By Katie Sanders, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
Friday, February 24, 2012
Here's what we're watching on Day 46 of the 2012 Legislature:
• It figures to be a fairly quiet day in the Capitol, and for the state Senate it couldn't have come at a better time. As the week ends, the Senate has resolved, for now, its massive internal power struggle that has shifted power to Sens. Andy Gardiner of Winter Park and Jack Latvala of Clearwater. Both men are currently positioned to become Senate president in 2014 and 2016, respectively.
• The "Drug-Free Workplace Act" that allows for random drug testing of state employees will be heard by the House State Affairs Committee. Gov. Rick Scott ordered state employee drug screenings last year, but he suspended the order amid a legal challenge from the ACLU of Florida. A hearing in that challenge was held in Miami this week.
• A House panel will also consider reforms to personal injury protection insurance, or PIP (HB 119). This version is backed by Scott and CFO Jeff Atwater, who say fraud is rampant and costly to motorists. It's up in House Economic Affairs. The bill requires emergency room visits if you're injured in an auto accident, unlike the Senate version.
• In other automobile-related measures, Rep. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, will explain to the same committee his bill that allows for the testing of vehicles equipped with autonomous technology. Yep, cars that drive themselves.
The House Judiciary Committee will hear about 15 claims bills, including one to benefit Eric Brody, whose case is a priority of Senate President Mike Haridopolos. Brody was paralyzed 14 years ago after being hit by a Broward County sheriff's cruiser.
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