Federal judges uphold congressional redistricting DeSantis pushed in legislature
A three-judge federal panel Wednesday rejected a constitutional challenge to a congressional redistricting plan that Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through the Legislature in 2022, saying opponents did not prove lawmakers acted with “racially discriminatory purpose.”
Florida lithium-ion safety measure championed by News 6 heads to Gov. DeSantis
The Florida Legislature passed a final version of a bill that would allow the state fire marshal to create new rules regarding the storage of lithium-ion batteries, something a News 6 investigation showed is sorely needed in the state.
Florida lawmaker pulls bill on wrongful death of unborn children after Alabama IVF ruling
A Florida bill to allow people to file wrongful death lawsuits over the death of a fetus is being shelved because of the political fallout from an Alabama Supreme Court decision that frozen embryos are legally protected children.
Florida Legislature passes bill to release state grand jury's Jeffrey Epstein investigation
The transcripts of a 2006 grand jury that investigated Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual assaults of underage girls would be released to the public under a bill heading to Florida’s governor after it was unanimously passed by the Legislature.
Florida lawmakers want to make constitutional amendments harder to pass
Should it be harder for a ballot initiative to pass in Florida?Right now for an amendment to be enshrined in the Florida Constitution, it needs to be approved by 60% of the state’s voters. But Florida lawmakers are proposing to increase that threshold to 66.67%. To do that, they’d need to ask voters via a ballot initiative.
Parents of medically fragile children still waiting for Florida-approved assistance
Parents and relatives caring for medically fragile children 21 years of age and younger will have to wait to apply for medical training and financial compensation provided under a new state law approved in the last legislative session.
Trump could get money for legal bills from state of Florida if bill became law
A bill in the Florida Senate would create a grant program to pay for the legal bills of “victims of political discrimination” who are running for president. Supporters in particular say the bill would help former President Donald Trump.
Florida Senate scales back, OKs school ‘deregulation’ plan
The Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a suite of bills aimed at “deregulation” of public schools, with one measure undergoing a significant change that nixed a provision related to the state’s third-grade literacy policy after it was heavily criticized by former Gov. Jeb Bush.
Stand your ground? This Florida bill would allow you to shoot bears. Here are the details
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.
Student tests, teaching certificates, recess could see changes in Florida bills
Three bills in the Florida Legislature would make some major changes to education regulations if passed, including changes to how school districts hire teachers, how student tests affect graduation, how school districts set recess, and more.
Florida lawmakers begin special session to express support for Israel, further sanction Iran
The Florida Legislature has returned to the Capitol for a special session where lawmakers will express their support for Israel and give Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis more talking points as he campaigns for president.
Florida bill targets auto body shops in pinpointing hit-and-run suspects
Auto repair shops would have to request crash reports or file a form with authorities before repairing damaged vehicles, under a new bill filed by Florida Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota., according to our partners at News 4 Jacksonville.
Florida education officials to meet over rules for new school laws
The Florida Department of Education is gearing up to begin crafting rules to carry out a number of measures approved by state lawmakers and signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, including some proposals that were among the most controversial issues from the 2023 legislative session.