Most of this year`s new laws go into effect Thursday, which also marks the start of the state`s 2021-2022 fiscal year. But about 40 laws passed this year have already come into force, and another 20 will come into force later this year. RIGHT TO AGRICULTURE: In a priority given by Senate Speaker Wilton Simpson, lawmakers passed a measure (SB 88) that will expand the state`s “right to agriculture” law and provide farmers with additional legal protection from so-called harassment lawsuits. PROPERTY INSURANCE: A package of insurance (SB 76) allows for larger annual rate increases for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. customers. It will also prevent contractors from asking homeowners to make insurance claims, limit attorneys` fees in lawsuits against insurers, and reduce the time it takes to file claims from three years to two years. FIREARMS REGULATION: Lawmakers have approved a measure (SB 1884) that will expand a controversial 2011 law that threatens harsh penalties against local governments that pass gun regulations. The new law will allow for prosecution of “unwritten” local policies that violate the state`s gun regulation ban. VOTING INITIATIVES: The Legislative Assembly approved a measure (SB 1890) that includes a $3,000 cap on contributions to political committees seeking to put proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. Opponents have filed a federal lawsuit to try to block the contribution cap. More than 100 new laws passed during the 2021 legislature will come into effect this week, from a record $100 billion budget to a ban on “passports” for COVID-19 vaccines to an expansion of school vouchers. A permanent collection of state laws organized by domain in a code consisting of titles, chapters, parts, and sections.
Florida`s laws are updated annually by laws that create, modify, transfer, or repeal legal material. A compilation of all laws, resolutions and monuments passed during a legislature. They are divided into two broad categories – general laws and special laws. Bills that the governor has vetoed are not included. Florida`s laws are hosted by the external website, laws.flrules.org/ Summaries of 2021 bills are reports prepared by committee staff that contain brief statements on the laws passed this session in the House and Senate. These summaries are prepared by members of the committee and do not represent the opinion of a senator, an official of the Senate or an office of the Senate. The Constitution establishes the powers and duties of the Florida Senate. The legislative power, as defined in the Constitution, has exclusive legislative power. In a simplified version, legislators propose bills that, if passed positively by both houses and approved by the governor, become law. Learn more about how an idea becomes law.
After a fierce debate, lawmakers approved a far-reaching educational measure (SB 1028) that prohibits transgender women from participating in high school and college girls` and women`s sports teams. GOOD SCHOOL: Continuing years of efforts to strengthen school choices, the legislator has adopted a measure (HB 7045) that will expand the number of good schoolchildren. In part, the legislation will increase the family income threshold for children to qualify for vouchers and remove the requirement that students must have previously been enrolled in public schools. FOREIGN INFLUENCE: As part of a campaign to limit the influence of foreign governments, lawmakers approved a measure (HB 7017) that requires state agencies and universities to declare donations or grants worth $50,000 or more “from a foreign source.” BUDGET: The new state budget (SB 2500), backed by government stimulus funds, includes funds to restore the Everglades and combat the effects of sea-level rise. It will also increase the minimum wage for state employees to $13 an hour, provide bonuses for first responders, and provide an additional $50 million to increase teachers` salaries. In addition, it will provide $96 million to provide home and community services to more people with developmental and developmental disabilities, and $100 million to clean up a former phosphate plant in Manatee County that raised concerns about a potential environmental disaster this year. Toll roads: Two years after lawmakers passed a controversial plan to build and expand toll roads, this year they backtracked and approved a measure (SB 100) to repeal it. However, the new law requires that planning for the extension of the Turnpike in Florida from its current western end to Wildwood and the project to interlace a road along U.S.
Route 19 from Suncoast Parkway to Interstate 10 in Madison County be advanced. TAX BREAKS: Legislators approved a $196.3 million tax package (SB 7061) highlighted by sales tax “holidays.” These include a tax holiday for school starters in August and a new “Freedom Week” tax holiday, which starts on Thursdays and offers tax breaks for things like entertainment tickets and outdoor equipment. ALCOHOL TO GO: Known as “alcohol to go,” a new law (SB 148) will allow restaurants to sell alcoholic beverages with takeaway. The measure implements a practice approved by DeSantis last year to help restaurants that have had to significantly reduce their operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM: The GOP-controlled legislature passed a measure (HB 233) requiring surveys to assess “intellectual freedom and diversity of views” at state colleges and universities. ONLINE TAX REVENUE: After years of debate on the issue, lawmakers have approved a measure (SB 50) that requires non-state online retailers to levy sales taxes on Purchases by Floridians. It is estimated that $1 billion a year in additional revenue is used to replenish an unemployment trust fund and then reduce a tax on commercial rents. MOMENT OF SILENCE: The Legislative Assembly approved a proposal (HB 529) requiring public schools to hold moments of silence every day.
While teachers are prohibited from suggesting the type of thinking, they are expected to encourage parents to discuss with children how best to use the time. CIVIC EDUCATION: Lawmakers passed a measure (HB 5) requiring U.S. government high school classes to include “a comparative discussion of political ideologies that conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy” and require public schools to establish a civic education curriculum to develop “righteous citizenship.” SOCIAL MEDIA: In a priority of Gov. Ron DeSantis, Republican lawmakers passed a measure (SB 7072) that aims in part to prevent social media companies from removing political candidates from corporate platforms. Companies that violate the ban could face fines of $250,000 per day for applicants nationwide and $25,000 per day for other applicants. Online industry groups are challenging the measure in federal court. COVID-19 Passports: In a DeSantis priority, lawmakers approved a measure (SB 2006) to prevent businesses, schools, and government agencies from requiring individuals to provide documentation certifying COVID-19 vaccinations before they have access — a concept known as COVID-19 vaccine “passports.” The bill will also give the governor the power to override local orders during health crises. To order florida statutes, Laws of Florida, CD-ROM, indices and other publications, visit the Legistore.
You can buy online with a credit card or mail order to pay with a check, money order or newspaper transfer. For more information, email lawbook.services@leg.state.fl.us or call (850) 488-2323. An organized system of basic principles for state government. It is permanent and general in nature and comes from the people and not from the legislative assembly. Two measures from the 2020 session also come into effect, including a law that allows college athletes to earn money based on their names, images and similarities off the field.
