Latest news with #SenateBill150
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Governor signs new law protecting pets during natural disasters: 'All states need to do this'
Florida's governor has made it a felony to abandon pets during natural disasters. The new state law was inspired by a dog named Trooper, who was intentionally tied up and left behind during Hurricane Milton. As AccuWeather reported, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 150, also known as Trooper's Law, to prevent aggravated animal cruelty. This issue reached the Florida Legislature after a 23-year-old left his dog while fleeing Hurricane Milton because he couldn't find anyone else to care for him. Authorities arrested and charged the man with a third-degree felony, sparking conversations about enforcing stricter penalties for abandoning pets during emergencies. Fortunately, Trooper survived the storm after a Florida Highway Patrol trooper rescued him along Interstate 75 near Tampa. He was originally named Jumbo but was renamed after the hero who saved his life. A couple in Parkland, Florida, later adopted the dog. "Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response," DeSantis said. "Florida stands by man's best friend." This law is encouraging because it may deter other people from leaving their pets behind when faced with evacuation orders during an extreme storm. Unfortunately, this situation is all too common in storm-prone areas such as the Florida coast. The impacts of our changing climate are making storms more intense, causing severe rain and flooding conditions that are challenging for any animal to survive. Hurricane evacuation orders are becoming more frequent in Florida and other coastal regions, so it's critical that we prepare for devastating weather as much as possible. Laws that protect animals help preserve domestic and animal welfare, saving lives and supporting healthy, balanced ecosystems. Anyone in Florida who restrains and abandons a dog during an evacuation or a declared disaster faces five years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. What would you do if natural disasters were threatening your home? Move somewhere else Reinforce my home Nothing This is happening already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. In response to an ABC News Facebook post about the new law, one social media user commented, "We need to plan for not only the people but for the pets too." "ALL states need to do this," a Facebook user suggested. "No one should be left behind, especially our pets," someone else wrote. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania Senators look to protect worker gender identity, expression in workplace
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — Two Pennsylvania Senators announced legislation that aims to prohibit discrimination based on an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Senators Steven Santarsiero (D-Bucks) and Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) argued in their new bill that in Pennsylvania, no one should be fired from a job, or denied housing or excluded from public spaces because of who they are. Their bill is a reintroduction of Senate Bill 150, which was co-sponsored by over 10 Senators. In Pennsylvania, the Human Relations Act prohibits discrimination in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations based on an individual's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, education status, handicap or disability. However, the act does not cover sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. 'Pennsylvania should be seen as a place that welcomes any individual who wants to work hard, succeed, and contribute to our economy without the fear of being fired, refused services or denied something as basic as a place to live because of who they are,' The legislation reads. 'Surveys repeatedly show that over 70% of Pennsylvanians agree.' The Senators argued that while there has been an increase in the number of Pennsylvania municipalities that have passed non-discrimination ordinances, without a statewide law, there are individuals across the Commonwealth who risk not being protected. The legislation noted that other states have already passed similar bills safeguarding an individual's sexual orientation, gender identity or expression. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
UPI
29-05-2025
- UPI
Dog tied to fence during hurricane inspires law banning pet abandonment
A bull terrier found tied to a fence as Hurricane Milton approached Florida last fall has inspired a new state law against pet abandonment. Photo courtesy of Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles The dog who was left to drown during a hurricane is now the face of a new Florida law. On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed "Trooper's Law," making it a felony to restrain and abandon a dog during a declared natural disaster or when an evacuation order is in effect. The law was named after a bull terrier found tied to a fence as Hurricane Milton approached Florida last fall. The dog was discovered on Oct. 9 along Interstate 75 near Tampa, as evacuees fled the path of the Category 4 storm. Body camera footage shows Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales crossing a flooded field in the pouring rain to reach the frightened dog, who stood chest-deep in water and barked in fear. "I don't blame you," Morales said gently, trying to calm the animal. "It's OK." The dog's owner, 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia, told investigators he had been heading to Georgia to escape the storm but left the dog, originally named Jumbo, behind "because he couldn't find anyone" to care for him. He was later charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony. In a statement, Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said, "Quite frankly, I don't think [five years] is enough," and urged lawmakers to consider tougher penalties for abandoning pets during emergencies. The dog was renamed Trooper in honor of Trooper Morales and was adopted by a couple in Parkland, Florida. Trooper recently survived cancer and stomach surgery after ingesting more than 100 pieces of garbage while in his former owner's care. Signed this week, Senate Bill 150 makes it a third-degree felony to leave a dog restrained and unattended during a declared disaster, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It also codifies existing misdemeanor penalties for failing to provide confined animals with adequate food, water, shelter and exercise. DeSantis also signed Dexter's Law on Tuesday, a second bill that strengthens penalties for aggravated animal cruelty. Named after a shelter dog who was killed just days after being adopted, the legislation ensures that those convicted of extreme abuse face criminal consequences that reflect the seriousness of the crime. "Florida stands by man's best friend," DeSantis said in a statement. Safe, healthy and loved, Trooper was recently honored as Parkland's "Favorite Dog" and now his name is part of Florida law.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dog tied to fence during Hurricane Milton inspires Florida law banning pet abandonment in disasters
