INSIDER
Rita Harris to return to Florida House after beating Daisy Morales
Read full article: Rita Harris to return to Florida House after beating Daisy MoralesDemocrat Rita Harris will continue to represent south Orange County in the Florida House after winning the universal primary for District 44 Tuesday night.
Florida races set for August primaries; Democrats field candidate in every state race
Read full article: Florida races set for August primaries; Democrats field candidate in every state raceQualifying wrapped up Friday for the August and November elections, and while some state legislature candidates won with no opposition, most voters will find contested races on the ballot for Florida Senate and House.
Winter Park hosts Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day
Read full article: Winter Park hosts Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration DayOn Thursday evening inside the Winter Park Library, people came together to recognize Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day. The state will officially recognize the day next year on the fourth Thursday of March.
Florida House passes bill to lower gun buying age
Read full article: Florida House passes bill to lower gun buying ageWhile the issue has not moved forward in the Senate, the Florida House on Friday passed a controversial bill that would lower the minimum age from 21 to 18 to buy rifles and shotguns.
New safety rules for lithium-ion batteries headed for Florida House, Senate votes
Read full article: New safety rules for lithium-ion batteries headed for Florida House, Senate votesThe Florida State Fire Marshal’s office will be able to create new rules for safely storing lithium-ion batteries under bills now headed for votes before the full Florida House and Senate.
Alzheimer’s training for law enforcement officers OK’d by Florida House
Read full article: Alzheimer’s training for law enforcement officers OK’d by Florida HouseThe state would have to provide training to law enforcement officers on how to interact with people who have Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia under a bill the Florida House approved.
Florida bill could impose fees on people objecting to books in schools
Read full article: Florida bill could impose fees on people objecting to books in schoolsOn Tuesday, lawmakers in a Florida House committee voted for a massive public education bill — HB 7025. Among its provisions, the bill allows school districts to impose a $100 “processing fee” for failed book challenges.
Florida House bill restricting teens on social media heads for final vote Wednesday
Read full article: Florida House bill restricting teens on social media heads for final vote WednesdayA bill that would restrict Florida teens from using social media appeared headed for passage in the Florida House after a second reading of the bill on Tuesday.
Florida bill loosening work rules for 16, 17-year-olds headed for House vote
Read full article: Florida bill loosening work rules for 16, 17-year-olds headed for House voteA bill that would loosen work rules and allow 16 and 17-year-olds to work more hours is headed for a full vote on the Florida House floor.
Florida House ready to OK social media restrictions for minors
Read full article: Florida House ready to OK social media restrictions for minorsThe Florida House is poised to pass a bill aimed at preventing children under age 16 from using social media, as parts of the tech industry argue the measure could be unconstitutional and create data privacy concerns.
Florida bill would ban preferred pronouns in workplaces, may hurt LGBTQ charities
Read full article: Florida bill would ban preferred pronouns in workplaces, may hurt LGBTQ charitiesSeveral local organizations, nonprofits, and lawmakers are blasting a plan to take the gender identity debate from classrooms to the workplace.
Judge rules against Florida pediatricians in transgender care records subpoena
Read full article: Judge rules against Florida pediatricians in transgender care records subpoenaA federal judge has rejected an initial request to block a Florida House effort to obtain internal communications about how the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics developed standards of care for children diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
Florida House battles pediatricians over gender-dysphoria records subpoena
Read full article: Florida House battles pediatricians over gender-dysphoria records subpoenaA statewide pediatricians association is pushing back in federal court against the Florida House’s efforts to obtain internal communications showing how the group adopted standards of care for the treatment of gender dysphoria
Florida groups attack housing bill that preempts local ordinances
Read full article: Florida groups attack housing bill that preempts local ordinancesState lawmakers said the legislation will ensure consistency across the state, which they claim is critical in creating an ideal marketplace for development and housing.
Florida House bill rolls back gun-buying age set after Parkland shooting
Read full article: Florida House bill rolls back gun-buying age set after Parkland shootingThe Florida House on Friday passed a measure that would lower the minimum age from 21 to 18 to buy rifles and other “long” guns, voting to scrap a high-profile change passed after a 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
Florida House passes bill requiring AAPI history, culture instruction
Read full article: Florida House passes bill requiring AAPI history, culture instructionThe Florida House unanimously approved a bill Wednesday that would require schools to teach Asian American and Pacific Islander history in K-12 classrooms.
