HB 5703 - 2017-2018 General Appropriations Act Implementation

• Delays expiration of the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program from July 1, 2018 to July 1, 2018 and establishes eligibility based on SAT/ACT scores at or above 80th percentile and highly effective teacher evaluations.

• Authorizes the Agency for Health Care Administration to realign Medicaid funding between agencies based on the Managed Medical Assistance component transfer and allows transfer of federal funds to the Department of Health.

• Requires the Department of Juvenile Justice to review county juvenile detention payments for financial compliance and allows deduction of unpaid amounts from county distributions, with safeguards protecting bond payment obligations.

• Implements restrictions on state employee travel, limiting lodging costs to $150 per day for state agency and judicial branch meetings, and requires use of a statewide travel management system.

• Provides temporary authorization for various departments including Department of Corrections, Department of Management Services, and others to submit budget amendments, transfers, and make operational adjustments for the 2017-2018 fiscal year, with most provisions expiring July 1, 2018.