Zero this week as Republican candidates flocked to the state and flooded the airwaves in preparation for what could be a pivotal presidential primary on Tuesday.
With political polls fluctuating, GOP hopefuls traded barbs over character, upbringing, and a host of other nonpolicy issues at local whistle stops, major gatherings of Hispanic leaders and in a pair of nationally televised debates.
