Legislative Update - April 8, 2022

Governor DeSantis had a very busy this week!  He has signed over 40 bills and appointed Jared Perdue as the new Secretary of Transportation.  He bashed President Biden’s immigration policies and suggested that everyone send their illegal immigrants to Delaware.  And he had a music video touting his accomplishments as Governor!  In collaboration with DeSantis, Donnie Van Zant and Johnny Van Zant premiered a music video for their song "Sweet Florida." The song contains lyrics promoting the Governor's efforts during his tenure, including his stance on COVID-19 and criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci.

With a special legislative session approaching to finish congressional redistricting work, Gov. Ron DeSantis is holding off on making an endorsement in the Republican primary for state agriculture commissioner.

After Winter Park Republican Chuck Nadd filed paperwork to run for agriculture commissioner, DeSantis declined to pick favorites when asked Tuesday about the primary that also includes Senate President Wilton Simpson, a Trilby Republican who has received backing from former President Donald Trump.

DeSantis, who recently waded into a state Senate contest to endorse Rep. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, said he “will absolutely” get involved in more Republican primaries. However, DeSantis said “we’re not going to do anything today.”

The governor called the special session for April 19 to April 22 after he vetoed a congressional redistricting plan passed by lawmakers. The Senate passed an initial congressional map that included key differences from a DeSantis proposal. The Senate and House then passed a plan to try to address DeSantis’ concerns, but the governor rejected it — and has continued touting his proposal.

Simpson recently drew endorsements from Attorney General Ashley Moody and state Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.

DeSantis said Simpson has “helped us in a number of different things.” But, DeSantis added, “we've got some more to do.

We're gonna have some more work to do this year. But hopefully, we'll be able to get a lot of great stuff across the finish line.”

As previously reported, Special Session will begin on April 19 to redraw Congressional maps.  Attorneys for plaintiffs suing the state over new congressional maps are urging a federal court to adopt a redistricting plan for the state's congressional districts that has already been passed by the state Senate. That is the map vetoed by Governor DeSantis.

Senator Jeff Brandes is still asking for insurance reform to be included in the Special Session, but Speaker Chris Sprowls has said he is not in favor of adding insurance to the call.  He wants the new laws enacted in 2021 to have time to work.

Miami-Raised Jackson Set to Join Supreme Court - Ketanji Brown Jackson will be the first U.S. Supreme Court Justice from Florida. The Senate confirmed Brown on a 53-47 vote on Thursday. She is expected to be sworn in this summer when Justice Stephen Breyer retires. Jackson was raised in Miami, where her father was the top lawyer for Miami-Dade schools, and her mother was a school principal. She graduated from Palmetto High in 1988. Scotusblog / Politico / The Hill / Axios / Washington Post / New York Times / Fox News / Miami Herald

“CSU forecasters predict another active hurricane season with 19 tropical storms, nine hurricanes” via Doyle Rice of USA Today — After two of the most active hurricane seasons on record in 2020 and 2021, top hurricane forecasters on Thursday said we should expect another above-normal season this year. For the season, which begins June 1, meteorologist Phil Klotzbach and other experts from Colorado State University, among the nation’s top seasonal hurricane forecasters, predict 19 named tropical storms will form in 2022, of which nine will become hurricanes. An average season has 14 tropical storms, seven of which become hurricanes. If the prediction holds, it will be the seventh consecutive above-normal season. A tropical storm becomes a hurricane when its wind speed reaches 74 mph.

Perdue Tapped to Lead Department of Transportation - Jared Perdue, who has led the Department of Transportation’s District Five in Central Florida, was named Thursday by Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve as state transportation secretary. Perdue has been with the state agency for about 18 years and replaces former Secretary Kevin Thibault, who stepped down from the $200,000-a-year position to become chief executive officer of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “Secretary Perdue brings a wealth of knowledge and understands the unique aspects of Florida’s transportation industry,” DeSantis said in a prepared statement. As district secretary, Perdue oversaw completion of the I-4 Ultimate Project and the Wekiva Parkway project. Perdue was paid $180,475 a year. Thibault had run the Department of Transportation since being selected by DeSantis in January 2019. Perdue was among three candidates recommended for the job by the Florida Transportation Commission, along with former Miami-Dade County Transit Director Alice Bravo and Marcus Lemon, a former chief counsel for the Federal Highway Administration in the George W. Bush administration.

