This past week Governor Ron DeSantis participated in the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) and proclaimed July as Keep Florida Fishing Month.
"
The protection of our vital water resources is one of the most pressing issues facing our state, and it is one that our state's over-four million licensed anglers now all too well
," said Governor DeSantis. "
While we have accomplished a lot, there is still much to be done. By working together we can protect and restore our natural resources so this industry can continue to thrive.
"
Furthering his commitment to conservation, the Governor recently signed the
Coastal Management bill
into law. This important legislation, sponsored by myself and Representative Chip LaMarca, will help protect our valuable coastal resources and improve the beach restoration process.
Governor DeSantis also signed the following bills into law:
HB 5401: Department of Environmental Protection
creates the Division of Law Enforcement within the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), which will employ state law enforcement officers. Previously the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission provided law enforcement for the department.
HB 7071: Workforce Education
promotes career readiness and workforce opportunities for students and working adults, ensuring alignment between Florida’s education and workforce needs.
HB 1027: Office of Early Learning
establishes professional development standards and career pathways for early childhood teachers and school readiness program providers.
SB 262: Child Welfare
revises the dependency process for abused children removed from their home to facilitate permanency within 1 year. Permanency for a dependent child can be reunification with parents, placement with a permanent guardian, such as a relative, or adoption. State law sets 1 year as a goal to achieve permanency.
HB 441: E911 Systems
requires each county to implement text-to-911 services.
SB 1080: Hazing
, also known as Andrews Law, specifies that persons who solicit others to commit the crime of hazing or who plan any act of hazing may be prosecuted as if they actively participated in the hazing event under the provisions in the bill. If the hazing results in a permanent injury to the victim, the crime is a third degree felony.
SB 7066: Election Administration
makes substantive changes to the Florida Election Code and implements Amendment 4 to the Florida Constitution. Approved by Florida voters on November 6, 2018, this bill restores the voting rights of certain convicted felons.
SB 1020: State Hemp Program
authorizes the Department of Agriculture to establish a state hemp program and sets up rule making and a board of experts to develop the system.
HB 7107: Controlled Substances
classified Epidiolex as a Schedule V controlled substance to mirror federal law. The schedule V classification reflects the substance's newly approved medical use. Epidiolex is a prescription cannabidiol, which is used to treat seizures.
SB 1418: Mental Health
requires that when a patient communicates a specific threat against an identifiable individual to a mental health service provider, the provider must notify law enforcement of the potential threat. The bill further requires that law enforcement notify the target of the threat presented.
SB 322: Health Plans
allows insurers and health maintenance organizations (HMOs) greater flexibility in their plan design and product offerings providing options of affordable health coverage for employers, employees, and individuals. The bill also requires insurers and HMOs to offer at least one policy or contract that does not exclude preexisting medical conditions if certain conditions are met.
SB 732: Office Surgery
authorizes the DOH to register and regulate office surgeries to ensure the safety of patients that visit plastic surgery clinics.
