Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Florida Legislature 2005 (click for ongoing coverage)

THE LATEST Man gets $2M for 22 years he lost Mystery: Who left money faucet on? Many hurricane relief measures get blown away Dramatic proposal, cautious response Legislature doesn't act on minimum wage deal For open-government cause: 'a mixed bag'

Senate okays cutting back delinquent tax notice ads

Today is Day 31 of the 60-day session of the Florida Legislature.

By Times staff writers, Associated Press
Published April 7, 2005

The Senate on Wednesday approved a bill (SB 878) to reduce the number of times delinquent property tax notices are published, from three times to once. A companion House bill (HB 289) is still awaiting a committee hearing.

Newspaper lobbyists have opposed the bill, saying advertising just once could raise the danger of property owners failing to learn they are delinquent.

The Senate tentatively approved a bill (SB 732) to make it illegal to drive in the left-hand lane on freeways except to pass. A companion bill (HB 157) has already passed the House.

It is intended to cut down on road rage by forcing slower drivers to keep to the right. Those who fail to comply face a $60 traffic fine. Critics say it could mean traffic tickets for people who are obeying the speed limit.

The Senate tentatively approved a bill to allow diners to take home unfinished bottles of wine without violating the state's ban on open alcohol containers in cars. Final passage is expected today.

Supported by the state's restaurant industry, the bill is intended to keep diners from feeling compelled to finish a bottle of wine before driving home.

Under the bill (SB 1114), bottles could be resealed in special plastic bags and taken home. A similar bill (HB 719) is awaiting its final committee hearing before heading to the House floor. -ALISA ULFERTS

Pinellas and Hillsborough and three other Central Florida counties would be long-term care guinea pigs under a Medicaid reform bill moving through the House.

The proposal would put HMOs or other managed care companies in charge of all nursing home and at-home services financed by Medicaid. The state would pay a set fee for each client and the managed care company would decide how to take care of that person.

Ideally, more people would be cared for at home or in assisted living because HMOs would avoid expensive nursing home costs.

A Senate version also would allow Medicaid to contract with HMOs for long-term care but would retain traditional nursing home services as well. That way, Medicaid's long-term care clients could choose between managed care and traditional Medicaid.

-STEPHEN NOHLGREN

The doctor for a girl under the age of 16 - even a victim of incest - would have to notify at least one parent before receiving an abortion under a bill (CS-HB 1659) the House Civil Justice Committee approved Wednesday, 4-1.

It would allow a waiver of notice for a 16-year-old or 17-year-old if a judge concludes she is mature enough to make the decision on her own or has been abused.

Later, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 7-1 for a measure (SB 1908) that would allow all girls to seek a court waiver, regardless of age.

Both bills would also waive the parental notice requirement when an abortion is needed to save the pregnant girl's life or prevent major and irreversible injury.

-ASSOCIATED PRESS

[Last modified April 7, 2005, 01:22:13]