Gov Signs Bill to Boost LEO Recruitment, Retention - Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed legislation (HB 3) providing bonuses for new law enforcement officers and moving expenses for those who come from out of state to take a Florida job. The legislation also includes a provision that gives sheriffs the ability to move money between budget categories at their discretion without seeking approval from their county commission. Associated Press / WFLA / LobbyTools Governor's Activity

Hospitals, Nursing Homes Must Allow Visitors Under 'No Patient Left Alone' - Hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities will have to allow in-person visits under legislation (SB 988) signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday. The new law, known as the "No Patient Left Alone Act," directs health care providers to allow families of patients and residents to visit them, regardless of other restrictions in the community, such as those put in place during a public health crisis. Under the law, health care facilities must adopt and post visitation policies online by May 6. Health care providers are required to allow in-person visitation in certain circumstances, such as end-of-life situations, major medical decisions, when a patient is experiencing emotional distress, or during childbirth. Also, all pediatric patients must be allowed visitors under the measure. The new law also bans facilities from requiring visitors to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination. "Here in Florida, we recognize that family and human connection is one of the most important aspects of physical, mental, and emotional well-being and we are ensuring Floridians are never again denied the right to see their relatives and friends while in hospitals or nursing homes," DeSantis said. The new law takes effect immediately. Orlando Sentinel / Tampa Bay Times / Florida Politics / Video / DeSantis Press Release / Senate Press Release / AHCA Visitation Rights 

Redistricting redux: Lawmakers will head back to Tallahassee April 19-22 for a special session, after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the legislature’s congressional redistricting maps. The dispute underscores an intraparty feud over the future of redistricting in Florida and legislators have been at odds with the governor over how far to go to protect minority voters’ right to elect candidates of their choice. Will legislators and their lawyers cave to the governor’s wishes, after spending months defending their approach? Or will the governor veto the map again, leading to an impasse that the court must resolve?

Federal Judges Asked to Require Senate-Passed Congressional District Map - Attorneys for plaintiffs suing the state over new congressional maps are urging a federal court to adopt a redistricting plan for the state's congressional districts that has already been passed by the state Senate. The map that passed in the Senate with strong bipartisan support was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said it unconstitutionally gerrymandered the districts to make it likely that a Black candidate would win a seat in North Florida. Lawmakers are slated to meet for a four-day special session beginning April 19 to work on a new congressional map, hoping to reach an accord with the governor. Attorneys representing Fair Districts, Common Cause and others requested a three-judge federal court panel on Monday to adopt the Senate map, which would include the minority district in North Florida, currently held by U.S. Rep. Al Lawson, that DeSantis objects to. Federal judges could hold a two-day trial within weeks of the special session if no agreement is reached on a new map. Politico 

“Voting rights group Equal Ground Action launches campaign on redistricting Special Session” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — An Orlando-based Black political advocacy group is launching a new digital campaign to get voters to demand the Legislature protect minority access congressional districts in the upcoming Special Session. Equal Ground Action Fund will target 2.5 million Floridians with a new digital campaign entitled “We Draw The Lines.” The group wants to convince lawmakers not to eliminate districts previously mapped out as minority access districts. Particular focus has been given to Florida’s 5th Congressional District, which had been drawn, based on the Voting Rights Act of 1965, to increase Black representation in North Florida.

“Allen Winsor worked on redistricting as a House lawyer. He’s not recusing himself as judge” via Mary Ellen Klas of the Miami Herald — The federal judge handling Florida’s congressional redistricting case said Wednesday that he will not step aside and recuse himself, even though he represented the state House of Representatives in the last redistricting cycle and worked to oppose the state’s anti-gerrymandering provisions. The groups are asking the federal court to set the new congressional districts, arguing that the decision by DeSantis to veto the congressional map and the Legislature’s inability to reach a resolution during the Regular Legislative Session has led to an impasse on the issue.

“Election officials want Florida’s congressional lines in place before end of April” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Courts should give the Republican-controlled Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis one more shot at producing a map, say plaintiffs in a federal case. But judges should be prepared to impose a map of their choosing before the end of the month if elected officials can’t get their act together.

“Plaintiffs ask this Court to set a briefing schedule that will permit it to hold a hearing and decide upon a new map as early as the last week in April,” reads a legal brief. “That will give the Legislature one last chance to draw congressional lines that the Governor will accept.”

Common Cause of Florida, Fair Districts Now and other plaintiffs filed a suit in federal court last month, asserting that judges must intervene if lawmakers and the Governor couldn’t move in concert. The lawsuit landed days after the Florida Legislature, on March 4, passed a congressional map (H 8019) that sought to address DeSantis’ stated concerns about a North Florida congressional district, and also attached a secondary map (H 8015) that left a current configuration of that district largely intact. But DeSantis already promised to veto the map when it passed, which he did on March 29.

