General Bills
SB 88, which expands the types of family members eligible for a Gold Star license plate, passed in the Senate, with a vote of 33 to 0 on Jan. 15. It will now head to the Governor’s desk. The bill is sponsored by Senator Wilton Simpson (R, District 18) and co-sponsored by Senator Thad Altman (R, District 16) and Senator Maria Lorts Sachs (D, District 34).
SB 860, which designates the second week in February as “Foster Family Appreciation Week” passed in the Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee with a vote of 7-0 on Jan. 14. It is now on the Rules Committee agenda. The bill is sponsored by Senator Nancy Detert (R, District 28).
SB 1024, which gives a tax credit of up to $1,000 to a business who employs a felon, provided that employee is not a sexual predator or offender, or a habitual violent crime offender, was introduced to the Senate on Jan. 12. It is sponsored by Senator Dwight Bullard (D, District 39).
SB 1054, which would create a program allowing private citizens to excavate historical and archaeological artifacts provided that they follow established reporting and excavating procedures was introduced to the Senate on Jan. 12. An identical bill, HB 803 is making its way through the House of Representatives. The Senate bill is sponsored by Senator Charles Dean (R, District 5) and co-sponsored by Senator Denise Grimsley (R, District 21).
SB 1072, which prohibits the media from accepting or soliciting a fee to remove a booking photograph of an arrestee from publication was introduced to the Senate on Jan. 12. It is sponsored by Senator Darren Soto (D, District 14).
SB 1098, called the Sunshine Protection Act, which requires the State of Florida to observe daylight savings time year-round was introduced to the Senate on Jan. 12. It is sponsored by Senator Darren Soto (D, District 14).
SB 1108, which provides state-wide standards for animal shelters equal to the common practice in Jefferson and surrounding counties was introduced to the Senate on Jan. 12. It is sponsored by Senator Gwen Margolis (D, District 35) and co-sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz (R, District 1) and Senator Christopher Smith (D, District 31).
Bills related to Senator Montford
SB 1668, which establishes research and removal of the invasive lionfish species by various universities and foundations was introduced to the Senate on Jan. 14. The bill was referred to two committees and one subcommittee: Environmental Preservation and Conservation; Appropriations; and Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. It is sponsored by Senator Bill Montford (D, District 3).
SB 1440, which establishes a Florida Educator Hall of Fame was introduced to the Senate. It is sponsored by Senator Bill Montford (D, District 3).
SR 1732, which designates February 3 of each year as Florida Agriculture Day was fled into the Senate on Jan. 15. It is sponsored by Senator Bill Montford (D, District 3).