LobbyTools Polling

Previous Poll (click to enlarge)

Popular Courts Bills

HB 7015 Expert Testimony

SB 1666 Mortgage Foreclosures

SB 1350 Criminal Penalties

SB 1412 Expert Testimony

SB 0556 Clerks of the Court

HB 7083 Death Penalty

SB 1384 Nursing Home Litigation

SB 0186 Jurisdiction of the Courts

HB 0643 Clerks of Court

SB 1016 Dentistry

Courts Bills On The Move

CRJS1 Massage Establishments

HOUSE Committee Bill filed as H 7005

CJS1 Terms of Court

HOUSE Committee Bill Filed as H 7017

HB 0651 Relief/Yvonne Morton/DOH

HOUSE Died in Select Committee on Claim Bills

HB 0937 Pub. Rec./Florida False Claims Act

HOUSE Withdrawn prior to introduction

HB 1379 Service of Process

SENATE Died in Criminal Justice

CRJS2 Sex Offenses

HOUSE Committee Bill filed as H 7031

SB 7050 Postconviction Capital Collateral Proceedings

SENATE Committee Bill Filed as S 1510

SB 1372 Pretrial Detention

SENATE Read Third Time; Substituted for HB 7035; Laid on Table, Refer to HB 7035

HB 7081 Postconviction Capital Case Procedures

HOUSE Died in Justice Appropriations Subcommittee

HB 7123 Sovereign Immunity

HOUSE Died in Appropriations Committee

Topic: Florida Supreme Court

High court knocks down Palm Bay lien ordinance, but foreclosure bill could aid local governments

by Gray Rohrer - 1 day ago - +

An ordinance from the Brevard County town giving higher priority to municipal liens than mortgage liens was struck down by the Florida Supreme Court. A bill headed to Gov. Rick Scott's desk, though, would give local governments more power to pursue foreclosures on properties they have liens on ahead of action by banks and lenders.

Loud stereo ban dies in Senate

by Bill Cotterell - 3 weeks ago - +

Annoying? Yes; Illegal? No.

Policy Note: Loud Stereos

by Bill Cotterell - 3 weeks ago - +

After the Florida Supreme Court threw out a statute making it a misdemeanor to operate a car with its stereo at high volume, two bills were filed to address the justices' objections. On a tie vote Friday, the Senate killed effort for this year. Read more ...

Senate panel amends stricken loud-stereo law

by Bill Cotterell - 5 weeks ago - +

The bill by Sen. Wilton Simpson removes two exceptions from the old noise law -- it was OK for commercial advertisers and political candidates to drive through town with loudspeakers blaring -- in response to a Florida Supreme Court ruling that the exemptions amounted to "content-based" censorship.

The Week Ahead for March 4 to March 8

by Florida Current Staff - 3 months ago - +

The 2013 legislative session begins Tuesday, the House and Senate Select Committees on PPACA meet in joint session to hear a cost analysis of the state's participation with the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid expansion, the Senate meets to consider its ethics reform package, the Florida Chamber of Commerce holds it Capitol Days and there's a Cabinet meeting.

Legislature asks state Supreme Court to quash redistricting challenge

by Bill Cotterell - 3 months ago - +

The justices have already approved the Senate map, leaders argue in a challenge filed Monday. ... Related Research: Briefs and other documents in Case No. 13-252 before the Florida Supreme Court.

Week in Review for Feb. 11 to Feb. 15

by Florida Current Staff - 3 months ago - +

This week we learned that if the state goes to a 401(k)-style pension plan there will be fewer paying into the old system and more getting payments as time goes on, that Jim Greer pleaded guilty to theft and money laundering, and that election law reform has a chance to pass during the 2013 session of the Legislature.

2013 Session Outlook: Law Enforcement and Justice

by Bill Cotterell - 3 months ago - +

Legislators are poised to take up several thorny law-and-order issues during this year's session. While a bill to end capital punishment has already been rejected, the House panel that killed it will now study how to speed up the process. Other issues set for decisions will be what to do about "stand your ground" and whether to ban texting while driving.

Q and A with: Jesse Panuccio

by Gray Rohrer - 4 months ago - +

Jesse Panuccio leads the Dept. of Economic Opportunity. Previously he served as General Counsel to Gov. Rick Scott and had worked for the Washington D.C.-based Cooper & Kirk PLLC. Photo from Jesse Panuccio.

The new executive director of the Department of Economic Opportunity spoke with The Florida Current about his goals for the agency, his legal background and working for Gov. Rick Scott.

Budget hopes, expectations set for collision with reality, uncertainty

by Gray Rohrer - 4 months ago - +

Sen. Joe Negron, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee,said last week that one of his budget priorities is ensuring the state has adequate reserve funds. File photo,

Economists project a surplus for the first time in three years, but economic uncertainty at the federal level has lawmakers taking a cautious approach to the state budget, despite pleas for increased funding from all sides. ... Related Research: Dec. 14, 2012 General Revenue Outlook Statement from the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.

Week in Review for Jan. 22 to Jan. 25

by Florida Current Staff - 4 months ago - +

This week we learned that the Senate seems to be taking ethics reform seriously, that Gov. Scott wants to give teachers a raise but state workers miss the train, that some business incentive programs don't produce promised jobs and that the Capitol has met new Education Commissioner Tony Bennett.

Funds flow to foreclosure aid, but distressed homes to remain drag on Florida

by Gray Rohrer - 4 months ago - +

Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks at a news conference Thursday with Senate President Don Gaetz, left, and House Speaker Will Weatherford about the mortgage settlement money. Photo by Bill Cotterell.

At a news conference Thursday, Attorney General Pam Bondi suggested that money coming to the state from the multistate settlement with five large lending banks could be used to fund affordable housing projects, foreclosure prevention, neighborhood rehabilitation, renter and homeowner assistance, legal aid, and housing counseling programs. ... Related Research: Meeting packet, an OED presentation, and video of subcommittee meeting and press conference.

High court upholds pension fee for government workers

by Bill Cotterell - 4 months ago - +

The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the 3 percent pension fee levied on about 600,000 state, county, city and school employees. File photo by Ana Goni-Lessan.

The decision underscores sharp Democrat-Republican division, as the Florida Supreme Court rules that the 2011 legislative action did not impair collective bargaining rights. ... Related Research: Jan. 17, 2013 Supreme Court of Florida opinion in Case No. SC12-520 Rick Scott, et al. v. George Williams, et al, and various statements about the decision.

U.S. Supreme Court to hear landowner's 'weird' challenge of wetlands mitigation

by Bruce Ritchie - 5 months ago - +

The case centers on a wetland mitigation case handled by the St. Johns River Water Management District. Photo by Bruce Ritchie.

Coy A. Koontz senior sought to develop 3 acres of wetlands zoned for commercial but clashed with the St. Johns River Water Management District. The case will be heard Tuesday by the U.S. Supreme Court in what may be an attempt by conservatives to further define compensation in partial property "takings" cases. ... Related Research ... Court opinions and news releases.