Below is a summary of the session organized by Florida CAN’s priorities.
Unlike the historic success of the 2023 session, the 2024 session was essentially wasted by weak leadership that refused to push most pro-liberty bills. If we don’t stay on top of the legislature, we risk Florida being Wyoming-ized where politicians claim party affiliation to get elected, but do not believe in the principles they espouse in their campaigns. A summary of all the bills is available from the Florida Senate.
Education & Parental Rights
HB1019/SB282. Nonpublic Religious Postsecondary Educational Institutions
House version killed on floor (no vote); Senate version killed in Rules Committee (no vote).
Summary: changes rules for private religious colleges
HB1019 sponsored by Rep Webster Barnaby (R; District 29; Volusia County)
SB282 Introduced by Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez (R; District 40; Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties)
Opinion: Bill doesn’t clearly outline the justification to change existing law. It seems like change for the sake of change so there’s probably some big money donor pushing this for some reason. We’re glad it didn’t pass, but it would’ve been nice to see votes to follow the money
Individual Freedom
HB1615. Restrictions on Firearms and Ammunition During Emergencies
Killed in Senate Rules Committed (no votes) after passing House 86-23-11
Summary: Repeals ridiculous anti-gun law (Statute 870.044)
Sponsored by Rep Tommy Gregory (R; District 72; Manatee County) and Rep Tyler Sirois (R; District 31; Brevard County)
Opinion: If you’re going to brag about “Free Florida,” how does 870.044 stay on the books? There was never a matching Senate bill and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said before session started that there would be no easing of gun restrictions..
HB1619. Carrying and Possession of Weapons and Firearms
Killed in Criminal Justice Subcommittee (no votes)
Summary: allows open carry of firearms; expands concealed carry with permit; more legal protection for “risk protection orders” (red flag law)
Introduced by Rep Mike Beltran (R; District 70; Hillsborough and Manatee Counties)
Opinion: Why do you need a 42-page bill to allow open carry? Clearly the Senate wasn’t going to pass this, but the House didn’t even try.
HB1641/SB1126. Regulation of Auxiliary Containers
HB1641 killed in State Affairs Committee (no vote) after passing Agriculture< Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee 11-7; SB1126 killed in Community Affairs Committee (no vote) after passing Senate Commerce an Tourism 4-0
Summary: prohibits local laws to regulate containers beyond state law
HB1641 sponsored by Rep Bradford Yeager (R; District 56; Pasco County)
SB1126 sponsored by Senator Jonathan Martin (R; District 33; Lee County)
Opinion: This would have prevented blue counties and cities from passing confusing laws to burden businesses with extra requirements for food containers. It should have also included straws.
Healthcare & Medical Freedom
HB459/SB402. Declarations of a Public Health Emergency
HB459 killed in Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee (no votes); SB402 killed in Health Policy Committee (no votes)
Summary: Makes it harder to renew public health emergencies; removes vaccines as a treatment; HB459 adds: “Closures of churches, businesses, government buildings and services, schools, groups of private residences, and public domains, and altering elections procedures and protocols, are prohibited. Any such actions that affect entire groups or communities must be authorized on a case-by-case basis with each case being afforded all rights of due process.”
HB459 introduced by Rep Joel Rudman (R; District 3; Okaloosa & Santa Rosa Counties)
SB402 introduced by Senator Clay Yarborough (R; District 4; Nassau & Duval Counties)
Opinion: Clearly, politicians want to ignore abuses from the COVID response in 2020/21 and do not want to prevent future abuses
HB1623. Emergencies
Killed in Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee (no votes)
Summary: Similar to SB402 with more stringent provisions (closure of private business for more than 14 days is considered “commandeered” and compensation must be paid; removes power for State Health Officer to isolate or quarantine individuals)
Sponsored by Rep Mike Beltran (R; District 70; Hillsborough and Manatee Counties)
Opinion: Some of the best language to prevent abuses we saw in 2020-21
SB636. Exemptions from Immunization Requirements (similar to SB1094)
Killed in Health Policy Committee (no votes)
Summary: Anyone can claim an exemption for any reason if vax doesn’t satisfy certain rules (including manufacturer assumes liability… so all of them are included)
Introduced by Senator Ileana Garcia (R; District 36; NE Miami-Dade County)
Opinion: Great intention, but like many of the 2023 bills, there no private cause of action for people whose exemptions are ignored. There needs to be a stated penalty for companies, school districts, and government agencies that violate this law. The fact that this bill has no recorded votes shows just how apathetic our legislative leadership is about the abuses we saw in 2020-21. They do not want accountability for the past or protection against similar abuses in the future.
