A Senate committee Monday backed a proposal that would prevent counties and cities from allowing people to sleep or camp on public property without permits. Bill sponsor Jonathan Martin, R-Fort Myers, called his proposal (SB 1530) a way to address a mental-health crisis in the…
Read More Florida Lawmakers Look To Curb Sleeping in Public
With Florida rocket launches in 2024 expected to top a record set last year, the state’s aerospace agency is seeking more money from lawmakers and is backing an expansion of spaceport designations. Florida had 72 orbital launches last year. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, who chairs…
Read More Space Florida Gears Up For Increased Launches
The Florida State Guard, revived by Gov. Ron DeSantis, could operate outside Florida and be called into service anytime he “deemed necessary,” under a bill approved Thursday by a House panel. The House Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee voted 11-3 to support…
Read More Florida State Guard Could Get Go-Ahead To Deploy Outside State If Directed By DeSantis
An effort to prevent removal of historical monuments and memorials started to advance Monday in the Senate as cities such as Jacksonville fight over Confederate statues. The Republican-controlled Government Oversight and Accountability Committee voted 4-2 along party lines to support a bill (SB 1122), filed…
Read More Florida Lawmakers Seek To Prevent Monument Removals
A proposal that would prohibit minors younger than 16 from creating social media accounts is poised to pass in the Florida House after a change Tuesday that its sponsor said helps target platforms’ addictive features. The bill (HB 1) is a priority of House Speaker…
Read More Florida Social Media Bill Targeting Teens Under 16 Poised To Pass
City and county boards would face a higher threshold for approving property-tax hikes, under a proposal that started moving forward Monday in the Legislature. In a 15-7 vote, the House Ways & Means Committee backed a bill (HB 1195) that would require two-thirds votes by…
Read More Raising Local Taxes Could Become Harder In Florida
Sarasota police Friday said they do not have “probable cause” to charge former Republican Party of Florida Chairman Christian Ziegler with sexual battery but are asking prosecutors to review allegations of video voyeurism. The announcement came less than two weeks after state party leaders removed…
Read More Ousted Florida GOP Chair Won’t Face Rape Charge, Voyeurism Probe Continues
As digital financial transactions increase, many Florida retail businesses would be required to accept cash as a form of payment, under a bill that continued moving forward Wednesday in the state Senate. Despite opposition from the attractions industry, the Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations…
Read More Florida Senators Support Cash Requirement For Businesses
Florida’s struggling citrus industry opened the new year without seeing changes in production estimates for this growing season, as state lawmakers begin to decide how much money to pump into agriculture issues. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday issued a report that kept estimates…
Read More Florida Citrus Numbers Unchanged As Disease Fight Continues
People would be allowed to kill bears on their property without permits if they feel threatened but would face more rules about reporting the incidents, under a proposal that received an initial approval Wednesday in the Florida Senate. While opponents called instead for better managing…
Read More Florida Senators OK Proposal On Shooting Bears