UNEMPLOYMENT The House refused to concur with the Senate’s proposal to raise the state’s unemployment benefit from $275 to $375 a week and to extend the eligibility period from 12 to 14 weeks.
LOTTERY WINNERS This bill would have created a public record exemption for the name of a winner of a prize valued at $250,000 or more for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed unless the winner consented to release their name.
SURRENDERED INFANTS No changes were made to legislation passed in 2000 that allows a parent to surrender an infant to an EMS station, fire station or hospital without fear of prosecution. The bill sponsor had sought to require “baby boxes” at approved surrender locations and to extend the length of time an infant could be surrendered after birth.
DISABILITY ABORTION Passing the House by a vote of 74-44, this legislation would have banned a physician from performing an abortion solely because of a fetus’ disability. The Senate companion failed to get a hearing in committee.
STATE WORKERS Proposals to decertify unions and place new restrictions on union dues died, as well as a bill that would end the traditional pension plan for government employees.
CONFEDERATE HOLIDAYS Bills to remove from Florida’s list of legal holidays the birthdays of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and Confederate President Jefferson Davis and Confederate Memorial Day failed to gain any traction. Florida is one of five states that have kept Confederate Memorial Day a legal holiday. TELEHEALTH FOR PETS This legislation would have allowed veterinarians to provide care to animals using telemedicine.