SB1094. Immunization Requirements.
Killed in Health Policy Committee (no votes)
Summary: Need state approval to add immunization requirements for school attendance; allow for parental opt-out
Introduced by Senator Jonathan Martin (R; District 33; Lee County)
Opinion: Like SB636, “Free Florida” is subservient to Big Pharma, or at least our political leadership is.
HB1535/SB680. Protection of Medical Freedom
HB1535 killed in Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee (no votes); SB680 killed in Judiciary Committee (no votes)
Summary: No immunization registry or tracking; can’t require proof of vax or immunity status; adds vax or immunity status to civil rights law
HB1535 sponsored by Rep Rachel Plakon (R; District 36; Seminole County) and Rep Susan Plasencia (R; District 37; Orange & Seminole Counties)
SB680 sponsored by Senator Joe Gruters (R; District 22; Sarasota & Manatee Counties)
Opinion: Very similar to SB222/HB305 from 2023 term, but it’s probably trying to do too much in one bill. There was no support from leadership (or the Governor) to get it passed. There’s no urgency to prevent COVID-lockdown-style abuses from being repeated in the future.
Culture
HB1. Social Media Use for Minors
Vetoed by Governor DeSantis on 3/1; passed House 108-7-5; passed Senate 23-14 (3 abs)
Summary: No social media under 16; 16-17 have warnings and protections
Primary Sponsors: Rep Tyler Sirois (R; District 31; Brevard County); Rep Fiona McFarland (R; District 73; Sarasota County); Rep Michele Rayner-Goolsby (D; District 62; Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties)
Opinion: Not sure why this is suddenly important to pass. There’s already a federal ban for social media under age 13. It’s hard to tell if this version is good given how it’s worded and how many exemptions there are for things to not be considered “social media platforms.”
HB3. Online Protections for Minors
Passed on 3/25; passed House Vetoed by Governor DeSantis on 3/1; passed House 109-4-7; passed Senate 30-5-3 (2 abs)
Summary: No social media under 14; 14-15 have warnings and protections; defines “material harmful to minors”; must offer age verification if “substantial portion of material is harmful to minors”
Primary Sponsors: Rep Chase Tramont (R; District 30; Brevard & Volusia Counties); Rep Toby Overdorf (R; District 85; Martin & St Lucie Counties); Rep Berny Jacques (R; District 59; Pinellas County); Rep Lauren Melo (R; District 82; Hendry and Collier Counties)
Opinion: Like HB1, not sure why this is suddenly important to pass. Sounds good, but we’ll see how “material harmful to minors” stands up in court
SB766. Luring or Enticing Children
Killed in Senate Criminal Justice Committee (no votes)
Summary: Raises penalty for existing law; this provision is included in HB1129/SB1196 (also killed)
Sponsored by Linda Stewart (D; District 13; Orange County)
Opinion: This was a simple, straight-forward way to get tough on predators and would have had clear, bi-partisan support since it was sponsored by a Democrat. The fact that it didn’t even receive a single recorded vote suggests some of our legislators must be in favor of luring or enticing children.
HB1129/SB1196. Harm to Minors (“Protect Our Children Act”)
HB1129 killed in Regulatory Reform & Economic Development Subcommittee (no votes); SB1196 killed in Criminal Justic Committee (no votes)
Summary: Requires manufacturers to have a filter on devices so underage users cannot download harmful content
HB1129 introduced by Rep Michelle Salzman (R; District 1; Escambia County)
SB1196 introduced by Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R; District 11; Citrus, Hernando & Sumter Counties)
Opinion: Unnecessarily long and complex. Concept makes sense and is needed, but there was no support from leadership because neither bill progressed.
HB1135/SB1238. Lewd or Lascivious Grooming
HB1135 placed on 2nd Reading calendar on 2/22, but never voted on (i.e., killed by House Speaker Renner)
Summary: Defines “lewd or lascivious grooming” and makes it a second-degree felony
HB 1135 Sponsors: Rep Taylor Yarkosky (R; District 25; Lake County); Rep Doug Bankson (R; District 39; Orange & Seminole Counties); Rep Chase Tramont (R; District 30; Brevard & Volusia Counties)
SB1238 sponsored by Senator Jonathan Martin (R; District 33; Lee County)
Opinion: Great bill that is needed. Simple, short and well written, but needed to specify that there are no exemptions for teachers, librarians, or performers. HB1135 breezed through committees (21-0 in House Judiciary), but left to die by Speaker Renner never having a floor vote. Makes you wonder why they were so concerned with HB3 if actual groomers preying on kids weren’t important.
