Jim Boyd

Bill sponsor Jim Boyd acknowledged the bill likely will not lead to immediate rate cuts for homeowners.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, compared conditions in the industry to having “Stage 4 cancer and failing” but that the proposals were like treating “Stage 1 cancer.”

Last year, lawmakers created the Office of Broadband within the Department of Economic Opportunity. Since then, the office has begun mapping areas in the state where access to high-speed internet doesn’t exist.

Apartment renters showed up in force at the state Capitol recently to oppose a plan by out-of-state companies to help landlords charge a new fee to their tenants, but industry forces had the votes.

It was established as an independent branch of the uniformed services, and it’s the first new branch since the Air Force was authorized in 1947.

A Senate staff analysis of the bill said broadband access is available to 98% of the state’s urban areas and just 78.6% of rural areas.

The Senate will consider a budget amendment to fund the complete cleanup and closure. It's estimated to cost $200 million.

The Senate bill includes a limit on the amount homeowners could receive for roof damage.

A Senate Republican has filed a sweeping measure aimed at keeping patients from getting hooked on prescription painkillers.