Join us on November 15th!! We've changed the location this year for Docktails to the beautiful Monarch Country Club in Palm City, 1801 SW Monarch Club Dr. Our keynote speaker will be David Jolly, who hopes to be our next Governor. The evening will include appetizers, a plated dinner, and cash bar. And very likely a few surprises. Pre-Labor Day prices are $150 for Standard ticket Bronze sponsor for one $250 ticket Silver sponsor for $500 (includes 2 tickets) Gold sponsor for $1000 (includes 4 tickets). You may also sponsor a Young Dem by paying $150 per ticket. Sponsors will have reserved seating sitting closest to the speaker, and they will be recognized during the evening. Please consider a sponsorship level ticket so that Martin Democrats will have the funds we need now and in 2026. Click here to read more details about Docktails on the Green and to pay online through ActBlue. Or pay by check in advance by mailing to Martin County Democrats, PO Box 1497, Stuart, FL 34995. We hope to see you there!

This is a listing of the bills considered by the Florida House and Senate during the Florida legislative session of 2022. BIlls Being Considered in the 2022 Florida Legislative Session Session Ends March 11 Overview: How to view the bills Call to Action: What to do with this information General Bills (non-environmental) Environmental Bills General Bills These are non-environmental bills. Topics include Abortion, Equality, Healthcare, Education, Guns, Criminal Justice, etc. Remember: Click on Sponsor for contact info. Click on Bill TItle for official bill info, including its status and committee it is on. Click here for writing LTE. Local legislator info can be found here. If both HB and SB are essentially the same, this page only gives link to SB. Within the SB info, you will see link to HB if you want to view it. ***One of the anti-abortion bills for this session*** HB 5 ( Grall and Persons -Mulicka ) and SB 146 ( Stargel ) – Fetal and Infant Mortality Reduction Among other things, these bills prohibit a physician from performing an abortion if gestational age of fetus is more than 15 weeks. See also HB 167. OPPOSED by Equality Florida HB 7 ( Avila ) and SB 148 ( Diaz and Rodrigues ) – Individual Freedom Sometimes referred to as the “Stop WOKE Actl” …. Similar to SB 148, HB 57, SB 242, which in part prohibit schools from discussing systemic racism or sexism, unconscious bias, and race or sex stereotyping. OPPOSED by Equality Florida HB 35 ( Roach ) and SB 244 ( Gruters ) – Partisan Elections for Members of District School Boards Proposes amendments to the State Constitution to require members of district school board to be elected in partisan election. HB 75 ( Sabatini ) – Limiting COVID-19 Restrictions Prevents state and local governments from issuing mask mandates, vaccine passports, requiring proof of vaccination status before entering business. Voids any mandates currently in place. HB 103 ( Sabatini ) – Carrying of Firearms without Licenses Removes requirement that a license to carry concealed firearm is required in order to carry such firearm; limits areas in which concealed carrying of firearm is prohibited; revises criminal penalties, etc. SUPPORTED by Florida Equality HB 111 ( Geller )) and SB 308 ( Berman ) – Offenses Evidencing Prejudice (aka Hate Crimes Law Expansion) Amends existing hate crimes law so that crimes of prejudice based on gender or gender identity are also considered hate crimes. HB 117 ( Fetterhoff an d Omphroy ) and SB 774 ( Gruters ) – Communicable and Infectious Diseases Adds COVID-19 and infectious diseases to the list of conditions that, if suffered by an emergency rescue or public safety worker, are presumed to have been contracted while at work for purposes of workers' compensation. Unlike similar presumptions in current law for hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis and tuberculosis, the bills do not require the public safety worker or emergency rescue worker to receive immunization against COVID-19 in order to receive the presumptive eligibility provisions afforded by workers' compensation coverage. HB 167 ( Barnaby ) – Abortion This is a “Texas-style Six-Week Abortion Ban.” Requires physician to conduct test for, and inform woman seeking abortion of presence of detectable fetal heartbeat; prohibits physician from performing or inducing abortion if fetal heartbeat is detected or if physician fails to conduct test to detect fetal heartbeat; provides exceptions; authorizes private civil cause of action for certain violations; provides for civil remedies & damages. See also HB 5 and SB 146. SUPPORTED by Florida Equality HB 6015 ( Rayner ) and SB 168 ( Polsky ) – Marriage Between Persons of the Same Sex This bill would delete outdated, patently unconstitutional provisions that ban recognizing same-sex marriage and still defines marriage as only between a man and a woman. HB 171 ( Hart and Valdes ) – Criminal Rehabilitation Specifies that to rehabilitate offender to transition back to community successfully is one of the primary purposes of sentencing; reduces minimum sentence that must be served by defendant from 85 percent of sentence to 65 percent; revises provisions concerning gain time to provide for outstanding deed gain-time, good behavior time, & rehabilitation credits; revises limits on awards. SUPPORTED by Equality Florida HB 199 ( Smith ) and SB 214 ( Farmer ) – Assault Weapons and Large-capacity Magazines Prohibits sale, transfer, or possession of assault weapon or large-capacity magazine; requires certificates of possession for assault weapons or large-capacity magazines lawfully possessed before specified date; limits sales or transfers of assault weapons or large-capacity magazines documented by such certificates; provides enhanced penalties for offenses committed with assault weapon or large-capacity magazine. HB 205 ( Smith ) and SB 374 ( Book ) – Gay and Transgender Panic Legal Defenses Prohibition Act Prohibits using “panic defense” when committing crimes against an LGBTQ person. OPPOSED by Equality Florida HB 211 ( Sabatini ) – Youth Gender and Sexual Identity Sometimes referred to as the "Transgender Youth Medical Care Ban." It would criminalize doctors for providing care to transgender youth. SB 524 ( Hutson ) - Elections This is a bill with wide-ranging changes to Florida's voting laws. Among the changes: Remove limitations on fines that 3rd party voter registration organization can encounter for violations. Require voter driver license or Social Security # on ballots. Bans rank-choiced voting in local elections. Require elections officials in each county to update voter rolls every year, instead of