Brandes Calls for Special Session on Insurance - Sen. Jeff Brandes on Wednesday called on House and Senate leaders to hold a special session to address Florida's property insurance market in which homeowners are facing skyrocketing rate increases and companies dropping coverage. Brandes proposed some possible solutions to help bring down rising premiums, including changing the requirements on companies for backup coverage through the Hurricane Catastrophe Fund and limiting the growth of state-backed Citizens Property Insurance. Brandes, along with other lawmakers, filed bills during the regular session that aimed to make changes to Citizens but ultimately failed. "Floridians are suffering from skyrocketing rate increases, and you have the authority and duty to demand House and Senate engagement," said Brandes. The outgoing Republican from the Tampa Bay area also warned that if leadership refuses to call a special session, he will move to have the Legislature polled. Brandes would need 60% of lawmakers to agree with him for a session to take place under the polling rule. Florida Politics / Politico

Related: House Speaker Chris Sprowls said again that changes made in 2021 need to be given time to work before lawmakers make new efforts to curb rising property insurance costs, and likely won't take up insurance laws during the upcoming April special session on redistricting. Property Casualty 360

“New laws championed by DeSantis now face legal scrutiny” via John Kennedy of USA Today Network — With the dust still settling from a Legislative Session where DeSantis’ polarizing agenda of bills was easily approved by Republican majorities, the scene now shifts from the Capitol to the courthouse. The trail was blazed recently with a federal lawsuit looking to overturn the state’s new parental rights law, branded “Don’t Say Gay” by opponents, filed within days of DeSantis signing the measure. More challenges are waiting in the wings for legislation focusing on immigration, abortion, elections security, campaign financing, and discussion of race in schools and the workplace.

DeSantis Criticizes Federal Immigration Policy - Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a statement on Monday condemning a federal plan to repeal a ban on asylum-seekers at the U.S.-Mexican border. The Biden administration plans to end the broad pandemic immigration restriction known as Title 42 next month. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has used the public health order to tighten border security and remove 1.7 million migrants due to COVID-19 health concerns since March 2020. Late last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said it would be lifting the asylum ban imposed by former President Donald Trump due to a significant drop in infections. Unaccompanied migrant children have been exempt from the order since March 12 but the conversation changed to lifting the ban entirely after Russia invaded Ukraine. "Joe Biden's reckless border policies have allowed more than 2 million foreigners to enter our country illegally via the Southern border," said DeSantis. Lawmakers passed a DeSantis-backed bill (SB 1808) during the recently-ended legislative session that blocks the state from doing business with companies that transport undocumented immigrants into Florida, including $12 million in funding to remove immigrants who have been transported by the federal government into Florida. The legislation has not been signed into law yet. Florida Politics / WESH / DeSantis Press Release

DeSantis: Send Undocumented Immigrants to Delaware - Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that when the federal government sends immigrants who are in the country illegally to Florida he will in turn send them to Delaware, the home state of President Joe Biden. "We now have money where we can reroute them to sanctuary states like Delaware – and we're gonna do that – to make sure we're keeping people safe here," DeSantis said. Yahoo News

More than 46,000 Cubans have arrived in the United States in the last five months, the biggest wave of migration from the island in years. Miami Herald

“Florida’s pension fund is stuck holding $300 million in Russian investments” via Skyer Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel — A $300 million slice of Florida’s nearly $200 billion public pension portfolio is invested in Russian companies, even as the pariah nation faces mounting accusations of genocide and other war crimes in Ukraine. Democrats want Florida to divest that tiny part of the fund, arguing the state’s leaders should act swiftly to dump Russian investments. According to a review from late January, Florida’s holdings include Russian oil producers, mining companies, and the country’s largest bank.

“DeSantis stars in music video dedicated to Florida, himself” via Kai Davis of WEAR-TV — DeSantis was the center of attention in a new music video dedicated to the state and himself that premiered on Friday. In collaboration with DeSantis, Donnie Van Zant and Johnny Van Zant premiered a music video for their song "Sweet Florida." The song contains lyrics promoting the Governor's efforts during his tenure, including his stance on COVID-19 and criticism of Dr. Anthony Fauci. "He's the only one that'll fight for you and me," says one of the song's lyrics. The 4-minute-11-second song dedicated to DeSantis and the state of Florida is now streaming on Apple Music and Spotify.

