10-03-2025
Ban on developing in state parks among Florida bills with early momentum
Florida lawmakers pushed forward bills to rein in animal abandonment, driving under the influence, and development at state parks during the first week of this year's legislative session.
Why it matters: The legislative session moves fast — lawmakers have only two months each year to better the lives of Floridians.
Here are a few bills that have moved:
Stiffer penalties for DUIs: Legislation that would up penalties for driving under the influence and criminalize refusal to submit to a Breathalyzer test advanced last week and has one more committee stop.
State Parks Preservation: A bill that would, among other things, ban the construction of golf courses, hotels and pickleball courts in state parks drew bipartisan support in the state House and the state Senate.
The House version passed its first committee stop last week.
Gulf of America: The Committee on Community Affairs will discuss a bill state Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) filed to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America in state statutes on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, state Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) withdrew his bill to rename the Tamiami Trail to the "Gulf of America Trail" due to backlash from his constituents.
On the insurance front: A bipartisan bill (HB 13) that would have required Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to make windstorm coverage available to all homeowners statewide has been withdrawn.
Animal abandonment crackdown: Legislation to make it a third-degree felony to restrain an animal and leave it outside during a natural disaster advanced; the House and Senate versions of the bill each have one more stop.
" Trooper's law" is named for a bull terrier found tied to a pole on the side of Interstate 75 near Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Tampa while Floridians evacuated ahead of Hurricane Milton last year.
How to watch: Looking to keep up with the Legislature? You can watch the House, Senate and committee hearings online at the Florida Channel.
Plus, you can visit to track bills and receive email alerts.
