Florida lawmakers have one more week in the Capitol to get ready for the main event.
House and Senate members will bounce from committee meeting to committee meeting during the coming week, hearing presentations and voting on bills. Then they will go home, say hello to the family, return phone calls and prepare to return for the March 5 start of the 2019 session.
Legislative sessions follow a sort of rhythm. All kinds of ideas and bills get tossed around. Then a series of committee meetings are held to begin narrowing the issues in advance of the start of the session.
And by the end of 60 days — assuming the session wraps up on time — a lot of those bills and ideas will be set aside, at least for another year.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2019
Legislature:
RULES COMMITTEE MEETS: The House Rules Committee will meet and consider a series of what are known as “reviser’s” bills. (Monday, 5 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
DEMOCRATS DISCUSS PROTECTING VENEZUELANS: U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla., U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Fla., will hold a media conference call to discuss efforts to protect Venezuelans in the United States. (Monday, 9 a.m., media may contact the Florida Democratic Party for call information.)
WASSERMAN SHULTZ RIPS EMERGENCY DECLARATION: U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., will hold a media briefing to criticize President Donald Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency to build a border wall. (Monday, 10 a.m., Wasserman Schultz office, City of Sunrise Utilities Administration Building, 777 Sawgrass Corporate Parkway, Sunrise.)
WORKERS’ COMP ISSUES DISCUSSED: The state’s Three-Member Panel, which addresses issues in the workers’ compensation insurance system, will meet. (Monday, 1 p.m., Larson Building, 200 East Gaines St., Tallahassee.)
MEDICAID CASELOADS ANALYZED: The Social Services Estimating Conference will analyze caseloads in Medicaid and the KidCare subsidized health-insurance program. (Monday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Hillsborough County. (Monday, 2 p.m., Old Town Hall, 1002 Cherry Hills Dr., Sun City Center.)
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2019
Legislature:
TAX ISSUES ON TABLE: The House Ways & Means Committee will receive a presentation about Florida’s corporate income tax and federal tax reform. (Tuesday, 8 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CHIEFS AT SENATE COMMITTEE: The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee is slated to hear presentations from Ken Lawson, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, and Jamal Sowell, president and CEO of Enterprise Florida. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
HUMAN TRAFFICKING TARGETED: The Senate Criminal Justice Committee will take up a bill (SB 540), filed by Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, that would take a series of steps to try to curb human trafficking. Among the steps would be requiring that public-lodging establishments train employees in identifying, preventing and reporting human trafficking. Also, it would require law-enforcement officers to complete training in identifying and investigating human trafficking. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
NEEDLE EXCHANGE PROGRAM AT ISSUE: The Senate Health Policy Committee will consider a series of bills, including a proposal (SB 366), filed by Sen. Oscar Braynon, D-Miami Gardens, that would expand a needle-exchange program for intravenous drug users. Braynon filed the measure to build off a pilot program that has operated in Miami-Dade County in recent years. Under Braynon’s proposal, needle-exchange programs could operate across the state and be administered by hospitals, health-care clinics, medical schools, substance-abuse treatment programs or HIV and AIDS organizations. (Tuesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
SCHOOL CHOICE DISCUSSED: The House Education Committee will hold a panel discussion on school choice. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
SUICIDE PREVENTION EXAMINED: The House Health & Human Services Committee will hold a workshop on suicide prevention, with speakers expected from the Department of Children and Families, Florida State University and the University of Central Florida. (Tuesday, 11 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
PREEXISTING CONDITIONS EYED: The Senate Banking and Insurance Committee will take up a bill (SB 322), filed by Sen. David Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs, that would provide a contingency for people with preexisting medical conditions if the federal Affordable Care Act is ever repealed or invalidated by the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill would require each health insurer and HMO in Florida to offer at least one major-medical insurance policy that could not exclude people because of preexisting medical conditions. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
CHILD ABUSE CHANGES SOUGHT: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will consider a proposal (SB 128), filed by Sen. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, that would make changes in child-abuse laws, including addressing cases in which children die or suffer more-severe injuries because they were not properly restrained in vehicles. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
