Legislative Update
The session officially ended sine die on March 13th but the legislators managed to adjourn without passing a state budget. Passing a balanced budget is their one constitutionally mandated job.
They will be back to finalize the budget once the leadership of both houses can agree to allocations. The House proposed spending $113.6 billion to the Senate’s $115 billion. The Governor’s proposed budget was $117.4 billion. More work ahead.
The Governor has called them into special session for Congressional reapportionment April 20-24. We also are anticipating a special session on property taxes. The latest rumors have us starting back on April 13th. Time will tell.
As relates specifically to radiology, the mammography bill introduced by Sen Tracie Davis(D) Jacksonville SB 137 passed through its first committee of reference but went no further. HB 137 which was similar was not heard at all. The FRS Woman’s Imaging work group had worked with Sen Davis on the bill language, but were neutral on the bill.
There were not many bills passed this session, a total of 160. That number is a bit deceiving as some of the 160 were “trains” – meaning a bill that is made up of many other bills that were amended onto the original underlying bill.
Also, no scope of practice bills that were proposed this session were passed.
It is also an election year so things will be quite busy.
Please reach out to me if you have any questions at alisondudley@dudleyandassociates.com.
Alison Dudley Lobbyist, FRS
alisondudley@dudleyandassociates.com