Sunrise

A Senate committee votes to impose new regulations on fertility clinics, cracking down on doctors who secretly use their own sperm to inseminate patients.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A Senate budget subcommittee votes to get rid of the statute of limitations in cases involving the sexual abuse of a child.

— A bill requiring Florida employers to use the federal E-Verify system for new hires clears a Senate committee without any of the exemptions sought by the business community … but the sponsor of the bill says it has become a parody of itself.

— Sheriffs and police chiefs are asking Florida lawmakers not to get carried away with sentencing reform. They say the current system is working … but Rep. Diane Hart says that’s nonsense

— A bill banning wage discrimination and requiring equal pay for women is going nowhere, but sponsors are still happy because they actually had a chance to present the bill in committee.

— Florida Women update: Two Florida women are arrested after police say they broke into the home of a friend and vandalized her bedroom using duct tape and dog poop.

It’s “Gator Day” at The Capitol and University of Florida President Kent Fox will discuss taking over Florida Polytechnic, the backlash against higher education in the Legislature and his favorite FSU jokes.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— After passing new restrictions on abortion under the guise of parental rights, the Senate is facing another parental rights bill that’s working its way through committees that could force teachers and guidance counselors to out gay and lesbian students to their parents.

— One of the Governor’s priorities this year is cutting through the red tape for occupational licenses issued by local governments. But a bill doing that has stalled in the Senate.

— Despite a racy memoir and a history of sexually suggestive comments, Dr. Scott Rivkees is one step closer to being confirmed as the state Surgeon General.

— More than 3.5 million Floridians cannot vote in next month’s presidential primary, because they’re not in either the Republican or Democratic Party. But these NPAs — no party affiliation — can still vote if they change their registration by the end of the day.

— The latest from Florida man: A guy with a life-size Donald Trump cutout and a woman who took a bite out of a crime-fighter.

Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered an investigation of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and the House has subpoenaed more than a dozen current or former employees. Sen. Aaron Bean filed a bill that would eliminate the coalition's no-bid deal with the state.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Republicans in the House continue to play “pin the tail on the union.”

— Donald Trump comes back to Florida this weekend to hang with the NASCAR crowd, attending the Daytona 500.

— A House committee passes a bill to close a loophole that allows fishers from other countries to circumvent the ban on shark finning and sell their products through Florida ports on their way to Asian markets.

— The latest on Florida Man, Florida Woman and — for the first time — Florida Granny.

Members of the House Education Committee approved a bill to turn New College into a branch campus of Florida State University and Florida Polytechnic goes to the University of Florida.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The House and Senate take up their respective budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. The Senate wants to spend about $1.5 billion more than the House.

— Lawmakers spent a lot of time in the first half of the Session talking about regulating vaping, but the House has just come up with a new plan NOT supported by either the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association.

— Rep. Chip LaMarca talks about compensation for college athletes, butts on the beach, the size of wine bottles and being a red representative in a bright blue county.

— A Florida Man who stopped a deputy to ask for directions ends up in jail.

State lawmakers have been talking about the death penalty — but don’t plan to do anything about it.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Bad news for the smallest of the state universities. If one lawmaker gets his way, Florida Polytech and New College of Florida will be taken over by the University of Florida and Florida State University.

— A group called the Fines and Fees Justice Center is asking lawmakers to come up with some way for the court clerk's office to collect fines and fees from people without suspending driver’s licenses.

— A bill preempting local regulations over short term vacation rentals like Airbnb clears a Senate committee at the last minute.

— Floridians with disabilities rally in the Capitol Courtyard as lawmakers try to figure out how to deal with the waiting list for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Legally, they’re entitled to services, but the legislature has ways of getting around that. Valerie Breen, who runs the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, discusses the situation.

— A Florida man is sentenced to 10 years in prison for impersonating prosecutors and filing a bogus court document in his case file, attempting to dismiss charges in a previous incident of extortion.

House lawmakers advanced a bill requiring a mandatory minute of silence before school. Bill sponsor Kim Daniels downplayed the religious aspects of her bill by calling it a moment of silence or meditation.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A Senate committee advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to impose eight-year term limits on members of the local school board.

— A house committee passes a bill designed mandate that pedestrian crossings use flashing red lights … or none at all.

— The annual fight over alimony reform will play out in a House subcommittee.

— State Sen. Manny Diaz discusses his bill that seeks to eliminate any local regulations over vacation rental platforms like Airbnb. Diaz believes it’s the state’s responsibility.

 — The latest on Florida Man, who is getting a mental health exam after threatening to assassinate the President.

Wednesday marks the halfway point: Day 30 of the 60-day Session. This is when the political roller coaster kicks into high gear. It’s also the day of the annual Capitol Press Corps Skits.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— There’s been a newfound acceptance of drones in the state Legislature. At first, lawmakers had imposed limits on uncrewed aircraft over fears about surveillance from above by the police state. But now they’re considering exemptions for everything from law enforcement to python hunting.

— It’s budget time in The Capitol. The House and Senate will approve two different versions of the new spending plan, then spending the final month of Session playing a behind-the-scenes version of Let’s Make a Deal. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried hopes she’s not traded away in the process.

— Police in Jacksonville arrested a man accused of running a van through a volunteer tent at a GOP voter registration event. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

— Fed up with standard cable news stations? There's something new on the lineup. BNC — the Black News Channel — launches today from their studios in Tallahassee, covering community issues often ignored by the mainstream media.

— Republican political consultant Anthony Pedicini talks about life, the universe and Florida politics.

— The latest on Florida Men, featuring a voodoo death and first-grade meth.

Florida’s Senate has approved the highly controversial bill requiring parental consent for abortion.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Education Committee in the Florida House advances a bill allowing college athletes to cash in on their fame without losing scholarships.

— The new Commissioner of the Florida Office of Financial Regulation might not be starting his new job any time soon … if at all.

— State Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith talks about finding himself under attack for calling out private schools that accept vouchers but refuse to accept gay and lesbian students.

—The latest on Florida Man, who finally beat city hall — with the help of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Florida’s House and Senate budget committees have wrapped up their respective spending plans. The House budget is about $1.5 billion less than the Senate and it takes aim at the only Democrat elected to statewide office. Needless to say, Nikki Fried is NOT a happy camper.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Senate is taking up the controversial bill that would force underage girls to get permission from a parent before they can get an abortion. Even the opponents admit it will probably pass.

— The Capitol hosts a big rally on climate change.

— The state Supreme Court delivers a verbal slap on the wrist to a circuit judge from Brevard County over her bad behavior in court.

— The CEO of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners comes to Tallahassee to try to round up support for a bill allowing Advanced Nurse Practitioners to provide medical care without a doctor’s oversight. David Hebert talks about why the doctors are so dead set against the idea.

— And a couple of Florida Men: One is accused of sex trafficking a plus-sized model, while the other is sentenced for stealing from “The Mouse.”

State Senators have decided not to vote just yet on SB 404, a controversial parental consent abortion bill. But that isn’t stopping a protest by opponents, who will hold a symbolic “occupation” of The Capitol.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A House committee approves a bill that eliminates the statute of limitations for cases of child sexual assault. The woman who inspired “Donna’s Law” tells her story to lawmakers for the first time in a public setting.

— Another House committee votes to repeal the state law which allows local governments to install red-light cameras at intersections. Supporters say those cameras save lives. Opponents call it taxation-by-citation.

— The Senate Criminal Justice Committee clears a bill that would allow EMT’s to provide emergency care for police dogs and transport those K-9s in an ambulance.

— And a Florida man takes truth in labeling law way too seriously.