Business …

Rep. Anthony Sabatini sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday urging him to veto a large piece of legislation that makes changes to Florida's tax law. SB 1382 would require taxpayers to produce all documents requested by the Department of Revenue during an audit in a timely manner, among other changes. Sabatini says the legislation is "burdensome" on small businesses by assuming a business owner willfully acted in neglect. Although the measure has not been presented to the governor yet, the Florida arm of the National Federation of Independent Business is also requesting a veto from DeSantis.

State 'anti-woke' law puts Florida businesses on defensive - Come July 1, Florida employers who mandate diversity training programs to their workers would be well advised to take note of what those programs say — and how they say it. The so-called “Stop Woke Act” passed by the Legislature this month and soon to be signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis, restricts how programs aimed at promoting diversity in the workplace can be presented to employees. The idea is to protect workers as well as students in schools from language that might make them feel “uncomfortable” by references to past acts of bias and discrimination around the country. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

“DeSantis’ ‘Stop WOKE’ Act could force Florida businesses to rethink diversity training” via Kathryn Varn of the Tallahassee Democrat — Florida is set to become the first state in the country to restrict how workplaces can talk about racism and bias. The legislation (HB 7), better known as the “Stop WOKE” Act, was pushed aggressively by DeSantis and sailed through the Republican-controlled Legislature last month, despite pushback from dozens of businesses and chambers of commerce. The bill also restricts discussion of such topics in schools, in line with a conservative-led trend to tamp down instruction on race, gender and sexuality. But Florida is unique in extending the provision to workplaces. Any violation could open employers to a civil rights lawsuit.

“DeSantis says he’s ‘receptive’ to Legislature changing Disney’s Reedy Creek District” via Steven Lemongello of the Orlando Sentinel — DeSantis said he would be “receptive” to the Legislature making changes to Disney’s unique self-governing district for Walt Disney World, clarifying comments he made Thursday calling for an end to the company’s “special privileges.” “As the Governor, I could be presented with changes to that,” DeSantis said in Titusville. “And I think I’ve said I’d be receptive to that. But ultimately, the Legislature would have to move forward. So, I know that there’s a lot of discussion about that. And we’ll just see how that shakes out.” But he also said that the many state tax breaks awarded to Disney, such as the $570 million in incentives for its new regional hub in Orlando’s Lake Nona community, applied to all businesses equally and he was not looking to end them.

“Florida's yo-yo'ing gas prices on the decline after double-digit increase last week” via Karl Etters of the Tallahassee Democrat — Florida’s gasoline prices, although still above $4 a gallon, are on the decline following a month of rising costs and a 13-cent jump just in the last week. On Sunday, the average gas price was $4.17 a gallon, a drop of 7 cents in the previous five days. However, the latest decline is part of a long-term yo-yo effect that has caused motorists to change their driving habits. The average cost Monday is five cents higher than the week before, 55 cents more than last month, and $1.32 higher than last year. The previous month's prices have dipped and climbed by double digits several times.

The Florida Chamber is launching a program to better help match in-demand skilled workers with businesses in need. The project is called the Future of Work Initiative. It aims to form a collaboration with educational institutions, businesses and Florida's workers by focusing on certifications and work experience needed to fill open positions. According to the Chamber, about 72% of workforce leaders in the state have had a hard time finding qualified talent within the past year. Florida Politics 

“Economists blast sales tax holidays as gimmick with little benefit” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — The Legislature last month unanimously approved $1.1 billion in tax breaks over the next two years that lawmakers say are aimed at easing the tax burden on average Floridians. But economists across the board debunk them as politically popular, feel-good gimmicks that sidestep meaningful and lasting tax reform and provide negligible relief or savings. State politicians applaud those measures and a monthlong suspension of the state’s 26.5-cent gas tax in October, as efforts to help working families deal with soaring inflation. “It makes them look good, particularly during an election year,’ said Diane Yetter, founder of the for-profit Sales Tax Institute in Chicago.

“Politics and Florida’s Supreme Court: the remarkable rise of the next Chief Justice” via Noreen Marcus of FloridaBulldog.org — When Florida Supreme Court justices elect their in-house leader, tradition dictates that they honor seniority. It’s remarkable that on March 9, the justices ignored seniority and bypassed the obvious choice, Justice Alan Lawson, to tap a relative newcomer, Justice Carlos Muniz. It’s conceivable that Muniz’s hard-line credentials gave him an edge over Lawson. Muniz won the chief’s job after a power struggle — a selection process punctuated by verbal arm-twisting and split votes that dragged on for five months. Muniz was elected “by acclamation.” “DeSantis and the ultraconservative justices he appointed think that Justice Lawson is squishy on issues like diversity,” an insider said. “They also don’t want him to preside over the Supreme Court cases that will come up soon, on apportionment and abortion in particular. They don’t trust him like they trust Justice Muniz.”

