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More than one thousand bills have been filed in advance of Florida’s 2016 legislative session, and there’s still time to throw a few more potential new laws out there. Matt Galka spoke with one of the men who has control of what passes and what doesn’t – Florida’s Senate President – in advance of the lawmaking period.

Senate President Andy Gardiner sat down with reporters Tuesday morning and reflected a little on his more than 20 years in Florida politics.

“If you really want to make God laugh tell God what you have planned for your life. And certainly in 1999 I never thought I would run for the House, be a majority leader in the House, a majority leader in the Senate, and be blessed to be Senate President,” said Sen. Gardiner (R-Orlando).

The Orlando Republican is in his final term as Senate President with plenty of high profile issues on the table. He’ll leave it up to committees to decide about gun bills like one that would eliminate a ban on guns on college campuses.

“My only discussion with members is not one way or the other, but I said if we are going down the road of eliminating exemptions, at least for this building that exemption should also be eliminated,” he said.

Regulating ride sharing apps like Uber are also high on his chamber’s list. He says insurance requirements are focal point.

“Our role should be to encourage that technology, but to make sure that the residents, God forbid something happens, understand what the liability pieces are,” said Sen. Gardiner.

Gardiner was thankful that one of his top priorities is likely to pass. The Senate President has been adamant about reforms aimed at helping people with disabilities.

“I talk about it a lot but, it’s not a victory for Andy Gardiner.  It’s really a victory for the families that, whenever they are told they have a child with a unique ability, it’s a victory for them,” he said.

Gardiner says he expects disagreements in 2016 and that’s “part of the process” but he says it would be a disservice to voters if he or any other legislator simply came to the capitol and simply rubber stamped anything.

Legislators still have until noon on January 12^th to file new bills.