current every odd year. Gives power to the Governor to appoint a special FDLE agent in each of the agency's seven regions to investigate alleged violations of election laws. Creates the Office of Elections Crimes and Security with the Florida Dept of State. HB 549 ( Omphroy ) – Legalization of Recreational Marijuana Would authorize recreational use of marijuana under certain conditions. See bill for details. SB 580 ( Torres ) - Rent Control Measures This is meant to give some rental control authority to local government. Specifically, it deletes previous statue requirements for the termination, expiration, extension, and renewal of local governmental rent control measures. Other Rent Control bills that have been filed: HB 6017 , HB 6113 , SB 1900 OPPOSED by Equality Florida HB 747 ( Snyder and Altman ) and SB 1820 ( Baxley ) – Protections of Medical Conscience Some have called it the “Healthcare Discrimination BIll" or “No Medical Service to Gays” bill. It allows healthcare providers and insurers to deny a patient any sort of care on the basis of religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. Also allows for employment discrimination in healthcare for the same reasons. Many feel this bill would codify discrimination against LGBTQ, non-Christians, etc. SUPPORTED by Equality Florida HB 883 ( Slosbert-King ) – Reclassification of Crimes Evidencing Prejudice Provides for reclassification of felony & misdemeanor offenses for defacing, damaging, or destroying victim's property based upon perpetrator's prejudice; includes certain entities in the definition of "victim." It basically updates current Florida hate crime laws to allow government, public and private organizations to be classified as victims of misdeeds motivated by race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability. HB 1055 ( Rommel ) – Video Cameras in Public School Classrooms Authorizes school districts to adopt policy to place video cameras in public school classrooms; provides requirements for such policy; provides for viewing video recordings; provides DOE, school district, school, & certain employee responsibilities. SUPPORTED by Equality Florida HB 6065 ( Arrington ) and SB 212 ( Farmer ) – Fairness in Women’s Sports Act Repeals the transgender youth sports ban that was voted in by the legislature in 2021. This bill is called the “Let Kids Play Act” and it repeals provisions related to the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act from 2021. HB 943 ( Harding ) and SB 1124 ( Gruters ) -- Preemption of Local Government Wage Mandates Creates the “Minimum Wage Act.” Prohibits local governments from mandating a wage higher than the state minimum -- another attack on home rule. SUPPORTED by Equality Florida HB 1409 ( Eskamani ) – Education in Public Schools Concerning Human Sexuality Calls for the “Florida Healthy Adolescent Act” which includes having public schools provide information regarding human sexuality. This bill requires certain public schools that provide information or offer programs to students relating to human sexuality to provide information or offer programs that meet specified criteria; requires public schools to make certain curriculum available to parents & guardians upon request; authorizes students to be excused from certain portions of program without penalty; provides compliance review process. HB 1547 ( Overdorf ) and SB 1848 ( Gruters ) -- Personal Information Protection Act Also as a reference see Overdorf's HB 1547 by clicking here. Currently the HB has more provisions for donor privacy. Prohibits a public agency from requiring, publicly disclosing, or requesting specified personal information; provides construction and applicability; provides for the right of civil action and award of damages; provides penalties, etc. Currently the HB and SB have differences in scope. Overdorf's House bill would protect corporations, associations, and nonprofit organizations from disclosing information while the Senate bill focuses solely on 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. In practical terms, the House bill, acting as a public records exemption bill, would allow donors to political campaigns to stay anonymous, and many opponents to this bill fear it will lead to hampering legitmate investigations into fraud and corruption. OPPOSED by Equality Florida HB 1557 ( Harding ) and SB 1834 ( Baxley ) – Parental Rights in Education This bill has been called the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. Requires district school boards to adopt procedures that comport with provisions of law for notifying student's parent of specified information; requires procedures to reinforce fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding upbringing & control of their children; provides requirements for such procedures, school districts, & personnel; requires DOE to review & update specified materials. OPPOSED by Equality Florida SB 1842 ( Baxley ) – Reproductive Health and Disease Education Requires school districts or schools within a district to notify and request the written consent of parents and guardians before the teaching of reproductive health or any sexually transmitted disease; prohibits schools from allowing students to be exposed to such teaching without the written consent of their parents or guardians; prohibits a student whose parent or guardian does not give such written consent from being penalized, etc. SUPPORTED by Equality Florida SB 1870 ( Jones ) – Conversion Therapy Prohibits state-funded conversion therapy and calls for educating the public on the dangers of conversion therapy. HB 6007 ( Sabatini ) – Licenses to Carry Concealed Weapons or Firearms Would remove provision prohibiting concealed carry licensees from openly carrying handgun or carrying concealed weapon or firearm into college or university facility HB 6009 ( Sabatini ) – Vaccinations During Public Health Emergencies Would remove provision that State Health Officer could order vaccination of individuals during public health emergency HB 6023 ( Eskamani ) – Abortion Clinic Regulations Addresses issues with last year’s SB 390 on abortion clinics. Removes requirement delaying abortion procedure; removes prohibition on expending funds for benefit of, paying funds to, or initiating or renewing contracts with certain organizations that perform abortions under certain circumstances; removes requirement that AHCA review abortion clinic patient records as component of licensure inspections. HB 6037 ( Snyder ) and SB 360 ( Harrell ) – Traveling Across County Lines to Commit a Burglary Removes requirement that travel across county lines be for specified purpose