Florida lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Monday to start holding committee meetings in advance of the 2020 legislative session.
The meetings are the start of six months of legislative work scheduled to culminate March 13 with the frenzied end to the 2020 session. Lawmakers then will spill out of Tallahassee, with many turning their attention to next year’s election campaigns.
But first things first. Lawmakers during the coming week will dig into the state budget, getting presentations about Florida’s financial picture and agency spending requests.
A Senate committee, meanwhile, will receive an update on school safety and security, one of the highest-profile legislative issues since a gunman killed 17 people at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. Another Senate committee will delve into broader issues related to mass violence.
And House and Senate panels will discuss myriad other issues, including the state’s hepatitis A outbreak, suicide and mental health and attempts to develop a hemp industry.
Lawmakers will hold more rounds of committee meetings in October, November and December as they get ready for the Jan. 14 start of the 60-day session.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019
Legislature:
MASS SHOOTINGS AND VIOLENCE AT ISSUE: The Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee will hold a workshop about mass attacks and violence after incidents such as deadly shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. The committee will receive presentations about academic research and studies, law-enforcement issues, mental-health issues and judicial-system issues. (Monday, 1 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
FINANCIAL ‘OUTLOOK’ OUTLINED: The House Appropriations Committee will receive a presentation by Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, about a report known as the Long Range Financial Outlook. The annual report details issues such as tax collections and projected spending and is aimed at helping lawmakers as they draw up a new state budget. (Monday, 3 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
SCHOOL SAFETY EYED: The Senate Education Committee will receive an update on school safety and security. Lawmakers have focused heavily on the issues since the February 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that killed 17 people. Laws passed in 2018 and 2019 require all public schools to follow a number of security measures, including having trained, armed security personnel on site at all times. Many schools --- particularly charter schools --- struggled to comply with that requirement until recently, according to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, which was briefed on the matter last month. (Monday, 4:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
FAU TRUSTEES HUDDLE: The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees will hold a retreat in Indian River County. (Monday, 8:15 a.m., Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, 3500 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach.)
JUVENILE MURDER SENTENCE ARGUED: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in three cases, including a challenge to a 40-year prison sentence for a woman convicted of second-degree murder in the slaying of her mother. Linda Pedroza, who was 17 at the time her mother was killed in Palm Beach County, contends that the sentence is unconstitutional because she was a juvenile when the crime was committed. (Monday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
RUBIO HOLDS “MOBILE” OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Holmes, Washington, Citrus and Okaloosa counties. (Monday, 10 a.m. Central time, Holmes County Chamber of Commerce, 106 East Byrd Ave., Bonifay. Also, 11:30 a.m. Central time, Chipley City Hall, 1442 West Jackson Ave., Chipley. Also, 1 p.m., Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, 106 West Main St., Inverness. Also, 2 p.m. Central time, Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, 1447 Commerce Dr., Crestview.)
RESTORATION OF VOTING RIGHTS DISCUSSED: The state’s Restoration of Voting Rights Work Group will meet. The group was created as part of efforts to carry out a November constitutional amendment that restored voting rights to felons who have completed terms of their sentences. (Monday, 2 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 659459077.)
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019
Legislature:
HEMP ON THE AGENDA: The Senate Agriculture Committee will receive an update from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services about hemp issues, after lawmakers this year approved a measure aimed at developing a hemp industry in the state. The committee also will hear presentations about hemp pilot projects at Florida A&M University and the University of Florida. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
SENATORS GET BRIEFED ON HEPATITIS A: The Senate Health Policy Committee will receive updates on a series of issues, including a hepatitis A outbreak in the state. The Department of Health will provide a briefing on the outbreak, which has led to at least 2,460 reported cases of the disease this year. Hepatitis A is contagious and can cause liver damage. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
HEALTH INSURANCE MARKET EYED: The House Health & Human Services Committee will receive a briefing on the health-insurance market from state Deputy Insurance Commissioner Craig Wright. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATABASE DISCUSSED: The House Judiciary Committee will receive an update about the implementation of a criminal justice database and a uniform arrest affidavit. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
EARLY LEARNING AT ISSUE: The House Education Committee will receive an overview of early learning and an update about implementation of recent legislation. (Tuesday, 10:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
CONSTITUTION REVISION PANEL TARGETED: The Senate Judiciary Committee will consider an effort to do away with the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, a powerful panel that sparked controversy last year by linking unrelated issues in proposed constitutional amendments. The committee will take up a proposal (SJR 142), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would let voters decide whether to abolish the commission, which meets every 20 years to consider changes to the Florida Constitution. During the 2019 legislative session, Brandes launched a similar effort that was approved by the Senate, but it died in the House. Similarly, the Senate approved a measure that would have prevented the commission from “bundling” multiple topics in ballot proposals. The House also did not pass that proposal. Both proposals have been refiled in the Senate for the 2020 session, which begins in January. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
INSURANCE COMMISSIONER APPEARS: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will have an appearance by Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
SUICIDE AND MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSED: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will host a panel discussion about suicide prevention and mental health. Panelists are expected to include Danny Burgess, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, former state Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, and representatives of the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Florida Department of Education and private organizations. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
SPROWLS TAPPED AS NEXT SPEAKER: The House Republican Conference will meet to formally designate Rep. Chris Sprowls, R-Palm Harbor, as the next House speaker. Sprowls will begin a two-year term as speaker after the November 2020 elections. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.)