Florida House approves $1.38B bill offering expanded sales tax holidays
Read full article: Florida House approves $1.38B bill offering expanded sales tax holidaysThe Florida House on Thursday unanimously approved a wide-ranging $1.38 billion tax package that would include savings for shoppers and businesses, as leaders work out differences with the Senate.
Florida Senate panel backs transgender bathroom bill
Read full article: Florida Senate panel backs transgender bathroom billA key Senate committee on Tuesday approved a scaled-back proposal aimed at requiring transgender men and women to use restrooms that line up with their sex assigned at birth, as protesters marched to the Capitol to speak out against bills targeting the LGBTQ community.
Florida House OKs bill aimed at curbing hate speech on private property
Read full article: Florida House OKs bill aimed at curbing hate speech on private propertyIn a particularly rancorous Florida Legislative Session, one bill brought everyone in the Florida House together Thursday — it was aimed at stopping the growing number of hateful messages being distributed in neighborhoods and projecting onto buildings.
Bills blocking public access to Gov. DeSantis travel records pass two legislative committees
Read full article: Bills blocking public access to Gov. DeSantis travel records pass two legislative committeesTwo legislative committees approved a bill on Tuesday that would prevent the public from seeing travel records for Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Florida Legislature OKs incentives for affordable housing, bans rent control
Read full article: Florida Legislature OKs incentives for affordable housing, bans rent controlWith approval Friday from the Florida House, Senate President Kathleen Passidomo’s $711 million effort to make housing more affordable for working Floridians is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Florida House seeks to block transgender treatments for children
Read full article: Florida House seeks to block transgender treatments for childrenA Florida House panel on Wednesday approved a sweeping measure that would prohibit doctors from providing gender-affirming care to transgender minors, including children already receiving treatment such as puberty blockers or hormone therapy.
Secret Service calls gas pump manipulator legislation a ‘game changer’
Read full article: Secret Service calls gas pump manipulator legislation a ‘game changer’Committees in the Florida House and Senate have been assigned to review identical bills that include proposed felony charges for anyone who “tampers with, manipulates, removes, replaces, or interrupts any mechanical or electronic component located within a retail fuel dispenser.”
Florida House passes school voucher expansion
Read full article: Florida House passes school voucher expansionThe Republican-controlled House on Friday passed a measure that would make every Florida student eligible for taxpayer-backed school vouchers, as Democrats and other critics slammed the expansion as a “coupon for millionaires.”
Florida bill targets educational programs on diversity, equity, inclusion, critical race theory
Read full article: Florida bill targets educational programs on diversity, equity, inclusion, critical race theoryFlorida House Bill 999 aims to target diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, also known as DEI, and the study of critical race theory at all of the state’s public universities.
Florida lawmakers eye later school start times. Here’s how late
Read full article: Florida lawmakers eye later school start times. Here’s how lateWith some high-powered support, a Florida House panel Thursday backed a proposal that would set start times for high schools and middle schools that would be more in tune with teens’ natural rhythms.
Lawsuit limits sought by business groups emerge in Florida Senate
Read full article: Lawsuit limits sought by business groups emerge in Florida SenateAfter the Florida House started moving forward last week with controversial changes to shield businesses and insurance companies from costly lawsuits, a Senate Republican on Thursday filed a bill that largely mirrors the House plan.
Florida House passes bill to rename, remake Disney’s Reedy Creek
Read full article: Florida House passes bill to rename, remake Disney’s Reedy CreekFlorida House Lawmakers in Tallahassee passed a bill Thursday that will change the governing body that runs Walt Disney World property in the latest chapter of the fight between Florida Gov. DeSantis and Walt Disney World.
Results 2022: Jason Brodeur wins Florida Senate District 10 race against Goff-Marcil
Read full article: Results 2022: Jason Brodeur wins Florida Senate District 10 race against Goff-MarcilIncumbent Jason Brodeur won out over Joy Goff-Marcil Tuesday for a Florida Senate District 10 seat — a newly redistricted area that covers Seminole and parts of Orange County.
Results 2022: Meet the candidates for Florida Senate District 10
Read full article: Results 2022: Meet the candidates for Florida Senate District 10Joy Goff-Marcil and Jason Brodeur face off for a Florida Senate District 10 seat, a newly-redistricted area that covers Seminole and parts of Orange County.