SANCTUARY CITIES DEBATED: The Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a bill (SB 168), filed by Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, that seeks to prevent “sanctuary cities” in Florida. (Tuesday, 12:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
BROWARD SHERIFF CASE CONSIDERED: Senate Special Master Dudley Goodlette will begin moving forward with an appeal by suspended Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel, who was stripped of his post by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Goodlette, appointed as special master by Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, will hold a case- management conference. DeSantis last month suspended Israel, accusing the sheriff of “neglect of duty” and “incompetence” related to the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February 2018. Israel requested a hearing from the Senate, which has the authority to remove or reinstate officials suspended by the governor. (Tuesday, 1 p.m., 401 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
UCF SPENDING PROBED: The House Public Integrity & Ethics Committee will hold an investigative hearing on the University of Central Florida’s improper use of operating funds to pay for building projects. The Orlando-based university has faced investigations since an audit in September detailed the improper use of state operating funds to build Trevor Colbourn Hall. The UCF issues have also led to a broader look at how state universities are using money. (Tuesday, 2 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
CONSTITUTION REVISION PANEL TARGETED: The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will consider a proposal (SJR 362), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that seeks to abolish the Florida Constitution Revision Commission. The 37-member commission meets every 20 years and has unique power to place proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. But it drew criticism last year, in part, because it “bundled” unrelated issues into single constitutional amendments. (Tuesday, 2:30 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
DRONE USE CONSIDERED: The House State Affairs Committee will take up a bill (HB 75), filed by Rep. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, that would expand the circumstances in which law-enforcement agencies can use aerial drones. The bill would allow drones for such things as assisting in crowd control or traffic management. (Tuesday, 3 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
CELL PHONE USE AT ISSUE: The Senate Infrastructure and Security Committee will consider a proposal (SB 76), filed by Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, that would allow law-enforcement officers to pull over motorists for using cell phones while driving. The bill would prohibit texting, reading data or talking on wireless handheld devices while behind the wheel. Currently, texting while driving in Florida is prohibited, but it is enforced as a “secondary” office. That means motorists can only be cited if they are stopped for other infractions, such as running a stop sign or speeding. (Tuesday, 4:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM GETS ATTENTION: Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, is expected to take part in a screening of the HBO film “The Sentence.” The screening, hosted by the Project on Accountable Justice and FAMM, will be preceded and followed by a panel discussion on criminal-justice reform. (Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Challenger Learning Center, IMAX Theatre, 200 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
Also:
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Brevard and Miami-Dade counties. (Tuesday, 9 a.m., Brevard Veterans Memorial Center, 400 South Sykes Creek Parkway, Merritt Island. Also, 11 a.m., Goodwill, 2121 N.W. 21st St., Miami.)
LAWMAKERS VISIT CHILDREN’S SHELTER: U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, D-Fla., and other members of Congress will visit the Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Migrant Children and then hold a news conference and a roundtable discussion. Other participants are expected to include U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., and U.S. Rep. Donna Shalala, D-Fla. (Tuesday, shelter visit at 10:30 a.m. and news conference at 11:30 a.m., Homestead Temporary Shelter for Unaccompanied Children, 960 Bougainville Blvd., Homestead. Roundtable at 1:15 p.m., 12851 S.W. 42nd St., Miami.)
CRAPPIE MANAGEMENT DISCUSSED: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will begin a series of public meetings across the state seeking input on a draft plan involving the management of black crappie, a game fish commonly known as “speckled perch” or “specks.” (Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. C. Scott Driver Recreation Pavilion, 10101 State Road 78 West, Okeechobee.)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2019
Legislature:
HOUSE MEMBERS TAKE UP LEGAL ISSUES: The House Civil Justice Subcommittee will host a discussion about tort reform, medical malpractice and insurance “bad faith” lawsuits. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
SENATORS TAKE TOUR: Members of the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee are slated to tour the Children’s Home Society. (Wednesday, 8 a.m., Children’s Home Society, 1801 Miccosukee Commons Dr., Tallahassee.)
