[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6093064,"mediaKeyId","2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7","parentId",2850053,"title","Votes at a glance: Fiscal Policy Committee (April 2) — bills reported favorably","audioSeconds",4317,"startMs",863000,"endMs",5180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7&start=863&end=5180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7/thumbnail_863000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6093064/Florida/Votes-at-a-glance-Fiscal-Policy-Committee-April-2-bills-reported-favorably","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093064-8a75220ad27bcfe9dbda5470ebbdae9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770731950&Signature=BH5~lDjTMj7Hjz1eQqYn9fgrZp6~ybTn8YejA-UkqXjFkfKMV-K-Tr3m5J7blKTEzvodwOuTwbLZOnKeKKnawj~CHKEczoMRr-nvpR6y4tToBhKleedxhRTS2GB-~woy83NGtU8z8dMgdHvctn1ZCvhGE99VJY6ifS8iaKVNZyxAKohQ-k~BDDgiw7koltsVvrzb-phex-8q4MwC~CGNUOCvkLlwkrP0EUMg2e2mxlzuXKN9PJI074qJ3hJppkexMhQMPeQA2EXidbFyidj2H2iMx7ZXvfWknfd7i5x~RzoFUzaq~P0O8y9UdPRmcMmZnTcMZYZTNztfRW~v4REBNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida Legislature","date","2025-04-02T00:00:00Z","article","The Florida Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy met April 2 and reported favorably on multiple bills covering telecommunications access, health care, education, child welfare, infrastructure and other topics. Below are the items taken up in the meeting and the committee's recorded actions. Where the transcript recorded amendments or substantive debate, a short note is included.

Votes at a glance (committee action recorded as \"reported favorably\" unless otherwise noted):

- CS for CS for SB 344 (Telecommunications Access System Act modernization) — reported favorably; no debate recorded on the floor aside from sponsor explanation.
- CS for CS for SB 714 (Non‑opioid advance directives) — substitute delete-all amendment adopted to create a voluntary form on the Department of Health website; final bill reported favorably.
- CS for SB 738 (Childcare and early learning providers) — sponsor described regulatory streamlining; reported favorably.
- CS for SB 756 (Health insurance coverage for individuals with developmental disabilities) — repeals diagnosis age and expands mandated coverage age provisions; reported favorably.
- CS for SB 1356 (Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases) — institute creation and pilot newborn genetic testing; late-filed amendment adopted to add board seats and remove specific appropriations; reported favorably.
- CS for CS for SB 1624 (Higher education) — comprehensive higher‑education bill with extended debate about replacing \"minority\" with \"underrepresented\" and funding priorities; late-filed amendment adopted; reported favorably.
- CS for CS for SB 1626 (Child welfare) — multiple amendments adopted including authority to refill existing psychotropic prescriptions in limited circumstances and board-composition revisions; reported favorably.
- SB 178 (Agronomic study for emerging crops) — pilot study at Florida A&M University; reported favorably.
- SB 1162 (Water access facilities and boating improvements) — expands eligible uses and discounts for clean marine manufacturers; reported favorably.
- CS for CS for SB 958 (Type 1 diabetes early-detection program) — DOH to post materials and notify parents of VPK/kindergarten/first grade; reported favorably.
- CS for CS for CS for SB 1070 (ECG requirement for student athletes) — committee adopted amendments on rollout and exemptions; extensive public testimony; reported favorably.
- SB 774 (Electronic transmittal of court orders) — requires clerks to transmit orders to sheriffs within six hours; presented with law-enforcement support; reported favorably.
- SB 1516 (International Aerospace Innovation Fund) — Space Florida-administered fund; reported favorably.
- SB 994 (Driver's license education requirements) — changes to classroom and online driver-education structure; sponsor open to adding distracted-driving instruction; reported favorably.
- CS for CS for SB 1402 (Dropout retrieval programs) — expands eligibility for dropout-retrieval services; reported favorably.
- CS for SB 810 (Stormwater management systems) — amended to limit annual inspections to MS4-identified high-vulnerability infrastructure; significant stakeholder debate about cost; reported favorably as amended.
- CS for SB 1470 (School safety) — package of school-safety provisions including centralized panic-alert integration and $450,000 recurring appropriation for mapping/alerts; reported favorably.
- SB 1472 (Public-records exemptions for school security guards) — extends existing exemption to school security guards; reported favorably.
- SB 608 (Rename Gulf of Mexico as Gulf of America) — reported favorably.
- SB 1226 (Pet insurance regulatory framework) — creates statutory framework for pet insurance regulation; reported favorably.

