Latest news with #RyanChamberlin
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Speeding away from Florida police may bring harsher penalties. How much you'll pay
In February 2024, 26-year-old Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink died after a crash during a high-speed chase after a reckless driver on Interstate 95 in St. Lucie County. A bill passed by the Florida Legislature would increase penalties for people who speed or drive recklessly while fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement. The bill's sponsor, State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R-Ocala, said the bill was inspired by Fink's death and the increase in high-speed pursuits on Florida roads. "In the Marion County Sheriff's Office alone, there have been documented over 1,100 high-speed chases," Chamberlin said. "That's almost one every day and a half, just in my district. The numbers really increase across the whole state, and with this bill, we hope to change that." The bill does not change the severity of the crimes, but it does change the point value used to determine sentences after conviction. Fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer carries different penalties in Florida, depending on the circumstances: If you've been ordered to stop and you flee anyway, it's a third-degree felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or up to 5 years in prison. If you flee at high speeds or drive with a "wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property," it's a second-degree felony, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 15 years in prison. If you flee at high speeds or drive recklessly and injure someone or cause damage to someone's property, it's called aggravated fleeing or eluding. That's also a second-degree felony, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and/or up to 15 years in prison. If you flee at high speeds or recklessly and cause serious bodily injury or death to another person, it's a first-degree felony, punishable by a fine of up to $10,000-$15,000 and/or jail time of up to 30 years or more, depending on the case, with a mandatory minimum sentence of three years in jail. Each violation is assigned a ranking in the offense severity ranking chart (OSRC) of the state's Criminal Punishment Code, which establishes a point system to determine sentences. That's where the "up to" part of fines and imprisonment time is decided. Under HB 113, fleeing or attempting to elude at high speeds or in a reckless manner bumps up from a Level 4 to a Level 5, which means harsher penalties may be applied. The bill also adds a sentence multiplier for second or subsequent offenses. If the primary offense is fleeing or attempting to elude, and they've done it before, the sentence points will be multiplied by 1.5. Aggravated fleeing or eluding, in which someone is injured or killed during a chase, moves from Level 5 to Level 6. Current law requires that the pursuing law enforcement vehicle in these cases must be marked with insignia and jurisdictional markings, with the siren and lights on. The bill removes the requirement for prominent agency insignia. At about 2:40 a.m. on Feb. 2, 2024, a St. Lucie County sheriff's deputy spotted a white Kia driving twice the speed limit. The deputy pulled the Kia over, but it sped off. Fink saw the car minutes later traveling at 140 mph west of I-95 and tried to stop it, but the Kia driver, identified as Michael Anthony Addison, made a U-turn on I-95 into oncoming traffic and headed north in the southbound lanes before exiting at St. Lucie West. The trooper followed, but was critically injured when his patrol car collided with a tractor-trailer. The driver of the semi, 55-year-old Arsenio Mas, was ejected from the truck. Both men died of their injuries. Addison was arrested after crashing the Kia a short time later. Investigators said the car was linked to 'an earlier domestic dispute out of Pompano Beach" when Addison reportedly had been threatening his girlfriend with a gun while driving, records show. DeSantis ordered flags flown at half-staff in Fink's honor at St. Lucie government buildings on Feb. 12, 2024. If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis or allowed to become law without his signature, the law goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2025. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida police pursuit law ahead: Fines would increase under bill
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Proposal to exempt trainees from minimum wage advances in Florida House