Property insurance changes passed by Florida lawmakers, heading to governor’s desk
Read full article: Property insurance changes passed by Florida lawmakers, heading to governor’s deskBut with hurricane season starting next week, Florida House members overwhelmingly gave final approval Wednesday to a measure that seeks to stem property-insurance problems that have led to policyholders across the state losing coverage and seeing soaring premiums.
Central Florida lawmakers protest governor’s redistricting map before it passes in House
Read full article: Central Florida lawmakers protest governor’s redistricting map before it passes in HouseFrom the House floor, Florida Rep. Travaris McCurdy of Orlando joined other Democrats Thursday to protest Gov. Ron DeSantis’ redistricting map, which was approved in the Florida House later that day.
DeSantis’ congressional map passes Florida House despite protest from Black lawmakers
Read full article: DeSantis’ congressional map passes Florida House despite protest from Black lawmakersA congressional map pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis was passed by the Florida House amid a protest by Black lawmakers who say the map will diminish the state’s Black representation in the U.S. House.
Gov. DeSantis highlights slightly longer red snapper fishing season in Florida
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis highlights slightly longer red snapper fishing season in FloridaGov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday held a news conference at Destin Harbor Boardwalk in Okaloosa County to highlight an upcoming 57-day Gulf red snapper fishing season in Florida.
Florida lawmakers take up Gov. DeSantis’ congressional map
Read full article: Florida lawmakers take up Gov. DeSantis’ congressional mapThe staff member who prepared a congressional redistricting map said race and party politics in now way factored into the final product being considered by the Legislature.
Homeowners switch to solar before Florida’s net metering bill goes into effect
Read full article: Homeowners switch to solar before Florida’s net metering bill goes into effectAs solar energy customers wait to see if Florida’s net metering bill will become law, some thinking about making the switch to solar are finding creative ways to save money ahead of possibly larger electric bills.
Florida House passes bill to limit race-related instruction in schools, workplaces
Read full article: Florida House passes bill to limit race-related instruction in schools, workplacesOverriding objections from Democrats who called the measure “wrong on all levels,” the Republican-controlled Florida House on Thursday passed a bill that would limit how race-related concepts are taught in schools and in workplace training sessions.
Florida House moving forward with proposal to create state office investigating election fraud
Read full article: Florida House moving forward with proposal to create state office investigating election fraudAs a federal judge weighs the constitutionality of an elections law passed last year, the Florida House started moving forward with a new proposal that includes adding steps for voting by mail and creating a state office to investigate alleged elections fraud.
Florida House Republicans pass redrawn legislature maps
Read full article: Florida House Republicans pass redrawn legislature mapsThe Florida House on Wednesday approved new legislative districts over the objections of Democrats, who anticipate legal challenges about minority representation and how the lines were drawn.
Florida House panel gives initial nod to controversial abortion proposal
Read full article: Florida House panel gives initial nod to controversial abortion proposalDespite fierce objections from Democrats who argued the proposal is unconstitutional, a Florida House panel on Wednesday approved a controversial bill that would prohibit doctors from performing abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Legislators push new bill to make daylight saving time permanent in the US
Read full article: Legislators push new bill to make daylight saving time permanent in the USFor 2021, two Republican legislators are leading the national effort for the Sunshine Protection Act, which would make Daylight Saving Time a permanently fixed practice all year round.
Measure to ban vaccine passports in Florida clears House
Read full article: Measure to ban vaccine passports in Florida clears HouseWith a key lawmaker saying he recognizes that vaccine hesitancy is “real and understandable,” the Florida House on Wednesday approved a measure that would limit local emergency orders and make permanent Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order barring COVID-19 vaccine “passports.”
Bill banning transgender athletes from school, college sports passes Florida House
Read full article: Bill banning transgender athletes from school, college sports passes Florida HouseA bill that would prevent men and transgender women from participating in Florida school and college sports designated for women passed in a Florida House vote Wednesday after two days of intense debate.
Florida House poised to pass bill barring transgender females from playing in girls’, womens’ sports
Read full article: Florida House poised to pass bill barring transgender females from playing in girls’, womens’ sportsThe Florida House is poised to pass a measure that would bar transgender females from participating in girls’ and women’s high-school and college sports.
Florida’s ‘anti-riot’ bill faces uncertain fate in Senate
Read full article: Florida’s ‘anti-riot’ bill faces uncertain fate in SenateWith the number of weeks left before the Legislature’s scheduled adjournment in the final week of April, lawmakers also are beginning to tackle the state budget with more urgency. But proposals like the anti-riot bill are consuming much of the air in the Florida statehouse this session. The measure could spawn an interesting dynamic in the state Senate, where it has yet to get a hearing. The House passed the measure Friday, with the Republican majority arguing that the measure was needed to preserve law and order. Another House committee is taking up a proposal that would abolish the state’s Constitution Revision Commission.
