Found this. A good read to see what's going to be introduced in the next session of Legislature.
Since the election and the swearing in, Legislators have been filing bills and Committee’s will begin meeting on January 5th to debate bills. To date, there have been 165 bills filed between the House and the Senate. We have been reading the bills filed and wanted to keep you up to date on the bills we will be supporting or opposing. It is important to note that we may initially support a bill, but based on amendment changes as the bill travels through committee’s may cause us to oppose.
HB4005/SB176 Licenses to Carry Concealed Weapons or Firearms
HB4005 was filed by Representative Greg Steube, R-Sarasota and would allow people with Concealed Weapons Permit to carry a firearm on college and University campuses. HB4005 would delete a provision in current law that prohibits carrying handguns on campus, including anyone with a concealed weapons permit. Senator Greg Evers, R-Pensacola has filed an identical bill (SB176) in the Senate. The recent shooting tragedy at Florida State University clearly demonstrates that “gun free zones” only disarms law-abiding citizens and violates their right to protect themselves as well as the opportunity to stop a criminal and save lives.
HB19/SB180 School Safety
HB19 was filed by Representative Greg Steube, R-Sarasota and would give Florida superintendents the option of hiring armed school safety employees on K-12 campuses, following school board approval. The school safety employee must have worked for law enforcement or military and must be licensed to carry a concealed weapon or firearm. Senator Greg Evers, R-Pensacola has filed a similar bill (SB180) in the Senate. Representative Steube has filed similar bills the last two sessions. Of course the reason to support this bill is the same as above, “gun-free” zones only create incentives to those with intent to cause violent harm to target schools.
HB107/SB186 Malt Beverages
HB107 filed by Representative Greg Stuebe has some very positive aspects to it. This legislation would allow for the 64oz growlers that are the industry standard and has been otherwise banned in the state of Florida. It would allow for brewers to self-distribute up to 10,000 kegs of their own product each calendar year and would allow for brewers to obtain a food license for their taproom and tasting rooms. This legislation also has some negative aspects. The brewers will have a much harder time canceling or renegotiating their contracts with a distributor. There are several different licensing options that seem unnecessary and the regulation on where a brewer’s taproom or tasting room is located seems over burdensome. This legislation will be one to watch this session and with the right amendments could be a positive change for the brewery industry. SB186 filed by Senator Jack Latvala is a very straightforward piece of legislation that allows for the sale of a 64oz growler with minor regulations on labeling and sealing of the container.
HB1-Texting while Driving and SB192- Wireless Communications Devices
HB1 filed by Representative Richard Stark D-Weston would make texting while driving a “primary offense”. It is currently a secondary offense, meaning a law enforcement officer cannot make a traffic stop solely upon someone appearing to be texting while driving. Senator Thad Altman, R-Cape Canaveral has filed a comparable bill (SB192) in the Senate. We can all agree that texting while driving is a bad idea, but this bill is totally unnecessary. Anyone that has been around a driver doing so can see the end result very easily- such as the vehicle weaving. Our law enforcement officers are trained to spot unsafe drivers, and those texting while driving operate in a similar manner to impaired (DUI) drivers. If a vehicle is weaving in and out of a lane, there is already a law to prohibit this activity, and a lawful traffic stop can be made with cause. The problem with making texting while driving a primary offense means anyone looking away from the road momentarily could be assumed to be texting and stopped, even though they may be doing something else such as putting a CD into their stereo- which is legal so long as no other unsafe driving takes place.
With the elections being over, it is now the time our elected officials will be going to Tallahassee for the next legislative session. Do you have the legislative knowledge to hold them accountable? One of our experts will come to your group and help you. Email info@libertyfirstfl.org to schedule your group or organization before the legislative session begins.
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Sincerely,
The Liberty First Network Team
John Hallman, Danielle Alexandre, Paul Henry and Adrian Wyllie ~ Lobbyists
Alex Snitker ~ President
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