in order to reclassify burglary offense to the next higher degree. General Bills Environmental Bills Remember: Click on Sponsor for contact info. Click on Bill TItle for official bill info, including its status and committee it is on. Click here for writing LTE. Local legislator info can be found here. If both HB and SB are essentially the same, this page only gives link to SB. Within the SB info, you will see link to HB if you want to view it. Several of these bills deal with Local Control, an area many Republicans in office want to see weakened. They want the state to dictate policy rather than local government. It's a recurring theme in many bills this year. Bills are listed in the same categories used by 1000 Friends of Florida, an organization many in the MCDEC follow. These categories are Community Planning, Resilience, Conservation, Water, and Transportation COMMUNITY PLANNING (Local Rule type bills) SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida and Friends of the Everglades SJR 152 ( Farmer ) - Supermajority Vote for Legislative Preemption Requires a 2/3 vote of each house to preempt to the state matters of local control. OPPOSED by 1000 Friends of Florida, Friends of the Everglades, Florida League of Women Voters, and Equality Florida SB 280 ( Hutson ) – Local Ordinances Changes the legal standards and processes used by courts to assess the validity of municipal ordinances. Requires local governments to prepare a business impact statement before adopting a local ordinance that includes direct and indirect economic effects. Authorizes the courts to assess and award attorney fees, costs, and damages in certain civil actions filed against local governments. This bill is a direct attack on home rule. See also SB 403 (Giallombardo). OPPOSED by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 325 ( Fischer ) and SB 512 ( Burgess ) – Vacation Rentals Preempts to the state most regulation of vacation rentals. OPPOSED by 1000 Friends of Florida, Friends of the Everglades, and Florida League of Women Voters HB 569 ( McClure ) and SB 620 ( Hutson ) – Local Business Protection Act Allows businesses engaged in a lawful business for at least three years to claim damages if a local ordinance reduces their venue or profits by at least 15%. Like SB 280 and SB 403, this bill undermines home rule by making local governments afraid to govern for fear of lawsuits. SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 729 ( Aloupis ) and SB 932 ( Rodriguez ) – Everglades Protection Area Requires any comprehensive plan or plan amendment changes that apply to land within the Everglades Protection Area to follow the state coordinated review process and would require the change to be reviewed by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for adverse impacts. DEP would work with the state land planning agency and involved local governments to identify planning strategies to eliminate or mitigate adverse impacts and require the local government to modify proposed plans or plan amendments. The bill would also prohibit the adoption of small scale development amendments for properties located within or near the Everglades Protection Area. HB 1145 ( Mooney ) – Regulation of Single-use Plastic Products Authorizes certain coastal communities to establish pilot programs to regulate single-use plastic products; provides requirements for establishing such pilot programs; requires DEP to submit updated retail bag reports with conclusions & recommendations to Legislature by specified dates. SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida and Florida League of Women Voters HB 6033 ( Greico ) – Preemption of the Regulation of Vacation Rentals Repeals previous bill that preempted to the state the regulation of vacation rentals. HB 6113 ( Eskamani ) and SB 1900 ( Torres ) – Preemption to the State (Regaining Local Rule) Removes & repeals provisions preempting certain authority to state. Specifically, this measure would repeal 35 state laws that remove local policy making passed by Republican legislators. The 35 statutes repealed in the Local Freedom Act pertain to earned sick time measures, tenant protections and developer subsidies, plastic bag and styrofoam regulations, municipal broadband and 5G, gun violence and public safety, public health, clean energy, rights of nature, fertilizer regulation, and tree-trimming policy, local budgeting authority, seaport regulations, and campaign finance reform. RESILIENCE SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 571 ( Mooney ) and SB 442 ( Rodriguez ) – Powers of Land Authorities Authorizes local land authorities to assist in administering grants for residential flood and sea-level rise mitigation projects, including grants for the elevation of structures above minimum flood elevations; the demolition and reconstruction of structures above minimum flood elevations; and the acquisition of land with structures at risk of flooding. SUPPORTED BY 1000 Friends of Florida SB 1940 ( Brodeur ) - Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Establishes the Statewide Office of Resiliency within the Executive Office of the Governor; provides for the appointment of a Chief Resilience Officer, etc. CONSERVATION SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida, Friends of the Everglades, and Florida League of Women Voters HB 81 ( Eskamani ) and SB 366 ( Berman ) – State Renewable Energy Goals Prohibits oil exploration, drilling or production on Florida land or in Florida waters; requires that all electricity in the state be derived from renewable sources by 2040 and carbon emissions be reduced to net zero by 2050; creates an advisory committee to reach these goals. SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 105 ( Fine ) and SB 224 ( Gruters ) – Regulation of Smoking in Public Places Authorizes counties and municipalities to further restrict smoking within the boundaries of public beaches and public parks under certain circumstances; prohibits smoking within the boundaries of a state park, etc. SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida and Friends of the Everglades SB 208 ( Farmer ) – Well Stimulation (Fracking) "Stop Fracking Act" - Prohibits FDEP from issuing permits for extreme well stimulation, also known as fracking. OPPOSED by 1000 Friends of Florida and Friends of the Everglades HB 349 ( Sirois and Overdorf ) and SB 198 ( Rodriguez ) – Seagrass Mitigation Banks Authorizes the state Board of Trustees to create “seagrass mitigation banks” on state-owned submerged lands which would be used to offset the unavoidable loss of seagrass from coastal development projects. In essence, if