DESANTIS EDUCATION PROPOSALS DISCUSSED: The House PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an overview of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ education proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 116 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT ISSUE: The House Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee will receive a presentation by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities about employment of people with developmental disabilities. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
DOG RACING BAN ON AGENDA: The House Gaming Control Subcommittee will receive an update from the state Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering about implementation of a newly passed constitutional amendment that will ban greyhound racing in Florida. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
PANEL CONSIDERS SCHOOL BOARD TERM LIMITS; The House Oversight, Transparency & Public Management Subcommittee will take up a proposed constitutional amendment (HJR 229), filed by Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, that would ask voters to place eight-year term limits on county school-board members. If approved by lawmakers, the proposal would go on the 2020 ballot because it is a proposed constitutional amendment. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
BUDGET PRIORITIES OUTLINED: The Senate Agriculture, Environment and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about budget priorities from the Florida Department of Financial Services and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
WARDENS WEIGH IN: The Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will hold a panel discussion in which prison wardens will discuss a series of issues in the corrections system. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
LOCAL SCHOOL PROJECTS ON TABLE: The Senate Education Appropriations Subcommittee will receive presentations about local funding requests. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
HOSPITAL TAX EXEMPTIONS PRESENTED: The House Health Market Reform Subcommittee will receive a presentation about hospital charity-tax exemptions for property and tangible personal property. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
HIGHER EDUCATION SPACE ANALYZED: The House Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation about higher-education space utilization. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
INSURANCE RATEMAKING DISCUSSED: The House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Office of Insurance Regulation about property and casualty insurance ratemaking. (Wednesday, 1 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
LOCAL PROJECTS CONSIDERED: The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee will take up numerous proposals by lawmakers to fund local projects. (Wednesday, Justice Appropriations at 1 p.m., Agriculture & Natural Resources at 4 p.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
ELDER PROGRAMS AT ISSUE: The Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (SB 184), filed by Sen. Lauren Book, D-Plantation, that would transfer from the Department of Elder Affairs to the Agency for Health Care Administration duties related to hospices, assisted living facilities, adult family day-care homes and adult day-care centers. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
STADIUM FUNDING TARGETED: The Senate Transportation, Tourism and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee will take up a bill (SB 414), filed by Sen. Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa, that would eliminate an unused pool of sales-tax dollars intended for building and improving professional sports facilities. The bill would repeal a controversial 2014 program that — despite never being used — lays out steps for the stadium money to become available. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
‘MEDICALLY ESSENTIAL’ ELECTRIC SERVICE DISCUSSED: The House Energy & Utilities Subcommittee will take up a proposal (HB 651), filed by Rep. David Smith, R-Winter Springs, that would place additional requirements on utilities about serving customers who rely on electric-powered equipment for medical reasons. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
DENTAL LOAN REPAYMENTS EYED: The House Health Quality Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 465), filed by Rep. Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte, that would create a student-loan repayment program for dentists who agree to work in underserved areas. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 306 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
IMPACT FEES AT ISSUE: The House Local, Federal & Veterans Affairs Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 207), filed by Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, that would place additional restrictions on local impact fees. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
TRANSPORTATION WORK PROGRAM DETAILED: The House Transportation & Tourism Appropriations Subcommittee will receive a presentation from the Department of Transportation about the state’s 2019-2020 tentative work program. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
VETERANS, SPACE ISSUES DISCUSSED: The Senate Military and Veterans Affairs and Space Committee will receive presentations from the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and Space Florida. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 37 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
MARIJUANA SMOKING CONSIDERED: The Senate Rules Committee is expected to take up a bill (SB 182), filed by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, that would eliminate a ban on smoking medical marijuana. The ban was included in a 2017 law that was designed to carry out a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. But the ban has drawn a legal challenge and opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Wednesday, 4 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
WILDLIFE COMMISSION EYES SHARKS: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will begin a two-day meeting with topics that include new rules for shore-based shark fishing and final approval for the Gulf recreational red snapper season. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 N.W. 97th Blvd., Gainesville.)
