Florida Legislature faces deadline for controversial bills

The 2024 Florida legislative session is nearing its end, and many bills are still struggling to pass or die in the process. Some of the bills are controversial and have sparked debates among lawmakers and the public. Here are some of the key issues that are facing a crunch time in the state Capitol.

Gun laws under scrutiny after Parkland shooting anniversary

One of the most contentious issues this session is the attempt by some Republican lawmakers to repeal or weaken some of the provisions of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, which was enacted after the mass shooting that killed 17 people in Parkland. The act raised the minimum age to buy a long gun from 18 to 21, imposed a three-day waiting period for all firearm purchases, banned bump stocks, and created a red flag law that allows courts to temporarily confiscate guns from people deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Some of the bills that aim to undo or modify these measures are:

• HB 1223, which would lower the age to buy a long gun back to 18. The bill has passed two House committees, but has no Senate companion.
• HB 17, which would end the waiting period after three days, regardless of whether a background check has been completed. The bill has passed one House committee, but faces opposition in the Senate.
• HB 6001, which would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry guns on college and university campuses. The bill has passed one House committee, but has not been heard in the Senate.
• HB 6003, which would repeal the red flag law. The bill has not been heard in any committee in either chamber.

Gun control advocates and the families of the Parkland victims have denounced these bills as an insult to the memory of the slain students and staff, and a threat to public safety. They have urged Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is running for president in 2024, to veto any of these bills if they reach his desk. DeSantis has expressed support for some of the 2018 act’s provisions, such as the red flag law, but has also said he favors instant background checks and open carry.

Voting rights and election integrity at stake in election reform bills

Another hot-button issue this session is the proposed changes to the state’s election laws, which have been criticized by Democrats and voting rights groups as an attempt to suppress the vote and undermine the will of the people. The bills are part of a nationwide trend of Republican-led states pushing for more restrictive voting rules in the wake of former President Donald Trump’s false claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election.

Some of the bills that would alter the state’s election system are:

• SB 90, which would limit the use of drop boxes for mail ballots, require voters to request mail ballots every election cycle instead of every two years, and ban anyone other than an immediate family member from collecting and returning mail ballots for another voter. The bill has passed two Senate committees, but has faced amendments and delays.
• HB 7041, which would create new identification and signature requirements for mail ballot applications and returns, and impose fines on supervisors of elections who do not follow the rules. The bill has passed one House committee, but has not been taken up by the full chamber.
• HB 7043, which would prohibit private funding for election administration, and require the state to reimburse counties for the costs of conducting elections. The bill has passed one House committee, but has not been heard in the Senate.

Voting rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers have argued that these bills are unnecessary and harmful, as Florida had a smooth and secure election in 2020, with record turnout and no evidence of fraud. They have warned that these bills would create barriers and confusion for voters, especially for minorities, seniors, and people with disabilities. They have called on DeSantis to veto any of these bills if they reach his desk. DeSantis has supported some of these bills, such as SB 90, saying they would strengthen election integrity and prevent potential fraud.

Environmental issues face mixed fate in green-leaning Legislature

One of the surprising themes of this session is the apparent shift in the Legislature’s attitude toward environmental issues, as some bills that would protect the state’s natural resources and combat climate change have gained bipartisan support. This is partly due to the influence of DeSantis, who has made the environment one of his priorities, and partly due to the growing awareness of the threats posed by sea level rise, pollution, and invasive species to the state’s economy and quality of life.

Some of the bills that would address environmental issues are:

• SB 1954, which would create a statewide office of resiliency and a sea level rise task force, and require state agencies to conduct comprehensive assessments of the impacts and costs of climate change. The bill has passed the Senate unanimously, and is awaiting action in the House.
• SB 2514, which would allocate $100 million annually for the next four years to the Resilient Florida Trust Fund, which would provide grants to local governments for projects that enhance resilience to flooding and sea level rise. The bill has passed the Senate unanimously, and is awaiting action in the House.
• HB 1601, which would ban the sale and use of sunscreen products that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals that have been linked to coral reef damage and marine life harm. The bill has passed one House committee, but has not been heard in the Senate.

Environmental groups and advocates have praised these bills as positive steps toward addressing the state’s environmental challenges, and have urged the Legislature to pass them before the session ends. They have also called on DeSantis to sign them into law if they reach his desk. DeSantis has expressed support for some of these bills, such as SB 1954 and SB 2514, saying they would help the state prepare for the effects of climate change and protect its natural assets.