developers seek permits for coastal or marine development projects that would destroy seagrasses, this bill would give them the option of buying credits in a mitigation bank to cover costs of seagrass restoration projects elsewhere. Those opposed to the bill say mitigation banks like this often fail and they believe having such a system would enhance development elsewhere. NO OPINION by 1000 Friends of Florida. SUPPORTED by Florida League of Women Voters HB 449 ( Mooney ) and SB 602 ( Rodriguez ) – Land Acquisition Trust Fund Dedicates $20 million from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to environmental projects in the Florida Keys. NO OPINION by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 463 ( Melo ) and SB 380 ( Rodriguez ) – Greenhouse Gas Emissions Prohibits state agencies from adopting or enforcing greenhouse gas emissions limits without legislative authorization. HB 711 ( Diamond ) and SB 238 ( Jones ) – Endangered and Threatened Species Directs the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to protect certain endangered or threatened species, regardless of the status of their federal classification; prohibis the commission from considering certain costs when designating a species as endangered or threatened; directs the department, in consultation with the Endangered Plant Advisory Council, to protect certain endangered or threatened species, regardless of the status of their federal classification; prohibits the department from considering certain costs when designating a species as endangered or threatened, etc. HB 741 ( McClure ) and SB 1024 ( Bradley ) -- Renewable Energy Generation (Net Metering) This bill would lower the utility savings for Floridians using rooftop solar panels by limiting net metering incentives. Many view this bill would hurt lower income Floridians by making it more difficult to transition to solar. SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 761 ( Truenow ) and SB 882 ( Brodeur ) – Inventories of Critical Wetlands Requires each water management district governing board, in cooperation with local governments, to develop a list of critical wetlands for acquisition using funds from the Land Acquisition Trust Fund. HB 1129 ( Avila ) and SB 1416 ( Garcia ) – Mangrove Replanting and Restoration Requires the DEP to adopt rules for mangrove replanting and restoration. SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida and Florida League of Women Voters HB 6025 ( Eskamani ) SB 316 ( Stewart ) – Preemption of Tree Trimming, Pruning, and Removal Repeals provision in last year’s bill that preempted local government from regulating tree pruning, trimming, and removal on residential property. SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 6063 ( Greico ) and SB 320 ( Stewart ) – P reemption of Recyclable and Polystrene Materials Removes the state preemption of local home rule on disposable plastic bags, auxiliary containers, and wrappings. NO OPINION by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 1555 ( McClain ) SB 518 ( Brodeur ) – Private Property Rights to Prune, Trim, and Remove Trees Revises state regulation of local government requirements for tree trimming, pruning, and removal by requiring an assessment by a certified arborist. HB 1377 ( Roth ) and SB 1816 ( Stewart ) – Land Acquisition Trust Fund Specifies that lawmakers would guarantee $100 million a year for the Florida Forever Trust Fund and extend the retirement date of bonds issued by the Land Acquisition Trust Fund (LATF) to fund the Florida Forever Act. The measure would extend the bond life to 2054, adding roughly 14 years to the current retirement date of 2040. SUPPORTED by Friends of the Everglades HB 6085 ( Eskamani ) and SB 1102 ( Farmer ) – Farming Operations Last year’s SB 88 “Right to Farm Bill” protected Big Sugar from lawsuits related to sugar cane burning. These bills revise the definition of “farm operation” and “nuisance” and remove “particle emissions” from the list of protected activities. WATER SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 201 ( Daley ) and SB 356 ( Jones ) – Sales Tax Holiday for Energy Star and WaterSense Products Provides a sales tax exemption for energy efficient products designated with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star label, and irrigation and household appliance water conserving products designated with the EPA’s WaterSense label. HB 309 ( Fetterhoff and Giallombardo ) and SB 856 ( Brodeur ) – Private Provider Inspections of Onsite Sewage Treatment and Disposal Systems Authorizes private provider inspections of onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems under certain conditions; prohibits the Florida DEP from charging certain inspection and permit fees; specifies requirements for private providers and onsite sewage treatment and disposal system owners and authorized contractors; revises the list of providers authorized to perform onsite sewage treatment and disposal system evaluations, etc. SUPPORTED by 1000 Friends of Florida and Friends of the Everglades HB 393 ( Hinson ) and SB (604) Berman – Safe Waterways Act Requires the Florida Department of Health to monitor public bathing locations, notify local governments of bacterial contamination and require local governments to post warning signs. Current law does not require government to inform residents. HB 421 ( Truenow ) and SB 834 ( Brodeur ) – Long-term Cleanup of Harmful Algal Blooms Authorizes the Florida DEP to procure “innovative” technology to physically remove and reduce blue-green algae blooms from impacted waterways. Friends of the Everglades believes that though this was originally recommended by the state’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force, this measure should be augmented to require that all new technologies be evaluated by a panel of experts to ensure no long-term harm is done to the water being cleaned. HB 473 ( Casselo ) and SB 798 ( Taddeo ) – Bottled Water Excise Tax Imposes a 12.5 cent per gallon excise tax on bottled water operators and deposits the proceeds into the wastewater and stormwater revolving loan trust fund. HB 579 ( Melo ) and SB 1128 ( Harrell ) – Aquatic Plant Management Directs the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in consultation with UF/IFAS & FGCU/Water School, to implement and study nutrient removal technologies and mechanical aquatic plant management techniques within Lake Okeechobee watershed. SUPPORTED by Friends of the Everglades and by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 561 ( Goff-Marcil ) and SB 832 ( Stewart ) – Implementation of the Recommendations