>> RIGHT NOW ON "CAPITOL UPDATE" WE HAVE THE LATEST ACTION FROM BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
>> 114 YEAS AND ZERO NAYS MR. SPEAKER.
>> SHOW THE BILL PASSES.
>> THE DEBATE ON BILLS INVOLVING ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES,
SPEED LIMITS, STUDENT CONDUCT AND MORE.
AND, AS THE BUDGET DEADLINE IS MOVING, WE WILL SHOW YOU WHERE THINGS STAND
AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT IN THE PROCESS OF CREATING A STATE BUDGET.
IT'S ALL STRAIGHT AHEAD.
>> WELCOME TO "CAPITOL UPDATE," YOUR REVIEW OF STATE GOVERNMENT FOR WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23.
I AM THERESA MARSENBURG.
IT MAY BE ANOTHER LATE NIGHT FOR LAWMAKERS WEDNESDAY AS THEY CONTINUE NEGOTIATIONS
IN THEIR QUEST TO HAVE A BUDGET PLAN READY FOR PASSAGE NEXT WEEK.
COMMERCE COMMITTEES MET TUESDAY NIGHT AND CAME BACK WEDNESDAY MORNING FOR ANOTHER ROUND.
KRYSTA BROWN WAS THERE AND SHE'S THERE NOW WITH THE LATEST.
>> LAWMAKERS INVOLVED IN THE BUDGET CONFERENCE PROCESS SAY THEY ARE CLOSE
TO REACHING CONSENSUS IN SEVERAL AREAS.
TONIGHT IS THE DEADLINE FOR THE SUBCOMMITTEES TO WORK OUT WHAT THEY CAN BEFORE THEY HAVE
TO PASS ALONG ANY REMAINING ISSUES TO THE BUDGET CHAIRS.
>> WE HAVE MADE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS IN NARROWING THE DIFFERENCES
IN THE PERSPECTIVES BETWEEN THE HOUSE IN THE SENATE.
>> SENATE BUDGET CHAIR JOE NEGRON UPDATED THE FULL SENATE WEDNESDAY
IN THE NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
WHEN THE BUDGET CONFERENCE BEGAN, THE HOUSE
AND SENATE SPENDING PLANS WERE LESS THAN $500 MILLION APART.
ON WEDNESDAY, ISSUES SUCH AS HOW MUCH TO FUND PERFORMANCE-BASED BRIGHT FUTURES TO PUT
INTO CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGIES WERE STILL UNRESOLVED.
>> IF ARE THERE ANY ISSUES THAT REMAIN UNRESOLVED AT THE CONCLUSION OF TODAY,
THEN THOSE ISSUES WILL BE BUMPED TO THE HOUSE AND SENATE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRS TO CONTINUE
TO WORK ON THOSE DIFFERENCES AS WE GET OUR BUDGET READY FOR FINAL APPROVAL.
>> IN THE AREA OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, LAWMAKERS WERE STILL TRYING
TO AGREE ON WHICH PROJECTS TO FUND.
>> WE HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO A POINT WHERE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES
THAT I'M NOT SURE THE SENATE IS COMFORTABLE WITH, BUT WE DID MAKE ADJUSTMENTS,
AND I THINK WE COULD SUM IT UP THAT WHERE WE CAME IN AND DID EVERYTHING WE COULD
TO TAKE CARE OF THE HOUSE PROJECTS.
WE TOOK CARE OF THE SENATE PROJECTS AND WE MADE ADJUSTMENTS ON THE PROVISO LANGUAGE
AND WE FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE ABOUT THE AUTHOR.
>> IN NATURAL RESOURCES, AN AGREEMENT ON WHICH BROADER PROJECTS REMAIN ON HOLD.
SENATE PRESIDENT DON GAETZ SAID IT'S A DIFFICULT JOB TRYING TO MATCH UP HOUSE PROJECTS
WITH SENATE PROJECTS IN THE SAME DISTRICT.
>> ALSO BOTH OF THE NEXT PRESIDING OFFICERS HAVE EXPRESSED PERSONAL INTEREST
IN WATER RELATED ISSUES, SO I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THOSE WOULDN'T BE A SUBJECT
IN CONVERSATION ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WEEKEND.
>> AND IN A HEALTH CARE APPROPRIATIONS CONFERENCE, THERE WAS GOOD NEWS
AS LAWMAKERS AGREED TO A FUNDING FORMULA FOR THE LOW-INCOME POOL PROGRAM.
