Work Plan Florida 2015
Senate President Andy Gardiner and House Speaker Steve Crisafulli announced joint priorities for the 2015 Legislative Session including: tax relief, developing a sustainable water and natural resources policy, expanding education and employment options for people with disabilities, promoting adoptions and increasing the state’s investment while strengthening the accountability of Florida’s K-12 and higher education systems.
The 5-point "Work Plan 2015" joint agenda included the following:
1. Tax Relief
The Senate passed House Bill 33-A on June 15, 2015. House Bill 33-A was signed by the Governor on June 16, 2015.2. Economic Independence for People with Unique Abilities
The Senate unanimously passed Senate Bills 602, 642, 644, 646, and 7022 on April 1, 2015.Senate Bills 642, 644, and 646 were passed by the Florida House on April 24, 2015, and signed by the Governor on May 21, 2015.
Senate Bills 602, 7022, and 7030 died in the Florida House during the 2015 Regular Session. Funding related to several policy enhancements within Senate Bills 602, 7022, and 7030 was included in Senate Bill 2500-A, the 2015-16 General Appropriations Act, which passed the Senate and House on June 19, 2015, and was signed by the Governor on June 23, 2015. Within Senate Bill 2500-A, the Governor vetoed funding to create the Florida Postsecondary Comprehensive Transition Program for people with unique abilities (content of Senate Bill 7030) as well as funding to launch the Unique Abilities Partner Program in the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (a portion of SB 7022). For more information, please visit the Senate webpage on the Pathway to Economic Independence for People with Unique Abilities.
Legislative Progress
- President Gardiner Responds to Governor Scott Vetoing Key Funding for Vulnerable Floridians - 6/23/2015
- Senate Improves Pathway to Economic Independence for People with Unique Abilities - 6/19/2015
- Florida Senate Reaffirms Commitment to People with Unique Abilities - 4/29/2015
- Senate Passes Legislation to Establish Pathway to Economic Independence for People with Unique Abilities - 4/1/2015
- Senate Appropriations Committee Passes the Florida Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act - 3/25/2015
- Expansion of Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Passes Senate Appropriations Committee - 3/25/2015
- Senate Committee Passes Legislation to Promote Economic Independence of Individuals with Disabilities - 3/19/2015
- Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Key Legislation - 03/18/2015
- Recognition Program for Businesses that Employ People with Unique Abilities Passes First Committee - 3/10/2015
- Senate Committees Advance Key Legislation to Establish Pathway to Independence for People with Unique Abilities - 3/4/2015
- Senate Committee Advances Financial Literacy Program for Individuals with Disabilities - 2/18/2015
- Expansion of Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts Passes First Senate Committee - 2/18/2015
- Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Passes the Florida Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act - 2/17/2015
- Senate Higher Education Committee Passes Legislation to Expand Postsecondary Options for People with Unique Abilities - 2/16/2015
- Senate Committee Passes Legislation to Promote State Employment Options for People with Unique Abilities - 02/03/2015
3. Statewide Strategy for Water and Natural Resources
The Senate passed Senate Bills 576, 578, 580, 582, and 584 on April 1, 2015. The legislation was re-filed for Special Session A and Senate Bills 2514-A, 2516-A, 2520-A and 2522-A were passed by both the Senate and House as conforming legislation for the 2015-16 General Appropriations Act and signed by the Governor on June 23, 2015.The Senate passed House Bill 7003 on April 29, 2015. House Bill 7003 died in the Florida House during the 2015 Regular Session.
Legislative Progress
- President Gardiner and Speaker Crisafulli Issue Joint Statements on Passage of General Appropriations Act - 6/19/2015
- Senate Unanimously Passes Balanced Budget Focused on Education, Health Care, Tax Relief, Reserves - 6/19/2015
- Balanced Budget Prioritizes Education, Health Care, Tax Relief and Reserves - 6/16/2015
- Senate Approves Statewide Water and Natural Resources Policy - 3/29/2015
- Statement by President Gardiner on Statewide Water and Natural Resources Policy - 3/24/2015
- Senate Appropriations Committee Advances Key Legislation - 3/18/2015
- Transparent Foundation for Implementation of Amendment 1 Passes Senate Committee - 2/18/2015
- Legislation to Establish Policy for Amendment 1 Implementation (pdf) - 2/13/2015
- Legislation to Implement Amendment 1 (PDF) - 01/31/2015
4. Promote Adoptions and Support Forever Families
The Senate passed House Bill 7013 on April 14, 2015. The legislation was signed by the Governor on June 11, 2015.Legislative Progress
5. Increase Investment and Accountability in Education
The Senate passed House Bill 7069 on April 2, 2015. The Legislation was signed by Governor Scott on April 14, 2015. The Senate and House passed Senate Bill 2500-A, the 2015-16 General Appropriations Act, on June 19, 2015. The General Appropriations Act was signed by the Governor on June 23, 2015.Legislative Progress
- President Gardiner and Speaker Crisafulli Issue Joint Statements on Passage of General Appropriations Act - 6/19/2015
- Senate Unanimously Passes Balanced Budget Focused on Education, Health Care, Tax Relief, Reserves - 6/19/2015
- Balanced Budget Prioritizes Education, Health Care, Tax Relief and Reserves - 6/16/2015
- Senate Passes Legislation to Reduce Testing and Improve Florida's Strong Education Accountability System - 4/2/2015
- Senate Budget Offers Innovative Health Care Solutions, Unprecedented Investment In Education - 3/20/2015
- Senate Committee Passes Legislation to Reduce Testing, Preserve Accountability - 3/19/2015