Tallahassee. Report from

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1 1 of 5 Report from Tallahassee FSGA March 29, 2019 Week 4 of 2019 Legislative Session- March 25-29, 2019 FSGA Rallies in Tally FSGA stormed Tallahassee during our first annual RALLY IN TALLY on March 26. Fourteen advocates met with 22 legislators and staff on behalf of FSGA. Prior to the Rally, advocates came together at a dinner for a meet-and-greet, and prepared for the meetings with legislators. Pam Keller, Chair, Legislative Committee, recommended talking points and reviewed FSGA s platform and bills of concern. On the day of the Rally, we gathered in the Senate to meet with the Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs. He is very knowledgeable on guardian issues, and recommended that we FSGA advocates and Secretary Richard Prudom, Department of Elder Affairs should be engaged in conversations with the Governor s office. Senator Passidomo s Chief of Staff also joined us to hear from advocates and discuss possible legislation during 2020 Session. Following our meetings, Natalie Kelly grouped advocates based on assigned legislative appointments. Each group was organized to meet with at least 5 legislators. FSGA legislative platform was disseminated through our personal visits. After each meeting, advocates completed a REACTION SHEET. Rep Geller, sponsor of the Guardianship legislation, was very positive towards guardians and encouraged advocates to meet locally with legislators in their district offices during the interim. Senators Rader and Baxley were guardians for a family member, while Rep Polsky told us that she was a speaker at FSGA conference. Many legislators expressed interest in rewriting f.s. 754/755. Overall, FSGA was well received by lawmakers. FSGA did have an appointment with top staff for Governor DeSantis. Unfortunately, all of his afternoon appointments had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. FSGA has gained recognition and a place at the table through our day-to-day lobbying efforts and volunteer presence in Tallahassee. We are being requested to provide comments and opinions on legislation. And, we are in the midst of discussions on revising statute next Session. Special thanks to the FSGA advocates who traveled to Tallahassee for our Rally in Tally: Barbie Stone (Polk), Ginnette Sink (Orange), Traci Samuels, Carol Colombo, Dewynn and Keith Cox (Hillsborough), Pam Keller (Bradenton), Daniel Kruse (Lee), Cindy Kramer, Bambi Nikoluski- Williams, Beth Halprin (Broward), Elena George, Heather Hassandras, and Carlos McDonald (Miami Dade). All attendees did an exceptional job in representing FSGA. It is encouraging to have such passionate advocates; we are already discussing the next Rally in Tally, and meetings with legislators in their district offices during the interim.

2 2 of 5 Senator Berman (Palm Beach) meets with Heather Hassandras, Elena George, and Carlos McDonald Great meeting with Senator Darryl Rouson (Pinellas/ Hillsborough), Carol Colombo, Traci Samuels, Keith and Dewynn Cox. Senator Rouson is the champion of mental health and substance abuse in the Legislature Senator Baxley (Ocala) told Ginnette Sink and Barbie Stone that he is a guardian of a family member Two groups joined to meet with Senator Book s staff, Jeff Scala. Senator Book (Broward) is the Chair of Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee Rep Geller (Broward) discussed his guardianship bill with Traci Samuels, Cindy Kramer, Bambi Nikoluski-Williams, Carol Colombo, Dewynn and Keith Cox, and Beth Halprin Pam Keller and Dan Kruse met with freshman Representative Margaret Good (Sarasota).

3 3 of 5 Rep Cortez (Osceola) met with two groups of advocates. He was our very first appointment Leslie Swindle with Senator Wright (Volusia) sat down with with advocates. Senator Wright sits on the Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee Rep Hague represents The Villages and sits on targeted committees Rep Placencia, known as Coach P, met with Barbie and Ginnette. He represents parts of Orange County NOTE TO RALLY-IN-TALLY ADVOCATES: Please send additional photos of your meetings with legislators. They will be included in next week s REPORT FROM TALLAHASSEE.