A proposal that would create an exemption to the state's voter-approved minimum wage for workers classified as trainees is ready to go to the full House. The Republican-controlled Commerce Committee on Monday voted 14-6 along party lines to approve a revised bill (HB 541) that would allow pay below the minimum wage for employees involved in a 'work-study, internship, pre-apprenticeship or other similar work-based learning opportunity.' Bill sponsor Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview, revised the bill to shorten the time that employers could pay a sub-minimum wage to nine months or two full school semesters. The bill previously included a limit of 12 months from when a person is hired. 'This would be a job they would take if money wasn't the primary issue, but the specific training was available that they believe, if they had a three- or six- to nine-month opportunity to do it, it could accelerate them far more than that few extra dollars per hour,' Chamberlin said. Employers in Florida are allowed to pay sub-minimum wages to certain workers, such as people ages 19 and younger during the first 90 days of employment and to students working part-time in vocational training programs. Rep. Gallop Franklin, D-Tallahassee, said the state allows unpaid internships so people can gain work experience. 'We do have a workforce issue,' Franklin said. 'And the challenge is not because we're paying too much. The challenge is because we're paying too less.' A 2020 state constitutional amendment required gradual increases in the minimum wage. It is $13 an hour and will increase to $14 an hour on Sept. 30 and will go to $15 an hour on Sept. 30, 2026. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. For tipped employees, the state's minimum wage is $9.98 an hour. The federal minimum for tipped employees is $2.13 an hour. A similar Senate bill (SB 676) would need to clear the Rules Committee before it could go to the full Senate. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida minimum wage: Lawmakers move forward with bill to lower pay for trainees
The Brief Florida lawmakers are advancing bills that would allow employers to pay certain workers in training below the minimum wage for up to 12 months. Supporters argue it will help small businesses attract skilled workers, while opponents warn it could lead to exploitation. The bills are still under review in both the House and Senate. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida lawmakers are advancing bills that would allow employers to pay certain workers in training below the minimum wage for up to 12 months. What we know On Tuesday, both the Florida House and Senate advanced bills that would exempt certain workers in on-the-job training from the state's voter-approved minimum wage law. he House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee voted 12-4 along party lines to support HB 541, while the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee approved a similar measure, SB 676. The bills would allow employers to pay workers involved in work-study, internships, or other training programs below the minimum wage, but only for up to 12 months. What we don't know The specifics of how the exemption would be implemented in various industries remain unclear. It's also uncertain how widespread the program could become if the bills pass, especially if business owners were to take advantage of the exemption by categorizing many employees as "interns" or "work-study" participants. The overall impact on workers' income and the number of workers who would voluntarily accept sub-minimum wage pay for training is also uncertain. The backstory The proposal is a response to concerns that the state's current minimum wage law, which gradually increases to $15 an hour by 2026, makes it difficult for employers to provide adequate job training. Under current law, certain exemptions already exist, such as allowing employers to pay sub-minimum wages to workers under age 20 during their first 90 days of employment and students in vocational programs. This new proposal seeks to extend these exceptions for employees involved in work-based learning opportunities, such as internships and apprenticeships. Big picture view The proposal reflects ongoing tensions between workers' rights and the needs of businesses in a post-pandemic economy. Supporters argue that the ability to pay below the minimum wage would help small businesses attract and train skilled workers, while opponents fear it could lead to widespread exploitation of workers. The larger debate centers on how to balance fair compensation with opportunities for job training, especially for younger and entry-level workers in a competitive labor market. What they're saying House bill sponsor Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview, argued, "The answer to why people would choose this is if they see value outside of the pay. They see an opportunity to gain some experience that they otherwise would not be able to gain." Florida AFL-CIO lobbyist Rich Templin voiced concerns: "You literally would be allowing business owners to make all of their employees an intern or a work-study... and anybody that wants to work there would have to sign this (minimum wage) waiver." Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, defended the bill. "It's not open to the McDonald's of the world, as I see it... And we still have the baseline of the federal minimum wage. So they won't be working for nothing." Tim Nungesser, legislative director for the National Federation of Independent Business in Florida, explained, "States are looking for ways to get more skilled workers, and one of the ways that we can do that is with this voluntary program." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by The News Service of Florida.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida government moves forward with minimum wage exemptions