of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force Enacts additional measures originally recommended by the Governor’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force. Requires owners of certain onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems to have the systems periodically inspected, beginning on a specified date; requires the Florida DEP to administer the inspection program; requires new or revised basin management action plans to include a list that identifies and prioritizes certain spatially focused projects, etc. SUPPORTED by Friends of the Everglades HB 807 ( Rayner ) and SB 904 ( Farmer ) – Agricultural Practices Revises the definition of “best management practice” and requires, rather than merely authorize, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to devise and adopt rules to reduce pollution statewide and penalize those who don’t follow them. OPPOSED by 1000 Friends of Florida and by Friends of the Everglades SB 1000 ( Albritton ) – Nutrient Application Rates Adjusts nutrient regulation based on needs of individual farms…..Environmentalists believe this bill waters down state standards. Specifically, it defines the terms "certified professional" and "rate tailoring"; authorizes the use of rate tailoring in specified circumstances; authorizes producers to use written recommendations from certified professionals to tailor their recommended nutrient application rates under certain circumstances; requires revisions to recommended application rates by certain state universities and Florida College System institutions to authorize rate tailoring, etc. 1000 Friends says this bill would allow producers to pick and choose different nutrient application rates and would weaken site-specific fertilizer application rates. HB 1339 ( Diamond ) and SB 1744 ( Brandes ) – Phosphogypsum Stacks Requires DEP to submit annual report to Governor, Legislature, & certain entities; notify Governor, Legislature, and certain entities of imminent hazards within specified timeframe; and create, maintain, & update database on its website. HB 1475 ( McClure ) and SB 1418 ( Albritton ) – Soil and Groundwater Contamination Requires the Florida DEP to adopt rules for statewide cleanup target levels for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances in soil and groundwater; prohibits such rules from taking effect until ratified by the Legislature; requires the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct a specified analysis of certain assessment and cleanup programs and submit a report to the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date, etc. TRANSPORTATION OPPOSED by 1000 Friends of Florida HB 157 ( Andrade ) and SB 398 ( Hooper ) – Transportation Projects Caps funding for public transportation projects in the state transportation trust fund at 25 percent. This share would exclude state matches for federal transportation funds. Environmental Bills

Genera l Bills CRIMINAL JU STICE SB130 ( Lori Berman ) /HB 97 ( Cassell ) Greyson's Law This bill is called "Greyson's Law." It requires the court to con sider domestic violence factors when considering parental custody. HB991 ( Alex A ndrade & Mike Beltran ) Defamation, False Light, and Unauthorized Publication of Name or Likenesses This bill would allow pub lic figures (such as politicians) to bring suit against journalis ts for defamation, even if no malice was intended. Critics call it the "Death to Public Discourse Bill." Many fear this bill would limit free speec h and the right to criticize government officials without fear of financial retribution. Anonymous sources and investigative journalists would be especially impacted. Also includes provision that if public figure sues journalist or media and wins, then the journalist also has to pay public figure's legal fees. EDUCATION HB1 ( Kaylee Tuck & Susan Plasencia ) School Choice Allows for children to go to public schools, charter schools, private schools, home school regardless of physical or monetary needs...(even rich kids get the voucher) ... .Greatly expands vouch er program, essentially making the voucher program universal. State funds for the vouchers would allow parents to pay for private school tuition, tutoring, virtual school, homeshool fees and m ore. Money that would have gone to public schools will now go to the voucher program. Many view this bill as detrimental to public education. See House Speaker Renner's spin in interview about this bill here . See Women's Club info for more facts about this bill and its e ffect on public education here . HB411 ( Kevin Steele ) District School Board Elections Says elected candidate for district school board must reside in district school board member residence area by date she or he assumes office instead of upon qualifying for office. HB479 ( Gallop Franklin ) Required Instruction in history of Holocaust and History of African Americans Revises provisions relating to required instruction in history of African Americans; requires department to annually verify that school districts, charter schools, & specified private schools implement certain instruction relating to history of Holocaust & history of African Americans; requires district school superintendents, charter school principals, & private school directors or similar administrators to annually provide specified evidence to department by certain date; provides penalties; & requires certain statewide, standardized assessments to include curricula content from history of Holocaust & history of African Americans. HB999 ( A lex A ndrade ) Public Postsecondary Educational Institutions If passed, this bill would put hiring decisions and curriculum control at Florida public universities in the hands of politicians and their crony appointees. IT WOULD END ACADEMIC FREEDOM AND UNIVERSITY INDEPENDENCE. IT WOULD GIVE DESANTIS MORE POWER TO DICTATE WHO TEACHES AND WHAT IS TAUGHT. No doubt, DeSantis would put into place those who echo his ideology. This bill also bans gender studies courses. It would defund diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at state institutions. SB88 ( Shev Jones ) Task Force on Workforce Housing for Teachers and Expansion of Schools Creates a task force to study affordable housing and classroom size challenges faced by teachers. The task force would study the feasibility of using surplus state-owned land and mixed-use developments for workforce housing, and the need for comprehensive planning to address workforce housing for teachers. SB256 ( Blaise Ingoglia ) Employee Organizations Representing Public Employees Bans automatic union paycheck deductions of Florida's public employees. Many say this and