The 2024 Florida Legislative schedule is as follows: ​ October - December, 2023: Committee meetings two weeks in each month January 9, 2024: Regular Session convenes 12:00 noon (Article III, section 3(b), State Constitution) February 27, 2024: Day 50; last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings (Senate Rule 2.9(2)) March 8, 2024: Day 60; Regular Session ends (A rticle III, section 3(d), State Constitution) Background Info: The Florida State Legislature meets in session every year for 60 consecutive days. In even-numbered years, the Legislature meets on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January. In odd-numbered years, the Legislature meets on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March. (Meeting later in year gives newly elected officials time to prepare.) Occasionally there are also special sessions called for by the Governor or Senate/House. Before a regular Legislative session begins, legislators meet in committees to discuss legislation they want to pursue in the upcoming session. Since the Republicans are in the majority in Tallahassee, they play a large role in committee assignments and the legislation that is discussed in committee and which gets to the floor. These meetings take place over a 6-week period prior to the start of the Legislative session (two-weeks in each of 3 months prior to beginning of session). ​ It is important that we Democrats contact our legislators about legislation we oppose or support. Doing so prior to the session actually starting is key. They need our input. See Contact Your Elected Officials for more info. ​ Know Your Legislators' Schedule

Contact Your Elected Officials Federal State County Municipality FEDERAL OFFICIALS JOE BIDEN (D) President of the United States Phone: 202-456-1414 (Switchboard) or 202-456-1111 (Comments) Office: 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500 Email: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ Official Website : https://whitehouse.gov RICK SCOTT (R) Senator Phone: 202-224-5274 or 561-514-0189 District Office: 415 Clematis Street #201, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Email: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov/contact_rick Official Website: https://www.rickscott.senate.gov MARCO RUBIO (R) Senator Phone: 202-224-3041 or 561-775-3360 District Office: 4580 PGA Boulevard #201, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 Email: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact Official Website: https://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/ BRIAN MAST (R) House of Representative, District 18 (St. Lucie, Martin, and NE Palm Beach Co.) Phone: 202-225-3026 or 772-403-0900 District Office: 171 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994 Email: https://mast.house.gov/email Official Website: https://mast.house.gov/ STATE OFFICIALS Ron DeSantis (R) Governor Phone: 850-717-9337 Office: 400 S Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001 Email: governorron.desantis@eog.myflorida.com Official Website: https://www.flgov.com/ Back to Top Wilton Simpson Florida Commissioner of Agriculture & Consumer Services Phone: 850-617-7700 Office: The Capitol, Plaza Level 10, 400 S Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399 Email: https://Wilton.Simpson@FDACS.gov Website: https://www.fdacs.gov/About-Us/Meet-Commissioner-Simpson Back to Top Gayle Harrell (R) Senator, District 25 (Martin, St. Lucie, and parts of Palm Beach Co.) Phone: 772-221-4019 District Office: 215 SW Federal Hwy #203, Stuart, FL 34994 Email: Harrell.Gayle.web@flsenate.gov Official Website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/S31 Back to Top John Snyder (R) House of Representative, District 86 (Parts of Martin and Palm Beach Co.) Phone: 772-545-3481 District Office: 11700 SE Dixie Hwy, Hobe Sound, FL 33455-5457 Email: John.Snyder@myfloridahouse.gov Website: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4787&LegislativeTermId=89 ​ Back to Top Toby Overdorf (R) House of Representative, District 85 (Parts of St. Lucie and Martin Co.) Phone: 772-221-4961 District Office: 151 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL 34994 Email: Toby.Overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov Website: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4728&LegislativeTermId=89 ​ Back to Top Martin County Board of County Commissioners ​ ​For the official Board of County Commissioners website, click https://www.martin.fl.us/Commissioners . There you will get a map showing the 5 districts, contact information of current commissioners and their aides, and much more information. ​ To email all commissioners using one email address, use this: comish@martin.fl.us ​ Below is a list of current commissioners showing the districts they serve: ​ Stacey Hetherington (R) Commissioner - District 2 - (Eastern Martin County - Stuart and East Stuart) Phone: 772-221-2359 County Offices: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Email: shetherington@martin.fl.us Website: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-2-commissioner Harold Jenkins (R) - Vice Chair Commissioner - District 3 - (Southern Martin County - Hobe Sound, portions of Tequesta and Indiantown) Phone: 772-221-2359 County Offices: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Email: hjenkins@martin.fl.us Website: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-3-commissioner Doug Smith (R) Commissioner - District 1 (NE Martin County - Jensen Beach, Rio, Sewall's Point, etc.) Phone: 772-221-2359 County Offices: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Email: dsmith@martin.fl.us Website: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-1-commissioner Sarah Heard (R) Commissioner - District 4 - (Eastern & Lower Martin County - Port Salerno, Tropical Farms, etc) Phone: 772-221-2359 County Offices: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Email: sheard@martin.fl.us Website: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-4-commissioner Edward Ciampi (R) - Chair Commissioner - District 5 (Western Martin County - Palm City, part of Indiantown, etc.) Phone: 772-221-2359 County Offices: 2401 SE Monterey Rd, Stuart, FL 34996 Email: eciampi@martin.fl.us Website: https://www.martin.fl.us/district-5-commissioner Back to Top Municipalities ​ I ncorporated communities in Martin County. Click on each community for its official website: Indiantown Jupiter Island Ocean Breeze Sewell's Point Stuart The City of Stuart websit e has a form that allows you to email all commissioners at one time. Click here for email form. On the city website you can go to each commissioner's page and send an email from there or by using email addresses below. ​ Elections for Groups 2 and 4 occur in even-numbered years. Elections for groups Groups 1, 3, and 5 take place in odd-numbered years. ​ ​ Current Stuart Commiss ioners: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Troy McDonald, Mayor Commissioner - Group 4, Term August 2021 - August 2024 Phone: 772-228-5312 County Offices: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Email: tmcdonald@ci.stuart.fl.us Website: https://cityofstuart.us/514/Troy-McDonald-Commissioner Christopher Collins Commissioner - Group 3 , Term September 2022 to September 2026 Phone: 772-228-5312 County Offices: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Email: ccollins@ci.stuart.fl.us Website: https://www.cityofstuart.us/234/Christopher-Collins-Commissioner Becky Bruner Commissioner - Group 2, Term September 2021 to September 2024 Phone: 772-228-5312 County Offices: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Email: bbruner@ci.stuart.fl.us Website: https://www.cityofstuart.us/231/Becky-Bruner-Commissioner Campbell Rich Commissioner - Group 1, Term September 2022 to September 2026 Phone: 772-288-5312 County Offices: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Email: crich@ci.stuart.fl.us Website: https://www.cityofstuart.us/235/Campbell-Rich-Commissioner Eula Clarke Commissioner - Group 5, Term September 2022 to September 2026 Phone: 772-228-5312 County Offices: 121 SW Flagler Ave, Stuart, FL Email: eclarke@ci.stuart.fl.us Website: https://www.cityofstuart.us/232/Eula-Clarke-Commissioner Back to Top Federal State BOCC Municipalities Contact Your Elected Officials

