Here we are again with a Special Session of the Florida Legislature. What is on tap for this session?
In the Florida Senate, look for these topics in the Special Session:
Emergency Management – anticipate a bill to provide on-going relief and recovery for the communities continuing to be impacted by Hurricanes Ian and Nicole.
As reported in The Washington Post recently, while much of the state has moved on, the southwest portion of the state, particularly in the Ft. Myers area, is still in recovery mode.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2023/02/01/hurricane-ian-recovery-survivors/
Election Crimes
Also, in this special session we will see legislation “clarifying” the Office of Statewide prosecution jurisdiction to prosecute election crimes. You may recall that last year 20 people were arrested for election fraud – and the investigation showed that most of them THOUGHT they were voting legally. Pay attention to what happens with this bill.
Illegal Immigration
And then there is the clean-up of the illegal immigration bills. Remember that flight from Texas to Nantucket that Florida taxpayers funded last year? Lawsuits have been filed, grand juries have made recommendations; and this session will see a bill intended to clean up the loose ends and address the problem in this state.
Intercollegiate Athletics
And then, the important issue of how college athletes can be compensate for use of their names, images, and likenesses. It’s not clear why this needs to be in the Special Session and can’t be handled during the regular session where Senator Hutson already filed Senate Bill 200 to address the issue.
On the House side, there are a few local bills being addressed and Senator Hutson will be presenting these bills in committee for the Senate to discuss.
Look for bills on the Reedy Creek Improvement District – that’s the Disney Corporation’s special district that has been in hot discussion since last year’s challenge by Disney of Florida’s “anti-woke” legislation. At question is how to dissolve that special district without adversely impacting the local residents.
Beth Tate 