other provisions of the bill would be "union busting." This would NOT include male-dominated public employees in law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers and probation officers. Many view this bill as an attack on women due to this disparity in professions affected. The female-dominated teachers' union and nurses' union would be included in this ban. For a good review of this anti-union bill and comparison to a similar law in Wisconsin, see this . SB342 ( Lori Berman )/HB 271 ( Jervonte Edmonds ) Save Our Teachers Act Increases minimum base salary for full-time teachers from $47,500 to $65,000. ELECTIONS /POLITICAL PARTIES SB1248 ( Blaise Ingoglia ) Political Parties "The Ultimate Cancel Act - Cancelling the Democratic Party" What in the world?!!!! This bill proposes the state Division of Elections cancel the "filings" of a political party, to include party registration and approved status in any and all elections, if that party's platform had previously advocated for slavery or involuntary servitude. Although not explicitly listed, the Democratic Party, which was popular in the nation's South during Reconstruction, would fit the description. Economics and civil rights fueled significant changes in both parties in the years since. The bill includes language that would require any voter currently registered as a member of a canceled party to be notified by that political party to update their voter registration to an approved and active political party. Here is the FDP response: ""Presenting a bill that would disenfranchise 5 million voters is both unconstitutional and unserious. Under Ron DeSantis, Senator Ingoglia is using his office to push bills that are nothing more than publicity stunts instead of focusing on the issues that matter most to Floridians, such as reforming property insurance, addressing housing affordability, and combating climate change. The sooner DeSantis and his puppets in the legislature learn that Florida is a Democratic Republic and not a Banana Republic, the better it will be for all Floridians.” HJR405 ( Chase Tramont ) Prohibition on Open Primaries and Nonpartisan Elections **This is a proposed amendment to Florida's state constitution, not a bill. But the gist of it would be to prohibit nonpartisan elections - to provide that candidates for office can disclose their party affiliation. For us, it would mean BOCC, City of Stuart, and School Board elections would be partisan. HJR31 (5 REPUBLICAN SPONSORS SO FAR - SEE OFFICIAL SITE FOR NAMES) Partisan Elections for Members of District School Boards Proposes amendments to State Constitution to require members of district school boards to be elected in partisan elections. HJR129 ( Rick R oth ) Requiring Broader Public Support for Constitutional Amendments or Revisions Proposes amendment to State Constitution to increase percentage of elector votes required to approve amendment to or revision of State Constitution from 60 percent to 66.67 percent, except repeal of amendment or revision need only be approved by same percentage of elector votes as was required at time of passage of such amendment or revision. GUNS SB150 ( C lay C ollins ) Guns (or, to use their term, "Public Safety") Requires sheriffs to assist private schools in complying with a certain statute; authorizes a person to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm if he or she is licensed to do so or meets specified requirements; requires a person who is carrying a concealed weapon or concealed firearm without a license to carry valid identification and display such identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer; provides that a person who is authorized to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm without a license is subject to specified penalties for possessing such weapon or firearm at a school-sponsored event or on school property; requires the Office of Safe Schools to develop a behavioral threat management operational process by a specified date; authorizing a private school to partner with a law enforcement agency or security agency for specified purposes, etc. SB462 ( Lori Berman ) Assault Weapons and Large-capacity Magazines Prohibits the sale or transfer of an assault weapon or a large-capacity magazine; prohibits possession of an assault weapon or a large-capacity magazine; requires certificates of possession for assault weapons or large-capacity magazines lawfully possessed before a specified date; provides conditions for continued possession of such weapons or large-capacity magazines; provides enhanced criminal penalties for certain offenses when committed with an assault weapon or a large-capacity magazine, etc. HB543 ( 14 SPONSORS!! ALL REPUBLICAN, OF COURSE!!!! ) Concealed Carry of Weapons and Firearms Without a License (Permi tless Carry) Authorizes person to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm if he or she is licensed to do so or meets specified requirements; requires person who is carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license to carry identification & display upon demand by law enforcement; prohibits person who is carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license from carrying such weapon or firearm in specified locations; authorizes nonresident to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm in this state if he or she meets same requirements as resident; provides person authorized to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license is subject to specified penalties for possessing such weapon or firearm at school-sponsored event or on school property. HEALT H CARE /ABORTION SB300 ( Erin Grall ) /HB7 ( Jenna Persons-Mulicka ) Pregnancy and Parenting Support ** 6 WEEK ABORTION BAN ** Prohibits abortions after 6 weeks. Allows for rape and incest exception. Prohibits mailing of pregnancy termination medication. HB 305 ( Webster Barnaby & Dean Black ) Protection of Medical Freedom Proh ibits DOH from requiring enrollment in state's immunization registry or otherwise requiring persons to submit to immunization tracking; prohibits business & governmental entities from requiring individuals to provide proof of vaccination to gain access to, entry upon, or service from such entities; prohibits employers from refusing employment to, or discharging, disciplining, demoting, or otherwise d iscriminating against, individual on basis of vaccination or immunity status; revises purposes of Florida Civil Rights Act of 1992 to include discrimination protection for vaccination or immunity status. HB1029 ( Randy Mag gard ) / SB1304 ( Colleen Burton ) Claims Against Long-term Care Facilities This bill is meant