INTEREST RATES AT ISSUE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze interest rates used in appropriations, including in the Public Education Capital Outlay, or PECO, program. (Wednesday, 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
STATE ECONOMY EYED: The Economic Estimating Conference will discuss issues involving the Florida economy. (Wednesday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
UNEMPLOYMENT CASES CONSIDERED: The state Reemployment Assistance Appeals Commission will meet. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., 101 Rhyne Building, 2740 Centerview Dr., Tallahassee.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Miami-Dade County. (Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami.)
SUPREME COURT TAKES UP DUI BLOOD CASE: The Florida Supreme Court will hold oral arguments in a Palm Beach County case involving questions about whether a warrant was needed to draw blood from a drunken-driving suspect who was unconscious. Byron McGraw, who was injured in a car accident in 2016, argues that the results of the blood test should be thrown out because he did not give consent. The 4th District Court of Appeal ruled against McGraw. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Florida Supreme Court, 500 South Duval St., Tallahassee.)
GAMBLING REVENUES ON TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss revenues from slot machines and Indian gaming. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019
Legislature:
MEDICAL MARIJUANA GETS FOCUS: The House Appropriations Committee will take up a bill (HB 7015), sponsored by Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Estero, that would eliminate a ban on smoking medical marijuana. The ban was included in a 2017 law that was designed to carry out a constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. Also, the Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to receive a presentation on numerous issues in the medical-marijuana system. (Thursday, House Appropriations, 8 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol. Also, Senate Appropriations, 10 a.m., 412 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
BEACH PROJECTS CONSIDERED: The House Agriculture & Natural Resources Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 325), filed by Rep. Chip LaMarca, R-Lighthouse Point, that would revise criteria used by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in ranking beach-management projects for funding. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 12 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
LOCAL REGULATIONS TARGETED: The House Business & Professions Subcommittee will consider a proposal (HB 3), filed by Rep. Michael Grant, R-Port Charlotte, that would place restrictions on the ability of local governments to regulate businesses. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 212 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
ZINGALE GOES BEFORE HOUSE PANEL: Jim Zingale, the newly appointed executive director of the Florida Department of Revenue, is slated to speak to the House Government Operations & Technology Appropriations Subcommittee. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Morris Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
VETERANS’ NURSING HOMES AT ISSUE: The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee will receive an update about state veterans’ nursing homes from Danny Burgess, executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
VESSEL REGISTRATION FEES ON TABLE: The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee will take up a bill (HB 529), filed by Rep. Amber Mariano, R-Hudson, that would change the way vessel-registration fees could be used by cities and counties. The bill would allow the fees to be used for such things as dredging and constructing, expanding or maintaining public boat ramps. (Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Reed Hall, House Office Building, the Capitol.)
AGENCY RULEMAKING EYED: The Joint Administrative Procedures Committee will hold a workshop on issues related to rulemaking authority. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
LOBBYIST AUDITS DISCUSSED: The Joint Legislative Auditing Committee will receive an overview of audits of quarterly compensation reports filed by lobbying firms. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 110 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.)
INCH, MARSTILLER AT HOUSE PANEL: The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee is expected to hear from newly appointed Department of Corrections Secretary Mark Inch and Department of Juvenile Justice Secretary Simone Marstiller. (Thursday, 4 p.m., 404 House Office Building, the Capitol.)
Also:
HUNTING RULES ON TABLE: The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will conclude a two-day meeting with topics such as the agency’s legislative budget requests, new hunting rules for 2019-2020 and the establishment of annual bag limits for deer hunting. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m. Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 N.W. 97th Blvd., Gainesville.)
