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Faculty Association

February 3, 2000


Information Item #3:
2000 Legislation Tracking Chart
from Janet Owen
line

Updated: 1/4/00

Bill Number & Sponsor Bill Summary/Statute Affected/Effective Date University/SUS Impact Action/

Watch

HOUSE BILLS

 
HB 1



Bitner

Unemployment/Employers' Tax Rates; directs Unemployment Compensation Div. of LES Dept. to reduce employers' tax rates for year 2001; provides exceptions; provides reduced initial tax rate for certain employers for year 2001.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

  Watch
HJR 7



Smith

Discrimination Remedy; constitutional amendment to authorize state, or any county, municipality, district, public college or university, or other political subdivision or governmental instrumentality of or within state, to initiate action to remedy discrimination by means of specific group-based preferences or numerical goals & specific timetables for achieving those goals, etc. Creates s. 26, Art. I.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Joint resolution creates Section 26 of Article I of the State Constitution which allows public entities to remedy discrimination. Allows preference goals. Watch
HB 29



Stafford; Rayson; Bloom

Domestic Partnerships; provides for establishment of domestic partnerships, for filing of forms with Secretary of State, & procedures for terminating said partnership; provides legal effect of such partnerships; requires group health care service plans & group disability insurance policies that provide certain hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for employees or subscribers to provide benefits to such person's domestic partner & other specified persons, etc.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Sets criteria for registration/filing and for termination of the partnership.

Provides group health care benefits as a dependent of an enrolled employee.

Watch
HB 83



Harrington; Bitner



Identical

SB 116

Education Employees/Leave; provides for payment into pretax annuities for accumulated sick leave to certain employees of district school systems; limits amount of pay certain employees of said systems may receive for unused sick leave upon termination of employment; provides for community college district boards of trustees to adopt rules allowing payment for unused sick leave into pretax retirement accounts, etc.

Amends 231.40,.481, 240.343.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

We are watching this district school board bill to determine interest. Bill allows payment of an employee's accumulated yearly sick leave into an approved pretax retirement account. Amount paid may not exceed 80% of accumulated sick leave multiplied by the employee's daily rate of pay for the time the sick leave was accumulated. Watch
HB 87



Fasano

Workers' Compensation; revises provisions regarding special requirements for compensability under Workers' Comp. Law to provide that certain injuries suffered by specified law enforcement officers shall be deemed to be injuries arising out of & in course of employment. Amends 440.092.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

  Watch
HB 99



Fiorentino; Fasano

Average Final Compensation/FRS; revises definition of term "average final compensation"; revises method of calculating average final compensation; upgrades service credit for certain years for special risk members; provides for declaration of important state interest. Amends 121.021,.091.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Contingent.

09/17/99 HOUSE Referred to Governmental Operations (PRC); Finance & Taxation (FRC); General Appropriations (FRC)

09/28/99 HOUSE Withdrawn from Governmental Operations (PRC); Finance & Taxation (FRC); General Appropriations (FRC); Withdrawn prior to introduction

Changes from highest 5 to highest 3 years.

Special risk members who retire after 7/1/2000, receive 3% of their average final compensation for all creditable years of service between 9/30/78 and 1/1/93.

Watch
HB 101



Sanderson

Optional Retirement Program/FRS; provides for optional retirement program for all members of Florida Retirement System; amends provisions to conform to act. Creates 121.355; Amends 112.363, 121.081.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

Bill will effect the ORP by giving employees an additional option. Employees will have three choices: ORP, Optional Annuity Program or FRS.

For new employees, default to FRS if optional program is not elected in 90 days. For current employees as of 7/1/2001, may elect in lieu of FRS, in writing, before June 1 of yr. preceding FY which election is made. If no election is made, employee retains FRS.

Watch
HB 125



Tullis

Release of Employee Information; provides duties of current & former employers regarding background investigation of applicant for employment or appointment as full-time, part-time, or auxiliary law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer; requires submission of authorization to release information form & provides requirements regarding thereto; provides penalty for noncompliance.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

Agree with concept since university law enforcement officers would have access to a more complete background check for prospective employees.

Bill requires employers to provide complete employment records for applicants.

Similar bill did not pass 1999 Session.

Watch
HB 127



Fiorentino



Compare

SB 94

Disability Retirement/Special Risk; increases disability retirement benefit for members of special risk class. Amends 121.091.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/01/2001.