Several bills received late-filed or substitute amendments during the hearing (noted above). Some items prompted extended debate and public testimony (notably SB 1070 and SB 810). Where stakeholders raised fiscal or implementation concerns (SB 810, SB 1070, SB 1624), sponsors committed to continued conversations prior to future committee stops.

Summary: The committee forwarded a multi-issue package to the next stage, with several items carrying requests for technical fixes, funding clarifications or further stakeholder engagement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Committee on Fiscal Policy 4/2/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee advanced a series of bills on education, health, child welfare, infrastructure and other topics. This roundup lists each bill heard and the committee's recorded outcome, with brief notes on amendments or debate.","taxTitle","Fiscal Policy , Standing Committees, Senate, Legislative, Florida","taxId",26950,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093069,"Senate advances higher‑education changes after debate over 'underrepresented' language and program priorities",1290,1560000,2850000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7&start=1560&end=2850","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7/thumbnail_1560000.jpg","/articles/6093069/Florida/Senate-advances-highereducation-changes-after-debate-over-underrepresented-language-and-program-priorities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093069-20aeba1388558c6dfd2ec03774d6e330/orig.mp4?Expires=1770731950&Signature=PacA~GyyoarFhMtPWk1BVbNKXFyqVg-uX1MMsqXuGUidCPnXtjiQOJoQ4hT-7K3pLbXO0hFkipEnXrzW2GYyoib8bVoSQwPLEdfNroD-2f0k2~DY~oo7OWBP7fmf9HGIMEzNRrIq0CTp~oEgdkH8vtPB6RyJyyVfNo7MBM-p~IMZxxK4zg9mxTLo7KJkvHXg0mtLXNGlqJF5Pq6r5Tl~pwzPvODWidF30vtsVVc6oH1W6YJ5c3r-EqjbbkUbYfnnHCz6vtEeoE5z0mw-KdIBnikT8ax3pgZZupSqnkHfSZvtwWk4IX7srw8Jrug1HY4OycWh0OZYH9SXOc48Q~cYyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on April 2 reported favorably on CS/CS for SB 1624, a comprehensive higher-education package that includes changes to tuition policies, scholarship eligibility, workforce partnerships, and program names. Debate centered on language replacing references to \"minority\" with \"underrepresented\" and how that change would affect funding priorities and program eligibility.

Senator Javier Claudio, the bill sponsor, said the change to \"underrepresented\" is designed to give implementers flexibility to target funding to students who would benefit most. He explained the shift in emphasis: \"I view that as the highest possible benefit and access is for low income, but there is flexibility within that term for high impact targeting and support.\" Senators pressed for clarity on whether \"underrepresented\" primarily meant low income and whether the change would align with federal FAFSA/Pell eligibility. Claudio said the programs in the bill are state measures and not necessarily aligned with federal FAFSA language; he invited further discussions about possibly changing the term to \"low-income access.\"

Other bill provisions include creating a market-rate out-of-state fee for nonresident online students, waivers for Florida State Guard members, name changes for some programs (for example, renaming the Florida Educational Equity Act to the Florida Educational Equality Act), and expanded authority for university appointments. The bill also amended preeminence and testing language (allowing CLT test alignment) and updated opioid-antagonist definitions.

