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Capital Report: 04-20-2015

A highly controversial bill pitting civil right against civil right is on final approach to the Governor Rick Scott’s desk. As Jim Ash reports, while adoption is one of the most private decisions a family can make, a so-called “religious conscience” bill is stirring a very public debate.        

Five years ago, a well owned by BP exploded off the Louisiana Coast spilling millions of gallons of oil and gas into the Gulf of Mexico. It fouled waters, killed animals and destroying delicate ecosystems. Florida’s coast line was largely spared from ecological damage, but beneath the pale blue waters of the Gulf, evidence remains. And now, the disaster is being used as a learning experience. Lynn Hatter has the story.

A couple of measures aimed at helping Florida’s most vulnerable are now heading to the Senate floor, after passing their last committee Monday. Sascha Cordner reports.

Florida Seniors are sending a clear message – hands off my Bingo. Regan McCarthy reports lawmakers are working to balance that while trying to fix a bill that created a grey area for arcade games without reopening a loophole that allowed gambling through internet cafes.

State lawmakers pushed through six claims bills today (Monday).  As D.A. Robin reports, the 2015 session could be one of the few times in the past two years that the state has actually paid claimants.

It was all aboard a public hearing for organizers, city leaders and community members on the topic of a new passenger rail service for a big chunk of Florida’s East Coast.  Vanity Duran reports proponents are literally trying to keep the project on track in the face of nay-sayers who want it switched onto a dead-end siding permanently.

Florida lawmakers appear to be on the verge of creating a new holiday.  As Nick Evans reports, the proposal honoring Sir Lancelot Jones passed its final Senate committee today.