​ ​ ​ Submitting a Letter to the Editor (LTE) to the Stuart News/TC Palm is a great way to get your message out to the Treasure Coast public. Your LTE can educate or persuade others and increase awareness of your topic. It might even lead to discussions and potentially could influence policymakers . It's one of the few things we can do that reaches such a large audience. So get involved and influence others by writing your LTE. ​ ​ Go to https://ewstcpalm.wufoo.com/forms/q1jkscld1v7h87e/ to submit your letter online. ​ Treasure Coast Newspapers regularly publishes letters to the editor from area residents. Letters submitted should: 1) Be fewer than 300 words. 2) Include the full name, street address, city, daytime telephone number and email address of the writer for verification purposes. 3) Be directed TO THE EDITOR, not addressing someone else or a copy of a letter sent to someone else. 4) Must address public issues and should not sound like commercial pitches. 5) Must be an original letter written by the submitter. The Stuart News/TC Palm does not generally publish letters from writers outside their circulation area. Only one letter is accepted per month from any individual. ​ You may mail printed LTE to: Editor The News PO Box 9009 Stuart, FL 34995-9009 ​ Or fax letter to: Editor, 772-221-4246 ​ ​ ​ Your Letter to the Editor must include the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length, and become property of The Palm Beach Post. ​ Maximum length: 200 words. ​ Email your letter to letters@pbpost.com or fax it to (561) 820-4728. ​ You can also send it via snail mail to: The Palm Beach Post 2751 S. Dixie Highway West Palm Beach, FL 33405 ​ Letter to Editor