THE PROGRAM HELPS HEALTH CARE FACILITIES PAY FOR SHORTFALLS RESULTING IN UNDERCOMPENSATED CARE
OR WHEN A PERSON CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY MEDICAL BILLS.
WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT EXTENDING THE PROGRAM IT WILL LARGELY RESEMBLE SPENDING
IN THE CURRENT YEAR.
>> THIS INCLUDES THE BILLION-DOLLAR NORMAL LIP THAT WE HAD OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.
IT ALSO BUILDS $963 MILLION FOR TRADITIONAL SELF-FUNDED IGT ITEMS.
IT ALSO COMBINES $204 MILLION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS.
>> GOING INTO THE EVENING, LAWMAKERS SAY THERE'S STILL WORK TO BE DONE.
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING THROUGH THIS AND COMING BACK
WITH WHAT I WILL ANTICIPATE ONE MORE ENCOUNTER.
>> WE ARE IN THE CHAMBER UNTIL 6:00 SO WE MIGHT WANT TO ORDER DINNER TO BE BROUGHT IN.
>> WE ARE EXPECTING ANOTHER LATE NIGHT AT THE STATE CAPITOL
AS THE BUDGET CONFERENCE PROCESS CONTINUES.
JUST A REMINDER YOU CAN WATCH THE ENTIRE PROCESS AND VIEW PAST MEETINGS
ON OUR WEBSITE THEFLORIDACHANNEL.ORG.
>>> DESPITE FAILING TO GET A FINAL COMMITTEE HEARING AND VOTE
ON THE IMMIGRANT TUITION EQUITY, BILL SENATOR JACK LATVALA SAID THE ISSUE IS NOT DEAD.
THE HOUSE HAS PASSED THE MEASURE HOWEVER THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BILL WAS NOT ALLOWED
TO BE HEARD IN ITS FINAL COMMITTEE OF REFERENCE FOR TUESDAY.
THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE.
LATVALA WAS PREVENTED FROM ATTACHING HIS IDEA TO ANOTHER BILL DURING THAT MEETING,
BUT WEDNESDAY HE SAID A VOTE IS STILL POSSIBLE.
>> IF THE BILL IS HEARD, IT WILL BE PULLED UP ON THE FLOOR AS A MESSAGE FROM THE HOUSE,
OR DONE BY AMENDMENT ON THE FLOOR IN SOME FASHION.
BUT I FEEL VERY GOOD ABOUT OUR PROSPECTS IN GETTING A VOTE ON THE FLOOR NEXT WEEK.
>> THE BILL WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY SPEAKER WILL WEATHERFORD
AND GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT ALLOWS CERTAIN CHILDREN WHOSE PARENTS BROUGHT THEM HERE ILLEGALLY
TO PAY THE LOWER IN-STATE TUITION OF FLORIDA'S COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
AND LIMITS OVERALL TUITION INCREASES.
SENATE PRESIDENT DON GAETZ DOES NOT SUPPORT THE IDEA PERTAINING TO UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.
IT WOULD BE UP TO LEADERS IN THE SENATE TO DETERMINE
IF THE HOUSE BILL COULD BE VOTED ON IN THE FINAL DAYS OF SESSION.
SOME OF THE CAPITOL'S MOST VIGOROUS DEBATE TODAY CAME ON AN AMENDMENT TIED
TO VOTING RIGHTS ON A BILL IN THE HOUSE.
IT HAD TO DO WITH HOW LONG BOATERS SHOULD BE ABLE
TO ANCHOR THEIR BOATS NEAR WATERFRONT HOMES.
"CAPITOL UPDATE'S" MIKE LICQUIA JOINS US WITH MORE.
>> IN THE END, THE AMENDMENT FAILED BUT HOW MUCH DISTANCE THERE SHOULD BE
BETWEEN PEOPLE ON BOATS AND PROPERTY OWNERS.
THE AMENDMENT ON THE HOUSE FLOOR CAME ON HOUSE BILL 955.
THE BILL CHANGES VARIOUS POLICIES OF THE FISH AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION.
PART OF THE BILL EXTENDS A FIVE-YEAR STUDY INTO AN EIGHT-YEAR STUDY
ABOUT WHERE BOAT OWNERS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MOOR THEIR BOATS OVERNIGHT.