Passage of bill would increase payout of benefits to SUS law enforcement officers. The effect on the state's retirement plan appears to be minimal.

At retirement, sets disability benefit at 65% of average monthly compensation.

Similar bill did not pass 1999 Session.

Watch
HB 147



Effman; Wasserman Schultz Identical

S 0076

Health Insurance/Contraceptive Drugs; creates "Equity in Prescription Insurance & Contraceptive Coverage Act"; requires certain health insurance policies & health maintenance contracts to provide coverage for prescription oral contraceptives; applies certain requirements for group coverage re prescription oral contraceptives to small employer carriers issuing health benefit plans, etc. Creates 627.64061,.65741; Amends 627.6515,.6699, 641.31.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2000.

DSGI has not determined the potential cost if bill is passed. Watch
H 173 Levine Traveling Expenses/Public Business; increases amount allowed for meals for public officers' & employees while traveling on public business; reenacts certain provision regarding reporting of gifts. Amends 112.061;reenacts 112.3148.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Support this bill. Changes Class C travel: breakfast from $3 to $6, lunch from $6 to $9, dinner from $12 to $15 while traveling on public business. Action



Analy. to Govt. Affairs



Look at old analys and CAFA reports

HB 181



Arnall; Feeney

Ethics/Financial Disclosure; requires former officers & employees to file final disclosure of financial interests no later than 60 days following departure, with certain exceptions; redefines terms "local officer" & "state officer" to include certain elected individuals who have not officially assumed responsibilities of office; specifies that certain financial disclosure statements are public records; redefines term "reporting individual", etc. Amends 112.3144-.3148.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

  Watch
H 191



Fiorentino; Fasano;



Compare

HB 99

FRS - Average Final Compensation/FRS; revises definition of term "average final compensation" regarding members of special risk class; revises method of calculating average final compensation; upgrades service credit for certain years for special risk members; provides for declaration of important state interest. Amends 121.021,.091.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Contingent.

Agree with concept of the bill. Bill will have a fiscal impact on FRS employers.

Reduces AFC from 5 to 3 highest years of compensation for special risk.

Watch
HB 195



Suarez

Drug-free Workplaces; requires certain contractors to implement drug-free workplace program under certain circumstances.

Amends 440.102.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2000.

Applies only to state construction contracts as currently written. Watch
HB 197



Greenstein

Govt. Products & Services/Internet; provides for governmental products & services to be made available on Internet under certain circumstances; directs state system of public education to make reasonable progress towards making certain products available on Internet; provides for responsibilities of DMS regarding information technology; provides for state agency information technology plans; provides for audits, etc.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

For interest only. Watch
HB 201



Valdes

Government Efficiency/DMS; directs DMS to work with executive agencies to reduce layers of management in agencies & to increase agency-wide supervisor-to-employee ratios; provides for reports; requires notification; directs department to simplify state's job classification system; provides for reports. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000. Bill does not effect SUS as currently written. Watch
HB 235



Lawson

FRS/Vested After 5 Years; provides that members in FRS shall be vested after 5 years of creditable service. Amends 121.021,.052.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Agree with concept of the bill. Bill will have a fiscal impact on FRS employers.

Reflects private practice employers.

Reduces regular class from 10 to 5 yrs; special risk from 10 to 5yrs; SMS from 7 to 5yrs; Elected Officers from 8 to 5 yrs.

Watch
HB 275



Effman

FRS/Wartime Veterans/Service Credit; directs director of Retirement Division to permit wartime veterans employed in system to claim certain military service as additional years of employment for retirement purposes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

Allows for purchase of military service by wartime veterans if employed on or after 1/1/87.

Appears that the bill would have a minor impact on FRS.

Watch
H 295



Brummer

Candidates for Public Office; eliminates requirement that a subordinate officer, deputy sheriff, or police officer who is seeking public office & who is not required to resign to run for that office must, upon qualifying, take a leave of absence without pay during period of that candidacy. Amends 99.012.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

As currently written, does not have an impact on SUS.

Watch for any change.

Watch
H 303



Andrews



Identical

S 0372

Investment of Public Funds; requires that investment of assets of any local retirement system or plan be consistent with written investment policy; requires that such policies list authorized investments & prohibits investments not so listed; revises requirements re local governments' investment policies; revises funds to which written investment policies apply & revises requirements re bids, internal controls, & reporting, etc. Amends FS. EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2000.   Watch
H 347



Hill

Collective Bargaining; revises procedures for resolving certain impasses; provides duties of parties; requires special master to hold public hearings under certain circumstances; requires legislative body to hold public hearing under certain circumstances; provides duties of Public Employees Relations Commission. Amends 447.403.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2000.

