Jim Saunders - News Service of Florida

A Florida House panel Wednesday unanimously approved a bill that would repeal a law shielding information about presidential candidates from public disclosure.

A Senate committee approved a bill that would clear the way for more malpractice lawsuits over patient deaths.

The parents from St. Johns and Orange counties filed a notice of appeal last week after U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor in January sided with the State Board of Education and dismissed their lawsuit.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Feb. 18 issued a death warrant for Edward James, leading to arguments in state and federal courts about whether he should be executed.

Granny flats are independent living spaces added to homes or properties. Current law says local governments can allow granny flats, but the new legislation would require them to do so.

The proposal provide “medical benefit plans” that would not be subject to the same state and federal regulations as health insurance.

Lawyers for the Board of Governors said the funding part of the 2023 law is “not a direct regulation on speech” and that professors can still make presentations at conferences without university funding.

The Senate measure would go further than the House's in some ways. For instance, it would require volunteer petition gatherers — not just paid circulators, as is the case now — to register with the state.

Companion bills in both chambers would undo part of a 1990 law that involves wrongful death lawsuits and what are known as “noneconomic” damages for such things as pain and suffering.

After political battles last year over constitutional amendments, a state House panel approved a bill that focuses on gathering and submitting petition signatures to place measures on the ballot.