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CAPITOL NEWS
Week two of session was quickly paced with the House and Senate sparing no time on fast-tracking their respective priorities from abolishing the CRC to requiring parental consent for one to abort their baby.
The Capitol Alliance Group team remains committed to League of Women Voters Florida’s agenda and issues. The CAG continues to meet with members of the House and Senate to further discuss and testify on issues and bills of importance to the League at large and facilitate meetings on behalf of the League.
2020 Legislative Schedule
January 14, 2020 — Legislative Session convened
February 4-5 — LWVFL Lobby Days 2020
March 13, 2020 — 60th Day of Legislative Session (End of Session)
NEWS FROM AROUND THE STATE
- Parental Consent Bill Headed To Floor
SB 404 by Sen. Stargel, R-Land-O’Lakes cleared the Rules Committee along party-lines on a 9-7 vote – coincidentally or not, the vote took place on the 47th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Roe v. Wade decision.
With Wednesday’s vote the bill is poised to go to the Senate floor and keeps the measure on track to pass during this year’s legislative session, handing conservatives a victory ahead of the November elections.
HB 265 is also ready for consideration by the full House.
The bills are not identical, but Senate President Galvano, R-Bradenton has signaled he anticipates the House will take and pass the Senate version.
- House Backs Elimination Of CRC
HJR 301, introduced by Rep. Drake, R-Eucheeanna, seeks an end to the Constitution Revision Commission, still must go before the Senate, which backed eliminating the commission, passed the full House on Wednesday.
A Senate version of the elimination proposal (SJR 142) must clear the Rules Committee before it could go to the full Senate.
One of the biggest concerns and primary impetus to the introduction of these measures is that of bundling, which is also being addressed in separate Senate proposals (SJR 176 and SJR 396) that would limit proposed constitutional amendments to single subjects when put forward by the Constitution Revision Commission and by the 25-member Taxation and Budget Reform Commission.
The Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which also meets every 20 years, is next slated for 2027.
- AG Moody Asks Federal Court To Dismiss NRA Suit Over Gun Purchase Age Increase
Attorney General Ashley Moody is asking a federal judge to toss out a lawsuit filed by the National Rifle Association challenging gun legislation passed after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
In a motion to dismiss the case filed Tuesday, Moody’s office argued the law doesn’t violate the Second Amendment because, while individuals who are between ages 18 and 21 cannot buy guns, they may still “keep and use” firearms “for any lawful purpose.”
- Republicans Taking Up Gun Control
As Florida kicked off its 2020 legislative session this month, Senate President Galvano broke ranks with the NRA in his public support for expanding gun background checks.
As a result, there is much infighting among members of the Republican party and respective chambers. Senate President Galvano has publicly acknowledged the controversy surrounding the polarizing issue.
Florida’s Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida and Senator hailing from Sarasota, Joe Gruters, insists the proposal is a solid no.
SB 7028 has passed one of its three referenced committees. The House remains opposed to considering background checks but the trades of priorities will begin to take shape as the end of session gets closer.