We oppose this bill.

Bill takes legislature out of impasse proceedings and places binding decision with Special Master. Fiscal impact for SUS could result and financial emergency may need to be called if a fiscal resolution by special master is significant.

More extensive process required.

Identical bill did not pass 1999 Session.

Action



Analy. To Govt. Affairs

H 357



Sublette Identical

S 0006

Health Insurance Policies; authorizes insurer to issue certain health insurance policies or certificates which do not include specified provisions; provides that mandated health benefits may be excluded from any such policy or certificate; defines term "mandated health benefit"; requires that policy or certificate issued under act include specified notice.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

  Watch
H 359



Trovillion Identical

S 0128

Law Enf. & Correctional Officers; revises qualifications for employment or appointment as law enforcement officer or correctional officer. Amends 943.13.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Bill will impact law enforcement job classes and recruitment for positions.

Requires an associate degree or its equivalent as minimum qualifications for appointment after 10/1/05.

Watch
H 407

J. Miller



Identical

S 0206

Toll Exemptions/Official Business; exempts certain vehicles on official business from payment of tolls on toll facilities. Amends 338.155.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Adds law enforcement officers and drivers of fire vehicles to exemption of tolls in emergency situations. Watch
431

Community Affairs



Similar

S 0198

Emergency Management; requires submission of capital improvements program; revises provisions re appointment, salary, & direction & control of county emergency management agency director; revises legislative intent; revises provisions which provide exemption from liability for persons or organizations who permit real estate or premises to be used for sheltering persons during specified emergencies, etc. Amends Ch. 252, 240.295; repeals 252.855.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

BOR shall submit to Governor and Legislature a 5-year capital improvements program identifying facilities that can be used as evacuation shelters. Watch
HB 495



Hill

Fair Pay Act of 2000; creates said act; provides additional duty of Florida Commission on Human Relations; clarifies language rediscrimination against individuals in compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment which constitutes unlawful employment practice; provides for specified wage disclosure, recordkeeping, & reporting requirements; provides for relief & damages for violation of requirements, etc. Amends Ch. 760.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming

Bill revises various provisions within the Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 and makes changes to the Florida Commission on Human Relations' guidelines.

Similar bill filed each year.

Watch

H 549

Boyd

Comprehensive Indemnity Dental Plan; requires provision of comprehensive indemnity dental plan providing unrestricted enrollee access to dentists. Amends 110.123.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

Bill appears to be a reaction to DSGI's action during past year concerning limitations of dental providers. Watch
H 623



Spratt



Identical

S 0414

Local Govts./State Group Health Ins.; authorizes specified local entities to contract for participation in state group health insurance & prescription drug programs. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000. Call DSGI for their opinion as to good, bad or indifferent. Watch
H 635



Pruitt

FRS/Average Final Compensation; redefines term "average final compensation"; revises term as applied to municipal, county, & fire control district firefighters. Amends 121.021. EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law. Reduces AFC from 5 to 3 years for firefighters. Watch
H 637



Turnbull

Unemployment Comp./Domestic Violence; provides that being victim of domestic violence which results in separation from work constitutes "good cause" for purposes of eligibility for unemployment compensation.

Amends 443.101. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

  Watch
H 649



Gay



Compare H 0651

FRS & Fla. Millennium Retirement; provides for preservation of rights of members of FRS re Fla. Millennium Retirement System; redefines terms "system" & "member"; provides for compulsory participation in said millennium system after certain date; provides for election to terminate participation in FRS to participate & in said millennium system & for transfer of lump sum payments to qualified participants' accounts, etc.

Amends Ch. 121.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law except as otherwise provided.

This bill sells the future liability of the FRS to the private insurance marketplace in the form of purchased annuities. This places the benefits of FRS retirees only as secure as the insurance companies who underwrite them. Bill does not contain language that the state will underwrite loss of benefits. Watch
H 651



Gay



Compare H 0649

Florida's Future Trust Fund/DMS; creates said trust fund, to be administered by Management Services Dept.; provides for sources of moneys & purposes; provides for future review & termination or re-creation of trust fund. EFFECTIVE DATE: Contingent.   Watch
H 653



Wilson

Identical

S 0096

Law Enforcement Officer/Traffic Stop; requires law enforcement officer who performs traffic stop to inform driver of motor vehicle reason for traffic stop. EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.   Watch
SENATE BILLS
SB 74

Sebesta

Industrial Partnership Professorship; establishes industrial partnership professorships as classification of instructional personnel within State University System; provides that such professorships shall be established by contract; provides for contribution by sponsoring corporations; provides for credit against corporate income tax for contributions made by corporation sponsoring industrial partnership professorship, etc. Creates 220.192, 240.6065; amends 220.02.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.



