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2014 Legislative Preview
Florida's Budget
Weatherford is expected to renew his push for pension reform for state workers. In 2013, the House passed a bill — defeated in the Senate — that would have closed the state’s $132-billion pension plan to future hires and replaced it with a system similar to 401(k) accounts. Sens. Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and Jeremy Ring (D-Margate) have crafted legislation to shore up underfunded local government pensions by requiring retirement plans that are underfunded by more than 20% to use half of tax revenue from the property insurance premiums to plug that gap. The remaining revenue could be used to fund other benefits. Rep. Matt Caldwell (R-Lehigh Acres) has fled companion legislation in the House. The Florida League of Cities is opposing the legislation. The Florida Chamber supports both state and local pension reform efforts.
Medicaid Expansion
Prospects that the state will accept $51 billion more in federal Medicaid funds — a move advocated by Florida hospitals, insurers, AARP, labor unions and a number of other political, health care and civic organizations — appears unlikely in 2014. Gaetz blames U. S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius for the impasse, stating that she has not allowed the state the flexibility it needs to create a Florida-specific solution. The Senate president says options he’s interested in include using the federal money to help the uninsured buy private insurance and incorporating a cost-sharing element for participants. “If Florida could develop a Florida plan, I think we could develop it over the weekend, but unfortunately, Medicaid is a system in which the feds set the rules, and we get the bill,” Gaetz says.
Wish List: Who Wants What
Accuracy in Damages
The Florida Chamber of Commerce and the Florida Retail Federation are pushing for legislation that would ensure that damage verdicts in personal injury lawsuits are based on real expenses and not amounts that are billed, which are often substantially higher than the amount that is actually paid. The Florida Justice Association, which represents the state’s trial lawyers, opposes the effort.
Charity Reform
Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam is proposing a “major rewrite” of the state’s charity laws to crack down on fraud. One possible move would ban organizations that have violated laws in other states from coming to Florida to solicit money. Felons would also be prohibited from soliciting funds, and the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services would be empowered to perform background checks on professional fundraising solicitors. Groups that raise more than $25,000 a year would also be subject to more onerous reporting standards and audit requirements.
Scope of Practice
Scope of practice laws dictate which procedures can be performed by health care professionals who are not licensed physicians. One proposal, by Sen. Alan Hays (R-Umatilla) would double the number of physician assistants a doctor may supervise as well as expand the Pas’ scope of practice. Lawmakers are also looking at whether nurse practitioners should be given broader authority to sign death certificates, prescribe controlled substances and practice independently — changes that the Florida Medical Association has historically opposed. The Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists is asking lawmakers to remove the physician supervision requirement and allow Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to work in collaboration with other health care professionals. Sixteen other states allow CRNAs to practice without physician supervision. The Florida Retail Federation’s pharmacy council has proposed expanding the number of registered pharmacy technicians a pharmacist can supervise, as well as expanding the types of immunizations that pharmacists can give at a retail pharmacy.
Trade and Logistics
The Florida Chamber of Commerce is advocating $600,000 in recurring funding for two new Enterprise Florida offices in Japan and China and additional funding for the state’s export promotion program for small businesses and manufacturers.
Matching Grants
The Manufacturing Association of Florida is pushing for a manufacturing research matching grants program to foster research between universities and their partners in the manufacturing industry. The group is recommending that $5 million be appropriated to each research university in the state for a total of $25 million. Industry partners would be required to provide a 2-to-1 match. The association is also pushing for continued incentive funding at or above the current level for public schools that allow students to earn industry certifications, an increase of funding for Enterprise Florida’s small-business export assistance program to $1 million or more, and continued funding of the Quick Response Training Funds at $12 million. The program helps train workers to transition from sectors like construction into manufacturing.
Wish List: Who Wants What
Private Flood Insurance
After dramatic increases in flood insurance rates for policies issued under the National Flood Insurance Program, the Legislature is looking at creating private market alternatives to federal flood insurance for homeowners. One proposal spearheaded by Sen. Jeff brandes (R-St. Petersburg) and Rep. Larry Ahern (R-Seminole) in the House would give private insurers more flexibility in setting rates and provide more options to homeowners. Private flood insurance rates, meanwhile, would be capped at the rate offered by the national program. Unclear is how many private insurers would want to enter the Florida marketplace to offer flood coverage.