REPRESENTATIVE EDUARDO GONZALEZ PUT FORTH AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD ONLY APPLY TO BOATERS
IN MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTY.
>> ALL IT DOES IS IT ALLOWS LOCAL PROPERTY OWNERS GREATER SEPARATION
SO PEOPLE ARE NOT RIGHT UP ON YOUR PROPERTY.
>> REPRESENTATIVE MAYFIELD SAID AFTER STUDYING THE ISSUES
IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS IT WAS NOW TIME TO ACT.
>> WHY SHOULD CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT HAVE THE ABILITY PRIOR TO 2009 CONTINUE TO BE PENALIZED,
AS WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET OUR STUDY DONE IN A FIVE-YEAR PERIOD?
I BELIEVE WHAT REPRESENTATIVE GONZALEZ IS ASKING FOR IS REASONABLE FOR HIS COMMUNITY.
I WOULD NOT WANT TO LIVE ON THE WATER AND HAVE A BOAT PARKED BEHIND MY HOUSE WITH MY CHILDREN
WHEN A BOATER DECIDES HE WANTS TO ANCHOR UP AND STAY THERE FOR FIVE DAYS OR EVEN FOR THREE WEEKS
AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO LOOK INTO MY HOUSE WITH HIS BINOCULARS TO BE RIGHT BEHIND MY HOUSE.
>> BEHIND THE STADIUM, WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT COME IN FOR WEEKS AT A TIME
FOR EVENTS TAKING PLACE IN THE DOLPHIN STADIUM.
THEY ARE NO LONGER PAYING TAXES TO THE COUNTY AND THEY ARE MAKING THE COUNTY UNSAFE.
>> OTHERS POINT TO HAVING CLEAR STATEWIDE WATER RIGHTS INCLUDING THE BILL SPONSOR REPRESENTATIVE
TOM GOODSON.
>> IF YOU BUY A HOME ON THE COASTLINE, YOU DO,
BUT WHEN YOU GET TO THAT WATER, GUESS WHO OWNS IT?
THE STATE.
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, THERE IS ONE INDIVIDUAL AND ONE VOTER
THAT THIS PROBLEM IS IN THE MIAMI-DADE AREA.
I'M CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR VOTING RIGHTS AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR VIEWS BUT BEAR
IN MIND THE VIEW OF THAT RIVER, THAT RIVER IS NOT YOURS.
IT'S EVERYBODY'S.
>> ALLOWING DADE COUNTY AND BROWARD COUNTY
TO HAVE AN EXEMPTION IS SIMPLY UNFAIR TO ANYBODY WHO HAS A --
>> HOW IS ANY VOTER GOING TO KNOW THAT THIS PARTICULAR AREA ON STATE LAND THAT ISN'T
IN THE JURISDICTION OF THE COUNTY HAS THE ABILITY
TO CHANGE THOSE LAWS AS THEY ARE MOVING ALONG?
>> NOW WITH THE CLICK OF A BUTTON YOU CAN LOOK UP WHATEVER YOU WANT
AND FIND ANYTHING YOU WANT ON THE INTERNET.
>> IN THE END IT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO PERSUADE THE MAJORITY OF THE HOUSE.
>> WILL THE CLERK LOCK THE MACHINE AND ANNOUNCE THE VOTES.
>> 58 YEAS, 67 NAYS MR. SPEAKER.
>> REPRESENTATIVES PASSED THE BILL AND SENT IT OVER TO THE SENATE.
A SIMILAR BILL MAKES NO CHANGES TO BOAT OWNERS ANCHORING IN MIAMI AND BROWARD COUNTY.
>> LEGISLATION SUPPORTERS SAY IT WILL PROVIDE PROPERTY OWNERS THE SAFE HARBOR.
HOUSE BILL 617 CREATES A DIFFERENT WAY TO HAVE VEHICLES TOWED AWAY FROM PRIVATE PROPERTIES.
PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD POST A NOTICE ON THE VEHICLE.
LAW ENFORCEMENT WOULD VERIFY THAT NOTICE
AND THEN THE PROPERTY OWNERS WOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AFTER FIVE DAYS.
ALL THAT WITHOUT A SIGN.
OPPONENTS OF THE BILL SAID TOW-AWAY SIGNS WORK FINE SO WHY CHANGE THE LAW?
THE BILL SPONSOR CALLS THE MEASURE A BALANCE BETWEEN PROPERTY RIGHTS AND PUBLIC USE.