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TRACK how legislators vote. Hold your lawmakers accountable for their vote. ​ For US Congress, go to https://www.govtrack.us/ You can also go to https://www.senate.gov/ and : https://www.house.gov/ . ​ Go to https://www.causes.com . Here you can see how your federal officials voted. Sign up for automatic emails whenever your senator or house member votes. ​ For federal and state lawmakers, go to https://justfacts.votesmart.org/ . Create account and then view how lawmakers voted. ​ Also for Florida, you can go to https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/MyHouse/accountcreation.aspx and set up an account to get access to tracking information. ​ For Martin County commissioners, go to the BOCC site and look under Minutes to find out how commissioners voted. ​ For City commissioners, go to the City of Stuart website and look under Minutes to see how commissioners voted. Track How Your Legislators Vote

VOLUNTEER Volunteering with the Martin County Democratic Party is an excellent way to gain new knowledge, sharpen your skills, and even have some fun. Get a better understanding of local politics and policy-making, connect with others in your local community, and make new friends. ​ Volunteer for committees, to support a protest, to help with a fundraiser, to phone bank, to canvass.....There's no end to the work we need to do and we need volunteers to make it happen. ​ Complete the Contact form below and someone will be in touch with ways you can help Martin Democrats!! Volunteer

To purchase a ticket online, click anywhere on the graphic below. and you will be taken to ActBlue for ticket purchase. ​ If you prefer to write a check, see bottom of graphic for mailing address. Make check out to St. Lucie County DEC. But don't worry - we are splitting the proceeds with St. Lucie. Close

Contact Us Martin County Democratic Headquarters PO Box 1497 Stuart, FL 34995 ​ Office Phone: 772-221-0405 ​ Email : martincountydems@gmail.com Or simply fill out the form below and click Send: ​ ​ ​ Success! Message received. Send

