From the controversial to broadly agreed-upon payments, lawmakers handed a variety of laws to ship to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In what appeared like a dash to the end line, Florida lawmakers have concluded their legislative session for this yr.
Lawmakers handed a variety of payments throughout this session. From controversial payments impacting future protests, mail-in voting and transgender athletes to broadly agreed-upon payments equivalent to alcohol-to-go, the legislature finally got here to some consensus, whether or not it was get together line or bipartisan. It is now as much as Gov. Ron DeSantis to signal them into legislation.
Listed below are the highlights of the payments it’s good to learn about:
“Anti-riot” legislation
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed what’s grow to be generally known as the “anti-rioting” invoice into legislation on April 19.
The “Combating Violence, Dysfunction, and Looting and Regulation Enforcement Safety Act,” or HB 1, expands who may be charged as a felon throughout protests and provides legislation enforcement broader arresting powers. It additionally makes it tougher for native governing our bodies to “defund” the police.
RELATED: Gov. DeSantis indicators Florida ‘anti-riot’ invoice into legislation
Transgender athlete ban
Florida Republican lawmakers authorised a controversial ban on transgender ladies from collaborating in class sports activities in a sudden growth because the state’s legislative session got here to an in depth.
State Rep. Kaylee Tuck, R-Lake Placid, on Wednesday launched an modification that includes the ban to a broader constitution faculties invoice, which was authorised within the Home by a 77-38 vote. It wasn’t earlier than lengthy senators authorised the invoice by a 23-16 vote, sending it — and the modification — to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature to grow to be legislation.
RELATED: Florida transgender athlete ban heads to DeSantis’ desk
Voting restrictions
After hours of debate on a slew of amendments in each the Home and Senate, Florida lawmakers on Thursday handed a chunk of GOP-backed laws that may place new limits on poll drop bins, amongst different issues.
Critics of the invoice have referred to as the measure a chunk of voter suppression. Democratic lawmakers have mentioned SB 90 would make it tougher for seniors, folks of colour, and people with disabilities to vote.
Home Democrats had been united in opposition to the invoice, nevertheless it handed on a 77-40 Home vote. It now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk for his signature.
If signed into legislation, the invoice would change the state’s vote-by-mail system. A few of these adjustments embrace proscribing drop field use to a county’s early voting hours moderately than permitting ballots to be dropped off 24/7, making in-person monitoring of all drop field places necessary in addition to an entire host of different safety measures for vote-by-mail. Voters would even be required to submit vote-by-mail requests each election cycle as an alternative of each two cycles.
RELATED: Florida lawmakers go GOP-backed voting restrictions invoice, ship to Gov. DeSantis
COVID-19 vaccination “passport” ban
Because the pandemic persists, it stays a query and debate as as to if so-called vaccine passports might be wanted to journey, enter a enterprise, or enroll in class.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis took a powerful stance on the difficulty when he signed an govt order to ban something that forces folks to show they have been immunized.
Florida lawmakers might have made his order everlasting with SB 2006, which simply handed the Florida Home Thursday. The laws wouldn’t permit companies, faculties or authorities entities to require proof of the COVID-19 vaccinations.
RELATED: Florida Legislature passes invoice making it unlawful to require proof of COVID vaccinations
Alcohol-to-go
A program briefly put in place by a March govt order from Gov. Ron DeSantis permitting to-go and supply orders of alcohol is right here to remain.
Florida lawmakers gave ultimate approval of the industry-backed invoice (SB 148) Wednesday permitting eating places to promote alcoholic drinks with take-home meals.
The broadly welcomed transfer was put in place when coronavirus stored folks at house and eating places relied closely on takeout and supply orders.
SB 148, which was sponsored by Republican Senator Jennifer Bradley, authorizes “sure meals service institutions to promote or ship sure alcoholic drinks for off-premises consumption below sure circumstances.”
RELATED: Florida lawmakers comply with make alcohol-to-go everlasting
Firearms in church buildings that share house with faculties
A invoice that may permit folks to hold hid weapons on a church property that shares its location with a faculty handed Florida’s Home on Tuesday.
In a 24-16 vote, lawmakers despatched HB 259 to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. Present Florida legislation permits hid weapons to be carried at church buildings, synagogues and different non secular establishments, however not on faculty property.
Nevertheless, this new measure would make an exception.
RELATED: Invoice permitting firearms at church buildings that share house with faculties awaits Gov. DeSantis’ signature
Expunging juvenile arrest data
Florida’s Home on Tuesday unanimously handed a invoice that may develop a juvenile’s capacity to expunge their arrest file.