Also:
JUSTICES WEIGH MURDER OF NEIGHBOR: The Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments in two cases, including an appeal by Death Row inmate Randall Deviney, who was convicted in the 2008 murder of a neighbor in Duval County. The neighbor, Delores Futrell, was 65 years old and had multiple sclerosis and is described in court papers as having treated Deviney like a “grandson.” The appeal centers on issues about jury selection and instructions. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
FAU TRUSTEES DISCUSS BUDGET: The Florida Atlantic University Board of Trustees will meet and consider issues such as 2020-2021 legislative budget request. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, 3500 Ocean Dr., Vero Beach.)
RUBIO HOLDS “MOBILE” OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Brevard, Miami-Dade, Martin, Polk and Escambia counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island. Also, 9:30 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami. Also, 11 a.m., Robert Morgade Library, 5851 S.E. Community Dr., Stuart. Also, 11:30 a.m., Lakeland Public Library, 100 Lake Morton Dr., Lakeland. Also, 1:30 p.m. Central time, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 5000 Lillian Highway, Pensacola.)
COURT TAKES UP RADIO FIGHT: The 1st District Court of Appeal will hear arguments in a battle over a major state law-enforcement radio contract. Harris Corp. is challenging a decision last year by the Florida Department of Management Services to award the contract, which is expected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, to Motorola. The department in October adopted a recommended order issued by Administrative Law Judge J. Bruce Culpepper and dismissed a protest filed by Harris Corp. That prompted Harris Corp. to take the case to the appeals court. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 1st District Court Appeal, 2000 Drayton Dr., Tallahassee.)
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA WATER BOARD HOLDS HEARING: The Southwest Florida Water Management District Governing Board will hold a public hearing about a proposed budget and millage rate. (Tuesday, 5:01 p.m., district Tampa office, 7601 U.S. 301 North, Tampa.)
RODMAN RESERVOIR AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a meeting in Putnam County to discuss a drawdown of the Rodman Reservoir. (Tuesday, 6 p.m., Ravine Gardens State Park, 1600 Twigg St., Palatka.)
RAPID TRANSIT DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold the first of two open houses about a transit technology analysis related to a Northwest 27th Avenue Rapid Transit Study in Miami-Dade County. (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Betty T. Ferguson Center Auditorium, 3000 N.W. 199th Street, Miami Gardens.)
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019
Legislature:
HEPATITIS A ON AGENDA: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will receive a briefing from Surgeon General Scott Rivkees about the hepatitis A outbreak in the state. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
AGENCY BUDGETS EYED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about budget requests and potential reductions for the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of Citrus and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING AT ISSUE: The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee and the Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about affordable and workforce housing. (Wednesday, House subcommittee at 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building. Also, Senate subcommittee at 3:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
TRANSPORTATION, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUNDING ON TABLE: The House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about budget requests and potential reductions for the Department of Economic Opportunity, the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Military Affairs, the Department of State, the Department of Transportation and the Division of Emergency Management. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
STATE FINANCES DISCUSSED: The Senate Appropriations Committee will receive a presentation by Amy Baker, coordinator of the Legislature’s Office of Economic & Demographic Research, about a report known as the Long Range Financial Outlook. The annual report details issues such as tax collections and projected spending and is aimed at helping lawmakers as they draw up a new state budget. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
SPRINGS RESTORATION REVIEWED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Department of Environmental Protection about springs-restoration projects. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
HURRICANE MICHAEL REPORT ON AGENDA: The House Business & Professions Subcommittee will receive an overview of a Hurricane Michael report by the Florida Building Commission and the University of Florida. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
BUDGET REQUESTS CONSIDERED: The House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about budget requests and potential reductions for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Department of the Lottery, the Department of Management Services, the Department of Revenue and the Office of Insurance Regulation. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
PANEL LOOKS AT HEALTH BUDGETS: The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about budget requests and potential reductions for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, the Department of Elder Affairs and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
TEXTING WHILE DRIVING EYED: The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will receive an update from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles about a new law that strengthened the state’s ban on texting while driving. The law, passed during the 2019 session, allows police to pull over motorists for texting while driving. In the past, texting while driving was considered a “secondary” offense, which meant police could only cite motorists if they stopped them for other reasons, such as speeding. (Wednesday, 12:30 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