HB1545. Child Exploitation Offenses
Passed on 4/10; passed House 100-11-9; passed Senate 40-0
Summary: Adult communicating accounts of sexual activity, conduct or excitement to minors commits 3rd degree felony (up to 5 years or $5K); Ignorance of minor’s age, minor’s misrepresentation of age, or minor’s consent may not be raised in defense
Primary sponsors Rep Jessica Baker (R; District 17; Duval County) and Rep Taylor Yarkosky (R; District 25; Lake County)
Opinion: Well written and more specific than HB1135/SB1238, but with a lighter penalty (3rd degree vs. 2nd degree). That’s offset, by minor’s misrepresentation of age not being a defense. There’s nothing about exemptions for educational institutions, but don’t expect this to be used against grooming teachers.
HB1233. Biological Sex (similar to HB1639)
Killed in Health & Human Services Committee (no votes)
Summary: Replaces gender with sex (defined biologically); defines mother and father; if health insurance offers transition coverage, it must also offer detransitioning coverage and must offer plans without transition coverage; allows discrimination based on sex for state interests (detention facilities, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, locker rooms, restrooms, etc.)
Sponsored by Rep Dean Black (R; District 15; Nassau & Duval Counties)
Opinion: Very thorough and cover’s the fake right’s “girls’ sports” arguments, more importantly, it attacks the pockets of the trans industry directly. This bill was toxic to spineless leadership that wanted nothing to do with it
HB1639. Gender and Biological Sex (similar to HB1233)
Killed by Senate Rules Committe (no votes); passed House 75-33-12
Summary: shorter version of HB1233
Sponsored by Rep Doug Bankson (R; District 39; Orange & Seminole Counties); Rep Dean Black (R; District 15; Nassau & Duval Counties); Rep Rachel Plakon (R; District 36; Seminole County)
Opinion: Either HB1233 or HB1639 would have been good (neither went far enough to dismantle the predator industry that’s been established to take advantage of confused kids). We’re shocked this made it through the House, but they probably knew the Senate would kill it.
HB1355/SB1414. Education (“Freedom to Learn Act”)
Neither bill received any votes
Summary: Puts CRT, DEI, LGBTQ history, porn and sex instruction back into schools
HB1355 primary sponsor was Primary sponsor Rep Michele Rayner-Goolsby (D; District 62; Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties)
SB1414 sponsored by Senator Tracie Davis (D; District 5; Duval County) and Senator Shevrin Jones (D; District 34; NE Miami-Dade County)
Opinion: This goes beyond overturning all the 2023 legislation and adds LGBTQ history; if HB1135/SB1238 (Lewd or Lascivious Grooming) had passed, the sponsors of this bill should have be expelled from the Legislature. This bill will likely sit on a shelf and get passed if/when Dems get a majority.
Crime
HB1297/SB538. Traveling Across County Lines to Commit Criminal Offenses
Killed by Senate Fiscal Policy Committee (no votes); passed House 98-15-7
Summary: Adds grand theft or a forcible felony (776.08) to burglary in 843.22 (Traveling across county lines with intent to commit a burglary), making the criminal offense one level higher if crossing county lines
HB531 introduced by Rep John Snyder (R; District 86; Martin & Palm Beach Counties)
SB538 Introduced by Senator Gayle Harrell (R; District 31; Martin, St Lucie & Palm Beach Counties)
Opinion: Nice, simple bill to get tough on crime. Having something for stronger penalties on repeat offenders would be better, but this is an improvement to existing law. Sadly, Senate President Passidomo would not support either bill or even allow votes.
HB549. Theft
Passed on 4/9; passed House 83-27-10; passed Senate 36-3-1
Summary: Increases penalties for retail theft in coordination with other people; increases window for valuing property from 30-days to 120-days
Primary sponsor Rep Bob Rommel (R; District 81; Collier County)
Opinion: A lot of publicity and photo ops for the Governor on this bill. It does increase penalties for people convicted of theft, but doesn’t go far enough. The restitution portion should be 2 or 3 times the value and repeat offenders should automatically get max sentences, not just an upgrade to the next level of crime.