09/23/99 SENATE Referred to Education; Fiscal Resource

Bill sets up a separate job classification for public/private partnerships and sets specific employment contract criteria. We do not support the specificity in this bill or a stand-alone section that creates a new job class. We agree with the concept and are working to amend the bill by removing OHR-related specificity. Action







Anal. To Govt. Affairs



Get in last year's form.

S 76 Kurth;



Identical H 0147

Health Insurance/Contraceptive Drugs; creates "Equity in Prescription Insurance & Contraceptive Coverage Act"; requires certain health insurance policies & health maintenance contracts to provide coverage for prescription oral contraceptives; applies certain requirements for group coverage re prescription oral contraceptives to small employer carriers issuing health benefit plans, etc. Creates 627.64061,.65741; amends 627.6515,.6699, 641.31.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2000.

Bill has the potential to increase employee costs for health insurance over time. No projected costing by DSGI.

Bill has been proposed for several years without success.

Watch
SB 94



Brown-Waite



Compare

HB 127

Disability Retirement/Special Risk; increases disability retirement benefit for members of special risk class; provides for contribution-rate increases to fund this act; directs Statutory Revision Div. to adjust contribution rates set forth in s. 121.071, F.S.; declares that this act fulfills important state interest. Amends 121.091.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/01/2001 except as otherwise provided.

Appears to have only a minor effect on FRS.

Increases the disability retirement benefit for special risk members from 41% to 65% of avg. monthly compensation. Contribution rates would increase by 0.13% to fund benefits.

Watch
SB 108



Gutman

Workers' Compensation; deletes provision that medically necessary treatment does not include chiropractic services; extends time for payment of benefits for temporary total disability; increases percentage of employee's salary for purposes of impairment income benefits; prescribes schedule for payment of benefits; increases time for payment of temporary partial disability benefits; provides applicability, etc. Amends 440.13,.15,.191,.192; repeals 440.25 (4)(j).

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.



09/23/99 SENATE Referred to Banking and Insurance; Fiscal Policy

  Watch
SB 116



McKay



Identical

HB 83

Education Employees/Leave; provides for payment into pretax annuities for accumulated sick leave to certain employees of district school systems; limits amount of pay certain employees of said systems may receive for unused sick leave upon termination of employment; provides for community college district boards of trustees to adopt rules allowing payment for unused sick leave into pretax retirement accounts, etc. Amends 231.40,.481, 240.343.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

We are watching this district school board bill to determine interest. Bill allows payment of an employee's accumulated yearly sick leave into an approved pretax retirement account. Amount paid may not exceed 80% of accumulated sick leave multiplied by the employee's daily rate of pay for the time the sick leave was accumulated. Watch
S198 Comprehensive Planning, Local and Military Affairs



Similar H 0431

Emergency Management; prescribes duties of Board of Regents regarding identifying public hurricane evacuation shelter space on certain campuses; requires submission of capital improvements program; revises condition precedent to requirement for specified building construction standards; requires DMS to incorporate public hurricane evacuation shelter provisions into lease agreements for state agencies, etc. Amends 240.295, 252.373,.385,.51. APPROPRIATION: $5,200,000.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

BOR shall submit to Governor and Legislature a 5-year capital improvements program identifying facilities that can be used as evacuation shelters. Watch
S 206 Clary



Identical H 0407

Toll Exemptions/Official Business; exempts certain vehicles on official business from payment of tolls on toll facilities. Amends 338.155.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Adds law enforcement officers and drivers of fire vehicles to exemption of tolls in emergency situations. Watch
SB 210



Govt. Oversight and Producti-vity

Additional Salary Deferral Program; authorizes creation of additional salary deferral program re deferred compensation; provides procedures for implementation by state & local governments. Amends 112.215.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Bill requires employer and employee contribution via shared percentage or fixed dollar.

Establishes an additional deferred contribution plan administered by the State Treasurer. Employer matching contributions to be determined yearly by Legislature. Plan is open to local governments.

