28-03-2025
Citizens fight for bill that would change the appointment process for FWC Commission
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – Brent Fannin started a petition to reform the FWC commission. He now has around 6,500 signatures. He also wrote a proposed bill, approaching state Representative Anna Eskamani to file it.
'She said all of her slots were full and we weren't going to do it. And then a month later, she called 15 minutes before the deadline to file it, and she said, hey, I've got a spot what do you want to do?,' recalled Fannin.
Eskamani filed Joint House Resolution 1625, which calls for changes to the appointment process for FWC commissioners.
'The heart of the bill is attempting to ensure that professionals and conservation scientists who work in this space are having a seat at the table versus the appointees just take shape as donors to Governor DeSantis, developers, farmers, individuals that have a need to to profit off land versus those that their profession is to protect it,' said Representative Eskamani.
FDLE and FWC on scene conducting an investigation at Gulf World Marine Park
Fannin says he knew the chances were slim that they get the 3 committees required to pass the bill.
'She was very honest with me and said, look, this isn't going to go through. Hopefully we'll get the conversation started at the highest level that we can,' said Fannin.
The bill has yet to be presented at its first stop, the natural resources and disasters committee.
'The one person that's supposed to bring that bill before his committee is Representative Adam Botana, and he's not doing it. And he specifically, he actually called me a couple of days ago and he said he's not going to do it. And I said, ok, we're not done yet,' added Fannin.
Instead, Botana brought Representative Jason Shoaf's House Bill 1133 before the committee last week. HB 1133 would appoint FWC commissioners based on geographical locations, ensuring 'statewide representation.'
Critics say the two bills are not the same and hundreds of concerned citizens have accused Botana of stalling HJR 1625.
'Stalling basically means that there are different stakeholders, whether they're some elected officials or special interests, who don't want to see your bill move. And thus make efforts to stop it. And I suspect that's the heart of this issue. Now, with that said, we also don't have a Senate companion at this time. So it is very hard for any bill to move forward without a Senate companion,' said Eskamani.
But state senators are giving frustrated voters a glimmer of hope regarding FWC Commissioner Chairman Rodney Barreto's reappointment confirmation.
'I have had many phone calls about Rodney Barreto. Is there any way that we could have him attend via Zoom at the next meeting that we might be able to ask some questions?,' said Senator Gayle Harrell.
'We're celebrating that little win right there, even though we you know, we haven't rejected him completely. It's really good to know that they're paying attention to us,' said Fannin.
'I do think that there's already been a few indications, not just with Barreto, with other DeSantis appointees of senators expressing concern and doubt about the qualifications of these individuals,' said Eskamani.
Chairman Barreto will answer senators questions on Monday. We've reached out to Representative Adam Botana's staff a number of times this week about claims that he's stalling the bill. He has yet to respond. The next opportunity for the bill to be heard is Tuesday, April 1st.
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