The 2016 Florida legislative session begins January 12. That’s earlier than its usual March start. Lawmakers have sixty days to do at least one thing – pass a state budget. This after the 2015 legislative session ended early when House members walked out. There were three special sessions last fall; one to pass the budget, and two more to draw congressional and senate district maps.
We take a look at some of the bills that will be a priority this session. From medical marijuana to telemedicine. From fracking to forfeiture. From guns to gaming. We bring you in-depth stories that explain the bills up for consideration beginning next week.
MEDICAL MARIJUANA
This year’s legislative session will look at a number of bills involving medical marijuana. The state created an outline for its initial medical marijuana industry in 2014. It allows for the production of a non-euphoric strain of cannabis. Now, some legislators want to expand the current program – or just create an entirely new system. WGCU’sTopherForhecz reports.
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS
The rising cost of health care is straining Florida’s budget. Medicaid is expected to take up a third of the general revenue. As Health News Florida’s Sammy Mack reports, expensive new drugs are challenging cost projections.
TELEHEALTH
Florida doctors are already practicing telehealth without a regulatory system in place, but most insurance companies don't cover the visits. Some telehealth supporters are drafting proposals that state lawmakers could consider during the session, but so far, none have passed muster. Daylina Miller has more.
SURPRISE DOCTOR BILLS
A consumer health issue that fizzled in last year's legislative session is up again. Health News Florida Special Correspondent Carol Gentry reports that this time its chances look more promising.
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Legislative leaders are reviving some of the bills that died during last year’s session, which could expand educational and economic opportunities for people with disabilities. Kate Payne reports.
STATE WORKER HEALTH INSURANCE
Since 2005, most state workers in Florida have paid $50 dollars a month for individual coverage, or $180 dollars a month for their family. And for more than a decade, lawmakers have tried, and failed, to make changes to the state employee group insurance plans. As Lottie Watts with Health News Florida explains, a state representative is going to try again this session.
MENTAL HEALTH
Reforming Florida’s mental health system and putting more funding towards treatment programs is a priority for both the Governor and Florida lawmakers in 2016. As SaschaCordner reports, some of the reforms focus on vulnerable kids as well as military vets and juvenile offenders.
GUNS
There are few issues that find more support among the Republican Party than guns, and Florida’s GOP dominated statehouse is no exception. Nick Evans reports lawmakers are coming back loaded for bear.
CIVIL ASSETS
Law enforcement officers in Florida can take money or property from a person if they believe it’s related to criminal activity. This includes cash or vehicles acquired during drug deals. It’s called civil-asset forfeiture. But advocates say some officers take advantage of this state law. As WGCU’s Jessica Meszaros reports, one Republican state lawmaker wants to change it.
GAMING
When it comes to gambling this year, lawmakers will likely have to lay their cards on the table. Regan McCarthy has more.
COURT REFORM
Florida’s appellate and Supreme Court magistrates could face more restrictions on how long they can serve. A proposed constitutional amendment to impose judicial term limits has started working its way through the statehouse, but as Lynn Hatter reports, some question the motives behind the effort.
JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORMS
Stuart Republican Senator Joe Negron says juvenile justice reforms will be one of the main staples of his upcoming Senate presidency. As SaschaCordner reports, it includes some bills that are already moving through the process for the 2016 session to help juvenile offenders.
AMENDMENT1
One of the most contentious enviromental issues facing state lawmakers in the upcoming session is what to do with Amendment One. That mandated a large pot of tax money be used to buy and protect environmentally-sensitive land. But as Florida Public Radio's Steve Newborn reports, just how that money should be used is muddying the political waters.
FRACKING
A move to ban fracking, one of the hottest topics in the session, fizzled out in the Legislature last year. But that hasn’t slowed the flow of anti-fracking resolutions in counties and cities across the state. As Jim Ash reports, so-called “fractivists,” aren’t giving up.
EDUCATION
State Senator John Legg heads the education committee in the Florida Senate. State Impact Florida's Robin Sussingham sat down with Legg recently, and asked him to sum up the most important education issues that will be in front of the legislature this year.