FCSS Legislative News | Legislative Update on March 2, 2007

The Legislature is scheduled to begin its 60-day session next week. New leadership brings new expectations and high hopes. Money, as always, will be an issue, with less recurring revenue expected. This could result in some unanticipated budget cuts. At the same time there is the possibility of increased non-recurring revenue, which could result in some one time projects being funded.

The Governor and many legislators are seeking tax relief for the citizens of Florida. We need to watch this activity, as it may have a large impact on communities and school districts. Decreased property tax and increased sales tax is one proposed solution. This could have negative consequences for local government and school districts.

There have been many bills already filed – in fact, more than were expected since many people expected an off year. Watch carefully for Governor Crist’s speech to the Legislature, it will tell us what he expects from this session. Note the large number of bills which have been filed as place holders (shell bills) – common for this type of year.

Education committees have great leadership with Senator Wise, Senator Gaetz, and Representative Pickens all having had public school experience.

1. The STAR performance pay plan is funded with twice as much money in the Governors’ budget. The House and Senate seem to be somewhat at odds over how it should be implemented. Several counties have had problems implementing the plan as it currently exists. Pinellas County has actually voted against implementing the plan, which will result in refusal of $ 6.1 million dollars.

2. The DOE is investigating possible ways of speeding up the process of implementing the more rigorous Sunshine State Standards. The DOE, Legislators, and local educators are all concerned over the lengthy process required to identify the standards, adopt them, screen new textbooks, provide staff development, and finally implement the program. These requirements delay the fully revised standards implementation to as late as the 2011 school year. The desire is to revise and implement standards within a two-year period, rather than the four-year period that is required now.

3. The search for a new Commissioner has begun. The State Board of Education is expected to choose a search firm, conduct a search, interview, and choose a new Commissioner. It appears that the time requirements will take the process into the middle of summer 07.

4. Once again I urge you to visit the web site of 100 Ideas for Florida. The first 33 ideas relate to education. Both the House and Senate refer to the ideas as they discuss legislation. Ideas 1-11, 16, 17, and 31 have already been discussed and the session has yet to begin. www.100ideas.org

5. You will be interested in House Bill 451 by Representative Proctor. It will have a major impact on Colleges of Education and the way teachers are prepared for our profession.

6. There may be a way to reinstate some of the technology dollars that we lost last year. So far there are no definite bills or budget, but there is discussion of money for hardware, software, and specific money for digital materials for teachers to use in their classrooms to enhance lessons.

7. I believe that during this session we will begin the serious discussion of end-of-year exams. These will be for grades 8-12. They may replace the FCAT in these grades. Would they be used for the STAR program eligibility, how many and what courses, etc. yet to be decided.

8. The Jessica Lunsford Act is being revisited. Senate Bill 988 by Argenziano should be examined by all districts employees and ideas shared with district administrators.

9. No Child Left Behind deserves our attention again. U.S. Secretary of Education is showing deep concern for the performance of high school students. (23% of high school students scored at or above the proficiency level in mathematics and 35% scored at or above the proficiency level in reading.) We are also aware that the U.S. Congress may make significant changes in NCLB. http://www.edutopia.org/php/article. For recommendations from the government panel for improvements to NCLB.

10. There is an interesting article in Time Magazine, Dec 10, 2006 entitled; How to Bring Our Schools Out of the 20^th Century.

11. Florida State University has been selected to be the Florida Center for Research Science, technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. The center will be led by Nobel Laureate Sir Harold Kroto. http://www.fsu.com/pages/2007/02/21/

HB 0701	Relating to Insurance Contracts/Workers' Comp.	Ross
	Insurance Contracts/Workers' Comp.; prohibits rejection of workers' compensation insurance policies issued by certain self-insurance funds under certain circumstances.

HB 0703	Relating to Investments/State Sponsors of Terror	Porth
	Investments/State Sponsors of Terror; provides legislative findings; provides definitions; prohibits certain pension or annuity fund assets from being invested in certain companies with ties to or engaged in business with known state sponsors of terror; provides exceptions; requires State Board of Administration to review investments & take certain sanctions to sell, redeem, divest, or withdraw any prohibited investments; requires report to Legislature.

HB 0737	Relating to Community College/Baccalaureates	Frishe
	Community College/Baccalaureates; provides for community colleges that grant baccalaureate degrees to remain under authority of State Board of Education re specified responsibilities; requires policies re minimum faculty teaching hours per week; requires community colleges that offer said degrees to maintain their primary mission & prohibits termination of associate degree programs; removes authorization for St. Petersburg College to request funding, etc. Amends FS.

HB 0757	Relating to Driver Education/Minor	Sachs
	Driver Education/Minor; requires minors to complete driver education course prior to issuance of driver's license; provides that course may be given by public secondary school, nonpublic school, or commercial driving school meeting specified requirements; requires school to issue certificate to student who successfully completes course; provides instruction & training requirements for driver education courses, etc.

HB 0769	Relating to Casualty Insurance Premiums/Tax	Brandenburg
	Casualty Insurance Premiums/Tax; authorizes certain municipalities to assess & impose tax to receive certain police protection services; requires interlocal agreement; provides agreement requirements & for distribution of tax proceeds.

HB 0773	Relating to State Contracts/Construction/Repair	Waldman
	State Contracts/Construction/Repair; revises threshold amount of contracts with state, any political subdivision thereof, or other public authority for construction or repair of public building or prosecution, completion, or repair of public work with respect to which DMS is required to adopt specified rules

HB 0799	Relating to K-8 Virtual School Program	Weatherford
	K-8 Virtual School Program; expands student eligibility for program.

HB 0809	Relating to State Group Insurance Program	Adams
	State Group Insurance Program; requires DMS to include certain insurance providers in supplemental insurance benefit plan established by DMS; authorizes DMS to establish performance standards re levels of service to state employees; provides notice requirement.

HB 0821	Relating to FRS/Qualifying Injured/Special Risk	Precourt
	FRS/Qualifying Injured/Special Risk; revises procedure by which municipality or independent special district may revoke its election to participate in FRS; creates Qualifying Injured Special Risk Class of membership within FRS; provides eligibility requirements for membership; defines "qualifying injury"; authorizes sheriffs to remain or elect membership in class; provides average final compensation formula for members of said class, etc.

HB 0823	Relating to Fla. Virtual School/SEARCH Program	Troutman
	Fla. Virtual School/SEARCH Program; establishes Students Earning Additional Recovery Credits & Honors (SEARCH) Program to provide opportunities for students to recover credits needed for graduation or to earn honors course credit or other course credit; provides for payment for additional full-time equivalent student credit to extent funded in General Appropriatons Act; provides limitation on school district funding, etc..

HB 0843	Relating to Insurance/Public Construction	Murzin
	Insurance/Public Construction; revises conditions precedent to purchase by specified state agencies or entities of owner-controlled insurance program in connection with public construction project; reenacts provision re requirement that liability insurers offer coverage for specified period for liability arising out of current or completed operations under owner-controlled insurance program, etc.

HB 0861	Relating to Retirement/Reemployment	Patterson
	Retirement/Reemployment; redefines term "termination"; provides that termination has not occurred if member was employed in violation of certain rehire provisions; limits terms of reemployment for certain members; provides certain exceptions; provides for joint & several liability for violation of reemployment provisions; provides that violation of certain rehire provisions shall be deemed invalid distribution.

HB 0867	<SPAN style="font-size: 10pt; f