SAVE OUR HOMES A joint resolution to revise the limitation on increases of homestead property tax assessments is making its way through the legislative process. The current Save Our Homes amendment limits annual increases in the taxable values of homesteaded property to 3 percent. Voters would decide in 2024 whether to lower that cap to 2 percent. If successful, the change would go into effect January 1, 2025. The Office of Economic and Demographic Research determined that had this lower cap been implemented last year, it would have cost local governments around $146.6 million.
IMMIGRATION Bills have been filed that address immigration reforms, including: increased penalties for human smuggling; creating fines for businesses that hire illegal immigrants; not recognizing out of state drivers’ licenses issued to illegal aliens; and the collection of DNA samples from detained individuals who are booked in detention centers under ICE-issued detain orders. This bill is a priority of the Governor.
GUNS Several bills have been filed dealing with firearms. Both chambers have bills that would allow citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit. The bills have passed all of their assigned committees and will be considered by the full House and Senate sooner than later.
Here are other legislative initiatives which would expand firearms access: (1) banks and credit card companies would be prohibited from using a merchant category code that identifies the seller as a gun merchant; (2) private school security officers would be allowed to carry concealed weapons and to have their identity shielded from public records; and (3) the minimum age to buy rifles and “long guns” would be lowered from 21 to 18 (the Legislature raised the age following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018).
Bills that would restrict firearms access and/or usage include: (1) prohibiting the storage of a firearm in an unoccupied, unsecured private vehicles or vessels unless it is out of view and locked is a secure container; (2) requiring background checks for those persons purchasing ammunition; (3) prohibiting the sale of assault rifles and large-capacity magazines; and (4) changing the definition of machine guns to include weapons that can be modified to rapid fire.
ABORTION The ban would be reduced from 15 weeks to 6 weeks and would prohibit the use of telehealth to provide medical abortions. The Legislature restricted abortion access to 15 weeks in 2022.
DEATH PENALTY This legislation would reduce the current jury requirement of a unanimous decision for death penalty cases to a vote of 8 of 12. The change is possible due to a Florida Supreme Court reversal of a previous ruling that a unanimous vote was required. A related bill would increase penalties for sexual battery on minors, allowing for capital punishment or life in prison.
ESG Bills have been filed to expand an August directive to the State Board of Administration to prioritize the highest return on investment without consideration of environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) factors. All funds invested and bonds issued by state and local governments would have to pass this litmus test. State and local governments could not consider ESG policies in their contract decisions. Administrative sanctions would be levied against financial institutions operating in Florida who engage in the denial of services based on certain prohibited criteria.