Florida's Latest News

Bill to create autism ‘blue envelope’ program, require police training advances to Senate floor

A bill to improve police communications with people on the autism spectrum during traffic stops and other motor vehicle-related interactions is now one vote from passing in the Senate.

Its estimated fiscal impact is relatively insignificant — $64,000 over four months, followed by general upkeep and updating costs, according to Senate staff — but its impact would be invaluable, supporters of the bill say.

Those supporters include every member of the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, who voted unanimously for the measure (SB 418), and members of the two prior Committees through which the bill passed with no opposition.

Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones, the bill’s sponsor, said that’s because it’s a simple, commonsense proposal that will strengthen law enforcement preparedness, reduce misunderstandings and give families greater peace of mind as their sometimes vulnerable loved ones live more independently.

Joe Gruters’ Citizens Insurance overhaul clears final Senate Committee

A proposal by Sarasota Sen. Joe Gruters to shrink Citizens Property Insurance Corporation has cleared its final Senate Committee stop, advancing to the Senate floor efforts to reduce taxpayer exposure tied to Florida’s property insurance market.

SB 1028 would make it harder for commercial property owners to stay in Citizens if a private insurance option exists — even if that option is up to 20% more expensive — by requiring policies to be routed through a commercial lines clearinghouse before the state-backed insurer can issue or renew coverage.

Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez presented the bill on behalf of Gruters. She told Committee members the measure builds on recent reforms aimed at stabilizing Florida’s insurance market and reducing taxpayer exposure.

“I think the state of Florida, the Legislature particularly, has taken big strides in improving the insurance climate and the insurance market here in Florida,” Rodriguez said. “We’re seeing it year after year, the market is just getting healthier, and I think this is just one more step in that direction to continue making Florida an attractive market.”

Jason Brodeur’s Ocklawaha River restoration bill is ready for the Senate floor

A hotly debated environmental project up in the air for decades could finally be moving forward, as an Ocklawaha River restoration bill is ready for the Senate floor.

With a 17-1 vote, the Senate Appropriations Committee advanced Sen. Jason Brodeur’s legislation (SB 1066) that would breach the Kirkpatrick Dam and decommission the Buckman Lock. 

“The Kirkpatrick Dam was built in 1968 and today serves no water supply, flood control or hydroelectric power purpose. However, it continues to block the river, harm water quality and disconnect important natural resources between Silver Springs, the Okeechobee and the St. Johns, impacting millions of Floridians,” said Brodeur, a Lake Mary Republican.

“With this dam being nearly 70 years old and being classified by the state as a high hazard, this bill is a measured first step in reducing long-term safety risk while improving water quality.”

SB 1066 would order the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to develop a plan to restore the Ocklawaha River by Jan. 1, 2027, and complete the work by Dec. 31, 2032.

House panel advances ‘HAVEN Act’ expanding safeguards for domestic, dating violence victims

Two weeks after its companion Senate bill passed with unanimous support, bipartisan legislation to expand protections for victims of domestic and dating violence is gaining traction in the House.

Members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee voted 15-0 for HB 269, dubbed the “Helping Abuse Victims Escape Now (HAVEN) Act.”

Every year in Florida, nearly 107,000 cases of domestic violence are reported, Department of Children and Families data shows. And according to the Center for Relationship Abuse Awareness, 75% of domestic violence-related homicides occur after separation, meaning victims are most at risk of severe harm after they leave their abuser.

“There is no magic button or instant connection to law enforcement, and this is what this bill addresses. … There is no immediate method of calling,” said Highland Beach Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman, who is sponsoring the legislation with fellow Republican Rep. Rachel Plakon of Lake Mary.