SB 306, which authorizes municipalities to ban or regulate the use of disposable bags, passed in the Environmental Preservation and Conservation committee on Jan. 20. The vote was 8-1 in favor of the bill. It is now under consideration by the Community Affairs committee.
SB 860, which designates the second week of February as “Foster Family Appreciation Week” passed in the Rules committee on Jan. 20. The vote was 13-0 in favor of the bill. It is now in the Senate Calendar to be voted upon.
SB 218, which establishes criminal penalties for trafficking in food assistance money passed in the Senate. The vote was 38-0 in favor of the bill. It will have to pass in the House and be signed into effect by Governor Rick Scott before it becomes law.
HB 191, which allows and regulates the fracking industry in the state of Florida, passed in the House of Representatives on Jan. 27. The vote was 73-45 in favor of the bill. It will have to pass in the House and be signed into effect by Governor Rick Scott before it becomes law.
SB 130, which prohibits the recreational discharge of a firearm in residential areas of more than one house per acre passed in the Senate. The vote was 37-0 in favor of the bill. It is now under consideration by the Senate, where it is on the Special Order calendar.
SB 110, which allows churches and other religious organizations to deny services to citizens based on the organizations sincerely held religious beliefs passed in the Judiciary committee. The vote was 7-3 in favor of the bill. It is now in Community Affairs.
SB 88, which expands the family members of fallen veterans who are eligible for Gold Star license plates passed in the Senate on Jan. 15. The vote was 33-0 in favor of the bill. It is now under consideration by the House of Representatives.
SB 200, which establishes criminal penalties for leaving an animal in an unattended vehicle and allows emergency responders to rescue the animal passed in the Criminal Justice committee on Feb. 1. The vote was 5-0 in favor of the bill. It still has to go through the Rules and Judiciary committees before being voted upon by the whole Senate. It has yet to be placed on either committee’s agenda.
HB 1054, which allows avocationals to conduct archaeology on State lands, was postponed temporarily in the Governmental Oversight and Accountability committee. It is unclear when the committee will consider the bill.
Montford
SB 774, which adds insurance adjusters employed directly by the insurance company to the list of people who are allowed to answer customer questions concerning liability insurance coverage. This was not considered by the Rules committee on Jan. 27 when it was scheduled. This action could stall the bill out entirely. The Rules committee have no reason as to why this inaction was taken. To save the bill, Senator Montford must file a discharge petition.
SB 1440, which establishes a Florida Educator Hall of Fame, passed in the Pre-K through 12 Education Subcommittee on Jan. 27. The vote was 11-0 in favor of the bill. It is now under consideration by the Appropriations Subcommittee on General Government.