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Axios
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
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 to make windstorm coverage available to all homeowners statewide has been withdrawn.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.
Axios
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Bills we're watching in the 2025 Florida legislative session
Florida lawmakers reconvene on March 4 to kick off this year's legislative session, with bills filed to rename the Gulf in state statutes and to allow guns but not undocumented immigrants on college campuses. Why it matters: There are more than 1,300 bills for the Legislature to wade through, each with the potential to reshape our daily lives. With the dust settled after last month's legislative revolt against Gov. Ron DeSantis, questions about the GOP's unity linger — though, for now, few bills seem likely to put it to the test. Here are a few bills we're monitoring: Gun regulation rollback: State Sen. Randy Fine (R-Melbourne Beach) filed bills to lift the state's age limit on firearm purchases and expand the areas where firearms can be carried, including on college campuses. State Sen. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill), meanwhile, introduced legislation to ban the use of artificial intelligence to detect firearms in public areas; it would be a first-degree misdemeanor to do so. Another immigration crackdown: Fine's bill (SB 244) would prohibit state universities with acceptance rates below 85% from accepting applications from or admitting undocumented students. State Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) filed legislation to revoke the law licenses of undocumented immigrants on Nov. 1, 2028, unless proof of U.S. citizenship is provided on or before that date. State Sen. Jason Pizzo (D-Miami) filed a bill to expand E-Verify to all employers, with penalties of up to $10,000 in fines. State Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Seminole) filed a similar bill without the penalties. Gulf of America: State Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach) wants to change all references to the Gulf of Mexico in state statutes to the Gulf of America. Insurer of first resort: A bipartisan bill (HB 13) aims to require Citizens Property Insurance Corp. to make windstorm coverage available to all homeowners statewide. 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.