LOTTERY DOLLARS ANALYZED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will discuss issues related to the Florida Lottery. (Thursday, 8:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE BOARD MEETS: The Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine will meet in Broward County. (Thursday, 9 a.m., Bonaventure Resort and Spa, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in St. Johns, Orange and Miami-Dade counties. (Thursday, 9 a.m., St. Johns County Senior Center, 175 Landrum Lane, Ponte Vedra Beach. Also, 10 a.m., Bithlo Neighborhood Center for Families, 18510 Madison Ave., Orlando. Also, noon, West Flagler Library, 5050 West Flagler St., Miami.)
TOBACCO TAXES TALLIED: The Revenue Estimating Conference will analyze issues related to tobacco taxes. (Thursday, 10 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
SUPREME COURT RELEASES OPINIONS: The Florida Supreme Court is scheduled to release its weekly opinions. (Thursday, 11 a.m.)
CABINET AIDES MEET: Aides to Gov. Ron DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis will discuss issues in advance of a Feb. 26 state Cabinet meeting. (Thursday, 1 p.m., Cabinet meeting room, the Capitol.)
UTILITY BALLOT MEASURE AT ISSUE: The Financial Impact Estimating Conference will hold a workshop about a proposed constitutional amendment that would overhaul the state’s electric utility industry. The proposal, backed by the political committee Citizens for Energy Choices, calls for wholesale and retail electricity markets to “be fully competitive so that electricity customers are afforded meaningful choices among a wide variety of competing electricity providers.” It would establish a right for customers to choose electricity providers and would limit the role of investor-owned electric utilities — private companies such as Florida Power & Light, Duke Energy Florida, Tampa Electric Co. and Gulf Power Co. — to constructing, operating and repairing transmission and distribution systems. The political committee has submitted enough petition signatures to trigger a Florida Supreme Court review of the ballot wording. (Thursday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
APALACHICOLA RIVER BRIDGE DISCUSSED: The Florida Department of Transportation will hold a “kickoff” meeting on a State Road 20 Apalachicola River bridge project. (Thursday, 5:30 p.m. Veterans Memorial Civic Center, 10405 N.W. Theo Jacobs Way, Bristol.)
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2019
CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES ANALYZED: The Criminal Justice Estimating Conference will take up issues in the criminal-justice system. (Friday, 9 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
TOBACCO SETTLEMENT ON TABLE: The Revenue Estimating Conference will take up a forecast related to a legal settlement with the tobacco industry. (Friday, 10:30 a.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
JEFFRIES SPEAKS TO TIGER BAY: U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat who is chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, will speak to the Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida. (Friday, 11:30 a.m. Citrus Club, 255 South Orange Ave., 18th Floor, Orlando.)
RUBIO HOLDS ‘MOBILE’ OFFICE HOURS: Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., will hold “mobile” office hours in Monroe and Citrus counties. (Friday, 12:30 p.m., Florida Keys Community College, 5901 College Road, Key West. Also, 1 p.m., Citrus County Chamber of Commerce, 915 North Suncoast Blvd., Crystal River.)
‘IMPACT’ CONFERENCE HELD: The Revenue Estimating Conference will hold an “impact” conference, which typically involves estimating the costs of pieces of legislation. (Friday, 1:30 p.m., 117 Knott Building, the Capitol.)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2019
DEMOCRATIC LEADERS AT LGBTA EVENT: Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, former Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum, state House members Shevrin Jones, Carlos Guillermo Smith, Jennifer Webb and Anna Eskamani are expected to speak at the LGBTA Democratic Caucus winter conference. Jones will be part of a panel discussion that starts at 9 a.m., while Fried, Gillum, Smith, Webb and Eskamani are slated to speak at a dinner that starts at 7:30 p.m. (Saturday, 9 a.m., Lexington Hotel and Conference Center Jacksonville Riverwalk, 1515 Prudential Dr., Jacksonville.)