4 4 of 5 Midway through 2019 Session It s midway through the legislative session and all eyes are on the money now. The House and Senate unveiled competing budget proposals for the upcoming fiscal year. And at roughly $1 billion apart, money fights are sure to abound, as lawmakers inch toward final budget negotiations. There is a mad rush to move bills since there are only a couple of committee weeks left. State Budget Both chambers full Appropriations Committees approved their respective budgets this past week. The House took up its $89.9 billion spending plan without considering any amendments and passed it with only 1 no vote. The Senate committee, on the other hand, passed all 144 amendments it considered and then approved its $90.3 billion budget unanimously. Both budgets would be an increase over current year spending of $89.3 billion, despite indications by the House that it would propose a smaller budget. Both the House and Senate allocated $2,491,326 recurring for the public guardian program. FSGA BILLS: Bills relating to guardianship, actions and comments Guardianship Proceeding: HB 1085 (Geller) & SB 1338 (Rodriquez) Changes to procedure to procedure for dismissal SUPPORT: general support expressed by members CONCERNS: potential for additional litigation; automatic dismissal makes proceeding less onerous on alleged incapacitated person. -SB 1338 is being heard in 2nd committee of reference: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs, 04/01/19 -HB 1085, passed Civil Justice Subcommittee last week and now in Health and Human Services Committee Courts: SB 1188 (Gruters) & Rep 1167 (Fernandez-Barquin) Exempts court costs and filing fees court and broadens who can plan the annual guardianship plans SUPPORT waiving court costs and filing fees; report attached to annual plans can be signed by professional other that doctor - physician assistants or registered nurse -SB 1188 passed Judiciary last week; in Children, Families & Elder Affairs -HB 1167 has not moved Guardianship: HB 677 (Duggan) & SB 1168 (Gruters) Florida is not a uniform state and does not allow transfer across states SUPPORT -Both bills have not moved to date Elder Protection: SB 452 (Gibson) & HB 583 (Watson) Creates elder abuse fatality review team *MONITOR ONLY would like to be involved in any such process -SB 452, passed 2 committees and in 3rd committee of reference -HB 583, passed 1st committee last week; now in State Affairs Committee

5 5 of 5 Dependent Children: HB 115 ( Sirois ) & SB 124 (Bean) Addresses issues concerning a dependent child who is involved in juvenile justice proceedings *MONITOR ONLY -HB 115 passed last committee and travels to full floor (Calendar, 2nd Reading) -SB 124 passed all committees and travels to full floor (Calendar, 2nd Reading) Protection for Vulnerable Investors: SB 1466 (Gibson) & HB 143 (Donalds), Report suspicion of abuse *MONITOR -SB 1466, being heard in 2nd Committee-Banking and Insurance, 04/01/19pm -HB 143, in last committee of reference Review of State Budget : Public Guardian Program $2,491,326 recurring for 453 additional incapacitated and indigent person from the public guardian program *MONITOR -Senate & House Budgets match Action this coming Week: MONDAY, APRIL 1 AGENCY HEADS REVIEWED: The Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee will hold confirmation hearings for Department of Elder Affairs Secretary Richard Prudom and Agency for Persons with Disabilities Director Barbara Palmer. (Monday, 4 p.m., 301 Senate Office Building, the Capitol.) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 SENATE TAKES UP BUDGET: The Senate will hold a floor session and take up a proposed $90.3 billion budget for the fiscal year. Approval of the proposal will help set the stage for Senate and House leaders to negotiate a final spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1. (Wednesday, 10 a.m., Senate chamber, the Capitol.) HOUSE TAKES UP BUDGET: The House will hold a floor session and consider an $89.9 billion budget proposal for the fiscal year. The House spending plan is smaller than a $91.3 billion proposal offered by Gov. Ron DeSantis. (Wednesday, 1:30 p.m., House chamber, the Capitol.) ALERT System FSGA has developed a legislative ALERT System that will give guardians and advocates a voice on critical issues/concerns. We are asking individuals from around the state to sign up to be placed on our ALERT contact list. When an ALERT is requested, you will receive an with a list of targeted legislators/ contact, and scripted concern/request. This action will take less than five minutes of your time. Please send your name and to Gina (and copy Natalie) to be placed on our ALERT list. natalie@acclaimstrategies.net