Note: This is the first in a series of All-Star portraits celebrating Martin County Democrats who have made lasting contributions to the Martin County Democratic Party. A conversation with Jackie took place in her home in August 2021 and is the basis for this article. Jackie Trancynger It was the summer of 2000. Jackie’s partner Bruce had decided it was time to retire and he had his sights set on Jensen Beach. Having been there to visit his parents over the years during their retirement, he had come to love the small town feel of Jensen Beach, the warm weather, and all the fishing opportunities it offered. ​ Jackie, who was enjoying a successful educational sales career in New York, wasn’t exactly ready to retire, but she was in love and wanted to be with Bruce. Though she had never even been to Jensen Beach herself, she agreed to move to this foreign place. At least it had a beach nearby. They drove down together to house hunt in July 2000 and ultimately chose the first house they saw – the house with the great water view of pool and pond. They moved in during Labor Day weekend. And thus began her life in Martin County. Brooklyn: The Formative Years Jackie quickly surmised that life in Jensen was drastically different from her life in New York. After all, Jackie had been a Brooklyn girl through and through. Born in Brooklyn in 1934 to Julius and Flo Fabrizio, Jackie grew up in Brooklyn, went to Midwood High School in Brooklyn, graduated from Brooklyn College where she earned her bachelors and master’s in education, and began her teaching career in elementary education in Brooklyn at PS 78. After marrying her college sweetheart Hank Trancynger and having her two children Christopher and Julie, Jackie left teaching to be a fulltime mom and the family eventually moved to Queens. Later Jackie re-entered the workforce in educational sales and thrived in that line of work until her retirement to Jensen Beach. ​ An only child, Jackie recalls a few episodes from her early life that had long lasting effects. When she was in elementary school, her teacher had asked each of the children to write a story. After reading their responses, the teacher seemed impressed with Jackie’s story and she asked Jackie to read it aloud to the class. For those who know Jackie today this will be quite surprising, but back then, on that day , what Jackie did was sit in her chair and cry… and cry… refusing to read her story. In spite of the teacher’s repeated exhortations for her to read it, she never did. She was mortified by this ordeal. That night Jackie went home and reflected on this episode and resolved that she would never again back down like that. Ever. She promised herself that from that day forward she would speak up, be proud, and be bold—a mantra that has served her well ever since. ​ Jackie also remembers the time when she first became aware of politics. Jackie’s father worked for the city of New York and, as was the custom, he was a registered Democrat and a member of the local Democratic Club. She learned, though, that he was a Democrat in name only – a DINO! This was made explicitly clear when FDR died in 1945. Jackie recounts that she went outside and shouted for all in the neighborhood to hear, “Hooray!! FDR is dead!!” mimicking her father’s gleeful reaction inside. She was quickly scolded by her parents – after all, they lived in a predominately Democratic neighborhood -- and was told not to give away her father’s political allegiance – that they were actually “secret” Republicans! ​ The turning point in Jackie’s evolution to Democrat occurred in high school. During those years, she began to meet friends who identified as Democrat and she liked them, liked the way they thought, liked what they believed. After that, there was no turning back. In fact, it was during her time at Brooklyn College that she attended her first protest. In June 1953 during the McCarthy era, the Rosenbergs were executed for conspiracy to commit espionage and Jackie was one of many who protested those death sentences as cruel and unusual punishment, especially since the two Rosenberg children would be left without parents. Getting Acquainted with Martin County Having moved to Jensen, Jackie knew after that Labor Day weekend in 2000 she needed to meet people and make friends. Sure, walks along the beach were wonderful, but even back then, she knew she wanted to be around Democrats and so she soon contacted the DEC to meet people and to work to elect Al Gore over George Bush. There was no Democratic Club in those days, only the DEC. She eventually met Louise and Bob Cunha and they, along with Barbara and Richard Learned, got together to form the Democratic Club. She has since met many close friends through her active involvement with the DEC, Democratic Club, Women’s Club, and Environmental Caucus. ​ Ever since moving to Jensen, Jackie’s primary interests have been on limiting growth and development and safeguarding Martin’s unique environment. She soon became acquainted with such well-known local environmentalists as Ginny Sherlock and Maggie Hurchalla. She learned from them and others. She also met Donna Melzer from the Martin County Conservation Alliance and became involved with this organization as well. In fact, in the early 2000’s, Jackie became so active in the community that she was secretary of the Democratic Club, secretary of her HOA, and secretary of the Conservation Alliance -- all at the same time. Yes, she was busy in her retirement! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 20+ Years of Activism It was with this dogged determination for limiting growth and protecting the environment that Jackie attended numerous BOCC and City of Stuart Commission meetings over the years—always following her mantra of speaking up and being bold. She became quite well known by these local officials, in part due to her forthrightness, and they no doubt learned they needed to hear her out—whether it was about keeping Martin's 4-story building height limit, adhering to the existing county comp plan, denying various housing or business developments in sensitive areas, banning plastic straws and glyphosate, and a host of other causes. Fellow activists began to refer to her as “The Queen” due to the respect she garnered by her brand of outspoken activism. ​ For the past 20+ years, Jackie has been an active and highly regarded member of Martin County Democrats. Whether campaigning for Democratic candidates…speaking out against toxic Lake O discharges…protesting for women’s rights…helping to form the Martin County Democratic Environmental Caucus and acting as its first Chair…repeatedly appearing before the BOCC and Stuart commissioners to demand they save our wetlands, protect our environment, and limit growth…or supporting the DEC in its various endeavors, Jackie has been a fixture and an inspiration to many fellow Martin Democrats who have admired her principled steadfastness, boldness, and quick wit. ​ Today during these troubling times of pandemic, Trumpism, rampant growth in the area, and accelerating effects from climate change, Jackie says her advice to younger Martin County Democrats is this: Be active. Support the DEC in their pursuits. Regularly attend BOCC and City of Stuart meetings and speak up for low growth and the environment. We may live in a county where Republicans outnumber us, she says, but we must still do our part to promote our values and make our voices heard. ​ As her gaze wanders off into the distance beyond her pool and pond -- perhaps her mind harking back to that transformative school day when she cried and did not stand up to read her story aloud in class – she emphatically states that all Martin County Democrats must come together and Show Up! Stand Tall! Be Bold! Speak Up! ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Thank you, JackieT, for all your years of outspoken activism here in Martin County and for your support of Martin County Democrats. We appreciate you and acknowledge you as a Martin County Democrat All-Star! ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

SUPPORT MARTIN DEMOCRATS! Support the Martin County Democratic Party by clicking on the Donate button below. You will be able to pay via PayPal or Credit/Debit card. Make this a one-time or monthly donation. Martin County Democrats are committed to improving the lives of all people by promoting Democratic principles and values, identifying and electing Democratic candidates, and broadening voter participation. It is a team effort. Please support us by contributing today! DEMOCRACY FOR THE PEOPLE ​ MUST BE FUNDED BY THE PEOPLE

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 .