Senate in Session

>> ALL UNAUTHORIZED PERSONS WILL PLEASE LEAVE THE CHAMBER. ALL SENATORS AND GUESTS PLEASE SILENCE ALL ELECTRONIC DEVICES A QUORUM IS PRESENT MR. PRESIDENT. [GAVEL BANGING] >>Pres. Albritton: THE SENATE WILL BE IN ORDER. GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. SENATORS AND GUESTS IN THE GALLERY RISE FOR THE OPENING PRAYER DELIVERED BY PASTOR EARL GLEASON FROM ANCHOR CHURCH IN SAINT AUGUSTINE SPONSORED BY SENATOR OF THE SEVENTH SENATOR LEEK, WELCOME TO THE SENATE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, LET'S PRAY. DEAR HEAVENLY FATHER BIT THROUGHOUT THE AGES IT HAS BEEN FORETOLD OF THE DAYS WE CURRENTLY LIVE. DAYS OF DIFFICULT TIMES WHERE PEOPLE WILL LOVE ONLY THEIR SELVES AND THE MONEY, BOASTS OF GREAT THINGS AND DISTRAUGHT AROUND IN THEIR ARROGANT PRIDE BEING BELLIGERENT HATERS OF WHAT IS GOOD AND RIGHT. THEY WILL BECOME ADDICTED TO MALICIOUS SLANDER WITH BRUTAL TREACHERY, THEY WILL BE FEROCIOUS, ACT WITHOUT RESTRAINT, BIGOTED AND WRAPPED IN CLOUDS OF THEIR DECEIT. THEY WILL IGNORE THEIR OWN FAMILIES BEING DISOBEDIENT TO THEIR PARENTS, BE UNGRATEFUL AND UNGODLY, FIND THEIR DELIGHT IN THE PLEASURES OF THIS WORLD MORE THAN THE PLEASURES OF A LOVING GOD. THEY WILL GO ON PRETENDING TO BE DEVOTED TO GOD BUT REFUSED TO LET THAT DEVOTION CHANGE THE WAY THEY LIVE. WE COME TO YOU IN PRAYER ASKING THAT YOU GRANT THIS THESE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE FLORIDA SENATE THE KNOWLEDGE AND MORAL CLARITY TO LEGISLATE IN THE MIDST OF CHAOTIC EVENTS IN OUR NATION AND WORLD. IT IS BECAUSE OF THESE DIFFICULT TIMES MANY IF NOT ALL HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO THIS SENATE RAN FOR OFFICE. IT IS FOR THIS REASON THEY WERE VOTED BY THE CITIZENS OF OUR GREAT STATE. FOR WE HAVE HOPE IN THEM TO FULFILL THEIR WORDS TO PROTECT OUR FREEDOMS LIBERTIES AND RIGHTS AS FLORIDIANS. MAY THIS SENATE NEVER BE ACCUSED OF LIVING A DOUBLE LIFE OR FAILING TO HONOR THE OATH IT SWORE BUT INSTEAD BE UNIFIED FOR THE COMMON GOOD OF NOT ONLY FLORIDIANS TODAY BUT THOSE IN OUR FUTURE, THAT TODAY THEY FACE CHALLENGES WITH COURAGE UPHOLDING THE CONSTITUTION ON OUR STATE. MAY THIS SESSION BE THE GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT OF ANY FLORIDA SENATE BECAUSE THEY WERE WILLING TO YIELD TO THE LEADING OF YOUR SPIRIT. FATHER, THIS FORTITUDE DOES NOT COME WITHOUT PERSECUTION SO WE PRAY FOR YOUR DIVINE PROTECTION OVER THEM, THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR STAFF SHIELDING THEM FROM. OR MISLEADING ACCUSATION, STRENGTHENING THEM AS THEY SERVE WHO LIVE IN FLORIDA AND REMIND THEM THEY WERE CALLED FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS. IN JESUS NAME AMEN. >>Pres. Albritton: PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE LED BY SENATE PAGE IS ABOUT, THE JACKSONVILLE SPONSORED BY SENATOR BRADLEY, LEILANI MONTERO SPONSORED BY SENATOR BELOFF AND JERRY BALM OF TALLAHASSEE, SON OF STAFFER SCOTTY VAUGHN AND IS SPONSORED BY SENATOR OF THE SECOND, SENATOR TRUMBULL. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >>Pres. Albritton: ARE DOCTOR OF THE DAY IS FRANK ROSE MEYER FROM ORLANDO SPONSORED BY SENATOR brodeur SPECIALIZING IN ANESTHESIOLOGY AND CRITICAL CARE, ANY SENATORS WISHING TO MAKE INTRODUCTIONS? OKAY. SENATOR JONES ARE YOU READY? SENATOR JONES. >>Sen. Jones: THERE WE GO, IT DIDN'T WANT ME TO SPEAK MR. PRESIDENT. GOOD AFTERNOON MEMBERS, I DON'T THINK, SHE IS HERE. I WANT HER TO HAVE A RECOGNITION FOR A.K.A. WHO IS HERE SO IF I COULD HAVE MY COLLEAGUES SENATOR SHARIEF, SENATOR DAVIS, GOOD AFTERNOON MEMBERS. I RISE TO OFFER A RECOGNITION, IT'S A DAY EARLY BUT VERY MUCH IN A TIMELY SPIRIT. TODAY JANUARY 15 MARKS THE FOUNDERS DAY OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY BECAUSE WE WILL NOT BE ON THE FLOOR TOMORROW I WANT TO TAKE THIS DAY TO CELEBRATE THIS OCCASION. FOUNDED IN 1908 ON THE CAMPUS OF HOWARD UNIVERSITY ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA WAS THE FIRST HISTORICALLY BLACK SORORITY. FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY ITS MEMBERS HAVE LED WITH PURPOSE SCHOLARSHIP AND SERVICE LENGTHENING COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS NATION AND IN FLORIDA. AS A PROUD MEMBER OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA IT IS AN HONOR AND A JOY TO RECOGNIZE OUR SISTER ORGANIZATION AND ITS EXTRAORDINARY LEGACY. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY COLLEAGUES IN THIS CHAMBER WHO CARRIED THE LETTERS OF ALPHA, ALPHA, SENATOR ROSS GOOD, SENATOR TRACY DAVIS AND SENATOR BRACEY DAVIS AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT ALSO HONOR OUR FORMER COLLEAGUE NOW OUR ANGEL SENATOR GERALDINE THOMPSON WHOSE LEGACY OF SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP INSPIRES US ALL AND TO BEHOLD HER MEMORY WITH DEEP RESPECT AND GRATITUDE. TO ALL MEMBERS OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA CELEBRATING TOMORROW WE EXTEND OUR WARMEST CONGRATULATIONS AND DEEPEST RESPECT. MAY OUR FOUNDERS DAY BE FILLED WITH PRIDE AND CONTINUED SERVICE, HAPPY FOUNDERS DAY LADIES. >>Pres. Albritton: CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] THANK YOU SENATOR JONES, ANY OTHER INTRODUCTIONS? YES, SIR, SENATOR GAETZ. >> IN THE WEST GALLERY IS DUNCAN ROBARDS REPRESENTING FLORIDA IN THE DEBATE NATIONALS IN WASHINGTON D.C. LATER THIS YEAR, HE IS FROM NORTHWEST FLORIDA AND DUNCAN PLEASE STAND. [APPLAUSE] >>Pres. Albritton: WELCOME TO THE FLORIDA SENATE. [APPLAUSE] OKAY, ANY OTHER INTRODUCTIONS. SEEING NONE WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE ORDER OF BUSINESS, ARE THE REPORTS OF THE COMMITTEES. >> ON THE DESK MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: READ THE REPORT. >> DEAR PRESIDENT ALBRITTON THE FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENTS WERE REFERRED TO SENATE COMMITTEES FOR ACTION PURSUANT TO RULE 12.7 OF THE RULES OF THE FLORIDA SENATE. AS REQUIRED BY RULE 12.7 THE COMMITTEES CONDUCTED AN INQUIRY INTO THE QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE AND GENERAL SUITABILITY OF THE ABOVE-NAMED APPOINTEES FOR APPOINTMENT TO THE OFFICE INDICATED. IN AID OF SUCH INQUIRY THE COMMITTEES HELD PUBLIC HEARINGS WHICH MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WERE INVITED TO ATTEND AND OFFER EVIDENCE CONCERNING THE QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE AND GENERAL SUITABILITY OF THE EMPLOYEES. AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION OF THE FINDINGS OF SUCH INQUIRY AND EVIDENCE DO DO STEP THE PUBLIC HEARINGS THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND ELECTIONS AND OTHER REFERENCED COMMITTEES RESPECTFULLY ADVISE AND RECOMMEND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 114.05 1C FLORIDA STATUTES, ONE EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT OF THE ABOVE-NAMED APPOINTEES TO THE OFFICE FOR THE TERM INDICATED BUT BE CONFIRMED BY THE SENATE. TWO, SENATE ACTION ON SET APPOINTMENTS TO BE TAKEN PRIOR TO THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE 2026 REGULAR SESSION AND THREE, THERE IS NO NECESSITY KNOWN TO THE COMMITTEES FOR THE DIMMER LIBERATIONS ON SENATE APPOINTMENTS TO BE HELD IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, DON GAETZ CHAIR, THE READING OF THE REPORT MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR IN THE FIRST DISTRICT SENATOR GAETZ YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE REPORT. >>Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT, THE REPORT CONTAINS THE NAMES OF 52 APPOINTEES APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR TO VARIOUS STATE REGIONAL AND LOCAL OFFICES AND COMMISSIONS AND AS REQUIRED BY RULE 12.7 THE COMMITTEE ON ETHICS AND ELECTIONS CONDUCTED AN INQUIRY AT YOUR DIRECTION CONSIDERING QUALIFICATIONS EXPERIENCE AND SUITABILITY OF EACH APPOINTEE TO THEIR PARTICULAR OFFICE. PUBLIC HEARINGS WERE CONDUCTED FOR CERTAIN APPOINTEES BY THE COMMITTEES OF REFERENCE, THE COMMITTEE SUBMITS ITS IMPORT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS, A COPY OF THE REPORT IS AVAILABLE BY THE SESSION ORGANIZER, I MOVE THE SENATE EXCEPT THE REPORT IN ITS ENTIRETY AND CONFIRM THE APPOINTMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN. >>Pres. Albritton: ARE THERE QUESTIONS OF THE CHAIR? SEEING NO QUESTIONS ANY DEBATE? SEEING NO DEBATE, ANY SENATOR, AS A REMINDER ANY SENATOR WISHING TO VOTE NO ON A SPECIFIC APPOINTEE MAY NOTIFY THE SECRETARY AND IT WILL BE RECORDED IN THE JOURNAL, SECRETARIAL YOU WILL UNLOCK THE BOARD AND SENATORS WILL PROCEED TO VOTE. HAVE ALL SENATORS VOTED? LOCK THE BOARD AND RECORD THE VOTE. >> 39 YEA, ZERO NÉE MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: SHOW THE REPORT ADOPTED, THANK YOU CHAIR. MOTIONS RELATED TO COMMITTEE REFERENCE. >> NONE ON THE DESK MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR OR OTHER EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS. >> NONE ON THE DESK. >>Pres. Albritton: MESSAGES FROM THE HOUSE. >> NONE ON THE HOUSE MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: MATTERS ON RECONSIDERATION. >> NONE ON THE DESK NOT MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: TAKE UP THE SPECIAL ORDER CALENDAR. >> SENATE BILL 250 ENTITLED AN ACT RELATING TO RURAL COMMUNITIES. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR OF THE THIRD DISTRICT SENATOR SIMON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE BILL. >>Sen. Simon: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. TODAY TO MARK AMERICA'S 250 YEAR ANNIVERSARY I PRESENT TO YOU SENATE BILL 250, THE SENATE RURAL RENAISSANCE BUILT A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGY TO HELP FLORIDA'S RURAL COMMUNITIES GROWTH MODERNIZE AND THRIVE. THIS BILL IS 138 PAGES, BECAUSE RURAL ISSUES ARE BROUGHT INTERCONNECTED AND OVERDUE FOR ATTENTION AND IN SHORT THIS BILL AIMS TO EXPAND AND DIVERSIFY WHAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAN LOOK LIKE IN RURAL FLORIDA, STRENGTHEN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS HOMEROOM BUSINESSES AND LEGACY FARMS AND CITRUS OPERATIONS AND IMPROVES ACCESS TO EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE AND EMPLOYMENT SO FAMILIES CAN STAY AND THRIVE IN THE COMMUNITIES THEY LOVE SO A FEW HIGHLIGHTS, THE OFFICE OF RURAL PROSPERITY CONNECTING COMMUNITIES TO OPPORTUNITIES. THE BILL CREATES AN OFFICE OF RURAL PROSPERITY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE WHOSE MISSION IS SIMPLY TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ACCESS STATE FEDERAL RESOURCES, NAVIGATE PROGRAMS AND CONNECT WITH AGENCY PARTNERS. THE RENAISSANCE GRANT HELPING COUNTIES REVERSE POPULATION DECLINE. SEVEN RURAL FLORIDA COUNTIES HAVE EXPERIENCED POPULATION LOSS OVER THE PAST DECADE, THE BILL ESTABLISHES THE GRANT PROGRAM TO HELP THEM REBUILD CAPACITY BY CLOSING TECHNOLOGY KNOWLEDGE GAPS, IMPROVING DIGITAL ACCESS AND SUPPORTING MULTIGENERATIONAL FAMILY NEEDS. HOUSING INVESTMENT, ON HOUSING THE BILL RAISES THE MINIMUM SHIP APPLICATION TO $1 MILLION AND DIRECT FUNDING TO USDA SUBSTANCE UNITS AT RISK OF CONVERTING TO MARKET RATE. ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION. WE MAKE MAJOR INVESTMENTS FOR RURAL TRANSPORTATION. NEW FUNDING FOR SCRAP WHICH IS OUR SMALL COUNTY ROADS ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AND THE NEW ARTERIAL ROADS PROGRAM APTLY CALLED THE FARM PROGRAM, FLORIDA'S ARTERIAL ROADS MODERNIZATION. CORE ROADS ARE COMMERCE ROADS MOVING GOODS TO PORTS AND GIVING VISITORS ACCESS TO FLORIDA'S TRAIL TOWNS AND HISTORIC COMMUNITIES. FOR EDUCATION, THE BILL DIRECTS MORE THAN 25 MILLION NEW FUNDING TO OUR RURAL EDUCATION CONSORTIUMS. IN SMALL DISTRICTS THOSE DOLLARS CREATE REAL IMPACT SUPPORTING STUDENTS TEACHERS AND THE WORKFORCE PIPELINE AND ON HEALTHCARE THIS BILL CONTAINS MEANINGFUL ACCESS TO ROLE RURAL COMMUNITIES BUILDING ON PAST WORK BY SENATOR PASSIDOMO AND BURTON. I HAVE AN AMENDMENT THAT WILL EXPLAIN SOME EXCITING NEWS ON THIS FRONT. THAT IS THE BILL. >>Pres. Albritton: THANK YOU, ARE THERE AMENDMENTS. >> ON THE DESK. AMENDMENT BARCODE 655052 BY SENATOR SIMON, DELETE LINES 2388 THROUGH 2644 AND 3241 THROUGH 3266. >>Pres. Albritton: THANK YOU, SENATOR SIMON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. >>Sen. Simon: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THANKS TO THE BIG ONE BEAUTIFUL BILL FLORIDA HAS THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL FUNDS TO STRENGTHEN THE DELIVERY OF RURAL HEALTHCARE. THIS CREATES A RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION GRANT TOTALING $50 BILLION OVER FIVE YEARS. THIS GRANT IS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO RURAL COMMUNITIES BY SUPPORTING INNOVATIVE CARE MODELS, STRENGTHENING THE WORKFORCE, EXPANDING SERVICES AND INTEGRATING NEW TECHNOLOGIES. FUNDS WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH CALENDAR YEAR 26 AND CONTINUE THROUGH 2030. OVER THE SUMMER AND FALL AHCA ELICITED INPUT AND DEVELOPED AN APPLICATION BASED ON THE STATE'S NEEDS. NOVEMBER 3, 2025 AHCA SUBMITTED THE APPLICATION TO THE CENTER FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES. I'M HAPPY TO SHARE MANY OF THE INITIATIVES FROM THIS BILL ARE PART OF THAT APPLICATION. WHEN CMS ANNOUNCED THEIR WARD IN 2005 FLORIDA WAS AWARDED $209 MILLION, MORE THAN WE ANTICIPATED. THAT IS TOTALING MORE THAN $1 BILLION. THIS AMENDMENT REMOVES THE PORTION OF THE BILL THAT OVERLAPS WITH THE GRANT PROGRAM. PARTS OF THE GRANT REQUIRE FUNDS NOT SUPPLANT EXISTING STATE PROGRAMS AND IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO CODIFY IN THE GRANT PROGRAMS AT THIS TIME OR CAUSE ANY CONFLICT. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPLANATION, ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? IS THERE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT. SENATOR SIMON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. THANKS, ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA. ALL OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. SHOW THE AMENDMENT PASSES. READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. >> AMENDMENT BARCODE 211610 BY SENATOR SIMON, DELETE LINES 3268 THROUGH 3285 AND INSERT AN AMENDMENT. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SIMON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. >>Sen. Simon: THIS AMENDMENT UPDATES THE FUNDING FOR THE RURAL CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS WE HAVE IN THE BILL TO ITS LATEST AND GREATEST EPIC ESTIMATES. THAT IS THE AMENDMENT. >>Pres. Albritton: QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? SENATOR SIMON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >>Sen. Simon: CLOSE. >>Pres. Albritton: HAVING WAIVED CLOSE ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA, ALL OPPOSED SAME SIGN. SHOW THE AMENDMENT PASSES, BACK ON THE BILL, ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE BILL AS AMENDED. SENATOR ROUSON. >>Sen. Rouson: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. SENATOR SIMON ONE MIGHT THINK THERE ARE RURAL AREAS IN COUNTIES THAT ARE NOT FISCALLY CONSTRAINED. LIKE PAHOKEE, SOUTH BAY, BELLE GLADE. HOW ARE THEY ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE INCENTIVES UNDER THIS BILL OR IS THERE SOME OTHER METHODOLOGY WHERE THEY DON'T THINK THEY'RE BEING LEFT BEHIND. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SIMON. >>Sen. Simon: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THIS BILL DOES CONTAIN PROVISIONS THAT WILL ALLOW RURAL PARTS OF THE COUNTY WORKS WITH DOT TO RECEIVE FUNDS THROUGH THE COUNTY INCENTIVE GRANT PROGRAM TO UPDATE ESSENTIAL AGRICULTURAL ROOTS. >>Pres. Albritton: FURTHER QUESTIONS. SENATOR MUSSO LOW, YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A QUESTION. >>Sen. Massullo: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. SENATOR SIMON, IN THE MONEY WE ARE GOING TO BE GETTING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, THE 200 SOME MILLION DOLLARS EACH YEAR FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, HOW WILL THE VARIOUS COUNTIES ACCESS THOSE PARTICULAR FUNDS AND HOW WILL THEY BE DISTRIBUTED? >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SIMON. >>Sen. Simon: THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, AHCA WILL SET UP THE GRANT PROGRAM FOR THOSE INDIVIDUAL COUNTIES TO ACCESS THOSE FUNDS. >>Pres. Albritton: MORE FOLLOW-UP, SENATOR MASSULLO. >>Sen. Massullo: SO THE COUNTIES WILL HAVE ACCESS TO THAT MECHANISM, WE WILL ADVERTISE THAT MECHANISM FOR THEM. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SIMON. >>Sen. Simon: YES, THAT'S CORRECT. >>Pres. Albritton: FURTHER QUESTIONS. SENATOR BERMAN, ANY QUESTIONS. >>Sen. Berman: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I HAVE A QUESTION THAT SORT OF A COMBINATION OF THE TWO PREVIOUS QUESTIONS, I REPRESENT SOME OF BELLE GLADE. THEY WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICULAR PARTAKE IN THE ROAD PROGRAM, WILL THEY BE ABLE TO PARTAKE IN THE AHCA GRANT PROGRAM. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SIMON. [NO AUDIO] ... >>Sen. Simon: SO THE STATE OR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL FUND THOSE PROGRAMS IF THEY MEET THE CRITERIA SO THE CRITERIA IS AS FOLLOWS. COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF 75 OR LESS RESIDENTS, COUNTY WITH A POPULATION OF 125,000 OR LESS WHICH IS CONTIGUOUS WITH COUNTIES OF 75,000 OR LESS AND FINALLY ANY MUNICIPALITY WITHIN A COUNTY AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. >>Pres. Albritton: FOR A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, LEADER BERMAN. >>Sen. Berman: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THE WAY I'M UNDERSTANDING THAT IS BOTH THOSE CITIES WOULD NOT QUALIFY SO FOR FUTURE MAYBE WHEN WE DISCUSS ANYTHING ELSE, MAYBE WE CAN TRY TO ADDRESS THAT BECAUSE I THINK THOSE AHCA GRANTS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE EVEN IF THOSE AREAS ARE STILL RURAL, THEY JUST DON'T FALL WITHIN THAT SPECIFIC DEFINITION SO THANK YOU. >>Pres. Albritton: FURTHER QUESTIONS. YES. SENATOR DAVIS QUESTIONS. >>Sen. Davis: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. JUST QUICKLY AND I'M ASKING THESE QUESTIONS SENATOR SIMON BECAUSE OF LEGISLATION THAT HAS A POSSIBILITY OF MOVING THROUGH THIS CHAMBER. IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS THAT'S FINE, WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT LATER BUT AS YOU OPENED UP WITH YOUR AMENDMENTS YOU TALKED ABOUT EXPANSION OF THE RURAL HOSPITAL CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND THE FUNDING THAT WE ARE REINSTATING BACK INTO THOSE PROGRAMS. DO YOU KNOW THE AMOUNT OF FUNDING GOING BACK INTO THOSE PARTICULAR PROGRAMS AS WELL AS THE FUNDING AMOUNTS FOR THE CRITICAL ACCESS HOSPITALS THAT WE JUST APPROVED THOSE AMENDMENTS, SO JUST THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SIMON. >>Sen. Simon: IN THE BILL WE CURRENTLY HAVE $10 MILLION RECURRING IN THE BILL. IN THE BASE OF THE BUDGET, SORRY FOR THOSE APPROPRIATIONS. >>Pres. Albritton: FURTHER QUESTIONS. OKAY, THE SENATOR OF THE THIRD DISTRICT SENATOR SIMON MOVES THE BILL BE READ ONE THIRD TIME, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO READ THE BILL THIRD TIME SAY YEA. ALL OPPOSED, NAY. MOTION IS ADOPTED, READ THE BILL. >> SENATE BILL 250 ENTITLED AN ACT RELATING TO RURAL COMMUNITIES. >>Pres. Albritton: IS THERE DEBATE ON THE BILL? YES, LEADER BERMAN IN DEBATE. >>Sen. Berman: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. AS I SAID BEFORE I WOULD LIKE US TO LOOK INTO THE ISSUE OF GETTING AHCA GRANTS TO RURAL CITIES THAT DON'T QUALIFY UNDER THAT DEFINITION. I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL. AS SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER I WANT TO BE CLEAR, RURAL PROSPERITY IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE. IT'S A STATEWIDE RESPONSIBILITY. WHEN ANY FLORIDIAN IS LEFT BEHIND, WE ARE ALL WEAKENED. I BELIEVE IN A FLORIDA WHOSE OPPORTUNITY IS NOT DETERMINED BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA. RURAL COMMUNITIES DESERVE THE SAME INVESTMENT AND RESPECT FOR THE DIGNITY OF THEIR LIVES AS EVERY OTHER PART OF THIS BEAUTIFUL STATE. SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT STRENGTHEN THOSE COMMUNITIES IS AT THE CORE OF WHO WE ARE. RELENTLESS FIGHTERS FOR FAIRNESS OPPORTUNITY AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY. THIS BILL RECOGNIZES RURAL FLORIDA FACES DISTINCT CHALLENGES. THAT ADDRESSES THEM THROUGH THOUGHTFUL COORDINATION, PARTNERSHIP AND TRUST IN LOCAL LEADERSHIP. IT MOVES US TOWARDS A MORE BALANCED AND INCLUSIVE APPROACH TO GROWTH. THIS BILL IS ABOUT MAKING SURE FLORIDA'S RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE NO LONGER AN AFTERTHOUGHT BUT A PRIORITY. IT CREATES A DEDICATED OFFICE OF RURAL PROSPERITY SO RURAL LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FINALLY HAVE A SINGLE PLACE TO TURN FOR SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND REAL INVESTMENT ALL WHILE DELIVERING MEANINGFUL RESOURCES BY EXPANDING GRANTS, STRENGTHENING RURAL HEALTHCARE, IMPROVING ROADS AND TRANSIT AND INVESTING IN EDUCATORS WHO CHOOSE TO LIVE AND WORK IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. LOOKING AROUND THIS CHAMBER I KNOW WE COME FROM WILDLY DIVERSE AREAS. BUT THAT IS WHAT MAKES US GREAT. WE CAN COME TOGETHER AROUND THE PRINCIPLE THAT EVERYONE INCLUDING RURAL COMMUNITIES MATTER AND THAT STATE GOVERNMENT HAS A ROLE IN ENSURING THEY HAVE THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED. THIS IS WHY I RISE IN SUPPORT OF THIS BILL AND ENCOURAGE ALL OF YOU TO JOIN ME. THANK YOU. >>Pres. Albritton: FURTHER DEBATE. SENATOR BRADLEY, IF YOU'D LIKE TO DEBATE YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >>Sen. Bradley: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. AND THANK YOU SENATOR SIMON FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK ON THIS INITIATIVE TO LIFT UP RURAL FLORIDA. YOU REPRESENT A LOT OF RURAL COUNTIES, SO DO I. OTHER MEMBERS AND THEY FACE CHALLENGES THAT ARE DISTINCT AND DIFFERENT FROM THE DENSER AREAS OF THE STATE. PRESIDENT ALBRITTON YOU'VE BEEN A TREMENDOUS ADVOCATE FOR FLORIDA AND THE BILL THAT'S BEFORE US ISN'T A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION THAT BRINGS MIAMI SOLUTIONS TO NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA. IT BRINGS SOLUTIONS THAT CAN BE TAILORED BY EACH INDIVIDUAL RURAL COMMUNITY THAT KNOWS THEIR NEIGHBORS, KNOWS THEIR INDUSTRIES AND LETS THEM GROW AND GIVES THEM AUTONOMY OVER THAT. AND I THINK IT'S GOING TO MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE IN OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES AND BRING THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED BECAUSE THERE'S GREAT IDEAS AND GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN RURAL FLORIDA AND THIS GIVES THEM FUEL TO MAKE IT HAPPENED A LITTLE FASTER AND IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING AND I APPRECIATE IT, MY DISTRICT APPRECIATES IT GREATLY. >>Pres. Albritton: FURTHER DEBATE. SENATOR SIMON YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >>Sen. Simon: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I WANTED TO THANK A FEW PEOPLE, FIRST AND FOREMOST THANK YOU. YOUR HEART AND YOUR PASSION FOR OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES KNOWS NO BOUNDS. IT'S BEEN OBVIOUS SINCE DAY ONE SEEING YOU IN MY DISTRICT SPEAKING TO OUR FARMERS AND ALL OUR AGRICULTURAL WORKERS ESPECIALLY AFTER HURRICANE DALIA, YOUR HEART IS BIGGER THAN THIS ROOM AND IT'S EVIDENT IN THE POLICY THAT YOU ARE PURSUING FOR RURAL FLORIDIANS SO I APPRECIATE YOU. SECOND I WANT TO THANK THE PRESIDENT, LAST YEAR WHEN YOU AND I SAT DOWN WHEN SECRETARY ROLLINS THE USDA SECRETARY ROLLINS AND TALKED ABOUT THE IMPACT OF BILL LIKE THIS COULD HAVE NOT ONLY HERE IN RURAL FLORIDA BUT ACROSS THE NATION AND SHE DECIDED TO MAKE THAT A BLUEPRINT FOR OUR COUNTRY. SO I DO WANT TO THANK THE PRESIDENT FOR HIS LEADERSHIP TO GET US TO THIS PLACE. I DON'T THINK YOU OR I REALIZE HOW BIG THIS PACKAGE WOULD BE IN HEALTHCARE WHEN WE HAD OUR INITIAL CONVERSATIONS BUT $50 BILLION OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, OVER $1 BILLION IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS A GAME CHANGER. THAT IS A GAME CHANGER. A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY IN THESE RURAL COMMUNITIES SO I'M TREMENDOUSLY THANKFUL. NEXT I WANT TO THANK THE GOVERNOR. HE HAS REALLY OPENED HIS HEART AND THE STATE SWOLLEN TO RURAL FLORIDA. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WE SAW $161 MILLION IN CBDG AND ROOF GRANTS GO OUT TO OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE, $300 MILLION OVER THE LAST MONTH AND AND A HALF. THAT IS A GAME CHANGER AND I KNOW I SAY THAT BUT WHEN YOU LOOK IN THE EYES OF MY COMMUNITIES AND WHEN I SHOW UP FOR OUR DELEGATION MEETINGS AND THEY ARE COMING AND I'M TELLING THEM TO ASK, WHAT DO YOU NEED, WHAT DO YOU NEED AND THEY ARE ALMOST EMBARRASSED TO WALK INTO THOSE MEETINGS WITH THEIR HAND OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST HARD-WORKING PEOPLE. AND HONESTLY THEY DON'T WANT TO ASK THE GOVERNMENT FOR ANYTHING BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NEEDED IN THESE COMMUNITIES, ROADS THAT ARE TORN DOWN, WATER SYSTEMS THAT ARE FAILING SO THEY DO HAVE THAT NEED BUT IT'S ALMOST PULLING AND TUGGING THEM TO MAKE THE REQUEST. SO I'M THANKFUL TO THE GOVERNOR, THANKFUL TO AHCA SECRETARY HARRIS FOR SITTING DOWN WITH US AT THE STATE LEVEL AND COMING UP WITH A PROPOSAL THAT WILL MEAN OVER $1 BILLION FOR THIS STATE. SO I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH, MY HOPE IS WE CONTINUE TO PUSH THIS AGENDA FORWARD. THIS WON'T BE THE LAST TIME I'M ASKING FOR RURAL FLORIDA. I REPRESENT 12 FISCALLY CONSTRAINED COUNTIES OUT OF THE 13 I REPRESENT AND I WILL TELL YOU THEY ALMOST BREAK DOWN IN TEARS WHEN THEY SHOW UP. BECAUSE THEY THINK THEY ARE FORGOTTEN. AS A MATTER OF FACT I'VE GOT PART OF MY DISTRICT THAT'S CALLED THE FORGOTTEN COAST BECAUSE THEY DON'T THINK PEOPLE SEE THEM. BUT THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS SHOWING THEM THAT WE SEE THEM AND WE ARE HERE TO TRY TO HELP THEM AS BEST AS POSSIBLE AND AS SENATOR BRADLEY TALKED ABOUT THIS ISN'T A MANDATE ON THESE COMMUNITIES. THEY WILL GROW AS THEY SEE FIT. THIS IS AN À LA CARTE FOR THEM TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHAT FITS THEIR COMMUNITY AND HOW THEY CHOOSE TO GROW AND IT'S EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE FOLKS THAT LIVE IN MY DISTRICT. WITH THAT I CLOSE AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR FAVORABLE SUPPORT. >>Pres. Albritton: THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIT OUT OF ORDER BUT IT'S GOOD SOMEBODY MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT YOU. APPRECIATE YOUR KIND WORDS AND WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A MAN WITH A BIG HEART, YOU ARE THE GUY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE HARD WORK DETERMINATION AND FOCUS AND ENERGY, THE WHOLE DEAL BUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS THAT I KNOW THAT YOU LOVE AND LOVE YOU AND THEY HAVE YOUR BACK EVERY SINGLE DAY AND YOU HAVE THEIRS. IT WORKS THAT WAY IN RURAL FLORIDA. IT HAPPENS ALL OVER THE STATE. BANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS. SECRETARY WILL UNLOCK THE BOARD AND SENATORS WILL PROCEED TO VOTE. HAVE ALL SENATORS VOTED? LOCK THE BOARD AND RECORD THE VOTE. >> 39 YEA, ZERO NAY MR. PRESIDENT. [APPLAUSE] >>Pres. Albritton: I'VE BEEN WAITING TO SAY THIS, SHOW THE BILL PASSES. READ THE NEXT BILL. >> COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL 318, A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR OF THE FIRST DISTRICT, SENATOR GAETZ. >>Sen. Gaetz: TREAT THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THIS SUSTAINS AND STRENGTHENS FLORIDA'S UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM. THE WAY THAT WE FUND EDUCATION FLORIDA WAS CREATED IN 1972 AND YOU LEAD IN A SCHOOL ZONE, TOOK YOUR GET TO THE SCHOOL, THE STATE PAID THE DISTRICT, THAT'S THE WAY IT WAS, PREDICTABLE AND STABLE FOR 50 YEARS BUT IN 2023 FLORIDA BECAME THE FIRST STATE TO ESTABLISH UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE. EVERY FAMILY COULD CHOOSE THE SCHOOL THEY WANTED FOR THEIR CHILD. PUBLIC, PRIVATE, HOMESCHOOL AND THE STATE WOULD PAY FOR IT. SCHOOL CHOICE EVOLUTION WAS BOLD, HISTORIC AND BECAME FAST AND WITH ALL ITS VARIABLE FUNDING AND OPTIONS EXPLOSIVE GROWTH FROM 200,000 STUDENTS IN THE BEGINNING TO 500,000 STUDENTS NOW FROM 2 BILLION TO 4 BILLION IN THREE YEARS. OUR 1972 FUNDING STRUCTURE MIXED TOGETHER ONE APPROPRIATION. THE MONEY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH MONEY FOR HOMESCHOOLING BUT THE MONEY FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, ALL THE MONEY MIXED TOGETHER IN ONE APPROPRIATION. THIS YEAR'S BUDGET CO-MINGLED 25.7 BILLION FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS WITH 1,000,000,000 AND A HALF EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY SCHOLARSHIPS WITH 2.4 BILLION FOR FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND IN THIS DYNAMIC CHOICE ENVIRONMENT THE 1972 FUNDING STRUCTURE DESIGNED AND DEPENDENT ON HIGH PREDICTABILITY AND LOW MOBILITY JUST DOESN'T WORK. STUDENTS MOVE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN AND AMONG PRIVATE AND HOMESCHOOLING ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM YEAR-TO-YEAR, SOMETIMES FROM MONTH-TO-MONTH OR WEEK TO WEEK. THE MONEY IS SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW THE STUDENTS BUT THE STUDENTS ARE ON THE MOVE. BEFORE DURING AND AFTER THE SCHOOL YEAR BY THE TENS OF THOUSANDS. ANY GIVEN DAY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CAN'T FIND 30,000 STUDENTS WE ARE PAYING FOR. THAT'S $270 MILLION WE ARE PAYING FOR STUDENTS WE CAN'T LOCATE. THE AUDITOR GENERAL SCRUTINIZES OUR FUNDING MODEL AS PAY AND CHASE THEY DON'T MEAN IT AS A COMPLIMENT. LAST YEAR THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ADVANCED $600 MILLION TO THE SCHOOL FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS EVEN BEFORE THE PARENTS MADE THEIR SCHOOL CHOICES. AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT CHASED THE MONEY TO FIND IF THE DOLLARS LINED UP IN THE RIGHT PLACE FOR THE RIGHT STUDENTS AND THE RESULT IS THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS WERE SHORTCHANGED BY $100 MILLION FOR STUDENTS THEY SERVE BUT THE MONEY WAS SENT SOMEPLACE ELSE. FAMILIES CHOOSING HOMESCHOOL FRONTED THE MONEY FOR MATERIALS AND SERVICES AND THEN OFTEN HAD TO WAIT FOR MONTHS TO BE REIMBURSED. IN SOME SCHOOLS SERVING EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY STUDENTS TESTIFIED THAT SFO'S OFTEN PAID THEM THE WRONG AMOUNTS. SOMETIMES WAITING AS LONG AS THE YEAR TO BE PAID AT ALL. FOR THIS WE PAID A SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS A 3% ADMINISTRATIVE FEE ON OVER $4 BILLION. WHEN THE AUDITOR GENERAL COMPLETED HIS COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF HOW WE FUND A SCHOOL CHOICE WITHIN THAT 1972 FUNDING STRUCTURE, THIS IS WHAT HE SAID. WHATEVER COULD GO WRONG DID GO WRONG. THE FIRST AND FOREMOST FINDING AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL IS TO FUND THE FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THROUGH A SEPARATE CATEGORICAL WITHIN THE FEF P OUTSIDE OF THE FUNDS USED FOR STUDENTS WHO CHOOSE A PUBLIC SCHOOL. MIXING UP THE MONEY THE AUDITOR GENERAL SAID. QUIT PAYING AND CHASING SEPARATELY ACCOUNT FOR EVERY DOLLAR. THE AUDITOR GENERAL RECOMMENDS THIS BILL PROVIDES CLEAR APPLICATION DEADLINES SO THAT THE RIGHT MONEY AND RIGHT AMOUNTS CAN BE SENT TO THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME. SENATE BILL 318 STOPS THE PRACTICE OF SFO'S HOLDING LARGE SUMS OF TAXPAYER MONEY IN THE WRONG ACCOUNTS. THE BILL REQUIRES SFO'S TO RETURN FUNDS AS A RESULT OF AUDIT FINDINGS, THE BILL REDUCES SFO ADMINISTRATIVE FEES SO MORE MONEY CAN BE SPENT ON SCHOLARSHIPS. FRAUDSTERS UNFORTUNATELY HAVE DISCOVERED OUR SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM AND THEY SCAMMED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BY CREATING FICTITIOUS STUDENTS. NOT MINNESOTA BUT NOT A GOOD LOOK. SO THIS BILL PROVIDES EACH PROVIDER WILL RECEIVE FUNDING FOR STUDENTS ONLY IF AND AFTER THEY ARE CONFIRMED AS BEING ACTUALLY ENROLLED. THE BILL REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ASSIGN A STUDENT ID TO ALL STUDENTS SO WE CAN KEEP TRACK OF THEM. THE BILL MAKES REIMBURSEMENT FOR HOMESCHOOLING FAMILIES MORE PROTECTABLE, REDUCES REDTAPE AND REDUCES LONG WAITS FOR PAYMENTS. OUR BILL ASKS FAMILIES TO HELP US HELP THEM BY CONFIRMING MONTHLY WITH A SIMPLE CHECK OFF WHERE THEIR STUDENT IS ATTENDING SCHOOL SO THAT THE RIGHT AMOUNTS CAN BE DISPERSED TO THE RIGHT PLACE AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS CAN DO THAT ON PARENTS BEHALF IN THIS BILL. SENATE BILL 318 ESTABLISHES AN EXPANDED EDUCATION STABILIZATION FUND OF $250 MILLION. TO ENSURE IF MORE STUDENTS APPLY AND ANTICIPATED THAT ALL STUDENTS CAN STILL RECEIVE FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS. THE BILL AUTHORIZES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ESTABLISH A MENU OF SERVICES TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIP STUDENTS AND MANY OF THE