>> PEOPLE WHEN THEY PARK THEIR CAR AND LEAVE THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE
THAT CAR IS PARKED THERE WITH THE FULL AUTHORITY AND CONSENT OF THE PROPERTY OWNER.
>> THE BILL PASSED 78-30.
A SIMILAR BILL IN THE SENATE TEMPORARILY POSTPONED AND IT HAS LAST COMMITTEE STOP.
THE HOUSE HAD UNANIMOUSLY PASSED A BILL BANNING THE SALE OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES TO MINORS.
SOME E-CIGARETTES HAVE CANDY OR FRUIT FLAVORS THAT CAN APPEAL TO CHILDREN.
MORE TEENS ARE USING THESE PRODUCTS.
>> STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THESE PROJECTS FURTHER LEAD TO NICOTINE AND TOBACCO USE
AND NICOTINE IS KNOWN AS A POTENT VASOCONSTRICTOR AND AN ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCE.
>> THE BILL HEADED BACK TO THE SENATE WHERE IT PASSED.
HOUSE MEMBERS PASSED THE BILL.
ANOTHER MEASURE PASSED BY THE HOUSE HEADING OVER TO THE SENATE IS A BILL THAT INCREASES PENALTIES
FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH A STUDENT.
THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 485 REPRESENTATIVE EDWARDS SAYS THE IDEA CAME FROM A GROUP
OF STUDENTS IN HIS DISTRICT WHO NOTICE THE PROBLEM AND WANTED TO HELP.
>> MANY OCCASIONS, OUR KIDS SPEND MORE TIME UNDER THE CARE OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT
THAN THEY DO AT HOME WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
THAT'S A SITUATION WHERE THEY NEED TO BE THE SAFEST OF ALL.
>> THE MEASURE RECLASSIFIES OFFENSES SUCH AS SEXUAL BATTERY OR VIDEO VOYEURISM COMMITTED
BY SCHOOL PERSONNEL AGAINST THE STUDENT.
REPRESENTATIVE JOE SAUNDERS APPLAUDED THE BILL'S EFFORTS BUT IS AGAINST IT,
SAYING THE PUNISHMENT SOMETIMES --
>> THERE MAY BE STUDENTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN A RELATIONSHIP FOR ALL FOUR YEARS OF HIGH SCHOOL
AND ONE REACHES THE AGE OF 18 AND IS STILL INVOLVED IN A HIGH SCHOOL SETTING.
BE IT A VOLUNTEER OR CHAPERONE OR HELPING TO SELL POPCORN IN THE STANDS AND IS STILL
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RELATIONSHIP AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, MAY BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL PENALTIES
BECAUSE THIS BILL DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THAT SCENARIO.
>> REPRESENTATIVE EDWARDS POINTED TO THE 19 CASES SINCE 2000 IN SOUTH FLORIDA
THAT SHE SAID SHOULD BE EVIDENCE THAT THE BILL IS IMPORTANT.
>> IN COOPER CITY, A 47-YEAR-OLD MUSIC TEACHER WHO HAD MORE THAN 100 STUDENTS WAS ARRESTED
ON CHARGES THAT HE MOLESTED AN 11-YEAR-OLD GIRL THAT HE TAUGHT AT A HINDU TEMPLE.
THE MESSAGE NEEDS TO BE SENT THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE.
>> THE BILL PASSED BY A VOTE OF 107-EIGHT.
A BILL MAKING CHANGES IN THE WAY THE STATE MANAGES ITS COASTAL CONCESSION WAS INTRODUCED
IN THE HOUSE TODAY AS SOME MEMBERS OBJECTED TO AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD HAVE AFFECTED PEOPLE
WHO LIVE NEAR SMALL STATE PARKS ON THE BEACH.
HOUSE BILL 791 WOULD CHANGE THE WAY SOME CONCESSION PERMITS ARE HANDLED IN COASTAL AREAS
AND ENCOURAGES THE PUBLIC TO USE THE AQUATIC PRESERVE.
THE BILL SPONSORS PRESENTED AN AMENDMENT THAT WOULD STOP SMALL STATE PARKS ON THE BEACH
FROM BEING ABLE TO TAKE ON A NEW CONCESSION
IF VISITORS COULD FIND THE SAME PRODUCT 1500 FEET FROM THE PARK'S BOUNDARIES.