COVID-19 …

“New cases up nearly 16% in Florida over last seven days, but hospitalizations remain low” via Cindy Krischer Goodman and David Schutz of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — As Florida moves toward a new normal, the state is seeing an uptick in new COVID-19 cases, just as the subvariant known as “stealth omicron” takes over. The CDC shows Florida recorded 10,137 new cases for the seven days ending March 31, a 15.9% increase from the 8,746 new cases it reported during the seven days prior. The uptick comes after Florida saw its lowest level of new cases during the seven days ending March 11. The BA.2 subvariant of omicron, considered more contagious than the original omicron strain, now represents 40% of cases in Florida's Southeast region. It appears to be triggering an uptick in the Sunshine State, particularly in South Florida.

Health Issues …

DeSantis Signs Legislation Cutting Nursing Home Staff Hours - Legislation (HB 1239) that would allow for fewer required hours of nursing home staffing was among more than 40 bills signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Under current law, the state requires nursing homes to provide at least 3.6 hours of direct care per resident each day, including 1 hour provided by a licensed nurse and at least 2.5 hours provided by a certified nursing assistant. The new law reduces the minimum CNA direct care from 2.5 hours to 2 hours. Under the new law, the remaining hours can be provided by select professions on a facility's direct care staff, including pharmacy, dietary, therapeutic, and mental health professionals. Opponents of the policy change, such as the AARP, urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to veto the bill saying it would decrease the quality of care in Florida. Backers said, however, that the change will modernize health care. The new law takes effect immediately. Florida Politics

“Nursing homes end Legislative Session with wins. But will patients lose?” via Kate Santich of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida’s nursing home lobbyists came away from the just-concluded Legislative Session with nearly everything they wanted, which worries some advocates for the elderly, including AARP Florida, that patient care will take a back seat to profits. The state’s lawmakers gave nursing homes a “historic” increase in Medicaid funds, extended a law shielding them from COVID-19-related lawsuits, and passed a controversial bill that cuts the minimum number of hours nursing assistants must spend at patients’ bedsides. The bill will become law unless the Governor vetoes it, as advocates urge. They see it as part of a decades long effort by the nursing home industry to undo staffing regulations adopted in 2001 under Gov. Jeb Bush.

“5 ways Florida nursing home visits will change thanks to bill DeSantis just signed” via Kirby Wilson of the Tampa Bay Times — Florida health care facilities have a new set of rules for restricting visitation thanks to a bill approved Wednesday by DeSantis. Senate Bill 988, which sponsors named the “No Patient Left Alone Act,” was largely a response to the early months of the coronavirus pandemic in which the DeSantis administration severely limited visitation at Florida’s long-term care facilities and hospitals. The state put those restrictions in place in 2020 to control the spread of COVID-19. As the months of isolation for residents and patients added up and complaints from loved ones mounted, DeSantis began relaxing those rules.

The Agency for Health Care Administration said Thursday it is in the final stages of the rulemaking process to implement a new Personal Care Attendant Training Program for nursing homes in the state. A bill (HB 485) passed last year codified the personal care attendant training program that had been temporarily authorized by an emergency executive order in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The law and rule were aimed at expanding the long-term care workforce by providing a pathway to develop skills to become certified nursing assistants. The proposed rule increases the number of required training hours PCAs must obtain before having direct contact with a resident. The increased training hours follow suggestions from advocacy groups such as the AARP. The agency reported that since 2020, just under 3,000 individuals had taken the Certified Nursing Assistant exam, with 73% successfully receiving a license. AHCA Press Release

Report blasts Ladapo hire: The University of Florida violated its own hiring procedures when it named Joseph Ladapo to a $262,000 a year position as a tenured professor, plus $75,000 for “developing policies and interventions,” according to a faculty committee report released Wednesday. The hiring of Ladapo, whom Gov. Ron DeSantis picked last year to be the state’s surgeon general, did not adequately involve the input of faculty normally charged with reviewing a candidate’s application for tenure, the report found.

Administrators accelerated Ladapo’s start date to accommodate DeSantis’ announcement that the doctor would become the state’s next surgeon general, it said. And, it added, some faculty members felt Ladapo was the subject of “preferential treatment on the basis of his political opinions.”