Florida House committee weighs new rules for voting by mail
Read full article: Florida House committee weighs new rules for voting by mailAdThe Senate is considering its own changes to how vote-by-mail ballots are handled, including the banning of drop boxes. That provision has come under attack by Democrats who charge that Republicans are trying to wipe the slate clean after Democrats overtook the GOP in the vote-by-mail race. In the coming week, the House floor will take up a measure already passed by the Senate — but it’s unclear how the House will handle that proposal. It could decide to abandon its own two-pronged approach, which carves out a separate bill for health care providers, and instead adopt the single Senate bill to address what proponents fear could be a proliferation of frivolous COVID-related lawsuits. AdAnother controversial measure the House is taking up is the so-called anti-riot bill, which comes up this week for final debate in the chamber.
Cocoa Beach officials don’t want FDOT’s flashing-yellow mid-block crosswalks on SR A1A
Read full article: Cocoa Beach officials don’t want FDOT’s flashing-yellow mid-block crosswalks on SR A1ACOCOA BEACH, Fla. – Adding mid-block crossings with flashing-yellow lights along State Road A1A poses “an unreasonable safety risk” for pedestrians — because some drivers fail to stop when the lights are activated, the Cocoa Beach City Commission argues. The address is 900 N. Atlantic Ave. in Cocoa Beach. Cocoa Beach — S.R. It’s remarkable that FDOT doesn’t do anything about this,” Cocoa Beach City Commissioner Ed Martinez said during last week’s meeting. It’s remarkable that FDOT doesn’t do anything about this,” Cocoa Beach City Commissioner Ed Martinez said during last week’s meeting.
Florida General Election Results for State House of Representatives on Nov. 3, 2020
Read full article: Florida General Election Results for State House of Representatives on Nov. 3, 2020[LIVE RACE RESULTS: Scroll to bottom of story to see all race returns starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3]As of early October, Republicans had a 71-46 control of the state House of Representatives, with three vacancies in the lower house of the state legislature, according to Ballotpedia.org, but all 120 Florida House seats are up for grabs in the upcoming election. Among some of the most-watched House races in Central Florida are Districts 28 and 29. As of 11 p.m. on Tuesday, the Associated Press had not declared a winner in the District 29 race. Below is a list of candidates in the running to represent Central Florida districts in the Florida House. Here’s who’s running in your district:State House District 22 -- MarionState House District 23 -- MarionState House District 24 -- FlaglerState House District 25 -- VolusiaState House District 26 -- VolusiaState House District 27 -- VolusiaState House District 28 -- SeminoleState House District 29 -- SeminoleState House District 30 -- SeminoleState House District 31 -- Lake, OrangeState House District 32 -- LakeState House District 33 -- Lake, SumterState House District 39 -- Osceola, PolkState House District 40 -- PolkState House District 41 -- PolkState House District 42 -- Osceola, PolkState House District 44 -- OrangeState House District 47 -- OrangeState House District 48 -- OrangeState House District 49 -- OrangeState House District 50 -- Brevard, OrangeState House District 51 -- BrevardState House District 52 -- BrevardState House District 53 -- BrevardRandy Fine (R), incumbentPhil Moore (D)Thomas Patrick Unger (WRI), no official campaign page could be foundState House District 56 -- PolkFind more election results and news on the Results 2020 page.
US House District 9 voters re-elect Darren Soto
Read full article: US House District 9 voters re-elect Darren SotoDemocratic incumbent Darren Soto has been declared the winner of the U.S. House District 9 race. Nearly 689,000 people live in District 9, according to the last U.S. Census. Darren Soto (D)Congressman Soto was first elected in 2016 to represent Florida’s 9th Congressional District. He was first elected to the Florida House at the age of 29 and served for five and a half years. Clay Hill (WRI)Hill is a write-in candidate in the U.S. House District 9 race.