THE IDEA WOULD HELP PRIVATE BUSINESSES NEAR THE PARK
BUT SOME MEMBERS SAID IT WOULD INCONVENIENCE VISITORS.
>> IN TERMS OF OUR CITIZENS ENJOYING PARKS AREN'T CONCESSIONS FOR EXAMPLE THE ABILITY
TO BUY A BOTTLE OF WATER AT THE EACH, ISN'T THAT A VITAL PART OF OUR ENJOYMENT OF THESE PARKS
AND WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO LIMIT THAT?
>> REPRESENTATIVE RENUART.
>> MR. SPEAKER I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO WITHDRAW THIS AMENDMENT.
>> SHOW THE AMENDMENT WITHDRAWN.
>> REPRESENTATIVE RENUART SAID THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAD ALSO OBJECTED
TO THE AMENDMENT BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE HURT REVENUES AT STATE PARKS.
THE BILL ITSELF IS READY FOR A VOTE IN THE HOUSE.
THE SENATE VERSION OF A MANAGEMENT BILL CLEARED ITS COMMITTEE LAST WEEK LIMITING
BEACH CONCESSIONS.
WE ARE AT THE POINT IN SESSION WHERE HOUSE
AND SENATE LAWMAKERS SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THEIR TIME IN THE CHAMBERS.
HERE'S A LOOK AT SOME OF THE BILLS PASSED BY THE FULL HOUSE WEDNESDAY.
[music]
>> A PERSON ARRESTED FOR INJURING OR KILLING A PREGNANT WOMAN WON'T BE CHARGED ONCE.
THEY WILL BE CHARGED TWICE UNDER A BILL HEADING TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK FOR APPROVAL.
A MEASURE MAKING IT A SEPARATE CRIME TO HARM A FETUS PASSED THE SENATE THIS AFTERNOON.
REBECCA BAER JOINS US WITH MORE.
>> THERESA, SUPPORTERS ARE CALLING THE MEASURE THE UNBORN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE ACT.
BUT THEY SAY IT GOES FAR IN REDUCING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AS WELL.
THE BILL WOULD CREATE A NEW OFFENSE FOR A CRIME THAT CAUSES DEATH OR INJURY TO A FETUS.
THAT CRIME WOULD BE A SEPARATE CHARGE
FROM WHATEVER OFFENSE MAY HAVE OCCURRED TO THE MOTHER.
IT PASSED THE FULL SENATE BY A VOTE OF 25-14 ALONG PARTY LINES.
SPONSORS SENATOR KELLI STARGEL STANDING NEXT TO WOMEN WHO FOUGHT
FOR THE BILL'S PASSAGE CALLS THE MOMENT BITTERSWEET.
>> I'M GLAD EVERY WOMAN IN THE FUTURE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WILL BE PROTECTED
THROUGH AN ACT OF VIOLENCE AND THE PERSON DID NOT KNOW SHE WAS PREGNANT AND ATTACKED,
HER AND CAUSED HER MORE DAMAGE THAN THEY REALIZED THERE WILL BE RECOGNITION OF THE CHILD
AND SAYING IF YOU ATTACK A WOMAN YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL
BECAUSE SHE MIGHT BE PREGNANT AND YOU MIGHT BE --
>> OPPONENTS ARGUE THE BILL COULD HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
AS IT DOESN'T REQUIRE THE PERPETRATOR TO HAVE INTENT.
>> IF I AM DRIVING, WHEN IT'S MY SISTER AND SHE'S PREGNANT AND I'M NOT AWARE OF IT
AND I COMMIT SOME KIND OF UNLAWFUL ACT AND SHE'S INJURED AND SHE HAS A BABY AM I GOING
TO BE CHARGED WITH MURDER BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF THE BABY?
CERTAINLY I DID NOT INTEND TO KILL MY NIECE OR MY NEPHEW.
>> A FETUS IS NOT VIABLE UNLESS IT CAN LIVE OUTSIDE THE WOMB AND THERE IS CASE LAW
AND HISTORY OF THIS BEING THE LAW IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR YEARS.
NOW WE COULD HAVE -- NOBODY KNOWS IF THE WOMAN IS PREGNANT WE COULD HAVE A WOMAN
WHO IS PREGNANT FOR ONE MONTH WITH A SMALL FETUS AND THE PERSON GETTING
INTO AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT WITH HER CAR
AND SOMETHING HAPPENS SHE HAS A MISCARRIAGE, THEY CAN BE CONVICTED OF MURDER.