Senators asked how the shift away from teacher-preparation programs toward direct student supports would affect institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other minority‑serving institutions with high percentages of Pell-eligible students. Claudio and other supporters said the goal is to direct funds to programs that disrupt generational poverty and improve retention and graduation rates.

After a late-filed amendment addressing private religious postsecondary institution oversight and other technical changes, senators voted to report the bill favorably. The sponsor said he is open to working with colleagues on clarifying language for underrepresented populations and alignment with federal programs.","CS for CS for SB 1624, a broad higher-education bill, was reported favorably after debate focused on replacing references to 'minority' with 'underrepresented' and directing funds to low‑income student supports rather than teacher training.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093073,"Committee approves narrower stormwater-inspection mandate after local governments press cost concerns",0,5776000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7&start=5776&end=5776","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7/thumbnail_5776000.jpg","/articles/6093073/Florida/Committee-approves-narrower-stormwater-inspection-mandate-after-local-governments-press-cost-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093073-971f20106dd41b5f0b176432c75e1beb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770731950&Signature=Pymt-00ArIwJcY3bwKFkKF6oFD2eKOg-a4wXBtPWquTzrg5g2kzlpazeUHqZpBs3x5xRks4gG6Id1-0CxqUhwGuUokZ8mBmGkTU5zu4NF7a9UV3zrp5fj7k2-s59KLPRvTaJvmgMsGBDRdiOU2WE-SjZtX1kdLWUWsVdzHw~TZH13kRYkDQWOUqJHGOrNFPSjGmCVNQZbkHKH41zre4qEUG2-fK7RbnW89YtzlHWoPpe-0o5supINjTAmK77n6FrRcb0L3Q97GsUt4uqguZp7hE0fhJ1fDagcvdDy3m290J45yGvyN0Oyv2KHYoxy~5GjPGbh8-4zgOzRlZdAomxDQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on April 2 advanced CS for SB 810, a bill Senator Burgess said is intended to reduce flood risk by requiring inspections of stormwater infrastructure before storm season. The committee adopted an amendment limiting annual inspections to infrastructure identified as vulnerable during a baseline review.

Senator Ben Burgess said the amendment aligns the bill with the original intent: local MS4 entities would inspect infrastructure they determine is most at risk of flooding. \"This amendment says that the only infrastructure that would be identified as vulnerable is what would be required to have an annual inspection by an MS4 entity,\" Burgess told the committee.

Local-government groups voiced concerns that the bill, as originally drafted, would create “significant unintended consequences.” Matthew Singer of the Florida League of Cities told senators, \"This bill creates significant unintended consequences for cities by requiring inspection of all government owned stormwater structures, regardless of the level of risk or the resources available.\" Singer and other witnesses said many municipalities already inspect portions of their systems under five-year MS4 permit cycles and warned the proposed schedule could force costly, immediate inspections or contracts for camera/TV truck work.

The Florida Association of Counties and stormwater associations asked the committee to adopt a targeted, risk-based approach or provide funding; Jared Grigas of the Florida Association of Counties urged narrowing the universe of structures subject to annual inspection. Kevin Coyne of the Florida Stormwater Association acknowledged the need to address flooding but emphasized MS4 permits are designed for pollution-control and routine rain events rather than rare 1-in-200-year tropical-storm rainfall.

Burgess and several senators, including Boyd and Burton, said recent inland flooding and repeated storms make proactive inspection worthwhile. Burgess described neighborhoods in his area where dozens of homes flooded: \"I have 50 homes that were underwater for a month and a half in my little tiny neighborhood... This is unacceptable.\"