WATER, INVASIVE SPECIES AT ISSUE: The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services about agricultural water policy and from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission about invasive species. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS DISCUSSED: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation about the Department of Corrections. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
CERTIFICATE OF NEED REPEAL ON AGENDA: The House Health Market Reform Subcommittee will receive an update about a new law that repealed the “certificate of need” regulatory process for hospitals. The controversial process required state approval before new hospitals could be built and certain hospital programs could be added. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
UNIVERSITY FUNDING REVIEWED: The House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee will review performance, preeminence and emerging-preeminence funding in the state university system. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
‘CAT FUND’ CONSIDERED: The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee will receive an update about the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund, which provides reinsurance. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
JUSTICE SYSTEM BUDGETS EYED: The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about budget requests and potential reductions for numerous agencies, including the Department of Corrections, the state courts system, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
ATHLETE HEALTH CONCERNS AIRED: The House PreK-12 Innovation Subcommittee will receive presentations by the Florida High School Athletics Association and the Florida School Boards Association about health concerns for student athletes. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DISCUSSED: The House Workforce Development & Tourism Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Southern Regional Education Board about workforce-development issues in Florida. (Wednesday, 3 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
CHILD WELFARE CHANGES AT ISSUE: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation about federal changes involving child welfare. (Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
FIU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida International University Board of Trustees will meet after holding committee meetings. (Wednesday, committee meetings start at 8 a.m., with full board at 2 p.m., Florida International University, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, Earlene and Albert Dotson Pavilion, Miami.)
CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will meet to discuss issues in advance of a Sept. 24 Cabinet meeting. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)
PAROLE CASES AT ISSUE: The Florida Commission on Offender Review will meet. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Betty Easley Conference Center, 4075 Esplanade Way, Tallahassee.)
RUBIO HOLDS “MOBILE” OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Glades and Manatee counties. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Glades County Government Building, 500 Avenue J S.W., Moore Haven. Also, 2 p.m., Braden River Branch Library, 4915 53rd Ave. East, Bradenton.)
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, 11:30 a.m., St. Andrews Park Road Presbyterian Church, 500 North Park Road, Hollywood.)
SUWANNEE WATER BOARD MEETS: The Suwannee River Water Management District Governing Board will hold a regular meeting, followed by a public hearing on a proposed 2019-2020 millage rate and budget. (Wednesday, meeting at 3 p.m., hearing at 5:05 p.m., district headquarters, 9225 County Road 49, Live Oak.)
MCFARLAND RAISES MONEY IN HD 72: A fund-raising event will be held for Republican Fiona McFarland, who is running in Sarasota County’s House District 72. Rep. Margaret Good, D-Sarasota, is not seeking another term in the district because she is running for Congress. (Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., Caragiulos, 69 South Palm Ave., Sarasota.)
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019
Legislature:
VICTIMS SERVICES AT ISSUE: The House Children, Families & Seniors Subcommittee will receive a presentation on a report about placement options and services for victims of commercial sexual exploitation. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
REFORM ISSUES DISCUSSED: The House Higher Education & Career Readiness Subcommittee will receive presentations about “developmental education reform” in the Florida College System. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
EDUCATION BUDGETS EYED: The House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about budget requests and potential reductions for the Department of Education and the Office of Early Learning. (Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
HEMP ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Industrial Hemp Advisory Council will meet, followed by a meeting of the Hemp Advisory Committee. (Thursday, council at 8 a.m., followed by committee at 9:30 a.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT ISSUE: The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council will meet after holding committee meetings. (Thursday, committees start at 8 a.m., with council tentatively scheduled to begin at 2 p.m., Tampa Airport Marriott, Tampa International Airport, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Tampa.)
COLLEGE PRESIDENTS HUDDLE: The Florida College System Council of Presidents will meet. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Association of Florida Colleges, 1725 Mahan Dr., Tallahassee.)
FAMU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida A&M University Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Florida A&M University, The Grand Ballroom, Tallahassee.)
UCF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of Central Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., University of Central Florida, Fairwinds Alumni Center, Orlando.)
COMMUNITY CARE PANEL MEETS: The Community Care Advisory Council will meet. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., Office of Insurance Regulation, Larson Building, 200 East Gaines St., Tallahassee.)
