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Capitol Connection
2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION: WEEK 4
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Senate Appropriations Chair, Senator Ed Hooper (R-Palm Harbor) and House Budget Chair, Representative Lawrence McClure (R-Plant City)
Welcome to Capitol Connection week 4. This week the legislature continued to introduce new bills as substantive committees continue to meet. Additionally both chambers began rolling out their budget proposals with the Senate introducing SB 2500 Appropriations and the House introducing PCB BUC25-01 General Appropriations Act. These initial spending plans come in at $117 billion in the Seante and $112.95 billion in the House a difference of $4.4 billion.
On Monday, March 24th the Senate Appropriations Committee on Prek-12 Education took up SB 1618 Prekindergarten Through Grade 12 Education by Senator Alexis Calatayud, (R-Miami) which passed its second committee stop. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard SB 1286 Harming or Neglecting Children, by Senator Erin Grall, (R- Fort Pierce) which also passed its second committee stop.
On Tuesday, March 25th the Senate Committee on Commerce and Tourism took up SB 868 Social Media Use by Minors by Senator Blaise Ingoglia, (R- Spring Hill) passing its first committee. The House Student Academic Success Subcommittee took up HB 877 School Readiness Program by Representative Robin Bartleman, (R- Weston) which passed its first committee. The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice took up SB 1344 Juvenile Justice by Senator Corey Simon, (R- Quincy) which passed its first committee. In the Senate Committee on Health Policy members took up SB 524 Newborn Screenings by Senator Gayle Harrell, ( R- Stuart) passing its first committee stop. The House PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee took up HB 1367 Student Attendance, by Representative Erika Booth, (R- Orlando) which passed its second committee stop. The House Human Services Subcommittee took up HB 511 Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective Investigations by Representative Robin Bartleman, (R- Weston) which passed its first committee stop unanimously. The Senate Committee on Judiciary took up SB 72 Use of Campaign Funds for Child Care Expenses by Senator Lori Berman, (R- Boynton Beach) and SB 511 Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective Investigations by Barbara Sharief, (R- Davie) which both passed their second committee.
On Wednesday, March 26th the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee took up HB 743 Social Media Use by Minors by Representative Michelle Salzman, (R- Cantonment) which passed its second committee favorably. The House Health Care Budget Subcommittee took up HB 47 Child Care and Early Learning Providers by Representative Fiona McFarland, (R- Sarasota) passing its second committee. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services took up SB 738 Child Care and Early Learning Providers by Senator Colleen Burton, (R-Winter Haven) and SB 1626 Child Welfare by Senator Erin Grall, (R- Fort Pierce) both passing its second committee stops. The Senate Appropriations Committee on PreK-12 Education took up SB 508 Family Empowerment Scholarship by Senator Shevrin Jones, (D-Miami Gardens) passing its second committee stop.
On Thursday, March 27th the House Health Professions & Program Subcommittee took up HB 591 Children with Developmental Disabilities, by Randy Maggard (R- Zephyrhills) passing its second committee stop out of four. The House Education Administration Subcommittee took up multiple bills including HB 171Youth Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation Pilot Program by Representative LaVon Bracy Davis; (D-Orlando), HB 859 School Readiness Program by Representative Chase Tramont, (R-Port Orange); and HB 1267 Education by Representative Demi Busatta, (R-Coral Gables) which all passed favorably.
As always, we look forward to bringing you all the information from the 2025 Regular Legislative Session.
Until next time!
Sincerely,
The Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils & Trusts
| | Voted Favorably By Committee | | Did Not Pass Committee Vote | | Temporarily Postponed in Committee | | Referred to Committee but Not Yet Heard | | Bill has not yet been referred to committees | | Children with Unique Abilities | | Economic Self-Sufficiency | | |
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