Florida Legislative Special Session Report: November 16, 2010

After completing a mandatory Organizational Session, the Florida Legislature convened a brief Special Session yesterday, November 16, 2010, for the purpose of overriding gubernatorial vetoes of specific appropriations and substantive bills that were passed during the 2010 Regular Legislative Session:

During the three-hour Special Session, the Legislature acted to repeal vetoes on the following:

• Specific appropriation 185 and related proviso language in the 2010-2011 General Appropriations Act, Chapter 2010-152, Laws of Florida
• HB 545 relating to residential property sales by a vote of 120 to 0, with an amendment to change the bill’s effective date to November 17
• Committee Substitute for HB 569 relating to solid waste disposal by a vote of 114-5
• Council Substitute for Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for House Bill 981 relating to agriculture by a vote of 120 to 0. The effective date of the bill was changed to November 17.
• Council Substitute for Committee Substitute for House Bill 1385 relating to petroleum contamination site cleanup by a vote of 120 to 0.  The effective date was changed to November 17.
• Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1516 relating to state-owned lands by a vote of 117 to 0
• Council Substitute for Committee Substitute for House Bill 1565 relating to rulemaking by a vote of 99 to 21.  The effective date was changed to November 17 by a vote of 101 to 18.
• Committee Substitute for Committee Substitute for Senate Bill 1842 relating to transportation projects by a vote of 117 to 0.  The effective date was changed to November 17.
• The House took up a measure to earmark $31.2 million in federal stimulus money to pay homeowners who participated in the Florida Energy Rebate program.  The bill passed by a vote of 118 to 0.
• The House took up SB 2A, which delays the implementation of new septic tank rules to July 1, 2011, six months later than the new rules were expected to begin on in January 1.  The bill passed by a vote of 112 to 6

Today, the Senate will hold a workshop to begin discussions on Medicaid reform.  Tort reform is expected to be a key component.

Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Colodny Fass.