After debate and changes to focus on MS4 entities' identified high-risk infrastructure, the committee reported the bill favorably. Stakeholders requested continued discussions on funding, scope, and whether other owners (FDOT, universities, private systems) should be included and how to coordinate with water-management districts.","CS for SB 810 was reported favorably after an amendment narrowed the requirement to MS4-permitted entities identifying high-vulnerability infrastructure; municipal groups warned of high costs and urged a risk-based approach.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6093078,"Senate fiscal committee advances ECG requirement for student athletes in 'Second Chance Act'",1500,3600000,5100000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7&start=3600&end=5100","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2850053-ab67715b30d053537175aebb8257ada7/thumbnail_3600000.jpg","/articles/6093078/Florida/Senate-fiscal-committee-advances-ECG-requirement-for-student-athletes-in-Second-Chance-Act","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6093078-cfde43e5d7dfe1486ece62852c73684d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770731950&Signature=g-zu~Irvd3fXqRm9NPOABZ3YZTpzhylLM3DsSCMrvjmMzCy39AVIgCPz4fIbENKt8sSSs5-NePI0f2OTlbPBSCvYvOmt5BKrz~WQPVeBgL~ohwsm-gAkmsIME7cqiIK5YAf~1W7QqN0SzTYHGwLoL4cB6DIxOrLKEcYQyDK~PvltMzasNzdy9oEuoxc5m1VNzcTTJ1jJ236o~7MAxiyZ44T82phLk~vMDVJ7rU~lzQHg11dMykKTBjjlkWTnY-WF2tPFaWbTCCSD~d-jyHui7jfnVy1lKdVSWVIRR8ZF8irw27zV~kfkhhJbQ6EYgG46uf3hVaBBBPAOiqwlfpCxsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Florida Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy on April 2 reported favorably on CS/CS/CS for SB 1070, the Second Chance Act, which requires electrocardiograms (ECGs) for students before athletic participation and establishes a phased rollout and task-force guidance on evaluation and exemptions.

Supporters told the committee the measure would shift the state from reaction to prevention. Martha Lopez Anderson, executive director of Parent HeartWatch, said, \"By requiring electrocardiograms or ECGs for every student athlete, Florida would take a bold step in shifting from reaction to prevention.\" Several family members and advocacy groups described personal losses to sudden cardiac arrest and urged action.

The bill would require the Department of Health to develop implementation materials and anticipated a phased start date for first-time participants. The sponsor, Senator Corey Simon, said the bill preserves parental choice by allowing religious and medical exemptions and allows districts to partner with nonprofits for low- or no-cost screenings. Simon told the committee the bill is intended to avoid placing screening costs directly on school districts: \"This doesn't fall back on the districts. What we're trying to encourage the districts to do is to partner with groups like we have presented here today and who we play for and others because they can come in and do these screenings for little to no cost.\"

Parents and advocates gave detailed testimony. Marucci Mendez described the 25th anniversary of her son's death from undetected cardiomyopathy and asked, \"How many of our children have to die in order to justify that expense?\" Ralph Magrone of Who We Play For said a simple five-minute ECG would have identified his son's hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Medical and advocacy witnesses cited research and international examples (noting Italy's screening program) and urged the committee to pass the bill.

District and school officials and school-district groups urged clarity on who bears costs and who is responsible for medical clearance in return-to-play decisions. Bob Harris of the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium told senators small rural districts cannot absorb screening costs if they fall to local budgets and requested language that explicitly keeps clearance and medical decision authority with qualified medical providers.

Senators including Boyd and Arrington expressed strong support, citing lives lost in their communities. After debate and several amendments that clarified rollout, exemptions, and task-force duties, the committee recorded the bill as \"reported favorably.\" The roll call concluded with CS/CS/CS for SB 1070 reported favorably.

The bill now advances with implementation details and funding questions still to be negotiated at later stages.","The committee reported favorably on CS/CS/CS for SB 1070, which would require ECG screening for student athletes; supporters said screenings detect most heart conditions that cause sudden cardiac arrest, while school-district groups raised cost and implementation concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Fiscal Policy Committee (April 2) — bills reported favorably

Senate advances higher‑education changes after debate over 'underrepresented' language and program priorities

Committee approves narrower stormwater-inspection mandate after local governments press cost concerns

Senate fiscal committee advances ECG requirement for student athletes in 'Second Chance Act'