Budget Shifts Affordable Housing Money to New Program - The Legislature this past session moved $100 million from the Sadowski fund for affordable housing into the new "Hometown Hero Housing Program," a yet to be created program for down payment assistance and closing costs that is expected to be run by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Legislation (SB 788) spelling out details for the new Hometown Hero program died in committee, but language in the budget puts the money into the program anyway, meaning it will be up to the Housing Finance Corporation to determine the details for the new program. Orlando Sentinel

Legislation that would cap insulin prices at $35 per month nationally under health insurance plans passed the U.S. House of Representatives late last week. Florida lawmakers have filed similar state bills in the past few years, but none have made it to the finish line. The federal measure still needs approval from the Senate. NPR / New York Times / Politico 

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed legislation (SB 312) allowing doctors to prescribe certain drugs over telemedicine video calls. Florida Politics 

Newborns who fail a hearing test will be screened for congenital cytomegalovirus under legislation (SB 292) signed Wednesday by the governor. Florida Politics

Bills to Address Veteran Suicides, Opioid ODs Among Several Signed Wednesday - Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 42 bills into law Wednesday ranging from legislation (SB 1712) aimed at lowering veteran suicide rates, to a bill (HB 1209) authorizing pharmacy technicians to administer a broader range of vaccines, to a proposal (SB 544) that expands access to emergency opioid antagonists like Naltrexone. Another measure approved by the governor includes a bill (HB 921) that bans out-of-state individuals and groups from funding ballot initiatives in Florida in the initial stages. An additional measure given the green light was a proposal (SB 312) that allows health care practitioners to prescribe certain controlled substances through video telehealth services. Other approved bills include a measure (SB 1222) that allows paramedics to perform medical care usually delivered at the hospital in patients' homes, and legislation (SB 1770) to require Medicaid to cover donated breast milk for infants in intensive care units. The governor also signed a bill (SB 1950) that revamps the state's Medicaid managed care program in preparation for the upcoming procurement process, along with two more pieces of legislation (SB 1844, SB 1262) that amend provisions under the Baker and Marchman Acts. DeSantis still has two measures lawmakers have sent him so far, a large Department of Health package (SB 768) and legislation (SB 1360) that removes the scheduled expiration date of the Governor's Medal of Freedom law. The governor has until Wednesday, April 20, to act on the two remaining bills. DeSantis Press Release / LobbyTools Governor's Activity

“DeSantis signs fleet of behavioral health bills as post-pandemic need rises” via Renzo Downey of Florida Politics — Behavioral health care providers scored major wins Wednesday as DeSantis signed nearly a dozen bills ranging from plans to modernize mental health treatment to a measure to prevent suicides among veterans. The Republican Governor signed 42 bills, including 11 addressing mental health and substance abuse. The signings come after another year of health care experts sounding the alarm on the psychological toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. Both the Governor and First Lady Casey DeSantis have touted behavioral health as the administration’s priorities. Their support has drawn praise from mental health and substance abuse advocates.

Prescription drug imports remain bottled up - Nearly three years after Florida lawmakers approved a plan to import cheaper prescription drugs from Canada, Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed frustration Tuesday that the plan remains stalled in Washington, D.C. DeSantis and then-state House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, made the issue a priority in 2019, with lawmakers ultimately approving a plan to make imported drugs available in government-related programs. Former President Donald Trump’s administration approved a rule in 2020 to help clear the way for imports, but groups including the Pharmaceutical Research & Manufacturers of America launched a legal challenge that remains unresolved. More from the News Service of Florida.

Doctors will now be able to provide medical care to minors without parental consent outside of medical facilities under a bill (HB 817) signed into law this week by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The measure was supported by major medical groups.

Doctors can already provide emergency care to a child without parental consent in a hospital or some other health care facilities. The bill expands the ability to other settings. Florida Phoenix

“Governor signs bill mandating more opt-out information on step therapy programs” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Managed care plans and insurance companies will soon have to provide customers with more information about step therapy programs, including how to opt out of them, thanks to a bill DeSantis just signed into law. On Wednesday, DeSantis signed HB 459, which establishes protocols managed care plans and insurance companies must follow for programs with specific sequences in which prescription drugs, medical procedures and other treatments must be used for a health condition. Such a program, which includes the initial use of cost-effective, less-risky drug therapies and a progression to costlier and riskier therapies, if necessary, is known as a “step therapy” or “first fail requirement” program.