FORMER SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE DOING THAT. THE AUDITOR GENERAL WILL AUDIT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND SFO'S EVERY YEAR, NOT EVERY TWO OR THREE YEARS AS IS NOW THE CASE AND FINALLY SENATE BILL 318 DIRECTS THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OVER THE NEXT SIX MONTHS TO DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN TO COMPETITIVELY AFFECT SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATIONS AND HOLD SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS TO SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS AND REQUIRE THEM TO ESTABLISH USER-FRIENDLY OPERATING PROCEDURES. TO ALL OF US WHO BELIEVE IN PARENTAL CHOICE AND EDUCATION AS I DO AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT WAS TOUGH MEDICINE BUT MR. PRESIDENT, TO DISREGARD THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND LET THINGS ROLL ON AS THEY ARE WOULD BE LEGISLATIVE MALPRACTICE. SENATE BILL 318 WILL SUSTAIN STRENGTHEN AND SAFEGUARD FLORIDA'S SCHOOL CHOICE PROGRAM THAT IS THE BILL AND THERE ARE THREE AMENDMENTS. >>Pres. Albritton: THANK YOU SENATOR GAETZ FOR THAT PRECISE EXPLANATION. ARE THE AMENDMENTS? >> ON THE DESK MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: READ THE FIRST AMENDMENT. >> BARCODE 743876 BY SENATOR GAETZ, DELETE LINES 332 THROUGH 365 AND INSERT AN AMENDMENT. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE FIRST AMENDMENT. >>Sen. Gaetz: THE AMENDMENT REMOVES THE DECLINING REQUIREMENT WHILE MAINTAINING THE FUNDS PRIMARY PURPOSE OF ENSURING THE SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS AND SCHOOL DISTRICT FUNDING ARE NOT INTERRUPTED WHEN STUDENTS MOVE BETWEEN EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS. >>Pres. Albritton: QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT. SENATOR JONES FOR A QUESTION. >>Sen. Jones: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH PRESIDENT GAETZ, I HAVE A QUESTION AS PERTAINS TO THE AMENDMENT AS FAR AS STABILIZATION FUNDS FOR WHAT THE STABILIZATION FUND IS FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON A ROLL TO ENSURE THEY CAN PAY THOSE FEES BUT I HEARD IN YOUR EXPLANATION AS FAR AS STABILIZATION FUND FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE, ARE WE REMOVING THE STABILIZATION PROGRAM IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS USED FOR THE PURPOSES OF BEING ABLE TO STABILIZE THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM? >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ. >>Sen. Gaetz: WE EXPECT THE DECLINING ENROLLMENT PROVISION TO BE MOVED INTO ANOTHER BILL, PERHAPS THE CONFORMING BILL BUT WE ARE TRYING TO DO WHAT THE AUDITOR GENERAL SAID AND NOT MIX MONEY BUT IF WE HAVE, WE HAVE A STABILIZATION FUND DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE NO ONE WHO APPLIES FOR A SCHOLARSHIP IS GOING TO BE DENIED A SCHOLARSHIP AND AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE A DECLINING ENROLLMENT THAT DEALS WITH SCHOOL DISTRICTS, 53 OF WHICH, 53 OF OUR 57 SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE IN DECLINING ENROLLMENT AND WE WOULD DO THAT IN THE CONFORMING BILL. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SMITH, DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION? OKAY, FURTHER QUESTIONS. SENATOR SMITH, ANY QUESTIONS. >>Sen. Smith: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE HESITATION. SENATOR GAETZ, I WANTED TO CLARIFY WHAT I JUST HEARD YOU SAY BECAUSE MANY OF US LOOKED AT THOSE LINES AND THOSE PROVISIONS OF YOUR BILL AND WE WERE VERY HOPEFUL THE STABILIZATION FUND OF COURSE WOULD PROVIDE THE NEEDED FUNDS TO THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE SEEN DECLINING ENROLLMENT. SO YOU ARE SAYING IN ESSENCE, HAVE FAITH THAT THAT POLICY AND THAT LANGUAGE FOR THE STABILIZATION FUND WILL REEMERGE IN A CONFORMING BILL. IS THAT CORRECT? >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ. >>Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I WOULDN'T CALL IT FAITH, I WOULD CALL IT HOPE. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS MAKE SURE THE FAMILY EMPOWERMENT SCHOLARSHIP MONEY IS NOT MIXED UP IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM BUT THE MONEY THAT MEANT FOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS. SO SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE DECLINING ENROLLMENT, YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT I WILL WORK WITH CHAIR BURGESS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE THAT IN THE CONFORMING BILL WE HAVE A DECLINING ENROLLMENT SUBSIDY THAT'S MEANT TO TAKE CARE OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHICH ARE HAVING DECLINING ENROLLMENT AND NOT MAKING THEM WHOLE BUT BUFFERING THEM TO SOME EXTENT AGAINST THAT DECLINING ENROLLMENT AS WE HAVE IN PAST YEARS. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SMITH, QUESTIONS. >>Sen. Smith: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I WILL JUST SAY THIS IS THE FLORIDA SENATE SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT COMMITMENT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU SENATOR GAETZ. >>Pres. Albritton: OKAY, FURTHER QUESTIONS. OKAY, ANY DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? OKAY, SEEING NO DEBATE, SENATOR GAETZ YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >>Sen. Gaetz: WAIVE CLOSE. >>Pres. Albritton: ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA, OPPOSED SAME SIGN. SHOW THE AMENDMENT PASSES, READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. >> BARCODE 789314 BY SENATOR GAETZ, DELETE LINES 64 THROUGH 703 AND INSERT AN AMENDMENT. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. >>Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THIS REMOVES THE REQUIREMENT THAT DOCUMENTATION OF ADMISSION OR ENROLLMENT FROM A PRIVATE SCHOOL IS DUE AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION. >>Pres. Albritton: ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? IS THERE DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? SENATOR GAETZ YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA. ALL OPPOSED, SAME SIGN. SHOW THE IMMINENT PASSES, READ THE NEXT AMENDMENT. >> AMENDMENT BARCODE 629180 BY SENATOR GAETZ, DELETE LINES 807 THROUGH 834 AND INSERT AMENDMENT. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO EXPLAIN THE AMENDMENT. >>Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THIS REQUIRES THE WITHDRAWAL FORM TO BE PROVIDED PRIOR TO THE SCHOLARSHIP PAYMENT AND CLARIFIES THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A PRIVATE SCHOOL ARE SUCH THAT THEY CAN ATTEST ON BEHALF OF THE PARENT TO REDUCE PAPERWORK FOR PARENTS. >>Pres. Albritton: ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDMENT? DEBATE ON THE AMENDMENT? SENATOR GAETZ YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >>Sen. Gaetz: SERVE. >>Pres. Albritton: HAVING WAIVED CLOSE ALL IN FAVOR SAY YEA, OPPOSED SAME SIGN. SHOW THE AMENDMENT ADOPTED, BACK ON THE BILL AS AMENDED, OR THERE QUESTIONS ON THE BILL? OKAY, SENATOR, WAIT, YES, MA'AM. SENATOR DAVIS YOU ARE RECOGNIZED FOR A QUESTION. OR A SERIES IF YOU CHOOSE. >>Sen. Davis: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. SENATOR GAETZ, I WANT TO START OFF BY SAYING I APPRECIATE THIS. LOOKING THROUGH SOME OF THE LINES OF THIS BILL AND SEEING SOME OF THE THINGS MY COLLEAGUES AND I HAVE SAID SINCE WE STARTED DOWN THIS ROAD OF VOUCHERS I WILL SAY I APPRECIATE WHOLEHEARTEDLY YOUR EFFORT HERE AND WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO BECAUSE THERE'S SPECIFIC THINGS I KNOW WE YELLED AND THEY ARE CAPTURED IN THIS BILL SO THAT LET'S ME KNOW YOU HEARD US. BUT THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT SO WHILE I HAVE THE MICROPHONE I KNOW THIS CAME FROM THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT AND THAT'S HOW WE GOT HERE. SO I'M ASKING IF YOU OUTLINED A LOT OF THINGS BUT HOW DOES THIS LEGISLATION PROTECT US FOR FUTURE ISSUES AND WHAT YOU HAVE HERE SPECIFICALLY OVERPAYMENTS, DOUBLE COUNTING, UNVERIFIED ENROLLMENT, HOW WILL THAT BE ADDRESSED SPECIFICALLY. JUST TO MAKE SURE WE'VE TIGHTENED EVERYTHING LIKE THOSE PARTICULAR TOPICS. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ. >>Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT QUESTION, IT IS THE ESSENCE OF THE BILL IN MANY CASES. FIRST BY MAKING SURE EVERY STUDENT HAS A NUMBER. IT'S HARD TO KEEP TRACK OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS IF WE DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE AND WHERE THEY ARE BUT BY GIVING EVERY STUDENT A NUMBER THAT IS A FIRST STEP. SECONDLY, WE ARE REQUIRING IF THIS BILL PASSES THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO NO LONGER WORK WITH A SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION IN THE WAY WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST BUT RATHER ESTABLISH COMPETITIVE SELECTION OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS OR ORGANIZATION AND THEN ESTABLISH A SPECIFIC CONTRACT WITH PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS. RIGHT NOW THERE IS PERFORMANCE BUT THERE ARE NOT ALWAYS PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS. AS A CONSEQUENCE THERE HAS BEEN RAGGED PERFORMANCE FRANKLY SO THE SECTION OF THE BILL THAT DEALS WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR HOW A SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION WILL OPERATE, UNDER THE BUSINESS PLAN WE ARE ASKING FOR UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IS KEY TO THAT. THEN THERE'S THE FACT WE ARE ASKING THE AUDITOR GENERAL TO COME BACK EVERY TWO OR THREE YEARS AND TELL US HOW IT WENT BUT TO LIVE WITH US AND MAKE SURE THESE CHANGES WE ARE MAKING, THESE SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PROGRAM WILL FROM AN ACCOUNTING STANDPOINT AND STRUCTURAL STANDPOINT THAT WE ARE BEING FAITHFUL TO THEM AND THE AUDITOR GENERAL WILL DO THAT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND THEN I SUSPECT SENATOR BURGESS COMMITTEE AND ALL OF US WILL BE MONITORING THIS PROGRAM VERY CAREFULLY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EVERY REASON TO BE PROUD OF WHAT WE DO AND NOT HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR MISCUES IN THIS PROGRAM. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR DAVIS FOR A QUESTION. >>Sen. Davis: THANK YOU. SEPARATE CATEGORICAL, MUSIC TO OUR EARS. ALL WE WANTED WAS TO MAKE SURE WE COULD SEE SCHOOL DISTRICT WISE WHERE THE MONEY WAS GOING. SO YOU MENTIONED THAT BUT ANOTHER SIGNIFICANT PART OF THIS BILL FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATION AND YOU ARE MOVING THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE THEY RECEIVE FROM 3% TO 2%. THANK YOU. BUT I'M ASKING YOU WHAT WAS THE RATIONALE BEHIND THAT KNOWING FLORIDA ONLY HAS TWO SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS THEY ARE DEALING WITH. THAT WAS ONE PART OF THE QUESTION, THE OTHER PART IS YOU TALKED ABOUT A BUSINESS PLAN BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE DIRECTING IN THIS LEGISLATION THE DEPARTMENT TO SEEK, PUT OUT AN RF OLD FOR OTHER SCHOLARSHIP ORGANIZATIONS, TALK TO US ABOUT THAT. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ. >>Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. YOU ARE EXACTLY CORRECT, THE LEGISLATION REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE WITH A PLAN FOR HOW WE WILL DEAL WITH SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS AND HOW WE WILL DEAL WITH PARENTS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM IN THE FUTURE AND THAT PLAN HAS TO INCLUDE COMPETITIVE SELECTION AND HAS TO INCLUDE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS IN A CONTRACT THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS HAVE TO ABIDE BY, REQUIREMENTS THAT INCLUDE CONSUMER FRIENDLY SERVICES AS WELL AS CAREFUL STEWARDSHIP AND ACCOUNTING. THAT'S THE ESSENCE OF THE BUSINESS PLAN THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR DAVIS. >>Sen. Davis: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. AND THE LAST ONE FOR ME, SENATOR GAETZ YOU TALKED ABOUT GOING BACK TO THE AUDITOR'S REPORT AND THANK YOU FOR THAT ANSWER, THIS IS A BIG BILL, A LOT OF GOOD STUFF AND I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT HERE BUT THE ESSENCE OF OUR STUDENTS IS THEY ARE LOST. THE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT FIND THEM SO THE SIMPLE ASK IS DOES YOUR BILL COVER WHERE THE STUDENTS ARE LOCATED ALONG WITH THIS NOW ASSIGNED NUMBER THEY WILL HAVE? >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ. >>Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. YES, BECAUSE INSTEAD OF PAYING AND CHASING, NOW WE ARE NOT GOING TO PAY UNTIL WE KNOW EXACTLY WHERE THE STUDENT IS. >>Pres. Albritton: FURTHER QUESTIONS. SENATOR OF THE FIRST DISTRICT, SENATOR GAETZ MOVES THE BILL BE READ ONE THIRD TIME, ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION TO READ THE BILL ONE THIRD TIME SAY YEA. ALL OPPOSED SAY NAY. THE MOTION IS ADOPTED. READ THE BILL. >> COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL 318, A BILL ENTITLED AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS. >>Pres. Albritton: DEBATE ON THE BIL? SENATOR JONES. >>Sen. Jones: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. AND FIRST I WANT TO THANK SENATOR GAETZ. I WON'T REPEAT WHAT I SAID LAST YEAR THIS IS ABSOLUTELY WHAT WE'VE BEEN HOPING FOR AND WAITING FOR WHEN WE LOOK FOR TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. I DO WANT TO RAISE A RED FLAG FOR THIS ENTIRE BODY AS WE PUT FORTH THIS GOOD PIECE OF LEGISLATION, IT'S SOMETHING WE COULD LOOK TO DO IN THE NEXT SESSION OR EVEN LOOK AT THIS SESSION. THERE ARE A GREAT DEAL OF THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS AS FAR AS LOCALE BUT WHERE THEY ARE QUOTE UNQUOTE TEACHING THESE CHILDREN WE HEAR SOME OF THEM ESPECIALLY IN MY DISTRICT HAVE 10 KIDS, 11, SEVEN KIDS WITH ONE PERSON THAT'S THERE. EVEN IN COMMITTEE TODAY AND ASKING HOW ARE WE, BUT YOU MAY ASK THIS QUESTION, HOW ARE WE ENSURING THESE CHILDREN WHO ARE SAYING WE ARE PAYING TAXPAYER MONEY AND TEACHING THEM IN AREAS THAT ARE NOT CONDUCIVE FOR A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT AND INDIVIDUALS TEACHING THEM QUOTE UNQUOTE, WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TEACHING THOSE CHILDREN SO MY HOPE IS WE WILL LOOK INTO IT BECAUSE LONG-TERM THAT CAN BECOME AN ISSUE FOR US AS A STATE UNDERSTANDING CHILDREN BY THE TIME THEY GET IN 10TH, 11TH, 12TH GRADE THEY ARE NOT PROFICIENT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T RECEIVE THE BASIC SKILLS, WHETHER QUALIFIED OR NOT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WEREN'T TEACHING CHILDREN SO I ASK WE LOOK INTO THAT BUT FOR TODAY SENATOR GAETZ THANK YOU AGAIN AND I HOPE WE CAN GET BEHIND THIS BECAUSE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS WHAT HAS BEEN NEEDED FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND I'M HAPPY YOU'RE BRINGING IT HERE TODAY SO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR YARBOROUGH. >>Sen. Yarborough: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. WANTED TO RISE IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS BILL AND AS ANYONE READS THROUGH IT THEY CAN SEE THE ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF WORK THAT'S GONE INTO IT THAT OUR STAFF HAS PUT IN, A LOT OF BALANCE IN THAT FIRST AMENDMENT THAT WE DEVELOP WITH REGARD TO THE STABILIZATION FUND, WE ARE MAINTAINING THAT EXTRA SUPPORT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MAY NEED ON A SUPPLEMENTAL BASIS BUT YOU AFFORDED THE ABILITY FOR THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM IF OUR ANTICIPATED ENROLLMENT OR HOW MANY FAMILIES MAY PARTICIPATE GOES ABOVE WHAT WE PUT IN THE GENERAL BUDGET YOU'VE ALLOWED FOR IT TO COVER THOSE NEEDS AS WELL SO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND LISTENING TO WHAT A LOT OF OUR PARENTS HAVE REACHED OUT ABOUT ON THE TURNAROUND TIME FOR TESTING AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL YEAR AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAD FLOWN BEFORE THE RADAR BUT WE HAD A NARROW WINDOW BEFORE FOR ANY FAMILIES THAT WERE GOING TO RENEW FOR A SCHOLARSHIP FOR THE NEXT YEAR, THEY HAD A NARROW WINDOW TO GET RESULTS IN AND IT WAS BACKING UP INTO A TIME YOU WOULD TYPICALLY BE GIVEN INSTRUCTION INTO MAY AND APRIL WHEN THEY HAD TO START THE PROCESS FOR END OF YEAR ASSESSMENTS, GET THE GRADING AND SUBMIT IT TO MAKE SURE IT COULD BE ACCEPTED SO ALL THAT TO SAY THANK YOU, WE'VE MADE CHANGES TO GET MORE FLEXIBILITY THERE AND THANK YOU TO STAFF AND HAPPY TO SUPPORT IT AND APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR OSGOOD IN DEBATE. >>Sen. Osgood: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. AND THANK YOU, I'LL ADMIT I WAS NOT FOR THE MASSIVE VOUCHER ROLLOUT. I GAVE SENATOR SIMON A VERY HARD TIME. A LOT OF TIMES IN GOVERNMENT WE ROLL OUT THINGS AND THE IMPLEMENTATION PART OF IT IS A DISASTER AND WHAT I APPRECIATE TODAY IS NOT ONLY DID YOU KEEP US FROM COMMITTING LEGISLATIVE MALFEASANCE, BUT YOU BROUGHT IT PUBLICLY THAT WE IDENTIFIED AND IMPLEMENTED A PROGRAM, WE COULDN'T FIND STUDENTS, WE STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT MONEY BUT WE WERE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT ABOUT IT AND WE ARE ADDRESSING IT THROUGH THIS BILL. I ALSO APPRECIATE THE ATTENTION WE ARE GIVING TO ESTABLISHING A CATEGORICAL. I'M HOPING AS WE MOVE FORWARD WE WILL LOOK AT TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS, PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS AND CONSIDER DOING CATEGORICAL FUNDING FOR INSTRUCTION IN EDUCATION. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT IN A TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL OR CHARTER SCHOOL WHEN ALL YOUR FUNDING IS THERE AND YOU'RE HAVING TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SO MANY THINGS WHEN IT MINIMIZES YOUR IMPACT TO FOCUS YOUR RESOURCES ON INSTRUCTION AND LEARNING SO MAYBE WE HAVE TO HELP OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH THAT. THIS SAYS TO ME WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT PATH AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK. EDUCATION IS A BIG DEAL. IT'S NOT EASY. A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE STATE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR, WHAT THE DISTRICT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AND I APPRECIATE WE CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH THIS TO IMPROVE IT AND I'M HOPING BEFORE I LEAVE HERE THAT WE HAVE SOLIDIFIED EDUCATION IN A WAY THAT WE CAN NEED BE PROUD OF WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS. I WANT TO SEE US USE OUR RESOURCES AND MAKE SURE EVERY WAY WE DELIVER EDUCATION IS DONE IN A WAY THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD SO THANK YOU AND I'M HAPPY TO COSPONSOR THIS BILL. >>Pres. Albritton: LEADER BOYD. >>Sen. Boyd: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. MY COMMENTS WILL BE BRIEF AND PRETTY GENERAL. SENATOR GAETZ, I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'VE DONE HERE. WE ALL CAN BE PROUD OF WHAT WE'VE ACCOMPLISHED OVER THE PAST 10, FOUR YEARS IN EDUCATION REFORM AND GIVING FAMILIES CHANCES THEY WOULDN'T OTHERWISE HAVE HAD IN THE SYSTEM THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN. WE HAVE GREAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS, PRIVATE SCHOOLS, GREAT VIRTUAL SCHOOLS BUT EVERYBODY DOESN'T FIT INTO THAT MODEL AND KIDS DON'T HAVE A CHANCE BECAUSE OF THE SCHOOL THEY GET PLACED IN BECAUSE OF THEIR ZIP CODE SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING ON THIS TOUGH ISSUE AND HELPING KIDS HAVE A CHANCE. I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY MORE CAPABLE OF HANDLING THE AUDITOR GENERAL'S REPORT BECAUSE WE DID FIND AS YOU SAID PROBLEMS WE NEEDED TO CORRECT. NOBODY WOULD BE BETTER EQUIPPED TO DEAL IN TO IT AND YOU'VE DONE THAT VARY ARTFULLY AND VERY ELEGANTLY AND I APPRECIATE THAT SO VERY MUCH SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING IT WOULD BE LEGISLATIVE MALPRACTICE SO THANK YOU FOR GETTING US TO THIS POINT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY FAMILIES AND THE KIDS AND THOSE FAMILIES I THINK THEY SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO FOR THEM AND GRATEFUL AND YOUR WORK ON THIS IS MEANINGFUL AND VERY SIGNIFICANT SO THANK YOU, SIR >> SENATOR BURGESS. >>Sen. Burgess: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. AND THANK YOU SENATOR GAETZ FOR TAKING ON A MAMMOTH ISSUE, THANK YOU SENATOR SIMON FOR BRINGING US TO THIS POINT AND I'LL BE BRIEF IN SAYING TO THOSE WATCHING, ALL OPERATORS OUT THERE, FAMILIES THAT PARTICIPATE THE LEGISLATION WE ARE DISCUSSING TODAY, THE PURPOSE OF WHY WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD IS TO SAVE AND PRESERVE THE PROGRAM SO IT CONTINUES TO GROW AND THRIVE AND LIVE UP TO ITS FULLEST POTENTIAL. THAT'S THE INTENT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING. WE ARE FACING A NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES BASED ON HOW FAST WE MOVE FORWARD INTO THIS PROGRAM AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR IT DOES NOT MEAN WE WERE WRONG FOR DOING SO, JUST WE ARE RECOGNIZING WE ARE PLUGGING GAPS AND FIXING GLITCHES ALONG THE WAY. THIS IS LIKE TRYING TO RUN AN IOS PROGRAM ON THE ORIGINAL IPHONE. WE HAVE FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED, THOSE TWO DON'T EQUATE, WE HAVE CHANGED HOW WE HAVE FUNDED EDUCATION AND IT'S TIME FOR US TO REALLY LOOK AT THE FEFP AND HOW THAT IS CALCULATED. THAT'S A MUCH BIGGER TASK THAT'S GOING TO BE SOMETHING ADDRESSED LONG AFTER WE ARE GONE FROM TERM LIMITS BUT NONETHELESS THE POINT IS SAYING WE HAVE REVOLUTIONIZED EDUCATION. THIS IS A NECESSARY PIECE OF EDUCATION AND I APPRECIATE SENATOR GAETZ FOR BRINGING FORWARD AND COLLECTIVELY AS WE MAY HAVE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION WE RECOGNIZE DOING NOTHING IS WORSE THAN TRYING TO DO SOMETHING AND I HOPE WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE THIS SUMMER. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR MASSULLO. >>Sen. Massullo: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BILL, WHEN HENRY FLAGLER STARTED TO POPULATE OUR STATE EVERYONE THOUGHT HE WAS NUTS TRYING TO BRING A RAILROAD DOWN. PIONEERS ARE THE SAME WAY. WE WERE PIONEERS IN GETTING UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE INTO OUR STATE AND BEING NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION FOR UNIVERSAL SCHOOL FREEDOM. WE KNEW AND I CAN TELL YOU SENATOR SIMON AND MYSELF SPENT HOURS AND HOURS WORKING ON THIS PARTICULAR, I WOULD SAY PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST THINGS OUR STATE HAS EVER DONE IS HAVE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE BECAUSE IT SERVES THE STUDENT. IT SERVES THEIR PARTICULAR NEEDS AND ALLOWS US TO ADVANCE OUR STATE SO KIDS GET THE EDUCATION THEY NEED TO FUND THE CAREERS THAT WILL BEST SUIT THEM. WHAT YOU'VE DONE IS YOU'VE MADE NOT NECESSARILY THE LIFE OF THE SFO EASIER BUT MADE THEIR JOB CLEARER AND THE FACT THAT YOU REDUCED THE PERCENTAGE, THEY WILL STILL MAKE AN AMPLE AMOUNT OF MONEY BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME AND I SEE THAT INCREASING THROUGH THE YEARS AND WE MAY BE HERE IN A COUPLE MORE YEARS DOING ANOTHER RENDITION OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING TODAY BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR IT AND CERTAINLY I'M GOING TO SUPPORT YOU. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR DAVIS, DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR DEBATE? >>Sen. Davis: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. I WAS SITTING THERE THINKING ABOUT WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY AS AGAIN I WILL LOOK AT YOU SENATOR GAETZ AND SAY I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT YOU MADE HERE. THIS IS NOT TO STAND AND BE DEBBIE DOWNER OR TRACY I TOLD YOU SO. BUT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE WE CLEAR THE AIR AND LIKE I SAID, WE HAD THESE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS AND FORESIGHT, SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES AND I WHEN WE SAT HERE, WHEN WE HEARD ABOUT THE VOUCHER PLAN WHEN WE WERE DOING THIS SO WHAT I DON'T WANT THIS CHAMBER TO GET CONFUSED IS WE ARE STILL DEALING WITH A $4 BILLION PROGRAM. THAT'S ALL I WANT US TO BE ABLE TO HEAR, A $4 BILLION PLAN THAT WE ASKED TO SLOW DOWN AND WE GAVE, WE BEING MY COLLEAGUES AND I GAVE SOME SUGGESTIONS SO I SAID ALL THAT TO GET TO THIS POINT AND SAY FOUR MONTHS SINCE I'VE BEEN ELECTED IN 2016 A REPORT HAS BEEN ISSUED AND A CHAMBER MEMBER AND A PRESIDENT ACTUALLY LISTENED. AND I THINK WE ALL CAN APPRECIATE THAT. BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF DECENT THINGS IN THIS BILL, BUT I KNOW I WAS AGITATED WITH THAT ADMINISTRATIVE COST FROM THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS, THE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE THEY DON'T EDUCATE, THEY DON'T RETAIN, THEY DON'T RECRUIT. THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING BUT WRITE CHECKS BUT WITH A $4 BILLION PROGRAM THEY WERE RECEIVING 3% OF THAT AND WE ONLY HAD TWO OF THEM IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THAT WAS A HUGE AGITATION FOR ME BUT ALONG WITH EVERYTHING EVERYONE HAS SAID ALONG WITH THE DECENT THINGS IN THIS BILL TO PULL IT TOGETHER AGAIN I SAY I APPRECIATE YOU ALL LISTENING. I APPRECIATE NOT TO LEAVE YOU OUT, YOU'RE A BIG PART OF THIS TOO, I APPRECIATE HOW WE'VE GOT HERE, LISTENED AS A CHAMBER AND WE'VE GOTTEN HERE SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS BILL TODAY, DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT SOUND LIKE I DON'T AND I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT IT AS WELL. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR SIMON. >>Sen. Simon: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. FIRST AND FOREMOST THANK YOU SENATOR GAETZ FOR THIS GREAT BILL. WHEN WE PASSED THE UNIVERSAL SCHOOL CHOICE BILL I SAT ON THE PANEL DISCUSSION SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND THE QUESTION WAS AFTER EVERYTHING WE DID TO LEAD THE NATION ON PARENTAL SCHOOL CHOICE, WHAT INFORMATION OR HOW WOULD YOU PROVIDE GUIDANCE GOING FORWARD TO OTHER STATES THERE WERE OTHER STATES SITTING ON THE PANEL WITH ME. ONE OF THE THINGS I SAID WAS I'M TREMENDOUSLY PROUD OF THE WORK WE'RE DOING GIVING EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM TO CHILDREN BECAUSE THAT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING IN FLORIDA AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING BUT THE DRAWBACK IS AS I SAID WAS WE NEED A LONGER RUNWAY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ABLE TO CROSS OUR T'S AND DOT ALL OF OUR I'S TO FIX THE ISSUES COMING DOWN THE ROAD. BUT WE ARE HERE TODAY AND THAT'S A GREAT THING. BECAUSE WHAT WE'VE NOW DONE IS WE'RE GOING TO PRESERVE THIS RIGHT FOR OUR CHILDREN FOR GENERATIONS TO COME THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT. THAT'S WHY WE RAN THE BILL BECAUSE WE SAW FAMILIES THAT WERE PUSHED DOWN INTO SCHOOLS IN DISTRICTS THAT DIDN'T MEET THEIR NEEDS. THAT DOESN'T MEAN EVERYONE OF THEM WERE BAD SCHOOLS OR BAD DISTRICTS, IT JUST DIDN'T MEET THE NEEDS OF THE CHILD AND THAT'S WHAT OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS I SAW IT COMING INTO THIS BODY WAS, TO MEET THE NEEDS OF EVERY CHILD IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THAT'S WHAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO BUT IT'S ALMOST LIKE TRYING TO PUT A 2005 BODY ON A 1975 CHASSIS. AND IT DIDN'T WORK. IT DIDN'T FIT EXACTLY. SO NOW WE ARE HAVING TO GO BACK AND ADJUST THAT CHASSIS SO THAT THIS FITS AND I THINK WITH ALL THE HARD WORK YOU'VE DONE, OUR TREMENDOUS STAFF HAS PUT IN, WE ARE FINALLY PRESENTING AN OPTION THAT FITS FOR OUR KIDS. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT BILL AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING IT. >>Pres. Albritton: FURTHER DEBATE AND BY THE WAY SENATOR SIMON WHAT I'VE LEARNED AS A FARMER IS YOU CAN FIX ALMOST ANYTHING WITH A WELDER AND A CUTTING TORCH SO YOU CAN MAKE THAT 1975 CHASSIS. SENATOR GAETZ YOU ARE RECOGNIZED TO CLOSE. >>Sen. Gaetz: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. THIS IS NOT MY BILL. THIS IS A BILL MANY OF US HAVE HAD AUTHORSHIP OF. AS A NUMBER OF SENATORS HAVE SAID YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS, CRITICISMS, SUGGESTIONS, THE NOTES YOU SENT TO US TO LET US KNOW HOW TO MAKE THE BILL BETTER HAVE BEEN TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT AND LISTENED TO AND I AM HOPEFUL THE BILL AS IT STANDS WILL THEREFORE MEET YOUR APPROVAL. WE ALSO HAD MANY AUTHORS FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS, PRIVATE SCHOOL OPERATORS, PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS, FAMILIES WHO HOMESCHOOLED THEIR CHILDREN ALL PUT IN TIME TO HELP US THROUGH COMMITTEE HEARINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS AND MEETINGS TO HELP US MAKE THIS A BILL WE FEEL WE COULD BRING TO THE FLOOR TODAY. FAR FROM A PERFECT BILL BUT A BILL WE THOUGHT WE COULD BRING TO THE FLOOR. THIS BILL IS COSPONSORED BY SENATOR SIMON AND SENATOR BURGESS. AS TEARS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE BILL AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE DEALING WITH K-12 EDUCATION AND I'M PROUD OF THAT AND I APPRECIATE SENATOR BURGESS ALLOWING ME TO WORK ON THIS BILL AS A MEMBER OF THIS COMMITTEE BUT I ALSO AM GRATEFUL TO SENATOR ROUSON AND OSGOOD FOR MAKING THIS A BIPARTISAN BILL, IT'S NOT A MAJORITY BILL OR MINORITY BILL, IT'S A BILL THAT APPARENTLY HAD SUPPORT ACROSS THE CHAMBER AND THEN WITH THE ADDITION OF OUR OTHER COSPONSOR, SENATOR PIZZO WE ARE MAKING HISTORY WITH THE FIRST TRI PARTISAN BILL ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE. SENATOR PIZZO TOOK EXCEPTION TO THAT AND HE TOLD ME HE'S NOT A PARTY. WHICH MANY OF US WOULD PROBABLY AGREE WITH. BUT NONETHELESS HE IS A COSPONSOR AND HE'S HELPED US WITH THE BILL. WE APPRECIATE THE FACT WE HAVE STRETCHED THE SUPPORT OF THIS BILL TO ALL POLITICAL REACHES OF THE CHAMBER AND FINALLY MR. PRESIDENT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO WORK WITH YOUR OUTSTANDING STAFF, TIM AND THE REST OF THE EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS STAFF, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO CAN DO ANYTHING, RESOLVE ANY PROBLEM AND YOU NEVER EVER GIVE UP. DEALING WITH EDUCATION FINANCE I THINK IS LIKE PAINTING A BATTLESHIP. IT'S NEVER QUITE FINISHED AND AS SOMEONE HAS POINTED OUT WE WILL PROBABLY BE BACK TO DOING MORE TOUCHUP AS WE GO ALONG BUT AS WE DO IT WILL BE IN THE SPIRIT SENATOR SIMON HAS INDICATED AND SENATOR BURGESS HAS INDICATED AND THAT IS THAT WE HAVE A GOOD IDEA. WE HAVE A HISTORIC LANDMARK IDEA AND WE WANT TO JUST KEEP MAKING BETTER SCHOOLS. THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: SENATOR GAETZ HAVING CLOSED SECRETARY WILL UNLOCK THE BOARD AND SENATORS WILL PROCEED TO VOTE. HAVE ALL SENATORS VOTED? PLEASE LOCK THE BOARD AND RECORD THE VOTE. >> 38 YEA, ZERO NAY MR. PRESIDENT. >>Pres. Albritton: CONGRATULATIONS, SHOW THE BILL PASSES. SENATOR OF THE 20TH DISTRICT CHAIR PASSIDOMO YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >>Sen. Passidomo: I MOVE THE RULES BE WAIVED AND SB 250 MCS FOR SB 318 BE IMMEDIATELY CERTIFIED TO THE HOUSE. >>Pres. Albritton: WITHOUT OBJECTION SHOW THE MOTION ADOPTED. BEFORE I RECOGNIZE THE RULES CHAIR FOR ANOTHER MOTION ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS, SENATOR BERNARD YOU HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT. >>Sen. Bernard: THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT. SENATOR HARRELL, LEADER BERMAN AND SENATOR POLSKY AND I REPRESENT PALM BEACH COUNTY AND THEY'VE INVADED THE CAPITAL. AND SO THEY'VE BEEN MEETING THROUGHOUT THE CAPITAL TODAY. WE ARE PROUD TO WELCOME PALM BEACH COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BUSINESS LEADERS, LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO CELEBRATE PALM BEACH COUNTY DAY AT THE CAPITAL. TODAY ON THE EAST SIDE WE HAD MAYOR SARAH BAXTER, VICE-MAYOR MARCY WOODWARD, MARIA MORENO, GREG WEISS IS STILL HERE, JOEL FLOREZ, MARIA SACHS, OUR NEW COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FORMER SENATOR JOE ABRUZZO AND ALL THE FORMER BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AT THE CAPITAL SO I'M GOING TO WELCOME THEM TO THE CAPITAL. >>Pres. Albritton: WELCOME TO THE FLORIDA SENATE. ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? OKAY, SEEING NONE SENATORS IF I COULD HAVE YOUR ATTENTION QUICKLY, THIS IS IMPORTANT. WE WILL BE TAKING OUR GROUP PHOTOGRAPH HERE IN THE CHAMBER NEXT THURSDAY AT 9:00 A.M.. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE BE ON TIME. THAT WOULD BE GREAT. MADAME RULES CHAIR YOU ARE RECOGNIZED. >>Sen. Passidomo: I MOVE THE SENATE ADJOURN UNTIL 9:00 A.M. THURSDAY, JANUARY 22 OR UPON CALL OF THE PRESIDENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOLDING COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND CONDUCTING OTHER SENATE BUSINESS. >>Pres. Albritton: WITHOUT OBJECTION THE SENATE IS NOW ADJOURNED FOR THE DAY.