Latest news with #SB58
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Yahoo
Lucy's Law, other bills would stiffen reckless boating penalties. What is HB 289?
Florida leads the nation with the most boats registered, more than 1.04 million in 2023 according to a report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. It also has more accidents, with 659 reported that year and 59 boating-related fatalities. Two bills working their way through the Florida Legislature would increase penalties for boaters driving recklessly. House Bill 289 is called "Lucy's Law" after 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez, who died in 2022 after the driver of the boat she was in struck a channel marker in Biscayne Bay off Miami-Dade County. Another passenger, 18-year-old Katerina Puig, was left permanently disabled. George Pino, the driver, refused a breathalyzer test at the time and was charged with felony vessel homicide. The bill would increase penalties for reckless boating and mandate boating education. A companion Senate bill, SB 628, also increases penalties for unsafe boating but lacks the mandated education. A different Senate bill, SB 58, increases penalties, requires the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to add a symbol on state ID or driver's license cards if the person has completed approved boating safety courses, requires ignition interlock devices placed on boats owned or leased by convicted offenders, and increases penalties for refusing a blood, urine or breathalyzer test under reasonable cause. Increase penalties for people violating boating rules and operating vessels recklessly Reckless operation that does not result in an accident would be bumped up from first to second-degree misdemeanor Reckless operation that results in an accident that causes damage to the property or person of another would be a first-degree misdemeanor Reckless operation that results in an accident that causes serious bodily injury would be a third-degree felony Increase penalties for boaters leaving the scene of an accident without giving all possible aid to all persons involved and notifying law enforcement as follows: Property damage would be a second-degree misdemeanor Injury to a person other than serious bodily injury would be a third-degree felony Serious bodily injury would be a second-degree felony Death of another person or unborn child would be a first-degree felony. An "unborn child" was added by amendment. A person who willfully kills another person must be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term 66 of imprisonment of 4 years A person who knowingly provides false information regarding a boating incident resulting in these damages commits a second-degree misdemeanor Require a person convicted of BYU manslaughter to be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 4 years. Suspend a person's motor vehicle driver's license if they are convicted of boating under the influence Require mandatory boating education for a person convicted of a noncriminal boating infraction Mandate boating education for all Florida boaters unless the boater was born before Jan. 1, 1988, has been a Florida resident for at least 5 consecutive years, and has documentation they have completed approved boating safety certification Florida state law currently requires boat drivers born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, to complete a boating safety course. That leaves many boat owners over 36 years of age without formal training in maritime safety. About 83% of the drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2023 had no formal boater education, according to the FWC's Division of Law Enfrocement report. "Right now, it's the Wild Wild West," said Luciana's father Andy Fernandez, who proposed the bill. "It's not like when I started. There are more people boating. The boats are bigger and faster. There are cellphones and loud music. "The stats don't lie. ... We don't want to hurt the (boating) industry. ... We want to effect meaningful change." If approved by the Florida Legislature and signed by Gov, Ron DeSantis, HB 289 would go into effect on July 1, 2025. Contributing: Timothy O'Hara, Treasure Coast Newspapers This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida boating laws change would increase penalties for recklessness
Fox News
17-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
North Carolina primed for showdown over Dem AG's ability to sue Trump
A North Carolina bill could become the nation's test case on whether a legislature can prevent a politically-opposed state prosecutor from suing the presidential administration on behalf of the state. The bill, SB 58, would limit present and future North Carolina attorneys general from participating in litigation seeking to invalidate any executive order issued by the president of the United States. "The Attorney General shall not, as a party, amicus, or any other participant in an action pending before a state or federal court in another state, advance any argument that would result in the invalidation of any statute enacted by the General Assembly," the bill reads. "The attorney general shall not… an action that would result in the invalidation of an executive order issued by the President of the United States [or] advance any argument in a pending action that would result in the invalidation of any executive order issued by the president." The bill passed on a party-line vote last week in the GOP-controlled state Senate, and appears primed for consideration by the House — which lost its veto-proof majority by one vote last election. Attorney General Jeff Jackson has already put his name to several suits against the feds since taking office in January. Jackson, a Democrat and former member of Congress for the western Charlotte suburbs, has to put politics aside in his role and instead represent the state as a whole, his spokesman, Ben Conroy, said Monday in pushing back on the legislation. "The attorney general's duty is to be a