The Florida House and Senate on Tuesday continued moving forward with a proposal that would provide an exemption to the state's voter-approved minimum wage for certain workers in on-the-job training. The Republican-controlled House Careers & Workforce Subcommittee voted 12-4 along party lines to support a measure (HB 541) that would allow pay below the minimum wage for employees involved in a 'work-study, internship, pre-apprenticeship or other similar work-based learning opportunity.' The Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee later Tuesday approved a similar bill (SB 676). The House version would allow people to be paid below the minimum wage for only 12 months. The bills say the exemption would apply if an employee 'opts out' of receiving the minimum wage. House bill sponsor Ryan Chamberlin, R-Belleview, said the current minimum wage law 'cripples' employers' abilities to provide training and affects young people seeking work experience. 'The answer to why people would choose this is if they see value outside of the pay,' Chamberlin said. 'They see an opportunity to gain some experience that they otherwise would not be able to gain that would further them and even jump them hopefully way past minimum wage at some point in the future.' Employers in Florida are allowed to pay sub-minimum wages to certain workers, such as people ages 19 and younger during the first 90 days of employment and to students working part-time in vocational training programs. If the proposal passes, Florida AFL-CIO lobbyist Rich Templin told the House committee that employers would take advantage of redefining job descriptions. 'You literally would be allowing business owners to make all of their employees an intern or a work-study or what have you, and anybody that wants to work there would have to sign this (minimum wage) waiver,' Templin said. 'Remember, in any given community there are only so many jobs. So, if business owners get together and say, 'Let's set up these internships,' you're not going to be able to find a job unless you work for less than the minimum wage.' But Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, said people opting for the lower pay would want to learn skills. 'It's not open to the McDonald's of the world, as I see it,' Caruso said. 'And we still have the baseline of the federal minimum wage. So they won't be working for nothing.' A 2020 state constitutional amendment required gradual increases in Florida's minimum wage. It is $13 an hour now, will increase to $14 an hour on Sept. 30 and will go to $15 an hour on Sept. 30, 2026. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. For tipped employees, the state's minimum wage is $9.98 an hour. The federal minimum for tipped employees is $2.13 an hour. Tim Nungesser, legislative director for the National Federation of Independent Business in Florida, said the legislative proposal is intended to help small businesses find qualified workers. 'States are looking for ways to get more skilled workers, and one of the ways that we can do that is with this voluntary program,' Nungesser said. Each proposal needs approval from one more committee before going to the full House and Senate. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida bill would create stricter punishment for leading law enforcement on pursuits
The Brief HB 113 and its companion, SB 468, would increase penalties for fleeing law enforcement in Florida. State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin filed HB 113 in response to the death of FHP Trooper Zachary Fink, along with data showing an increase in high-speed pursuits. The bill is moving through committees in the Florida House as the legislative session continues. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - A bill filed by a Florida lawmaker to increase penalties for those who lead law enforcement on pursuits is moving forward in Tallahassee. The backstory State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin (R-Ocala) filed HB 113, citing the tragic death of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Zachary Fink, who was killed in a crash with a semi-truck during a pursuit in South Florida early last year. The driver of the semi also died in the crash. HB 113 would create stricter punishment for suspects who flee or elude law enforcement. Right now, those who run from police in Florida are charged with a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, five years' probation, a $5,000 fine and a mandatory one-to-five-year license revocation. If passed, the bill would call for more prison time. What they're saying Rep. Chamberlin says, in addition to Trooper Fink's death, the bill was also inspired by a recent uptick in high-speed pursuits. "In the Marion County Sheriff's Office alone, there have been documented over 1,100 high-speed chases. That's almost one every day and a half just in my district. The numbers really increase across the whole state, and with this bill, we hope to change that," Chamberlin said. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Dig deeper HB 113 is moving through committees in the Florida House, with the latest reading held this past Friday. A companion bill, SB 468, has yet to go to any committee votes. To read the full text of HB 113, click here. The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Mariah Harrison. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