>> BUT SUPPORTERS EMPHASIZE THAT THE BILL WOULD PROVIDE JUSTICE FOR A CRIME.
>> WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS SOMETHING THAT SOMEONE DID, SOMETHING BAD TO A WOMAN
AND WHAT WE ARE SAYING IN THIS BILL IS THAT WOMAN DESERVES PROTECTION AND IN THIS CASE
AND IN THE CASE OF WHEN SHE IS PREGNANT, SHE DESERVES EXTRA PROTECTION.
>> AN IDENTICAL BILL PASSED THE HOUSE LAST WEEK.
STARGEL SAID THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS INDICATED HE'S IN FAVOR OF THE MEASURE
AND THEY EXPECT TO RECEIVE HIS APPROVAL.
>> THANKS REBECCA.
SENATOR GREGG EVERS SAID THE STATE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO LEGISLATE COMMON SENSE BUT HE WANTED
TO ADD COMMON SENSE TO THE RULES THAT DETERMINE ACCEPTABLE SCHOOL CONDUCT.
>> THIS BILL PROTECTS OUR CHILDREN FROM OVERREACHING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS
WHO ARE TRYING TO ENFORCE OVERLY-BROAD POLICIES THAT AFFECT OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES.
>> HE SAYS RECENTLY IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY A STUDENT WAS EXPELLED FOR TELLING ANOTHER STUDENT
THAT HE HAD A CAP GUN AT HOME, SIMILAR TO THE ONE ILLUSTRATED
IN A BOOK THE KIDS WERE READING IN CLASS.
THE BILL TESTIFIES THAT SIMULATING A FIREARM DOES NOT CONSTITUTE GROUNDS FOR ACTION.
SENATOR BULLARD SAYS THE LEGISLATION SHOULD ADDRESS OTHER RULES
THAT NEGATIVELY IMPACT CHILDREN.
>> I CAN TELL YOU, AS A SCHOOLTEACHER THERE'S A STARK DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOMEONE SHOOTING GUNS
IN THE STREETS AND SOMEONE SPITTING SPITBALLS IN A CLASSROOM.
RIGHT NOW PEOPLE SPITTING SPITBALLS IN THE CLASSROOM ARE BEING ARRESTED.
LET ME SAY THAT AGAIN.
ARRESTED BECAUSE OF THE NEGATIVE POLICIES AS IT RELATES TO STUDENTS WITHIN THE SCHOOLS.
>> THESE ARE CONCERNS HE HOPES TO ADDRESS POSSIBLY NEXT SESSION.
FOLLOWING THE DISCUSSION, THE SENATE IS READY TO VOTE ON THE VERSION
OF THE BILL WHICH HAS PASSED THE FULL HOUSE.
TWO SENATORS SAY LETTING DRIVERS GO FASTER ON SOME ROADS MAY INCREASE SAFETY.
SENATORS JEFF BRANDES AND JEFF CLEMENS SUBMITTED A BILL ON THE FLOOR
THAT WOULD ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO RAISE FEDERAL LIMITS.
UNDER THE BILL, SPEED LIMITS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS LIKE THE INTERSTATE COULD GO
UP TO 75 MILES PER HOUR IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES IT IS APPROPRIATE.
LIMITS ON FOUR-LANE HIGHWAYS OUTSIDE OF URBAN AREAS COULD BE RAISED TO 70 MILES PER HOUR.
>> THE GENERALLY HELD ENGINEERING PRACTICES ARE THAT SPEED LIMITS SHOULD BE SET
UP TO 85th PERCENTILE OF THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC AS IT MOVES ON THESE ROADS,
SO IF WE CAN MOVE TRAFFIC IN A MORE EFFICIENT MANNER AND DO IT IN A MORE SAFE WAY,
WHICH IS SETTING THE SPEED LIMIT AT THAT PROPER LEVEL,
THEN THAT'S THE WAY WE SHOULD BE DOING IT.
IN ADDITION, IT ALLOWS THE EXPERTS TO SET THE SPEED LIMITS RATHER THAN POLITICIANS.
>> THE D.O.T. WAS THE FIRST DOING TRAFFIC STUDIES BEFORE RAISING THE SPEED LIMIT
ON THE ROADS.
AAA HAS NOT SUPPORTED THE BILL AND THEY SAY IT COULD LEAD TO MORE FATAL CRASHES.