nonpartisan shield for the people of North Carolina. Nearly 90 federal executive orders have been issued. Attorney General Jackson has filed four federal lawsuits to protect billions in funding for western North Carolina, our public universities, and rural jobs," Conroy said. "In each case, judges across the country have agreed that the federal government's actions were likely unlawful or unconstitutional. Any legislation that undermines the independence of the Attorney General's Office is bad for our state and its people." In a WCNC interview earlier this year, Jackson defended joining a multi-state lawsuit against President Donald Trump's federal funding freeze, saying the funds add up to billions of dollars for North Carolina. Jackson said some of that money would go toward victims of domestic violence, veterans, law enforcement and "could really impact FEMA and the recovery work they're doing in Western North Carolina." The bill's sponsor, Sen. Tim Moffitt — who hails from Helene-ravaged Hendersonville — previously described it as a "housekeeping" measure and a response to attorneys general writ-large using the courts to determine public policy. The Senate-approved bill has been sent to the House Rules Committee, chaired by Majority Leader John Bell IV, R-Goldsboro. Bell did not respond to a request for comment, but a spokesperson for House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Lenoir, said the people of North Carolina voted for Trump three times, and therefore it is clear where they stand on his governance. "And, it's disappointing when Democratic officials try and obstruct his agenda," spokesperson Grant Lefelar said. "North Carolina House Republicans are taking a look at several ways to hold the Attorney General accountable for wasting time on partisan lawsuits instead of working to crack down on violent crime and illegal immigration," Lefelar added. Fox News Digital also reached out to the bill's other topline sponsors, including Reps. Eddie Settle, R-Elkin, and Bobby Hanig, R-Currituck. Bill opponent Sen. Graig Meyer, D-Hillsborough, told the Carolina Journal that Jackson's power should not be curtailed when "he has the opportunity to defend our state for jobs, for funding, for healthcare, for things that our people desperately need." While Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is expected to veto the bill if it reaches his desk, he also did not respond to a request for comment. If House Republicans can get one Democratic vote, they could override any Stein veto. Fox News Digital also reached out to House Minority Leader Robert Reives II, D-Pittsboro, for his view on the legislation and whether any Democrats might cross the aisle. Mitch Kokai, a representative for the North Carolina-centric libertarian-leaning John Locke Foundation, said it is "no surprise" GOP leaders are trying to restrain Jackson from continuing to affix his name to lawsuits against Trump. "The new law also forces Jackson to defer to the general assembly's lawyers and legal strategy when legislators decide to take part in a courtroom dispute," he said. Kokai said an attorney general's core role is defending North Carolina and fighting in-state scams and crime and that there is "no compelling reason" to use taxpayer resources to "cozy up" to other AGs. "He can build his resume for the next stop in his political career on his own time," he said, as Stein, Democratic predecessor Roy Cooper, and prior Republican Gov. Mike Easley all served as the state's top lawman before moving into the governor's mansion. While in many states the attorney general's office mirrors the state legislative majority, North Carolina is one of a handful of states where the attorney general and governor are both Democrats, but the legislature is held by the GOP. Arizona and Wisconsin notably have the same governmental setup as North Carolina but do not appear to have forwarded similar legislation as of yet.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC Senate bills to limit AG's powers, ban phones in schools, and mandate ICE cooperation advance
The North Carolina Legislative Building (Photo: Clayton Henkel) The North Carolina Senate is set to consider bills limiting Attorney General Jeff Jackson's powers, requiring cellphone limitation policies in schools, and mandating cooperation with federal immigration authorities after favorable votes in a powerful gatekeeper committee. On Thursday, members of the Senate Rules Committee endorsed Senate Bill 55, requiring schools to bar the use of cellphones during class time; Senate Bill 58, removing Jackson's ability to challenge presidential executive orders; and Senate Bill 153, ordering state law enforcement agencies to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The committee also advanced two technical bills related to the state's community college system. Most discussion during the meeting centered on the bills concerning the attorney general and immigration. 'While there may be disagreement with whether he can do this or not, it does seem to me that the Attorney General is actually standing up to protect our universities and giving us a competitive advantage,' said Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake), referencing cuts to federal research funding. 'In some ways, he's better positioning you all to provide tax cuts.' He asked whether backers of SB 58 would want the Attorney General to litigate an executive order that would harm North Carolina's interests — for example, an 'anti-sweet potato' order, a hypothetical that drew laughs from the room. 'If in fact that was to happen, I feel fairly confident that the General Assembly could rise to the occasion and direct the Attorney General to take action against the President,' replied Republican Sen. Timothy Moffitt, the bill's lead sponsor. Sen. Julie Mayfield, a Democrat from Buncombe County, noted that Jackson had participated in just four lawsuits challenging Trump's executive orders, choosing to do so when billions of dollars in federal funding and thousands of North Carolina jobs were at stake. 