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FPHA LEGISLATIVE
WEEKLY UPDATE: February 10, 2012 This morning SB1824 was amended and passed out of the Senate Health Regulation
Committee with a unanimous vote. FPHA was represented by our part time lobbyist, Chris Nuland, and we opposed the bill.
But as Chris also noted, this bill was not as bad as the House Bill. The bill removes the Public Health Non-Communicable
Disease programs, leaving no services that focus on the leading causes of death in our state. In FPHA's opinion,
this does not make sense. It leaves the Department focusing on communicable diseases. There are other parts
of the bill FPHA takes issue with and will address. We will continue to follow this bill and the House bill.
Be prepared to contact your legislator and committee members during your personal time on these issues. See the article
attached for more information on todays' meeting. Additionally we are very concerned that the Senate budget pulls significant money from the CHD's funding to use for another purpose. More to come on that issue. Sandy FPHA LEGISLATIVE WEEKLY UPDATE: February 10, 2012 FPHA members, Thank you for your questions and support so far during this Session. HB 1263 has an impact on many of our members and we will be viligant in representing you. We are also following other bills and if you have questions, do not hesitate to ask them. I do want to remind you that when you are notified your dues are up for renewal, please continue your support of FPHA. Without members to meet our budget, we are unable to pay bills and keep people like Chris working for us. Share our work with your peers and also, if they are not a member, talk to them about joining. Sandy Friday Report from Chris Wow. What a week!!! As most of you have heard, the week
started with the presentation of and amendment to HB 1263 before the House Health Quality Committee. This amended bill
would strip the DOH of much of its public health mission and decentralize the county health departments, leaving 67 self-governed
and self-funded entities. The FPHA and others opposed the bill vigorously, but the bill nevertheless passed out of Committe
on a 7-4 vote. Our efforts, however,
showed success on Tuesday when Governor Rick Scott announced that he could not support the amended bill (Thank you, Governor
Scott). On Wednesday, we met with Surgeon General Frank Farmer, M.D, who emphasized that he had not seen, nor did he
sign off on, the amended bill. The bill sponsor, Matt Hudson, realized the scope of the opposition and has promised
a new amendment in the hope of having the amended, amended bill heard next Friday in the final House Health Council meeting.
It should be noted that the senate version of the bill (SB 1824) has yet to be heard as the Session enters its final
four weeks. Many
have asked me how other public health bills have fared during the Session. For better or worse, the time taken on the
DOH Reorganization Bill has precluded action on most other issues, but below is the status of those bills on the FPHA "Watch
List" that have received at least one hearing: SB 196, Booster Seats: Passed all substantive committees and is now in Budget. HB 291 Concussed High School Athletes; To be heard Monday in the Education Committee; has already
passed one committee. The Senate companion, SB 256, has passed all substantive committees and is now in Budget. SB 416, Distracted Driving: Passed all substantive committees and is now in Budget. SB746, Clean Indoor Air: Is now in Community affairs after having passed one committee. SB 1294, Kidcare: On yesterday's Health Regulation agenda, but was not heard because of the length of
debate on other issues. HB 4057, Repeal on Mandatory PE; In the Education
Committee, but has not been placed on agenda. Its Senate companion has not been heard. |