For the first time in 13 years, Florida agrees to fully fund affordable housing
Read full article: For the first time in 13 years, Florida agrees to fully fund affordable housingTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For the first time since 2007, the Florida House and Senate have agreed to fully fund the state’s affordable housing trust fund, known as the Sadowski fund. However, nearly $3 billion have diverted out of the Sadowski Fund to balance the state budget over since 2008. "That is dedicated dollars for state affordable housing programs that are literally being stolen out of that trust fund to pay for other non-related priorities," he said. "That money will be used to help counties provide more affordable housing for their citizens that are in desperate need." Though both the Florida House and Senate agreed not to sweep the fund, the budget still has to be finalized.
5 things to know about Florida's texting and driving bill
Read full article: 5 things to know about Florida's texting and driving billORLANDO, Fla. – Through an initiative called Driving Change, News 6 has advocated for years for stricter texting and driving laws to make Florida roads safer. The Florida House voted overwhelmingly Monday to send a bill to make texting and driving a primary traffic offense to Gov. [RELATED: News 6 Driving Change timeline | News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving bill | Could 2019 be the year Florida passes tougher distracted driving laws?] Bonus: When the bill becomes lawOnce HB 107 has been signed by the presiding officers, the bill will go to the governor. DeSantis will have seven days to sign the bill, veto the bill or let it become law without his signature.
When's the deadline for Gov. DeSantis to sign distracted driving bill?
Read full article: When's the deadline for Gov. DeSantis to sign distracted driving bill?So, with the bill passed, when is Gov. When HB 107 passed the House a second time -- the first version was amended by the Senate -- News 6 originally reported DeSantis would have seven days to sign the bill or it would automatically become a law. In Florida, as stated, the governor does have seven days to sign a bill or veto it, otherwise the bill automatically becomes a law. And if a lot of bills went through in the final days of the session, that could take some time. If you want to find out more about the whole process, read and click the excerpts below from the Florida Senate’s website:What is the deadline for the Governor to sign a bill?
Florida House vote sends texting and driving bill to governor's desk
Read full article: Florida House vote sends texting and driving bill to governor's deskORLANDO, Fla. – UPDATE: The Florida House voted Monday to approve a bill to ban texting and driving. News 6 has advocated for three years for stricter texting and driving laws to make Florida's roads safer. The Florida House are going to vote on the amended House Bill 107 Monday afternoon. Ahead of the vote, advocates are rejoicing about how far the distracted driving bill has come. [RELATED: News 6 Driving Change timeline | News 6 anchor Matt Austin testifies for distracted driving bill | Could 2019 be the year Florida passes tougher distracted driving laws?]
The Weekly Newsletter: News 6 broadcasting podcasts
Read full article: The Weekly Newsletter: News 6 broadcasting podcastsHere is a list of big stories as well as a recap of this week's interview on "The Weekly." "The Weekly" spotlights News 6 podcastsWhether it's news-of-the-day or lifestyle, ClickOrlando.com is home to a wealth of content, and there's now a place where you can check out our new podcasts. Plea for breast milk after family tragedyIn the span of 24 hours, a Venezuelan man became a father and a widower. To see the video, click here. To see what happened after people noticed the sign, click here.
Could 2019 be the year Florida passes tougher distracted driving laws?
Read full article: Could 2019 be the year Florida passes tougher distracted driving laws?TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – For years, News 6 has been Driving Change by shining a light on Florida's toothless texting and driving laws and pushing for more commonsense legislation to make our roads safer. It’s called secondary enforcement and it’s a dangerous practice that does little to ensure safety and curtail distracted driving. Year in and year out, our leaders in Tallahassee have made excuses, inevitably killing tougher texting and driving and distracted driving bills silently in committee. “Let the will of the Florida House and the Florida Senate, which was elected by Florida voters, let us have our say,” he said. The House bill had little opposition, but the Senate version died in committee.
Driving Change: Florida lawmakers file 2 bills to curb distracted driving
Read full article: Driving Change: Florida lawmakers file 2 bills to curb distracted drivingTALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Three months before the official start of the 2019 Florida legislative session, two state politicians are wasting no time trying to toughen up Florida’s lax texting and driving law. Trilby’s bill, SB 76, is dubbed the “Florida Ban on Wireless Communications Devices While Driving Law.”Slosberg’s bill, HB 45, has a much simpler name: the “Hands-Free Florida Law.”“The No. Last year the Florida House passed its version of a tougher distracted driving bill but the Senate version stalled in the Senate Appropriations Committee, which was chaired by Republican State Sen. For the third year in a row, Slosberg has sponsored anti-texting and driving legislation. Georgia recently passed a similar hands-free-only bill that went into effect on July 1.