to reduce the civil lawsuits that seniors and their relatives may bring against nursing homes. Some argue such tort reform is needed to reduce excessive litigation, while others argue it would ultimately hurt seniors by lowering healthcare standards since nursing homes would not fear litigation as much. HOME RULE/LOCAL ORDINANCES SB102 ( See bill - many sponsors ) / HB627 ( Cabrrera and Lopez ) Live Local Act - Rent Control and Affordable Housing Prevents the authority of local governments to adopt or maintain laws, ordinances, rules, or other measures that would have the effect of imposing controls on rents; provides an exemption from ad valorem taxation for land that meets certain criteria; authorizes local governments to adopt ordinances to provide an ad valorem tax exemption for portions of property used to provide affordable housing meeting certain requirements; suspends, for a specified period, the General Revenue Fund service charge on documentary stamp tax collections; authorizes the Governor, under the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, to approve state or local public infrastructure projects to facilitate the development or construction of affordable housing, etc. SB170 ( Jay Trumbull ) Local Ordinances (Allows businesses to sue local governments over 'arbitrary or unreasonable' ordinances, etc.) Authorizes courts to assess and award reasonable attorney fees and costs and damages in certain civil actions filed against local governments; requires a board of county commissioners to prepare or cause to be prepared a business impact estimate before the enactment of a proposed ordinance; requires a county to suspend enforcement of an ordinance that is the subject of a certain legal action if certain conditions are met, etc. SB1240 ( Danny Burgess ) / HB1197 ( Randy Maggard ) Land and Water Management Prohibits counties and municipalities from adopting laws, regulations, rules or policies related to water quality or quantity, pollution control. Leaves control with the state. If passed, this would mean Martin County could not protect its own waterways and wetlands. HB359 ( Wyman Duggan ) Local Government Comprehensive Plans Simply put, the bill stipulates that anyone who loses a legal challenge to a comprehensive plan or comprehensive plan amendment must pay the winner's attorney fees and costs. T his would be a boon to developers because citizens would likely never challenge such amendments due to the high costs they could incur. An even more pervasive sprawl would likely result. HB 437 ( James Buchanan ) Homeowners' Right to Display Flags Authorizes homeowners to display no more than certain number of flags regardless of prohibitions in governing documents of homeowners' association; defines "first responder flag"; prohibits homeowners' association documents from precluding property owners from displaying certain number of specified flags. Note that Rainbow Flag is not listed here as being acceptable. IMMIGRATION SB6 ( Blaise In goglia ) / HB5 ( John Snyder ) Unauthorized Alien Transport Program Creates the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program within the Division of Emergency Management to facilitate the transport of inspected unauthorized aliens within the United States. This bill is meant to clean up the mess made when Desantis flew migrants from Texas to Martha's Vineyard. Snyder is our House rep from District 86. LGBTQ+ EQUALITY SB254 ( Clay Yarborough ) /HB 1421 ( Randy Fine & Ralph Massullo ) Treatments for Sex Reassignment Bans doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth, such as hormone therapy. House version requires that doctors lose their licenses if they provide such treatment to those under 18. Senate bill says this could lead to criminal charges against doctor. House bill also prevents health insurers and HMOs from providing coverage. The Senate bill gives the state temporary emergency jurisdiction over trans children if they are about to receive gender-affirming care. SB 328 ( Lauren Book ) Gay and Transgender Panic Legal Defenses Prohibition Act Prohibits individuals from using a nonviolent sexual advance or specified perceptions or beliefs about another individual as a defense to a criminal offense, to excuse or justify the conduct of an individual who commits a criminal offense, or to mitigate the severity of a criminal offense, etc. HB1223 ( Adam Anderson ) /HB1069 ( Stan McClain ) /SB 1320 ( Clay Yarborough ) "Don't Say Expansion" - These bills expand on last year's Don't Say Gay Bill HB1223 bans school employees and students from addressing a person by their preferred pronoun - they have to use the pronoun given to person at birth. It also extends Parental Rights bill from 2022 so restrictions go through 8th grade. HB1069 expands book banning within classrooms and allows for easier ways to challenge books in the classroom. All challenged books, even if only one parent objects, must be removed immediately. SB1320 - similar to HB1223 HB1403 ( Joel Rudman ) / S B 1580 ( Jay Trumbull ) Protections of Medical Conscience Allows for "conscience-based objections without discrimination" -- in other words, it allows a doctor to decline to treat someone without fear of disciplinary action. Legalizes discrimination by the medical profession. SB1438 ( Clay Yarborough ) /HB 1423 ( Randy Fine ) Protection of Children (aka Drag Show Prohibition) Prohibits drag queen performances in a public building or public event. Owner of establishment that allows children to enter is subject to fines and suspension of license. SB1674 ( Erin Grall ) Facility Requirements Based on Sex - called "Safety in Private Spaces Act" Requires people to use bathroom or locker room that lines up with gender assigned at birth Many consider this anti-trans legislation. It would charge trans people with a misdemeanor for using the bathroom consistent with their gender identity. HM1319 ( Tommy Gregory ) / SM1382 ( Jay Collins ) United States Dept of Defense Anti-woke memorial....Urges Congress to change regulations so Dept of Defense is not so "woke" - to not focus on diversity and equality and decency. Asks for a return to the warrior ethos of the past. Many see this as an attack on LGBTQ service members. Environmental Bills 1001 Friends of Florida i s a non-profit organization that focuses on growth and the environment, and they do a great job of monitoring the legislature. Go here to view their list of bills being considered and their recommendations. Friends of the Evergl ades is another organization that watches environmental bills being con sidered. Go here to view their list of bills as well as a webinar held about the bills .