Watch
SB 236



Dyer

Unemployment Comp./Base Period; provides definition & application of alternative base period; provides requirements & limitations. Amends 443.036.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/01/2000.

  Watch
S 260



McKay



Compare

H 0001

Unemployment/Employer's Tax Rates; amends s. 1, Ch. 97-29, Laws of Florida, as amended; extends for additional year temporary reduction in certain contribution rates for specified employers; extends for specified period temporary increase in maximum weekly & yearly benefit amounts for unemployment compensation benefits; specifies benefit years. Amends 443.111.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

  Watch
S 368 Ethics and Elections

Compare

H 0181

Ethics; extends prohibition against use of certain confidential public information to former officers, employees, & local govt. attorneys; requires former officers & employees to file final disclosure of financial interests no later than 60 days following departure, with certain exceptions; requires Ethics Commission to adopt rules & forms re filing amended full & public disclosure of financial interests, etc. Amends Chs. 112, 839, 914.21, 440.442. APPROPRIATION: $193,950.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 01/01/2001.

Imposes fine paid by employee for late filings of $25 for each day late up to $1500. Changes amounts required for

disclosure.

Watch
S 370



Health, Aging and Long-Term Care

Generic & Brand-Name Drug Formulary; requires Board of Medicine & Board of Pharmacy to provide recommendations & submit report to Legislature concerning formulary for generic & brand-name drugs; repeals provision which requires establishment of formulary of generic & brand-name drug products which are in equivalent. Repeals 465.025(6).

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

General bill not a DSGI bill. Bill requires recommendations related to use of generic/brand-name drugs. Unknown at this time on potential cost, or reduction of cost, to employees or employers. Watch
S 378



King



Similar

H 0125

Release of Employee Information; provides specified requirements of employers re background investigation of applicant for employment or appointment as full-time, part-time, or auxiliary law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer; provides requirements re authorization to release information.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

Agree with concept. University law enforcement officers would have access to more complete background information for prospective employees. Employers must release complete employment records of applicants to law enforcement officers who are conducting a background check of an applicant. Watch
S 414



Mitchell



Identical

H 623

State Group Health Insurance; authorizes specified local entities to contract for participation in state group health insurance & prescription drug programs.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Opens up state group health program to local governments and school boards via annual contract with DMS. Watch
S 686



Meek



Identical

H 0029

Domestic Partnerships; provides for establishment of domestic partnerships, for filing of forms with Secretary of State, & procedures for terminating said partnership; provides legal effect of such partnerships; requires group health care service plans & group disability insurance policies that provide certain hospital, medical, or surgical expense benefits for employees or subscribers to provide benefits to such person's domestic partner & other specified persons, etc.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Sets criteria for registration/filing and for termination of the partnership.

Provides group health care benefits as a dependent of an enrolled employee.

Watch
S 762



Kurth

HMO Contracts; provides that such contracts must give subscribers & their physicians right to make final decisions re subscribers' treatment. Amends 641.31.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

  Watch
S 788



Geller



Similar

H 0291,

S 0424, Compare S 0282

Managed Care Org. Accountability Act; creates "Managed Care Organization Accountability Act of 2000"; provides legislative intent & definitions; provides for responsibility to patients; provides duty to exercise ordinary care when making health care treatment decisions; provides for liability; provides certain defenses in actions against health insurance carrier, HMO, or managed care entity; provides severability.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

  Watch
S 812



Klein



Identical

H 0275

FRS/Wartime Veterans/Service Credit; directs director of Retirement Division to permit wartime veterans employed in system to claim certain military service as additional years of employment for retirement purposes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: Upon becoming law.

Appears to have only a minor impact on FRS.

Wartime veterans employed in FRS on or after 1/1/87 are allowed to purchase military service years.

Watch
S 820



Thomas

State Employees; requires DMS to contract with private vendor for tax-sheltered plan for state employees who are eligible for payment for accumulated sick leave or annual leave upon termination of employment; provides for review of proposed plans by State Board of Administration; provides for continuous departmental oversight; authorizes employees to withdraw such funds upon termination of employment, etc.

EFFECTIVE DATE: 07/01/2000.

Sets up a tax sheltered plan for payout of sick and annual leave upon termination; funded by employer contributions of payments for sick and annual leave; plan includes payout for employees in DROP.

Section 110, F.S. applies to all state entities.

Watch

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