Random drug testing bill in limbo in Florida
TALLAHASSEE – A bill allowing state agencies to randomly drug-test employees was voted down Wednesday by a House committee, but the measure’s sponsor said he’ll try again after addressing fellow lawmakers’ questions about legality and cost.
An analysis done for the House Appropriations Committee said it wasn’t clear how much random drug testing would cost taxpayers. Individual tests vary from $10-$40. The analysis also said testing without a reasonable suspicion of drug use has largely been found unconstitutional, another sticking point for both Democrats and Republicans.
A few minutes later, the committee agreed to reconsider its vote in an apparent face-saving move to bill sponsor Jimmie T. Smith, an Inverness Republican who said he was surprised fellow Republicans weren’t in support.
After reviving the bill, committee members indefinitely postponed any further consideration. With the legislative session past its halfway point and budget deliberation starting in earnest, its future is unclear.
Smith said he just wants to ensure a drug-free state workplace. Last year, he also sponsored a law that mandates drug testing of welfare recipients. That law is now being challenged in federal court.
“My intention is to keep it moving forward,” he said of this year’s bill (HB 1205). “We’ll address what concerns we can.”
Rep. Darryl Rouson, a St. Petersburg Democrat who opposed the bill, joked that lawmakers should be included in the testing. No problem, Rep. Rich Glorioso said – he’s used to drug testing from the Air Force.
“Give me the cup; I’m ready anytime,” the Plant City Republican said.
More Stories
President Joe Biden visits Tampa to talk abortion rights
Gearing up for the 2024 presidential election, President Joe Biden made a stop in Tampa to talk about reproductive freedom in Florida on Tuesday afternoon. The speech comes just two weeks before the state’s six-week abortion ban comes into effect on May 1. Biden called on Floridians to vote for an amendment deciding abortion access […]
‘Genocide Joe has got to go’: Pro-Palestine protestors gather during Biden’s visit to Tampa
While President Joe Biden took 15 minutes to talk on the protection of reproductive rights in Tampa on Tuesday, pro-Palestine protests chanted against his silence on the “on-going genocide” taking place in Gaza. Related: President Joe Biden visits Tampa to talk abortion rights “The lack of coverage in the media in Gaza compared to coverage […]
USF students can ‘Swap Shop’ their way into free items this week
USF’s Swap Shop is just around the corner. Literally. Bulls can stop by the Swap Shop, located in Holly J, to pick up some free items – from furniture to clothing. Students, staff and faculty had the opportunity to donate items for the Swap Shop earlier this week on Monday and Tuesday. But ‘shopping’ won’t […]
Bulls for bowls: Fresh Kitchen to open near USF Tampa this summer
Eating healthier just got easier for USF students. A new Fresh Kitchen location will open this summer near the USF Tampa campus on the corner of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Fowler Avenue. Related: New Sprouts location to open near USF Tampa campus on Friday – The Oracle Construction on the building is complete and […]
USF student court rules candidates didn’t intimidate voters
Students might have noticed that the official announcement for the Student Government (SG) presidential elections for the upcoming term was delayed. Here’s a look at what slowed down the process. Suryakanth Prasad Gottipati and Sumit Subhash Jadhav won the election with 1,702 votes. However, Alexa Matos and Rithvik Lee Pack, presidential candidates and runner-ups, filed […]
Trouble following USF divestment debate updates? Here’s what to know.
Since last fall, a group of USF students have been calling for the university to divest. With months of protests and news, here’s a breakdown of the divestment movement. Related: USF student leaders narrowly pass divestment measure On Oct. 7, a designated terrorist group, known as Hamas, launched an attack on Israel, according to a […]