Elections …

Out-of-state donors will face new limits on supporting changes to Florida's constitution under legislation (HB 921) signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The new law prevents donors who aren't Florida residents from contributing more than $3,000, and out-of-state political committees from receiving donations worth more than $3,000, during the petition-gathering part of the ballot initiative process. Florida Politics

“A judge calls out racial discrimination in Florida” via Ruth Marcus of The Washington Post — DeSantis proclaimed himself unfazed by a federal judge’s opinion declaring provisions of the state’s new voting law unconstitutional and racially discriminatory. As a matter of raw judicial vote-counting, DeSantis is probably right. “It’s just a matter of how quickly it’s going to get reversed,” DeSantis said of the ruling Thursday by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker, an Obama appointee. The numbers back up DeSantis’ bluster. Seven of the 11 active judges on the 11th Circuit, where Walker’s decision will be appealed, are Republican nominees, including a solid phalanx of six Donald Trump appointees. The Supreme Court, if the dispute gets that far, isn’t apt to be any more attentive to voting rights claims.

Mike Waltz endorses Wilton Simpson for Ag Commissioner — U.S. Rep. Waltz, the first Green Beret elected to Congress and a recipient of four Bronze Stars, currently represents Florida’s 6th Congressional District. “Now more than ever, Floridians need an Agriculture Commissioner who fully understands how our food supply chain works to provide safe and abundant food to the American people,” Waltz said in a statement Monday. “At the height of the pandemic, Florida farmers like Wilton Simpson worked overtime to fill the gaps created by the crisis and ensure grocery store shelves were stocked. Gov. DeSantis leaned on that expertise and tapped Wilton to serve on his Reopen Florida Task Force to help get Floridians back to work.” Waltz continued: “Wilton Simpson is … fully equipped to do his part to ensure our most basic needs are met as our freedom and quality of life are challenged here at home and abroad.”

“Chuck Nadd files for Agriculture Commissioner” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Nadd has jumped into the race for Agriculture Commissioner. After weeks of various statements to the media, he’s now filed with the Division of Elections for the job. Nadd faces Senate President Wilton Simpson and has criticized the lawmaker over issues from redistricting to supporting sugar farmers. While it has yet to materialize, rumors have swirled about whether DeSantis may prove supportive after a Legislative Session in which the Governor’s Office and the upper chamber were at odds over water management and reapportionment matters.

“Nikki Fried touts boost in grassroots, online fundraising as she raises $440K in March” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Fried touted increases in grassroots support as her gubernatorial campaign reported about $440,000 raised in March. A release from her campaign stressed the significance of small donations. More than $1 million has come in through online donations since Fried launched her campaign in June. There were 4,570 online donations in March alone, averaging about $35 per donor. An end-of-month ask on Twitter resulted in $25,000 raised in a single day. The totals for March leapt by a third over the prior month as Fried announced a campaign reset. Still, she trailed Democratic Primary opponent Crist in March fundraising, as Crist pulled in more than $1 million.

Lawmakers return campaign contributions from Disney — Republican lawmakers have started returning donations from Disney over the company’s position against the “parental rights in education” bill. Bill sponsor Rep. Joe Harding became the first on Tuesday, returning $3,000 delivered to his political committee. The following day, Rep. Randy Maggard followed suit, returning $5,000 in donations from the entertainment giant. “As a company whose primary audiences are young children and families, Disney has let us down through their complicity with the false narratives pushed by liberal media, who have repeatedly mischaracterized the content of my legislation,” Harding said. Lawmakers have held multiple meetings discussing changes to a self-governing arrangement Disney has enjoyed with the state since 1967, a move DeSantis endorsed Thursday.

“‘Wrought with entitlement’: Florida Democrats struggle to win over Latinos” via Matt Dixon of POLITICO — Florida Democrats have long taken Latino voters for granted — a problem they’re finally trying to fix ahead of the 2022 midterms. Democrats say the steady erosion of support from a key constituency in the battleground state is helping rewire how they are planning to win back Latino voters, which in Florida includes a diverse mix of Cubans, Puerto Ricans, Colombians, Venezuelans and Nicaraguans, among others.

“Florida GOP leans on education platform to mobilize voters” via Bianca Padró Ocasio, Ana Ceballos and Sommer Brugal of the Miami Herald — In a state run by the GOP with a growing Republican base, pandemic-related policies such as masking, discussions about sexual orientation and gender identity and teaching about race and racism have all been linchpins for parents who’ve become angered with public education and Republicans are seizing the opportunity. From curriculum fights to school board term limits, Florida Republicans are leaning on education as a wedge issue during the midterm elections, hoping it will mobilize their base and appeal to independent voters as they consider candidates for legislative and statewide offices down to local school board races.