SINCE FLORIDA RAISED ITS SPEED LIMITS FROM 55 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR,
THE NUMBER OF TRAFFIC FATALITIES HAS DECREASED.
THE BILL IS NOW READY FOR A VOTE BY THE FULL SENATE.
A HOUSE VERSION IS ALSO READY FOR A FULL HEARING AND VOTE.
FLORIDA CONSUMERS WOULD HAVE TO BE NOTIFIED WHEN THERE'S A BREACH
OF SECURITY OF THEIR PERSONAL INFORMATION.
THE MEASURE THAT PASSED THE FULL SENATE WEDNESDAY BECOMES LAW.
SENATE BILL 1524 CREATES THE FLORIDA INFORMATION PROTECTION ACT.
IT REQUIRES THAT NOTICE BE GIVEN WITHIN 30 DAYS WHEN A DATA BREACHES DISCOVERED.
IT ALSO REQUIRES THAT GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TAKE RESPONSIBLE MEASURES TO PROTECT PERSONAL DATA.
SENATE SPONSOR JOHN THRASHER SAYS THE MEASURES NEEDS TO HELP ADDRESS CONCERNS
WITH THE MUCH-PUBLICIZED DATA BREACH WITH RETAIL GIANT TARGET.
>> ALTHOUGH IT SOUNDS LIKE SIMPLE AND COMMONSENSICAL APPROACHES TO THIS ISSUE,
A LOT OF OUR FRIENDS OUT THERE IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY DID HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT IT,
AND IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE TO GET WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND HAVE THIS ENACTED UNLESS,
BUT FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND HER GREAT STAFF WHO WORKED HARD ON THIS PIECE
OF LEGISLATION TO GET IT WHERE IT IS TODAY.
>> ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI WAS IN THE SENATE TO WITNESS THE VOTE.
HER OFFICE WILL BE REQUIRED TO PREPARE AN ANNUAL REPORT EACH YEAR
TO THE LEGISLATURE DETAILING EACH REPORTED BREACH
WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO IMPROVE DATA SECURITY.
THE MEASURE NOW GOES TO THE FULL HOUSE.
SENATOR JOE ABRUZZO IS PULLING HIS OWN ETHICS BILL FROM CONSIDERATION EVEN AS IT IS SCHEDULED
TO BE HEARD ON THE SENATE FLOOR THIS WEEK.
THE BILL CALLS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES TO DEAL WITH ETHICAL VIOLATIONS
BUT TODAY SENATOR ABRUZZO AND HOUSE SPONSOR LAKE RAY ANNOUNCED THE BILL WOULD BE TABLED IN A PLAN
TO HOLD A SUMMIT WITH GOVERNMENT LEADERS CITY ETHICS COMMISSION AND INTEREST GROUPS IN ORDER
TO COME TO WHAT ABRUZZO CALLED A FIGHT AGREEMENT.
>> THE SPEAKER SAID TODAY IT'S A GOOD THING TO TAKE A STEP BACK AND CHAIR RAY
AND I FELT THIS WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS THE OVERSIGHT OF GOVERNMENT AND IN THIS CASE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE.
>> ABRUZZO SAID PALM BEACH COUNTY'S ETHICS COMMISSION HELPED DRAFT THE BILL
AT JACKSONVILLE'S COMMISSION AND OTHER GROUPS HAD DIFFERENT IDEAS ON THE ETHICS GUIDELINES.
ABRUZZO SAID THE SUMMIT WOULD BE HELD OVER THE SUMMER.
THE FLORIDA SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED A MEASURE THAT WOULD CHANGE GUIDELINES
FOR JUVENILE OFFENDERS CONVICTED OF SERIOUS CRIMES.
THE CHANGES BECAME NECESSARY WHEN THE U.S. SUPREME COURT DECIDED SENTENCING JUVENILES
TO LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE VIOLATED THE U.S. CONSTITUTION'S PROTECTION
AGAINST CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT.
WE HAVE MORE IN THIS BILL TRACK.
[music]
>> STUDENTS WHO EXPERIENCED COMPUTER PROBLEMS WHILE TAKING THE FCAT YESTERDAY WERE TOLD
WEDNESDAY THAT THE ISSUES HAVE BEEN FIXED.
PIERSON IS THE COMPANY CONTRACTED BY THE STATE FOR THE FCAT.
