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
Meet the Team
Oracle EditorProfile
USF gives it away in Memphis 34-33
At the half, a 14-point lead meant USF was on track to win its first conference game in over a calendar year. That energy was kept up even with under five minutes to go when the Bulls were up 33-20. Then USF watched as its lead went from comfortable, to slim, to nonexistent in the […]
Club teams missing competition, friendship due to COVID-19
Under normal circumstances, Grant Nolder, president of the USF flag football team would be preparing for the club’s biggest competition of the year, the Swamp Bowl. The annual tournament, hosted at UF, typically takes place during the fall semester and features some of the best club flag football teams in the country. Winners of the […]
Bulls battle with ECU in OT win
Coach Brian Gregory said Tuesday the Bulls didn’t play complete, 40-minute games in their two losses last week. It’s debatable if they did Wednesday night against East Carolina (11-18, 5-11) at the Yuengling Center, but it was more than enough to put up a 73-68 overtime win. “It’s funny. There were stretches where we played […]
First SG scholarship rewards student leaders
Student Government (SG) launched the first-of-its-kind, merit-based scholarship to students Nov. 5 on USF’s Tampa campus. As a part of Student Body President Britney Deas and Student Body Vice President Travis McCloskey’s platform, Bull S.H.I.F.T., — Success, Health, Innovation, Finance and Tradition — the SG’s Student Leadership Scholarship consists of two merit-based scholarships which will […]
On-campus Jabil institute sparks anticipation from students
A plan drafted on a bar napkin two years ago has now become the USF Jabil Innovation Institute, a multi-million dollar institute combining the College of Engineering and the Muma College of Business. Senior Vice President of Advancement and CEO of the USF Foundation Joel Momberg and Jabil CEO Mark Mondello jotted the idea down […]