The 2019 State Legislature session is in full swing + needless to say F.L. lawmakers have a lot to go over. From lead exposure and tax breaks to self-driving cars and Red tide, here’s a look at some of the major issues they’ll discuss in 2019, all broken down for your convenience.

Here's what's currently on the docket. ⤵️

🔫 Teachers and weapons

As of yesterday afternoon, a bill that would allow school teachers to be armed while on campus was passed by the Florida Senate. The bill is a legislative response to the events that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Highschool that took the lives of 17 people. The bill still has to pass in the Florida House before it can be signed by the governor. Keep up with the bill here.

🚰 Lead exposure

In a national study, F.L. received a grade F for the failure to remove lead from drinking water in public schools. Lawmakers have proposed a bill that would require schools to do more to protect students from lead-contaminated water. If approved, schools built before 1986 would have to monitor water fountains + sinks and to install approved water filters. Keep up with the bill here.

🚬 Raising the smoking vaping age

Florida lawmakers are considering raising the smoking vaping age from 18 to 21. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, raising the age for tobacco use would nationally result in 223,000 fewer early deaths. If passed, it would also establish 21 as the minimum age for smokable forms of medical marijuana. Keep up with the bill here.

🐠 Pollution and Red tide

Due to the spread of toxic algae, (which has caused widespread destruction of coastland areas and endangerment to marine life) state officials want to approve a proposal to provide $3 million for a Red tide research initiative. The debate of the program lies within whether the money should be allocated to prevention, research, or rehabilitation of harmed areas. Keep up with the bill here.

💰 Tax breaks

Lawmakers are proposing a three-day back-to-school sales tax holiday on items like clothes, school supplies, and computers + a seven-day tax break on hurricane supplies. Another proposal suggests even providing a tax break on diapers to help families afford day-to-day expenses. Keep up with the bill here.

🌆 Sanctuary cities

Legislation in support to ban sanctuary cities is currently trending in F.L. By definition, a sanctuary city is “a city in which the local government and police protect undocumented immigrants and refugees from deportation by federal authorities.” Keep up with the bill here.

🍁 Marijuana

In Florida, the recreational use of marijuana is still illegal, but medical marijuana was legalized in 2016. Recently, F.L. lawmakers have updated medical marijuana laws, such as ending the ban on smoking medical marijuana + finalizing the rules on medical cannabis-infused edible products. The latest bill to legalize recreational marijuana was killed before it had its first hearing this year. Keep up with the bill here.

❌ Human trafficking

A bill that passed the Florida House will teach public school students about the dangers and potential warning signs of human trafficking. The move is part of the state’s effort to raise more awareness about the practice. According to the Florida Department of Education, F.L. ranks No. 3 in the nation for reports of human trafficking. Keep up with the bill here.

⚡ Stronger electric grids

To combat large outages during hurricanes and other storms, lawmakers are pushing for a stronger electric grid. Some call for putting more power lines underground and out of the reach of hurricane winds. Keep up with the bill here.

🗳️ Ballot Issues

Due to ballet woes the past several years, a bill to streamline the absentee balloting schedule + require more training for verifying ballot signatures is being prompted. If passed, the bill would extend absentee ballots, move up the deadline for requesting ballots, and require mandatory training in signature verification among staff. Keep up with the bill here.

🔥 Firefighters and health

A long-time bill to establish cancer as an occupational hazard tied to firefighting is being considered. The proposed law requires full health insurance coverage for firefighters with cancer, including disability + death benefits. Firefighters would also receive a payment of $25,000 after being diagnosed with one of the 21 cancers specified. Keep up with the bill here.

🌎 Climate costs and impacts

A proposed bill to create a Florida Climate and Resilience Research Program within the Office of Resilience and Coastal Protection has been introduced. This program, if passed, would evaluate the impact of rising sea levels, natural disasters, and rising temperatures in F.L., economic growth + more. A report by the Brookings Institution mentions Lakeland in an outline on Florida’s future. Keep up with the bill here.

🐶 Animals safety in hurricanes

Dog owners in Florida who leave their dogs outside while evacuating during natural disasters could face a hefty fine, animal cruelty charges, and jail time in a proposed bill. If passed, anyone who fails to take care of their pet during a natural disaster is committing animal cruelty, a first-degree misdemeanor under Florida law. Keep up with the bill here.

🚗 Self-driving cars

Autonomous vehicles could be operated in F.L. without a human in the car, under a bill approved by lawmakers. This bill also states if there is a person behind the wheel of a self-driving car, they could watch television or text if the automated driving system is on. Keep up with the bill here.

👨‍👦 Parental “bill of rights”

Two proposed bills in the legislature talk about creating a new section of law that would make a parental “bill of rights,” which would establish authority of a parent to direct “the education and care and moral and religious training” of their child. This would also give parents a say in healthcare decisions made by their minor, including if a child seeks counseling help. Keep up with the bill here.

🍎 Teachers and exams

In hopes to solve a state-documented teacher shortage, Florida lawmakers have proposed giving teachers more time to pass the general knowledge exam after they are first hired. For those who aren’t able to pass the test, they hope to implement a two-year mentorship program. More on proposed education bills here. Keep up with the bill here.

How can you become knowledgeable in what is happening at the state level?

Follow the Florida Legislature website. The site features broadcast schedules for both chambers, the state constitution, and information about Florida statutes, laws, and lobbyists. Ballotpedia also breaks down political bodies, issues, and measures throughout the state. If you have a question regarding issues like fracking, education, budget, or immigration, Ballotpedia has a fact-checking feature.

– LALtoday team (Jessica and Kaylee)