'I'm just puzzled about what it is that we don't like about what our attorney general is doing to help protect the jobs and the economy, to defend — which is his job — defend attacks on the jobs and the economy in North Carolina,' Mayfield said. She also asked what would happen if Jackson — who serves in an independent constitutionally elected office — simply ignores the General Assembly's directive. 'You can't impeach him. You can't call for a new election — what happens if the Attorney General ignores this?' 'I could contemplate that the action that this body could take would be to take Chapter 114, Section 2, and just completely zero it out, and that way, the Attorney General is a feckless, empty shell of a position that has no authority to do anything,' Moffitt said. Discussing the immigration bill, Sen. Buck Newton, a Republican who co-sponsored the proposal, called it simply 'the next step that the state needs to take to help support President Trump's efforts to curb illegal immigration.' He explained it as a follow-up to a bill last session that required North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, requiring state agencies to do the same, preventing public benefits from going to undocumented immigrants, blocking the University of North Carolina from undertaking 'sanctuary-type policies,' and opening up counties that do not cooperate with ICE to lawsuits by waiving their sovereign immunity. Mario Alfaro, a policy director for El Pueblo NC, criticized the immigration bill as a 'violation of state autonomy' during public comment Thursday. 'Instead of protecting the state's citizens, it will create distrust and increase insecurity for everyone,' Alfaro said. 'More than 50% of farm workers are immigrants, more than 35% of construction workers are immigrants. We urge legislators to support policies that protect immigrants and their contributions, not those that ignore or hide the fact that North Carolina's economy needs immigrant workers.' Samantha Salkin, a policy analyst for the ACLU of North Carolina, also condemned the bill, calling it 'an attack on immigrant communities and an attempt to further the false narrative that immigrants are a drain on our public service system.' 'Forcing law enforcement agencies to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement erodes the trust between immigrants and the protective services that they should be able to rely on,' Salkin said. 'Witnesses and victims of crimes are less likely to report crimes and cooperate with police for fear of deportation, making all of us less safe.'
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arkansas pharmacy bill heads to governor's desk, pharmacy freedom of choice bill enters legislature
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The 95th General Assembly saw activity on pharmacy bills on Monday. A bill to permit non-profit hospitals to maintain a licensed pharmacy is on the governor's desk after a Thursday vote, and a pharmaceutical patient freedom of choice bill was submitted to the legislature the same day. Arkansas Legislative Council makes pharmacy-protecting PBM rule permanent Senate Bill 58 will remove the prohibition on non-profit, tax-exempt or government-funded hospitals from having a retail pharmacy permit. The legislation included a provision that a patient was not required to use a hospital's pharmacy and to inform them this was the case. Meanwhile, House Bill 1442 proposes to support patients and prevent anti-competitive practices for pharmacy patients. Arkansas bill limiting insurance settlements on governor's desk for signature The legislation allows patients freedom of choice in their pharmacy and requires pharmacies to have equal access to drug pricing programs. It also reflects SB58's prohibition removal, by requiring a non-profit hospital patient's pharmacy choice to be recorded. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC senate bill is latest legislation that would restrict power of Democrat-held positions
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — North Carolina's top cop could face new restrictions if Republicans in Raleigh have their way. New legislation filed on Wednesday, Senate Bill 58, would bar the attorney general from suing over executive orders issued by the president. A month into his new role, AG Jeff Jackson has not been shy about challenging orders from President Donald Trump. Jackson, a Democrat, has taken part in lawsuits over federal funding and birthright citizenship. North Carolina bills push to reduce early voting, challenge governor's clemency powers SB 58 was filed by Senators Eddie Settle, Bobby Hanig, and Tim Moffit. It states the attorney general shall not file or take part in any legal action that would invalidate an executive order issued by the president. In December, lawmakers passed SB 382, which blocked the AG from opposing any action taken by the General Assembly. Western Carolina University Professor Chris Cooper says it appears Republicans in the legislature are developing a new strategy to retain power. 'We've not had a Republican elected attorney general since the early 1900s,' he explained. 'So it's just been Democrat, Democrat, Democrat. And frankly, I think the General Assembly is frustrated with that.' SB 382 was passed when Republicans held a veto-proof super majority, and the makeup of the state house has changed in the new year. NC House lawmakers consider $500 million for Hurricane Helene relief 'The Republicans are going to need every one of their House members on their side, plus, they're going to need one Democrat on their side, and so Cecil Brockman to me seems to be the one Democrat who's everyone's eyes will be turning to should this go up for a vote and another other close votes,' added Cooper. The AG's office did not comment on SB 58 but Gov. Josh Stein and his predecessor Roy Cooper are still involved in a lawsuit challenging SB 382. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
