This week marked Week 8 of the Regular Legislative Session. On Monday, the House and the Senate jointly announced budget conference allocations and appointed their conferees. Joint budget conference committees were able to meet with 1-hour notice from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Any budget issues that were not resolved by end of the day Thursday, March 3rd were bumped to the full appropriations chairs of both chambers.
On Wednesday, HB 1505 by Representative Dana Trabulsy, (R- St. Lucie) relating to Background Screening and HB 1199 by Representative Erin Grall, (R- Vero Beach) regarding funding for the School Readiness program were passed out of the House and now head to the Senate where they have been referred to the Appropriations Committee.
On Friday, the House passed SB 7034 relating to Child Welfare by the Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee and the Senate passed HB 7065 relating to Child Welfare by the House Children, Families, and Seniors Subcommittee. Both of these bills now head to the Governor for signature.
Additionally, SB 390 by Senator Lauren Book, (D- Plantation) relating to Restraint of Children with Disabilities in Public School was passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and appeared on the Senate Special Order Calendar on Friday, March 4th.
Finally, expect budget negotiations to continue through the weekend into next week with all budget negotiations needing to be finalized by Tuesday, March 8th. This will allow for the budget to be “laid on the desk“ as a part of the mandatory 72-hour “cooling-off period” if the Regular Legislative Session is to end on Friday, March 11th the sixtieth day of session.
Until next week!
Sincerely,
The Florida Alliance of Children's Councils & Trusts