The dog who was left to drown during a hurricane is now the face of a new Florida law. On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed "Trooper's Law," making it a felony to restrain and abandon a dog during a declared natural disaster or when an evacuation order is in effect. The law was named after a bull terrier found tied to a fence as Hurricane Milton approached Florida last fall. The dog was discovered on Oct. 9 along Interstate 75 near Tampa, as evacuees fled the path of the Category 4 storm. Body camera footage shows Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales crossing a flooded field in the pouring rain to reach the frightened dog, who stood chest-deep in water and barked in fear. "I don't blame you," Morales said gently, trying to calm the animal. "It's OK." The dog's owner, 23-year-old Giovanny Aldama Garcia, told investigators he had been heading to Georgia to escape the storm but left the dog, originally named Jumbo, behind "because he couldn't find anyone" to care for him. He was later charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a third-degree felony. In a statement, Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said, "Quite frankly, I don't think [five years] is enough," and urged lawmakers to consider tougher penalties for abandoning pets during emergencies. The dog was renamed Trooper in honor of Trooper Morales and was adopted by a couple in Parkland, Florida. Trooper recently survived cancer and stomach surgery after ingesting more than 100 pieces of garbage while in his former owner's care. Signed this week, Senate Bill 150 makes it a third-degree felony to leave a dog restrained and unattended during a declared disaster, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. It also codifies existing misdemeanor penalties for failing to provide confined animals with adequate food, water, shelter and exercise. DeSantis also signed Dexter's Law on Tuesday, a second bill that strengthens penalties for aggravated animal cruelty. Named after a shelter dog who was killed just days after being adopted, the legislation ensures that those convicted of extreme abuse face criminal consequences that reflect the seriousness of the crime. "Florida stands by man's best friend," DeSantis said in a statement. Safe, healthy and loved, Trooper was recently honored as Parkland's "Favorite Dog" and now his name is part of Florida law.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cigar bar bill fails, but Clean Indoor Air Act now includes e-cigarettes
E-cigarettes (Wikimedia Commons) A bill to strengthen the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act by including e-cigarettes and vape pens was signed into law earlier this month by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte. Sen. Willis Curdy, D-Missoula, said Monday he had worked on Senate Bill 390 for several sessions with support from youth advocates and public health workers. 'This is long overdue,' Curdy said. The law now defines 'smoking,' which is prohibited indoors, to include using an electronic smoking device. The bill was one of a couple pieces of legislation in 2025 tied to the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act. However, Senate Bill 150, to create an exemption in the act that allowed for cigar rooms, failed in its last vote during the legislative session. Curdy said SB 390 was near and dear to him as a former high school teacher, and he and former legislator Fred Anderson, a Great Falls Republican and school principal, had talked about the effects on youth. 'I got some support from folks — quite a bit of support from folks — who had in the past opposed the bill,' Curdy said. He said some previous opponents came around after 'an epiphany with their own health,' and others after learning about the negative health consequences of e-cigarettes and vape pens. Curdy also said more work needs to be done to strengthen the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act, and he is interested in additional legislation, although he declined to cite specifics Monday. However, he said persistence at the Montana Legislature paid off with SB 390. 'It was a matter of perseverance,' Curdy said. After clearing the Senate, a bill that would have created an exception in the Montana Clean Indoor Air Act for cigar rooms failed in the House in its last vote after some representatives changed their votes. Sponsored by Sen. Wylie Galt, R-Martinsdale, the bill passed the House on second reading with 51 votes, but then it failed with only 45 votes in support on third reading. The bill was backed by the tourism and hospitality industry, and supporters argued Montana is at a disadvantage as a luxury destination because it cannot offer a place where cigar aficionados can legally smoke indoors. Public health advocates opposed the bill, pointing to detrimental effects of second-hand smoke. Some also alleged the bill would run contrary to an agreement made when Montana first passed the Clean Indoor Air Act in 2005 but gave bars four years to comply. Originally, the bill would have allowed cigar bars in standalone structures, but it was amended to create an exception for cigar rooms with separate ventilation instead. Galt said Monday he believes that change, along with an amendment that included a study related to gambling machines and opposed by the industry, might have ended up sinking the bill. Galt has worked on the bill for many sessions, and he earlier said cigar bars are legal in many other states. He said Monday he'll continue to pursue the opportunity for Montana. 'I do intend on running it again next session with some of the amendments we worked on,' Galt said in a text message Monday. 'Tenth year may be my lucky year.' Jackie Semmens, with the American Heart Association, had opposed SB 150 during the Montana Legislature. Semmens said Monday an amendment in the House Business and Labor Committee 'would have essentially brought back smoking sections to Montana bars.' But she said 'there is no safe level of second-hand smoke,' and she believes the change might have contributed to the demise of the bill. 'This really upset our members, who called their legislators to ask them to vote 'no' on SB 150,' said Semmens, government relations director for Montana for the association. 'Montanans by and large don't want to return to the days of smoking in bars.' However, in a phone call and email, Semmens also praised the addition of e-cigarettes to the Clean Indoor Air Act. 'We believe that the addition of e-cigarettes to the Clean Indoor Air Act was an important update to the law given the youth vaping epidemic,' Semmens said. 'Nicotine in any form is an addictive drug, and we want to send a clear message to youth in Montana that vaping is not safe for you or for people around you. 'We also hope this will inspire more interest in what else Montana can do to help curb the youth vaping epidemic.'