In a 117-0 vote, lawmakers authorised SB 274, which permits minors who’ve accomplished a diversion program for any offense to have their arrest faraway from their public file.
In the meanwhile, Florida legislation solely permits minors to expunge first-time misdemeanors in the event that they’ve accomplished a diversion program. The brand new legislation, if handed, would broaden that to incorporate felonies and different arrests – not only a first offense.
RELATED: Florida Home passes invoice increasing capacity to expunge juvenile arrest data
Automotive insurance coverage protection
SB54, co-introduced by Republican Sen. Danny Burgess and Democratic Sen. Darryl Rouson, who each signify the Tampa Bay space, seems to be to develop the insurance coverage protection you are required to hold in Florida.
Presently, Florida is taken into account a “no-fault” state and solely mandates that drivers should present proof of non-public damage safety and property harm legal responsibility.
Now that the invoice obtained the inexperienced mild, come January 2022, the no-fault legislation can be repealed and anybody behind the wheel of a automotive might want to begin displaying proof of “storage legal responsibility insurance coverage.”
RELATED: Invoice would enhance the automotive insurance coverage protection you want in Florida
Moments of silence in public faculties
Each Florida public faculty can be required to have a second of silence of as much as two minutes throughout first interval below a invoice handed by the legislature.
The 32-6 Senate vote on Thursday amended the present legislation that permits faculty districts to have a second of silence for prayer or meditation however doesn’t require it. The invoice additionally says lecturers can’t “make options as to the character of any reflection {that a} scholar might interact in through the second of silence.”
The invoice now goes to Gov. DeSantis.
RELATED: Florida Senate OKs invoice requiring moments of silence in class
Excessive schoolers required to study CPR
Florida State lawmakers unanimously formally handed a invoice to require college students to take CPR coaching to graduate from highschool.
Cardiac arrest is the main reason for deaths on campus and can be the main reason for demise to student-athletes, in keeping with the Senate model of the invoice. The American Coronary heart Associates says one in 5 victims of deadly cardiac arrests might be saved had bystanders given CPR, the invoice states.
Along with CPR, the invoice would additionally require college students to study primary first help.
RELATED: Florida lawmakers go invoice requiring excessive schoolers to study CPR
Honoring fallen legislation enforcement officers
The Florida Home of Representatives handed a invoice Tuesday to honor fallen legislation enforcement officers within the Tampa Bay space.
Sen. Ed Hooper and Rep. Chris Latvala proposed the laws, generally known as SB 1716 and HB 1329, on Feb. 25. That was simply over every week after Pinellas County Deputy Michael J. Magli was killed within the line of responsibility whereas attempting to deploy “cease sticks” to finish a chase with a suspected drunk driver.
The invoice would permit the Florida Division of Transportation to erect memorial markings on East Lake Highway, designating the freeway as “Deputy Michael J. Magli Memorial Highway,” in keeping with a February information launch.
RELATED: Florida lawmakers go invoice honoring fallen legislation enforcement officers
Repealing Florida toll highway initiatives
A invoice in search of to undo plans of increasing Florida’s controversial toll highway initiatives handed the legislature Tuesday.
SB 100 positioned plans for the Heartland Parkway and an extension of Florida’s Turnpike again on the shelf after the preliminary undertaking was authorised again in 2019.
Lawmakers beforehand allowed for an extension of the Suncoast Parkway to the Georgia border and a further route that may join Polk and Collier Counties, dubbed the Heartland Parkway. An extension connecting Florida’s Turnpike to the Suncoast was additionally a part of the preliminary plans.
The invoice now heads to Gov. DeSantis’ desk.
RELATED: Invoice aiming to repeal Florida toll highway initiatives passes Home committee
Enlargement of barber providers
On Wednesday, lawmakers handed equivalent payments within the Home and Senate that may permit barbers to chop hair and supply different providers outdoors of brick-and-mortar outlets.
HB 855 and SB 1176 will permit licensed barbers to “shampoo, reduce or prepare hair in a location apart from a registered barbershop,” in keeping with a launch.
All barbers have to be licensed as a way to supply providers and the payments do not change any licensing necessities, the discharge mentioned.
RELATED: Barbers can supply providers outdoors of brick-and-mortar outlets, Florida lawmakers say
Wildlife corridors growth
Florida lawmakers unanimously handed a pair of payments that may assist the state develop its wildlife corridors, offering protecting migratory routes for animals just like the Florida Panther.