HB621/SB888. Property Rights (anti-squatter bill)
Passed on 3/27; passed House 108-0 (12 abs); passed Senate 39-0 (1 abs); SB888 tabled for CS621
Summary: Provides owners of residential property with protection against squatters; can have sheriff remove them without legal prerequisites used to evict tenants; ; first-degree felony to list, rent, or sell property you don’t own
HB621 primary sponsor Rep Kevin Steele (R; District 55; Pasco County)
SB888 sponsored by Senator Keith Perry (R; District 9; Alachua, Levy & Marion Counties)
Opinion: Amazing how bills pass with leadership support. This was conveniently timed with the New York City arresting a home owner trying to remove squatters. The only problem with the bill is that it only applies to residential property; it doesn’t include commercial property.
HB1365/SB1530. Unauthorized Public Camping and Public Sleeping
Passed on 3/20; passed House 82-26-12; passed Senate 27-12-1; SB1530 tabled for CS1365
Summary: No public sleeping or camping allowed by local governments unless it provides public restrooms, security, behavioral health services, and it doesn’t negatively affect surrounding properties
HB1365 introduced by Rep Sam Garrison (R; District 18; Clay County)
SB1530 introduced by Senator Jonathan Martin (R; District 33; Lee County)
Opinion: An outstanding bill that started at 4 pages and passed as 7; tightly focused on a specific problem and used the Left’s talking points to force their support: they couldn’t argue against provided more services for their voters. The only thing missing was a provision that behavioral health services have to be state programs, not grants to local non-profit organizations (that just feeds the local money-laundering grift that empowers politicians and shields them from Sunshine laws).
HB759. Solicitation of Contributions Act
Killed in Criminal Justice Subcommittee (no votes)
Summary: Prohibits most panhandling on roads or near commercial establishments
Sponsored by Rep Alex Andrade (R; District 2; Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties)
Opinion: This was a great law to prevent the San Francisco-fication of Florida, but there was no support from leadership and no matching Senate bill. It makes you wonder why these legislators feel the need to support vagrants and panhandlers.
Election Integrity
HB359. Voting Systems (similar to HB1669/SB1752)
Killed in Ethics, Elections & Open Government Subcommittee (no votes)
Summary: Provides for manual hand count; no foreign equipment or software
Sponsored by Rep Berny Jacques (R; District 59; Pinellas County) and Rep Taylor Yarkosky (R; District 25; Lake County)
Opinion: Simple bill to make elections easier to audit. Why would politicians support such a thing?
HB671/SB190. Ballot Boxes
HB671 killed in Criminal Justice Subcommittee (no votes); SB190 killed in Ethics & Elections (no votes)
Summary: Escort for transport of election materials
Sponsored by Rep David Borrero (R; District 11; Miami-Dade County) and Senator Ileana Garcia (R; District 36; NE Miami-Dade County)
Opinion: Sounds good, but they haven’t considered the cost and manpower required to make this happen. So many local law enforcement agencies are undermanned that they probably can’t make this happen.
HB1101/SB1168. Forms of Identification
House 1st Reading on 1/9, referred to 4 committees and never had any votes; SB1168 referred to 3 committees and never had any votes
Summary: Expands legally acceptable forms of ID to get a driver’s license, but individuals who don’t submit proof of citizenship get an “NC” (noncitizen) on the license
HB1101 sponsored by Rep Lauren Melo (R; District 82; Hendry and Collier Counties)
SB1168 sponsored by Senator Joe Gruters (R; District 22; Sarasota & Manatee Counties)
Opinion: Great, simple way to make it difficult for non-citizens to vote, but leadership in both houses couldn’t be bothered to even record a vote.
HB1669/SB1752. Elections
Neither bill had any votes
Summary: Tightens absentee process and vote by mail
HB1669 sponsored by Rep Rick Roth (R; District 94; Palm Beach County)
SB1752 sponsored by Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R; District 11; Citrus, Hernando & Sumter Counties)
Opinion: This bill was unnecessarily complex. SB1602 and HB1101/SB1168 would have been more effective (if they were passed).