DEFENSE TASK FORCE MEETS: The Florida Defense Support Task Force, which works to protect and expand military bases and missions in Florida, will meet in Clay County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonville-Orange Park, 141 Park Ave., Orange Park.)
UWF TRUSTEES MEET: The University of West Florida Board of Trustees will meet. (Thursday, 9 a.m., UWF Conference Center, 11000 University Parkway, Pensacola.)
ALGAE BLOOMS TARGETED: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force will meet. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Ave. S.E., St. Petersburg.)
APALACHEE PLANNING COUNCIL MEETS: The Apalachee Regional Planning Council will meet in Gadsden County. (Thursday, 10 a.m., UF/IFAS North Florida Research and Education Center, 155 Research Road, Quincy.)
REFUGEE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Broward Refugee Task Force will meet. (Thursday, 10 a.m., Children’s Services Council of Broward County, 6600 West Commercial Blvd., first floor, Lauderhill.)
SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is expected to issue its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)
CITIZENS PANEL HOLDS CALL: The Market Accountability Advisory Committee of the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. Board of Governors is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Thursday, 11:30 a.m. Call-in number: 1-866-361-7525. Code: 7849939192.)
RUBIO HOLDS “MOBILE” OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Gulf and Miami-Dade counties. (Thursday, noon, Gulf County Public Library, 110 Library Dr., Port St. Joe. Also, noon, West Flagler Library, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami.)
U.S. 1 AT ISSUE: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an open house in Brevard County to discuss a planning study for a nine-mile stretch of the U.S. 1 corridor. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m., Rockledge City Council chambers, 1600 Huntington Lane, Rockledge.)
RAPID TRANSIT DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold the second of two open houses about a transit technology analysis related to a Northwest 27th Avenue Rapid Transit Study in Miami-Dade County. (Thursday, 6:30 p.m., Joseph Caleb Center, 5400 N.W. 22nd Ave., Miami.)
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
FSU TRUSTEES MEET: The Florida State University Board of Trustees will meet. (Friday, 8:30 a.m., Florida State University, Augustus B. Turnbull III Florida State Conference Center, 555 West Pensacola St., Tallahassee.)
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETS: The State Board of Education will meet in Duval County. (Friday, 9 a.m., KIPP Jacksonville, 1440 North McDuff Ave., Jacksonville.)
THIBAULT SPEAKS AT HEARTLAND EVENT: Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Kevin Thibault is expected to be among the speakers during the Heartland 2060 Summit, which will focus on transportation, the economy and the environment in DeSoto, Glades, Hardee, Hendry, Highlands, Okeechobee and Polk counties. (Friday, 9 a.m., Polk State College, Center for Public Safety, 1251 Jim Keene Blvd., Winter Haven.)
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AT ISSUE: The Florida Developmental Disabilities Council will continue a two-day meeting. (Friday, 9 a.m., Tampa Airport Marriott, Tampa International Airport, 4200 George J. Bean Parkway, Tampa.)
UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS RELEASED: The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is scheduled to release August unemployment numbers. (Friday, 10 a.m.)
RECREATIONAL POT PROPOSAL ON TABLE: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will hold a workshop about a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana. The political committee Sensible Florida, Inc., is seeking to put the measure on the November 2020 ballot. (Friday, 10 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
NAMI FLORIDA STARTS CONFERENCE: NAMI Florida, which advocates on issues related to mental illness, will start a two-day conference. (Friday, 10 a.m., Omni Resort Orlando at ChampionsGate, 1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate.)
REFUGEE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Palm Beach Area Refugee Task Force will meet. (Friday, 10 a.m., West Palm Beach City Hall, 401 Clematis St., West Palm Beach.)
RUBIO HOLDS “MOBILE” OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Alachua County. (Friday, noon, Alachua County Library headquarters, 401 East University Ave., Gainesville.)
DENTAL BOARD HOLDS CALL: The Florida Board of Dentistry is scheduled to hold a conference call. (Friday, 2 p.m. Call-in number: 1-888-585-9008. Code: 599196982.)
WATER QUALITY AT ISSUE. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will hold a hearing about rules for “total maximum daily loads,” which involve water quality, in the Peace River Basin and the Withlacoochee River Basin. (Friday, 2 p.m., Bob Martinez Center, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee.)
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
NAMI FLORIDA HOLDS CONFERENCE: NAMI Florida, which advocates on issues related to mental illness, will continue a two-day conference. (Saturday, 8 a.m., Omni Resort Orlando at ChampionsGate, 1500 Masters Blvd., ChampionsGate.)
DAVIS HOSTS COLLEGE FAIR: State Rep. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville will help host an annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities College Fair. (Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Kingdom Plaza, 5310 Lenox Ave., Jacksonville.)
