• Two notes from Tuesday’s House session. It took up SB 2440 regarding reinstatement of liability waivers for children who participate in potentially dangerous activities and their parents waive the right to sue. Under the measure, waivers are held valid if injury is the result of inherent risk, but it doesn’t allow parents to waive their rights for situations of negligence. It passed 114-0. The House also heard HB 11, regarding enhanced penalties for crimes against homeless persons by including them in Florida’s hate crime statutes. It passed 80-28.
• Gov. Charlie Crist received one bill yesterday, HB 295, relating to food service inspections to consider all certified domestic violence centers as facilities having five or fewer residents without regard to actual number of residents. It exempts the centers from being “food service establishments,” which would require stringent inspection standards.
• Speaking of Crist, he sent a message to Floridians, commending those who rushed out to take advantage of the Florida Energy Star Appliance Rebate Program over the weekend. The first day, consumers reserved $15.3 of the available $17.5 million in rebates, with the program boosting the state economy by $62 million, including $4 million in tax revenues.
• A measure that would prohibit the federal government from requiring Florida residents to carry health insurance is making its way through the legislative process after passing the House Rules and Calendar Committee on Monday. The measure, HJR 37, is supported by numerous members of the Duval Delegation.