SB1602. Elections
Killed in Senate Ethics & Elections Committee (no votes)
Summary: Voter roll clean up and maintenance
Sponsored by Senator Joe Gruters (R; District 22; Sarasota & Manatee Counties)
Opinion: This bill was very thorough on ways to keep voter rolls clean and prevent voter fraud. The only issue (other than complete lack of support from leadership) was a need to specify penalties for supervisors of elections that don’t comply.
HB721/SB562. Harassment of Election Workers
HB721 killed in Judiciary Committee (no vote) after passing two other committees unanimously; SB562 killed in Rules Committee (no vote) after passing Ethics & Elections Committee 8-0
Summary: Creates new law to prevent “intimidate, threaten, coerce, or harass, or attempt to” election workers
HB721 sponsored by Rep Joe Casello (D; District 90; Palm Beach County)
SB562 sponsored by Senator Darryl Rouson (D; District 16; Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties)
Opinion: Horrible attack on our rights to petition our government and observe our elections. There are already laws on the books that protect against harassment. In the last 3 years, there has not been a single case of a citizen being arrested for anything approaching harassment on an elections official, so why push this now?
Other bills
HB1187/SB1258. Carbon Sequestration
HB1187 killed in Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee after passing Agriculture, Conservation & Resiliency Subcommittee 19-0; SB1258 killed in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government after passing Environment and Natural Resources 7-0
Summary: Creates Carbon Sequestration Task Force with required reports
HB1187 sponsored by Rep Lindsay Cross (D; District 60; Pinellas County) and Rep James Mooney (R; District 120 Monroe & Miami-Dade Counties)
SB1258 introduced by Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez (R; District 40; Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties)
Opinion: Ridiculous WEF garbage proposed by corporatist shills masquerading as Republicans. The sponsors and everyone who voted for it should be expelled from the party.
SB586. Cultivated Meat
Killed in Agriculture Committee (no votes)
Summary: Defines “cultivated meat” (produced from cultured animal cells); prohibits manufacture, sale, or distribution of cultivated meat
Sponsored by Senator Clay Yarborough (R; District 4; Nassau & Duval Counties)
Opinion: Opposite of the WEF garbage in HB1187/SB1258. This bill was actually pre-emptively banning what the elites want to push on us. Of course, that means leadership would make sure the bill got no votes.
HCR703/SCR324. Balanced Federal Budget
Passed House 80-33-6; no roll-call vote in Senate; SCR324 laid on table for HCR 703
Summary: calls for Article V Convention of States “for the sole purpose of proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States which requires a balanced federal budget”
HCR703 primary sponsors: Rep Tyler Sirois (R; District 31; Brevard County) and Rep Tommy Gregory (R; District 72; Manatee County)
SCR324 introduced by Sen Blaise Ingoglia (R; District 11; Citrus, Hernando & Sumter Counties)
Opinion: Virtue signaling for votes. If the fundamental problem is the federal government ignoring the specific enumerated powers of the U.S. Constitution and openly enabling a foreign invasion of the country, why would adding another amendment to the Constitution change anything?
HB759. Solicitation of Contributions Act
Killed in Criminal Justice Subcommittee (no votes)
Summary: Prohibits most panhandling on roads or near commercial establishments
Sponsored by Rep Alex Andrade (R; District 2; Escambia & Santa Rosa Counties)
Opinion: This is a great law to prevent the San Francisco-fication of Florida. Despite Governor DeSantis’s tough talk on the problem, the legislature didn’t take it seriously and had no intention of doing anything about it. (There was no matching Senate bill). Who knew panhandlers were such a strong voting block?
HB727/SB1004. Tax Exemptions for Disabled Ex-servicemembers
HB727 killed in State Affairs Committee after passing two other committees unanimously; SB1004 killed in Senate Appropriations Committee after passing two other committees unanimously
Summary: Increases existing property tax exemption from $5,000, to $10,000
HB727 primary sponsor: Rep Carolina Amesty (R; District 45; Orange & Osceola Counties)
SB1004 sponsored by Sen Victor Torres (D; District 25; Orange & Osceola Counties)
Opinion: Nice to update since current exemptions are not indexed to inflation or property values. It would be nice to have all current exemptions automatically adjusted for inflation. Remember how the legislature let this die when they start campaign again and talk about cutting taxes.
“Without freedom of thought, there can be no such thing as wisdom; and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech; which is the right of every man, as fas as by it, he does not hurt or control the right of another: And this is the only check it ought to suffer, and the only bounds it ought to know.”
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, SILENCE DOGOOD LETTERS, NO.8, JULY 9, 1772