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Amid jeers, Senate alimony proposal clears first committee

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A contentious bill meant to remake what critics call Florida’s antiquated alimony law and end “forever alimony” was cleared Tuesday by a Senate panel. The Judiciary Committee, the first of its three review panels, OK’d the measure (SB 668) by a 6-4 vote after impassioned comment for and against the proposal, even after speakers were limited to 30 seconds. That also was after state Sen. Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican, moved to vote on the bill by 5:50 p.m., only 10 minutes…

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Bill restricting abortion providers now headed to House floor

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A bill that would restrict abortion providers is heading to the House floor. The measure (HB 1411) cleared the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Colleen Burton, a Lakeland Republican, requires doctors who perform abortions have admitting privileges at a local hospital. The bill also prohibits state agencies, local governments and Medicaid managed plans from paying for services at a clinic that is owned, operated or affiliated with a licensed abortion clinic. It…

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Legislative committee week cancelled

Senate President Joe Negron and House Speaker Richard Corcoran have cancelled next week’s legislative committee week because of Hurricane Irma, they

Bill to move 2nd District Court to Tampa riles Polk legislators

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When the Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday to begin the second week of the nine-week Legislative Session, the House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee will consider a proposal that divides the Tampa and Polk County legislative delegations. House Bill 815, sponsored by Tampa Republican Shawn Harrison, would move the 2nd District Court of Appeal from Lakeland to the Tampa area. “It’s becoming a public safety issue,” Harrison said. About 50 employees and judges work in the courthouse. A recent air quality report shows the roof…

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2016 Legislative Food Fights: Legal, judicial reforms again on lawmakers’ to-do list

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They don’t get as much attention as policy debates that gum up and even fracture legislative sessions (think Medicaid expansion), but a slew of proposed legal-related changes will be before legislators this year – some new, some old standbys. For instance, the Legislature will try to overhaul Florida’s alimony law for at least the third time in recent years. The same sides have aligned against each other: Ex-spouses – largely men – who say “forever alimony” isn’t fair, and their former mates – mostly women…

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Alimony overhaul bill clears first House panel

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A House bill aimed at overhauling and streamlining the state’s alimony rules cleared its first panel Wednesday, despite a retired judge telling lawmakers “bad things are going to happen to nice people” if the measure becomes law. The Civil Justice Subcommittee OK’d the bill (HB 455), sponsored by Republican state Rep. Colleen Burton of Lakeland, along party lines. It’s the third time in recent years the Legislature has attempted to change Florida’s alimony law. Pitted once more against each other are…

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House healthcare bills roll to third reading

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After a regular session where the House presented no healthcare plan or alternative to the headline-grabbing Senate FHIX proposal, the House on Thursday rolled to third reading a number of bills that will comprise its package. House Democrats peppered state Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen with questions before the House rolled to third reading a bill that authorizes in statutes recovery care centers and also allows ambulatory surgical centers to operate for 24 hours. HB 33 A is one of a number…

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Florida Legislature passes expanded access to overdose treatment drug

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Florida lawmakers approved a medication that could save lives during a drug overdose, with a bill now awaiting Gov. Rick Scott’s signature. On Tuesday, the Legislature passed SB 758/HB 751, known as the Emergency Treatment for Opioid Overdose Act, which increases availability of Naloxone, a drug that immediately reverses effects of opioids — prescription painkillers, heroin and the like — in the event of an overdose. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 44,000 people lost their lives to…

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