Legislative Skills Legislative Skills WorkshopWorkshopBeth K. Labasky, Instructor

May 18th – 20th, 2005Examiner Training

Funeral and Cemetery RegulationFlorida Department of Financial

Services

I. Introduction

• Welcome to the Legislative Skills Workshop!

• What we will cover

• Why we will cover it

• Guest speakers

• Goals

I. Introduction• Your Packet includes:

– A daily schedule– An outline– The material we will cover– An Appendix that includes:

• Senate District Map• House and Senate Directories• A Legislative Timeline Chart• A Recap of the tour of the Capitol• House Bill 529• Glossary of Terms• Department of Financial Services Chart• Crossword Puzzle• Resources

II. Understanding the Structure of State Government

• Introduction

• Structure of state government– Executive Branch

• Cabinet– Governor– Attorney General– Commissioner– Chief Financial Officer

• Agencies

Governor Jeb Bush

• Florida’s 43rd Governor

• Degree in Latin American Affairs from the University of Texas

• Real estate developer• Known as the

“Education Governor”

Attorney GeneralCharlie Crist

• Elected in 2002• Graduate of Florida

State University• Florida Senator,

1992-1998• Practiced law at

Wood & Crist law firm in Tampa

• Running for Governor in 2006

Commissioner Charles Bronson

• Florida’s 10th Agriculture Commissioner

• Rancher from Kissimmee

• Law enforcement officer

• Graduate of University of Georgia

Chief Financial OfficerTom Gallagher

• In public office since 1974

• Served 13 years in House of Reps.

• Graduate of University of Miami

• Running for Governor in 2006

CFO/DFS OrganizationCFO/DFS Organization

Chief Financial OfficerTom Gallagher

Chief Financial OfficerTom Gallagher

Deputy CFOKaren Chandler

Deputy CFOKaren Chandler

Division of Consumer Services DirectorMarta Arrington

Division of Consumer Services DirectorMarta Arrington

Bureau of Funeral and Cemetery ServicesDiana Evans

Bureau of Funeral and Cemetery ServicesDiana Evans

II. Understanding the Structure of State Government

– Judicial Branch– Legislative Branch

• Senate• House

III. How a Bill Becomes Law, Part 1

• Introduction

• Legislative Timeline Chart (in Appendix)

• Sources of legislation

• Constituency/public opinion

• Sponsors

• Appearance of a bill (see House Bill 529 in Appendix)

Florida Legislative TimelineFlorida Legislative Timeline

Sept

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb MayAprMar AugJulyJune

Governor RecommendsBudget

Governor RecommendsBudget

Interim Committee MeetingsInterim Committee Meetings

Legislation Filed and Heard in CommitteesLegislation Filed and Heard in Committees

Budget NegotiatedBudget Negotiated

Agency Implementation of New LegislationAgency Implementation of New Legislation

Agency Budget RequestsDue Nov 1

Agency Budget RequestsDue Nov 1

Fiscal Year BeginsFiscal Year Begins

Fiscal Year EndsFiscal Year Ends

Regular SessionRegular Session

III. How a Bill Becomes Law, Part 1

• Role of Staff– Personal Staff– Professional Staff– Staff Analyses

III. How a Bill Becomes Law, Part 1

• The Committee Process– Types of Committees

• Standing• Conference• Select• Interim• Joint• Joint Select

– Committees of Reference– Testimony– Amendments– Voting

IV. How a Bill Becomes Law, Part 2

• Introduction• On the “Floor”

– Readings– Debate– Amendments– Voting

• Conference Committees• To the Governor

– Time Period– Veto

IV. How a Bill Becomes Law, Part 2

• The Budget– Agency Recommendations– Governor’s Recommendations– Legislative Budget/General Appropriations Act– Governor’s Review

IV. How a Bill Becomes Law, Part 2

• State Agency Implementation– Florida Administrative Code– Administrative Procedures Act– Division of Administrative Hearings– Florida Administrative Weekly

V. Speaker Presentations

• Michelle Lagos Ubben, Executive VP of Ron Sachs Communications - Media and Public Policy

• Patrick Imhoff, Staff Director of Senate Committee on Business Regulation - Role of Staff in Legislative Process and 2005 Changes to Chapters 470 and 497

• [Quiz 1]• John Rudolph, Attorney - Contracts, Trusts, Fraud,

and New Legislation• Jon Thomas, Funeral Home Owner/Operator - LLCs,

Partnerships, Corporations and Fraud in the Industry

VI. Communication with Elected Officials

• Introduction

• The “Third House”– History and Definition– Influence– Regulation– What is lobbying?– Agency Employees– State Employees as Lobbyists

VI. Communication with Elected Officials

• Communication with Legislators– Written Communication– Personal Meetings

“High Price of Death”

• CBS Evening News

• May 13th, 2005

• http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/13/eveningnews/consumer/main695197.shtml

VII. Funeral and Cemetery Legislation

• Introduction

• OPPAGA Report 02-21

• OPPAGA Report 04-17

VII. Funeral and Cemetery Legislation

• 2004 Legislation– Senate Bill 528

• Background• Situation at the Time• Bill Text• Enacted Law

VII. Funeral and Cemetery Legislation

• 2005 Legislation– House Bill 529

• Background• Situation at the Time• Bill Text• Enacted Law

VIII. Final Exam

Legislative Skills Legislative Skills WorkshopWorkshopBeth K. Labasky, Instructor

Thank you and good luck!