In a 115-0 vote by the Home and a 40-0 vote by the Senate, lawmakers handed the Florida Wildlife Hall Act which might incentivize “conservation and sustainable growth whereas sustaining and conserving the inexperienced infrastructure.”
$300 million might be put aside to guard wildlife corridors below the Florida Eternally land conservation program. The aim of those wildlife corridors is to create a community of undeveloped private and non-private patches of land in order that animals can safely traverse the state.
RELATED: Florida lawmakers go invoice funding efforts to develop state’s wildlife corridors
Broad-based Tax Aid bundle
On Friday, the Senate introduced it handed HB 7061, an omnibus tax invoice that’s mentioned to supply tax reduction to Florida households and companies.
In accordance with a launch, the invoice supplies the next:
- Expands the tax credit score for reasonably priced housing
- Provides a everlasting gross sales tax exemption for impartial dwelling objects
- Establishes tax holidays for 2021 back-to-school, catastrophe preparedness and “freedom week.”
Regulation enforcement adjustments
Maybe one of many greatest factors of HB 7051 is the requirement of the Felony Justice Requirements and Coaching Fee to develop instruction and primary coaching requirements for legislation enforcement officers, in keeping with a launch.
This contains creating insurance policies concerning use of power — equivalent to proportional use of power, alternate options to make use of of power, de-escalation methods and limiting the usage of chokeholds.
Coaching would additionally cowl an officer’s responsibility to intervene in the event that they see one other officer utilizing or trying to make use of extreme power.
And, it uniformly requires impartial critiques of lethal use of power incidents and officer-involved shootings leading to demise or accidents throughout the state. This implies a legislation enforcement company can’t conduct a evaluation involving one among its workers, however as an alternative should hand the evaluation and/or investigation to a different company.
Can’t arrest baby youthful than seven-years-old
Included into HB 7051, the “Kaia Rolle Act” prohibits the arrest of a kid youthful than seven years previous. Until, nonetheless, the crime is a “forcible felony.”
Kaia Rolle was six when she was arrested in 2019 by a faculty useful resource officer for throwing some type of tantrum. The SRO reportedly arrested one other six-year-old that very same day. Neither arrest was cleared by the officer’s watch commander, which was a part of the division’s coverage.
State College Free Seat Program
This system was created to encourage veterans, active-duty navy and Nationwide Guard members and “nontraditional” college students to enroll in on-line bachelor’s diploma program at state universities.
Below HB 845, state universities would waive tuition and costs for one on-line course for as much as 1,000 college students throughout the state who meet sure necessities.
Improve of county court docket judges
Florida lawmakers handed HB 5301, which revised the variety of sure counties’ circuit judges, together with a county in Tampa Bay.
Hillsborough County elevated its circuit court docket judges from 21 to 23. And, St. Johns County’s variety of judges elevated from two to 3.
The invoice would take impact July 1.
Training funding
In a considerably sweeping invoice on training funding, Florida lawmakers revised funding and necessities for digital faculty operations.
Additionally included in HB 5101, lawmakers revised provisions regarding minimal base salaries of sure workers. And, they eliminated provisions associated to specified funding associated to studying scholarship accounts, in addition to requires faculty districts to make use of specified federal funding allocations for specified functions.
Infrastructure investments
A 3-part infrastructure plan is related to the state’s $101.5 billion funds.
In a launch, the Senate mentioned the plan “revises the statutory distribution of documentary stamp proceeds to prioritize investing in state and native reasonably priced housing packages, mitigating the impacts of sea-level rise, and enhancing wastewater packages, together with septic-to-sewer conversions. The brand new framework supplies predictable funding for all three infrastructure priorities on a recurring foundation.”
Whereas many payments had been handed through the legislative session, there have been a number of that did not make it to a ultimate vote. Of notice, this features a measure that may ban Florida docs from performing “incapacity abortions.” It handed the Home and was despatched to a Senate committee, the place it remained.
Marijuana laws to guard Florida public workers utilizing medical marijuana from the disconnect between restrictive federal legal guidelines and permissive native legal guidelines stalled this session. Democratic representatives proposed Home Invoice 335 to ban employers from taking motion in opposition to certified medical marijuana sufferers, which was referred to 4 subcommittees in February and hasn’t been heard since.
The legislature can even maintain a particular session on Might 17 to debate Gov. DeSantis’ sports activities betting deal made with the Seminole Tribe.
RELATED: Florida to carry particular legislative session on sports activities betting deal between DeSantis and Seminole Tribe
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