“DeSantis calls out ‘fake news,’ but his campaign used fake news site to raise cash” via Ben Wieder of the Miami Herald — In messages to supporters, DeSantis isn’t shy about labeling “fake news media” the enemy. But when it comes to raising money for his re-election bid, the Republican Governor’s campaign and an associated political committee have sought help from a satire website with the tagline “Fake news you can trust.” The Governor’s campaign committee, as well as the associated Friends of Ron DeSantis political action committee, paid the conservative-leaning satire website The Babylon Bee a combined $15,000 last year for services related to online fundraising, according to state campaign finance records.

Charlie Crist posts $1M+ for March — Crist’s campaign is announcing a solid fundraising haul of over $1 million in March — the first Democratic gubernatorial candidate this cycle to break the million-dollar mark in a single month. The campaign is now touting $8.2 million total raised with over $5.3 million cash on hand. Crist now has over 130 endorsements from elected officials and community leaders, including former CFO and gubernatorial candidate Alex Sink and Jim Davis, former U.S. Representative and 2006 Democratic gubernatorial nominee. Crist’s team has also brought on Maurizio Passariello as Hispanic Media Director and Susan Windmiller as senior adviser for Women’s Outreach.

Val Demings' campaign posts $13.1M on hand, a historic high for Senate challenger — Demings is announcing her U.S. Senate campaign raised over $10 million in the first quarter of 2022, ending with $13.1 million cash-on-hand. Demings’ campaign representatives say the robust fundraising has been through donors who contributed an average of $23.50 online in Q1.

Since entering the race, they raised over $30 million.

“Chief Demings is inspiring a historic people-powered movement never seen before in Florida,” said campaign manager Zack Carroll in a statement. “We’re building the most robust campaign (Marco) Rubio has ever faced, one that will let Floridians know that they have a choice between a 27-year law enforcement officer and a career politician who doesn’t show up for work.”

Albritton Committee Tops $77,000 - A political committee led by Sen. Ben Albritton, a Wauchula Republican who is expected to become Senate president in 2024, raised $77,500 in March, according to a newly filed finance report. The Advancing Florida Agriculture committee had about $814,000 in cash on hand as of March 31. Contributions during the month included $25,000 from the Las Vegas-based Caesars Enterprise Services, LLC, according to the report posted on the state Division of Elections website. State candidates, political committees and parties face a Monday deadline for filing updated finance reports.

And in other news …

“Let’s go! Everything to know for the season ahead” via Anthony Castrovince of MLB — To say it has been a strange couple of years in Major League Baseball is an understatement. The pandemic uprooted and significantly shortened a 2020 season played primarily in empty parks. Then, following the 2021 season, the lockout froze all big league transactions for 99 cold winter days. But as Opening Day arrives on Thursday, a genuine and very much welcomed sense of normalcy comes with it. There are 162 games on the schedule, there will be fans in the seats from the outset, the labor talks are in the rearview, and the focus is right where it belongs, on the field, where the greatest assemblage of baseball talent shines.

“HD 36 candidate Rachel Plakon, Scott Plakon expecting baby girl” via Scott Powers of Florida Politics — Rachel Plakon and her husband, Rep. Scott Plakon, are expecting a baby girl this summer, they announced Monday. Rachel Plakon is running essentially to succeed Scott Plakon, who faces term limits. The districts have been redrawn and renumbered, with HD 36 now representing their area in Seminole County, instead of the House District 29 seat he holds now. “Scott and I are very happy to announce that we are expecting a baby girl! I’m more determined than ever to work hard to help keep Florida the best place to live, work … and raise a child,” she posted on Facebook Monday.

“Mike Vasilinda, a fixture of Florida political reporting, is retiring after nearly 50 years” via News4Jax — Television viewers across Florida will soon be losing a very familiar face who has been a broadcasting institution in the state. Vasilinda runs the Capitol News Service, which currently distributes daily stories from the state Capitol to TV stations all over Florida. Vasilinda has been a fixture in journalism in Tallahassee for around 49 years following his graduation from Florida State University in 1973. Vasilinda said he originally wanted to be a lawyer and didn’t plan to stay in Tallahassee more than a couple of years after graduating, but that obviously didn’t happen.

Statehouse Media Staff Increasing Elsewhere, Declining in Florida - The number of reporters assigned to cover state capitols around the country is more than 10% higher than it was eight years ago, with the jump attributed partly to the increase in the number of nonprofit news organizations covering some state governments. Florida, however, is among the states where the number of reporters covering the Capitol has declined. The Hill / Poynter