Its back to the Capitol this week as the new legislative year gets under way with the organizational session and a one-day special session all-in-one. The Legislature expects to override about 10 vetoes of Gov. Charlie Crist, a final farewell to the governor they didnt like anyway.
Lawmakers will also set the tone this week for the full session, starting the discussion on Medicaid reform and a return to the debate on medical tort reform. Also up for discussion will be a septic tank inspection requirement, the implementation of which will likely next week be delayed until after the next session which paves the way for a repeal.
Its also the true beginning to the terms of many new members in the House and Senate all of them will be sworn in, and soon will be able to file bills. This week will also mark officially the terms of the new speaker of the House, who will be Dean Cannon, and the new Senate president, Mike Haridopolos.
Haridopolos has already made a huge mark firing several top Senate staffers, bringing in his own team, and having begun discussions on some weighty issues like Medicaid. On Monday, hell make a symbolic move, removing the doors to his office in a sign of openness.
Transition to governor continues
The transition to the Scott administration continues and hirings may continue to be announced, though the transition has nothing officially scheduled other than a Scott meeting on Thursday with business leaders.
Organizational session
The House and Senate meet in their organizational session where they will swear in new members and formally name their leaders for the coming session. Over a third of the House members are new. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., House and Senate chambers, the Capitol.)
Veto override session
Flush with supermajorities in both chambers after this months election, the House and Senate waste no time in taking significant action, holding a special session on Tuesday to reinstate legislation vetoed earlier this year by Gov. Charlie Crist.
Bills available for lawmakers consideration are: SB 1516, dealing with the creation of a statewide database of state-owned property; SB 1842, dealing with the publics ability to provide input during the early stages of transportation projects; HB 545 which would require new disclosures of hurricane mitigation information for home sellers; HB 569, related to rules for collection of yard trash; HB 981, dealing with the agricultural classification for tax purposes; HB 1385, freeing up money for DEP to do petroleum cleanup; HB 1565, dealing with the Legislatures oversight over the rule-making ability of state agencies; HB 5603, a workers' compensation measure; and HB 5611, which puts the Department of Management Services under the purview of the governor and Cabinet, instead of just the governor.
All the bills were vetoed by the outgoing governor. Among the items lawmakers will override is also a budget line item, a vetoed appropriation for Shands Hospital.
The Legislature is also expected to take up a delay of implementation to a new septic tank inspection requirement, consider putting some money into an HVAC and solar rebate program, and pass symbolic legislation outlining the intent of the Legislature to wade back into the Medicaid debate heavily in the spring. (Tuesday, upon completion of organizational session, the Capitol.)
Elections made official
The states Elections Canvassing Commission will officially certify 2010 general election results. There were no contested statewide elections and no recounts in statewide races or in the legislative or congressional races. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet Meeting Room, the Capitol.)
