G O V E R N M E N T A L   R E L A T I O N S

LegisLetter

Volume 6, Number 9

April 25, 1997



At the conclusion of the eighth week of the session, the focus is still on the budget. The Conferees worked last weekend to hammer out the differences between the House and Senate spending plans. They had miles of ground to cover, and very little time to do it. On Monday, the Chairmen of the full appropriations committees, Senator Don Sullivan and Representative Rudy Garcia, had to intervene.

Legislators and staff took a mid-week break on Tuesday, to observe Passover. On Thursday, many of the SUS issues had been resolved, but the budget was "bumped-up" to the Speaker and Senate President, to work out the remaining issues. The Legislators are hoping to have a final budget bill, the only thing they are constitutionally required to pass this session, by Tuesday at the latest. Florida law requires a 72-hour cooling off period, to allow legislators, the public, and press time to review the budget document before a final vote is taken. Because of this requirement, it is difficult to predict if this session will end one day early, two days late or right on time.

With only one frenzied week left in the session, our substantive legislation is still working its way through the process (see spotlight on bills.)

As always, I appreciate your comments, questions and concerns. Please feel free to contact me at 644-4453 or by e-mail kdaly@govrel.fsu.edu.

Kathleen Daly



SESSION SCHEDULE

April 28-May 2, 1997


HOUSE

The House schedule is not available.


SENATE

Monday, April 28
10:00am-12:00pm
2:00pm-6:00pm

Tuesdayu, April 29
9:30am-12;00pm
2:00pm-6:00pm

Wednesday, April 30
9:30am-12:00pm
2:00pm-6:00pm

Thursday, May 1
9:30am-12:00pm
2:00pm-6:00pm

Friday, May 2
9:30am-12:00pm
2:00pm-Sine Die


BUDGET UPDATE

Legislators continue to work out the final issues of the 1997-98 appropriations act. While nothing has been distributed in writing, most of the SUS issues have been resolved. Of course, until the budget is printed and we can see it in writing, nothing is final. A preliminary list of the major issues includes:


TUITION

A 7.8 percent increase for lower and upper level students, a 12.8 percent increase for graduate and professional students and a 12.8 percent increase for out-of-state students appears to have approval. The approximately $30 million raised will be spent: 10 percent for technology, 45 percent for need-based aid and 45 percent to president's discretion. All tuition raised on campus will stay on campus.


LIBRARY RESOURCES
$ 5.4 Million.


ENROLLMENT

Conferees settled on the House position, which includes research, public service and instruction in its enrollment calculations. The Senate had proposed calculating the formula using only the instruction component.


SPOTLIGHT ON BILLS

Management Efficiency Update

House Bill 755 by Representatives Lee Constantine and Marjorie Turnbull provides for several substantial policy shifts toward deregulating the State University System from other state agencies control. HB 755 has been placed on the special order calendar and will be heard on Monday, April 28th, on the House Floor. The Senate Companion Bill, SB 1414 by Senator John Dyer, was combined with SB 228 by Senator George Kirkpatrick during a Senate Ways and Means Committee meeting on Wednesday.

  • Amends 240.209(3)(p), providing that the Board of Regents may secure, or provide as a
    self-insurer pursuant to s. 440.38(6), workers' compensation insurance for contractors or
    subcontractors employed by or on behalf of the BOR or state university.

  • Amends 240.209(3)(q), to ensure compliance of BOR with s. 287.055 (acquisition of
    professional architectural, engineering, landscape architectural, or surveying and mapping
    services).

  • Creates s. 240.209(3)(u), providing for a program of multi-year appointments whereby
    universities are authorized to appoint employees, including ranked faculty, for a fixed term
    of employment.

  • Amends 240.2111(a)(1), deleting the requirement that the employee recognition program
    be adopted by rule.

  • Creates new language in 240.227 to provide for communication between the presidents,
    the Regents, and the Chancellor; amending (11) regarding the personnel exchange program;
    amending (21) regarding the review and approval of the BOR regarding reorganization;
    creating (25) to give presidents the authority to approve and execute general construction
    contracts.

  • Creates 240.241(16) to state that 216.346 does not apply to subcontracts between state
    universities.

  • Amends 240.2605 (Trust Fund for Major Gifts) to delete BOR rulemaking authority and to
    authorize the BOR Foundation to participate in the major gifts program.

  • Amends 240.274 to delete the BOR rulemaking authority regarding public documents
    distributed to university libraries.

  • Amends 240.2803 to revise the funds included within the definition of auxiliary
    enterprises.

  • Amends 240.281 to revise the authority for an institution to deposit certain funds
    outside the state treasury.

  • Amends s. 287.017 (2)(a)(b)(c) to make minor changes in the language.

  • Repeals sections 15 and 16 of chapter 94-232, Laws of Florida.

    Amendments conforming the Senate Bill to the preferred House Bill may be offered next week.



    Administrative Procedure Act (APA) Glitch Bill

    The APA Glitch Bill, Senate Bill 1066 by Senator Charles Williams (FSU Alumnus), unanimously passed the Senate and is on its way to the House. The bill has been limited to true "glitches" in the Administrative Procedure Act and legislators have resisted agency requests to create exceptions to the 1996 re-write of the Administrative Procedure Act. There is a similar bill in the House, House Bill 1905 by Representative Rob Wallace has been placed on the House calendar.



    Jobs for Florida Graduates Program

    The House Committee on Education Innovation is sponsoring House Bill 1901 which creates a school-to-work program known as Jobs for Florida's Graduates. The bill encourages public and private support to enhance students' transition from school to work. An endowment fund is created and annual audits, assessment and reports must be complied. HB 1901 was heard on the House Floor for a second time this week.


    BILLS OF INTEREST-UPDATE

    CS/SB 1704 (Senator John Grant's Student Fees)
    4/01 passed by Education, now in Senate Ways and Means

    HB 1873 (House Community Colleges and Universities Committee,
    DOE Student Financial Aid Database)

    3/13 introduced as PCB CU 97-03, 4/23 read for second time on House Floor,
    amendments adopted

    CS/SB 112 (Senator George Kirkpatrick, Grants for Economically Disadvantaged)
    3/18 passed Education committee favorably, 4/24 withdrawn from Ways and Means

    CS/CS/SB 858 (Senator Don Sullivan, Educational Enhancement Scholarships)
    4/16 passed Senate Ways and Means, now on Senate Floor for a third reading


    Florida State University
    Governmental Relations
    Kathleen Daly, Director
    110 Westcott Building
    Tallahassee, FL 32306