All,
Yesterday, HB 1 -- the "anti protest" bill -- was moved to the Senate Appropriations committee! If the House bill language is adopted, the companion bill SB 484, which has not yet been heard in a committee, is a moot point and the Senate can move ahead with HB 1 in a floor vote before sending it to the Governor for approval. HB 1 is not yet on the Senate Appropriations schedule, but I expect we will see it scheduled for next week.
I previously sent out talking points regarding HB 1 which I am again including below:
This bill was initially conceptualized by Gov. DeSantis as a backlash to Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests during the summer, even though these protests remained mostly peaceful, especially in Florida.
Violent behavior during public protests is already illegal under Florida law, but HB 1 would go beyond and seek to:
Expand penalties against anyone affiliated with a protest that becomes "disorderly;"
Mandate that anyone arrested at a protest would be detained until their first court appearance;
Protect Confederate monuments;
Prevent local community decisions from modifying law enforcement activities;
Provide protections for people who drive into a peaceful demonstration and "accidentally" run over a protester obstructing a public roadway.
According to the most recent Florida House Staff Analysis, this bill may have a negative fiscal impact on the Florida Department of Corrections and local governments due to:
The creation of new felony offenses relating to public disorder that will require more prison beds, and
The creation of new misdemeanor offenses that will require more jail beds for those arrested and held over until their first appearance hearings.
Please contact members of the Senate Appropriations Committee below ASAP and urge 1) Chair Stargel to refrain from hearing this bill; and 2) contact the other members to vote "NO" on this anti-democratic bill if it is scheduled. Chair: Senator Kelli Stargel (R)stargel.kelli.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5022
Vice Chair: Senator Aaron Bean (R)bean.aaron.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5004
Senator Ben Albritton (R)albritton.ben.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5026
Senator Lauren Book (D)book.lauren.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5032
Senator Randolph Bracy (D)bracy.randolph.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5011
Senator Jeff Brandes (R)brandes.jeff.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5024
Senator Doug Broxson (R)broxson.doug.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5001
Senator Manny Diaz, Jr. (R)diaz.manny.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5036
Senator Gary M. Farmer, Jr. (D)farmer.gary.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5034
Senator George B. Gainer (R)gainer.george.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5002
Senator Audrey Gibson (D)gibson.audrey.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5006
Senator Ed Hooper (R)hooper.ed.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5016
Senator Travis Hutson (R)hutson.travis.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5007
Senator Debbie Mayfield (R)mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5017
Senator Kathleen Passidomo (R)passidomo.kathleen.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5028
Senator Keith Perry (R)perry.keith.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5008
Senator Jason W. B. Pizzo (D)pizzo.jason.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5038
Senator Bobby Powell (D)powell.bobby.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5030
Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson (D)rouson.darryl.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5019
Senator Linda Stewart (D)stewart.linda.web@flsenate.gov(850) 487-5013 Thank you, Jean Siebenaler Legislative Chair
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