An Afternoon with Handyman Doug Stewart Our Vice Chair of the DEC, Doug Stewart, is offering an afternoon of handyman service. "Hire" Doug to repair some of those pesky issues you're seeing around your house, or perhaps have Doug work on a special project you have been wanting to undertake. Doug has started his own handyman business, Doug Stewart Services, LLC. Take advantage of this opportunity to hire Doug!! Remember that proceeds from this item go directly to the Martin County Democratic Party. Help yourself and help the DEC at the same time!

Write or contact Martin County Democrats for more information CONTÁCTENOS Sede demócrata del condado de Martin 948 SE Central Parkway Stuart, FL 34994 Horas sin cita previa: de lunes a viernes, de mediodía a 3:00 p. M. * * Nota: Llame con anticipación o envíe un mensaje antes de venir a la oficina. Debido al coronavirus, es posible que la oficina no esté abierta durante las horas indicadas anteriormente. ¡Éxito! Mensaje recibido. Enviar

Wine and Cheese Party Gift Basket The picture above is a representation of the basket you will receive. Just in time for the holidays: Bid on this basket of goodies. Includes two bottles of wine - one red, one white - savory crackers, delightful cheeses, and an assortment of items to make happy hour and the holidays even better.

Docktails 2023 Join us Saturday, November 4 6:30 - 8:30 pm Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House 1401 NE India n River Dr Jensen Beach S upport your Martin County Democratic Party by purchasing a ticket or sponsorship to Doc ktails. I t is VITALLY IMPORTANT that we have a good showing next year in the election - from school board mem bers to Biden. Our democracy depends on it. Help us reach our goals. Help us Get Out the Vote ! The night's festivities for this FUNdraiser include: a delicious buffet with appetizers, salad, bread, entree with side, dessert...beverage and tip included cash bar guest speaker Da ve Aronberg , State Attorney from Palm Beach County and frequent guest on MSNBC and CNN an appearance from Grace Linn , local centenarian activist local candidate speeches a silent auction featuring donated items from local b usinesses and artists a chance to be with your fellow Democrats to rekindle friendships and make new ones BUY A TICKET OR SPONSORSHIP

Dems Do Lunch When: October 24t h at 11:30 am. Where: Carmela's Brick Oven Pizza located at 2311 SE Ocean Blvd, Stuart Why: Enjoy a great lunch with your fellow Martin Democrats and support the DEC at the same time. It's a win-win! Dine with a purpose: $25 per person includes $10 donation directly to the Martin County DEC. Choose between a slice of pizza, salad and beverage or two pizza slices, garlic knot, and beverage. Tax and tip are included. Reserve your place: Make your online purchase here or mail check to Martin County DEC, PO Box 1497, Stuart, FL 34995. If mailing a check, kindly send our treasurer Barbara Buckles an email so she knows to include you on our list of attendees. Email here. We look forward to another round of pizza and politics with Martin Democrats!

VOLUNTARIO Ser voluntario del Partido Demócrata del Condado de Martin es una excelente manera de adquirir nuevos conocimientos, mejorar sus habilidades e incluso divertirse. Obtenga una mejor comprensión de la política y la formulación de políticas locales, conéctese con otros en su comunidad local y haga nuevos amigos. Volunteer

Florida Young Democrats: Building broad coalitions of young people in a diverse membership to amplify youth voices in the political process, elect Young Democrats to public office, and pass legislation for the benefit of young people and the future of our country. We represent young people within the Democratic Party, give them a voice, and show them they’re never alone. We volunteer on Democratic campaigns, and pour countless hours and endless effort into electing Democrats in Florida. And we work tirelessly with our Democratic elected officials to ensure our legislative priorities are heard and included. Please join us! Email the Treasure Coast Young Democrats by clicking here . Go to the Treasure Coast Young Dems website here. Check out more info on the Treasure Coast Young Democrats by clicking on these social media accounts: Facebook Instagram X (Twitter) Tiktok