TUESDAY STUDENTS OF 26 DISTRICTS EXPERIENCED TECHNICAL FAILURES AS THEY TRIED TO BEGIN
OR COMPLETE THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE STANDARDIZED EXAM.
THE FCAT WILL BE REPLACED BY NEW STATEWIDE EXAM DESIGNED BY A DIFFERENT COMPANY NEXT YEAR.
HOWEVER, COMPUTER-BASED TESTING IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE.
>>> WEDNESDAY, MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE DECLARED THEIR SUPPORT FOR VENEZUELA,
A COUNTRY CURRENTLY IN UNREST DUE TO POLITICAL DIVISION.
>> WE ARE STANDING FOR SOLIDARITY NOT JUST FOR THE FOLKS BEHIND US, BUT FOR THE MILLIONS
OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN VENEZUELA WHO DESERVE AND DEMAND SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
THIS IS A SMALL, BUT I THINK IMPORTANT AND POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT THE STATE
OF FLORIDA IS TAKING THINGS SERIOUSLY AND SAYING WE ARE NOT GOING TO STAND FOR THIS
TO HAPPEN SO CLOSE TO OUR BORDERS.
>> ADOPTIONS OF RESOLUTIONS AFFIRMING FLORIDA'S SOLIDARITY
FOR VENEZUELA WERE RECOGNIZED DURING HOUSE AND SENATE SESSIONS.
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CARLOS LOPEZ-CANTERA EXPRESSED HIS SUPPORT AND HE SAID HE
AND GOVERNOR SCOTT RECENTLY SENT PETITIONS TO WASHINGTON URGING THE PRESIDENT
TO IMPOSE STATE SANCTIONS ON THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT
THAT HAVE BEEN PLACED IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER ADAM PUTNAM ANNOUNCED THE EAT FOR HEALTH CAMPAIGN IN FLORIDA.
WITH OBESITY THE TOP PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT IN FLORIDA, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
IN FLORIDA, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ELDER AFFAIRS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN
AND FAMILIES TEAMED UP TO CREATE A HEALTHY LIVING TOOLKIT AVAILABLE
ON A FLASH DRIVE DURING THE GROWING SEASONS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
AND INCLUDES RECIPES ON HOW TO COOK THEM.
>> WE CAN PROVIDE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HIGH-QUALITY WHOLESOME FRESH FRUITS
AND VEGETABLES FOR MUCH OF THE YEAR WHEN OTHER STATES CAN'T DO THAT
AND FOR THAT REASON WE CAN DEFY CONVENTIONAL WISDOM THAT EATING BETTER COSTS MORE.
IN FLORIDA, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY THE CASE.
>> THE TOOLKIT IS AVAILABLE ON LINE AT LIVINGHEALTHYFL.COM.
COMMISSIONER PUTNAM EXPECTS THE TOOLKIT TO BE PROMOTED AT SCHOOLS,
CONDO ASSOCIATIONS, CHURCHES AND CENTERS.
>>> MORE THAN 400 KIDS FROM AROUND THE STATE TRAVELED TO TALLAHASSEE
FOR THE ANNUAL 4-H DAY AT THE CAPITOL.
THIS YEAR FLORIDA'S 4-H CLUB PARTNERED WITH United Healthcare TO PROMOTE EXERCISE
AND HEALTHY EATING AS PART OF THE EAT FOR HEALTH CAMPAIGN.
SEVERAL LAWMAKERS VISITED WITH CHILDREN AND PARTICIPATED IN HEALTHY ACTIVITIES.
REPRESENTATIVE JAKE RABURN SHARED HOW HIS INVOLVEMENT IN 4-H
AS A CHILD HELPED HIM DISCOVER HIS PASSION FOR POLITICS.
>> AS A YOUNGER PERSON I CAME TO TALLAHASSEE TO MAKE SURE THE PEOPLE
THAT REPRESENTED ME KNEW WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO ME AS AN AGRICULTURIST, AS A MEMBER OF 4-H
AND AS A CITIZEN OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
>> THE "EAT FOR HEALTH" CAMPAIGN IS FUNDED BY A $30,000 GRANT FROM United Healthcare.
THE FUNDS ARE ADMINISTERED THROUGH THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA EXTENSION OFFICE
WHICH PROVIDES 4-H PROGRAMS TO EVERY COUNTY IN THE STATE.
THAT'S ALL FOR THIS WEDNESDAY'S EDITION OF "CAPITOL UPDATE."
WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.