Not even the most sophisticated automobile safety features can protect us from some of the biggest hazards on the roads today, including the ubiquitous use of smartphones behind the wheel, PCI’s Logan McFaddin told FloridaPolitics.com. Logan McFaddin: Stop distracted driving …

Florida lawmakers this week sent a bill to Governor Rick Scott that could help provide information to police about whether drivers are deaf before officers approach cars during traffic stops, FloridaPolitics.com reports. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/259112-bill-help-police-deaf-drivers-traffic-stops

Outgoing Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran sees a path to the Republican nomination against U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis of Ponte Vedra Beach and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam of Bartow, the Tampa Bay Times Steve Bousquet reports. http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/03/16/after-florida-house-speaker-whats-next-for-richard-corcoran/

The U.S. Supreme Court in January heard oral arguments in Florida’s challenge to a special master’s report that found Florida had not proved its case that a water-usage cap should be imposed on Georgia to help the river and Apalachicola …

In Harris County, homeowners who received letters from the city stating that the cost of repairing their home would equal or exceed 50 percent of its pre-Harvey market value are also required to meet current floodplain regulations by elevating — …

Last week, a Pinellas County announced one of the largest verdicts ever against state-run Citizens Property Insurance — $12.7 million.  Susan Taylor Martin reports for the Tampa Bay Times. http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/realestate/Citizens-hit-with-12-7-million-verdict-acted-in-monumental-bad-faith-homeowner-says_166336231

A report released in January included 78 recommendations, ranging from evacuations to healthcare, aimed at shoring up Florida’s disaster preparedness before this year’s hurricane season.  Elizabeth Koh reports for the Tampa Bay Times. http://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/03/15/after-hurricane-irma-lawmakers-vowed-to-prepare-florida-for-the-next-storm-did-they-follow-through/

The state fire marshal is investigating. Pompano Beach is just north of Fort Lauderdale.  The Associated Press reports via Insurance Journal. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/southeast/2018/03/15/483383.htm

The clock is now ticking on Gov. Rick Scott to act on his final state budget, THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA reports via FloridaPolitics.com. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/259035-new-state-budget-lands-rick-scotts-desk

Vickers is a well-known figure among senators and Senate staff as she has served as an adviser to the last three Senate presidents. She also worked for the state’s Department of Revenue for more than 20 years, FloridaPolitics.com reports. http://floridapolitics.com/archives/258962-bill-galvano-names-lisa-vickers-chief-staff