Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is putting pen to paper this week, signing dozens of laws.
Some of the highlighted bills among the 17 he signed on Thursday include preserving state parks and cracking down on fentanyl distribution to minors.
Recommended Videos
The bills will take effect later this year.
State park protections
After a public outcry last year about a Department of Environmental Protection proposal, DeSantis on Thursday signed a bill designed to prevent the construction of golf courses, resort-style lodges and sports facilities in state parks.
RELATED: Developers tied to controversial Guana River land swap proposal withdraw application for deal
Lawmakers unanimously passed the bill (HB 209) during this spring’s legislative session. The measure will prohibit building golf courses, tennis courts, pickleball courts and ball fields in state parks.
It will allow building cabins but not large facilities such as lodges. The Department of Environmental Protection’s proposal last year, dubbed the “Great Outdoors Initiative,” was pulled back amid major public opposition. It would have affected nine state parks, including Anastasia State Park in St. Johns County.
Perhaps the biggest target of opponents was a proposal to add three golf courses at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Martin County, which is in the district of the Republican bill sponsors Rep. John Snyder and Sen. Gayle Harrell.
Other parts of the initiative that drew heavy criticism included proposals to construct lodges with up to 350 rooms at Anastasia State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park in Walton County.
Also as part of the signed bill, by Dec. 1 of this year, the DEP will need to report to the governor and Legislature on the condition of state parks.
This report will cover any areas that are closed or need repairs, the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, and plans to ensure that everyone can safely enjoy these public lands.
Cracking down on drug dealers
Senate Bill 612 creates a new crime of third-degree murder for the unlawful killing of a human being when:
- A person under 18 years old distributes any substance or mixture that he or she knew or reasonably should have known contained dangerous fentanyl or fentanyl analogs; and
- Such substance or mixture is proven to have caused or proven to have been a substantial factor in producing the death of the user.
This new third-degree murder offense is a second-degree felony.
“Dangerous fentanyl or fentanyl analogs” include:
- Alfentanil.
- Carfentanil.
- Fentanyl.
- Sufentanil.
- A fentanyl derivative.
- A controlled substance analog of any of the above listed substances.
- A mixture containing any of the above listed substances.
The term “distribute” means to deliver, other than by administering or dispensing, a controlled substance.
Sexual cyberharassment
House Bill 1451 now defines the term “sexually cyberharass” as the intentional sharing of sexually explicit images without consent.
This includes images that reveal personal identification information or where such information is published alongside the image.
The bill removes the requirement that the image be disseminated with the intent to cause emotional distress.
If the crime is committed for financial gain or if it’s a repeat offense, it’s classified as a third-degree felony.
Victims may seek punitive damages for violations, and this would take effect on Oct. 1.
Other notable bills
CS/SB 1168 - Installation or Use of Tracking Devices or Applications
The bill increases the penalty for unlawfully installing, placing, a tracking device or tracking application on another person’s property without consent or using such a device or application to determine a person’s location or their property’s location or movement without consent from a third degree felony to a second degree felony if a person installs, places, or uses a device or application to commit a dangerous crime or to facilitate the commission of a dangerous crime as defined in s. 907.041(5)(a), F.S.
HB 693 - Aggravating Factors for Capital Felonies
The bill creates an additional aggravating factor for the jury and the sentencing court to consider in determining whether a defendant who has been convicted of a capital felony is eligible to receive a death sentence and whether to recommend a sentence of death or life imprisonment.
The new aggravating factor allows a jury to consider whether the victim of the capital felony was gathered with one or more people for a school activity, religious activity, or a public government meeting when he or she was killed.
It will take effect on Oct. 1.
CS/HB 915 - Advertisements for Representation Services
This bill amends existing statutes and introduces new provisions addressing notary public fraud and the unlicensed practice of law in connection with immigration matters.
The bill prohibits a notary public who is not authorized to represent a person in an immigration matter, when advertising his or her notary public services, from using the terms notario público, notario, immigration assistant, immigration consultant, or immigration specialist, or any other designation of title, in any language, which conveys or implies that he or she possesses professional legal skills in immigration law.
The bill requires unlicensed or unauthorized individuals offering immigration services to post conspicuous notices on their websites and at their places of business in relevant languages, which state that the individuals are not accredited to represent anyone in an immigration matter, licensed to practice law, provide legal advice, or accept fees for legal advice.
A person aggrieved by these provisions has a civil cause of action against the entity, person, or business violating such provisions for declaratory or injunctive relief, actual damages, and reasonable attorney fees and costs.
These provisions take effect on July 1.
The governor also signed:
- CS/SB 472 - Education in Correctional Facilities for Professional Licensure
- SB 878 - Probation for Misdemeanor Offenses
- CS/SB 1202 - Benefits for Firefighters Injured During Training Exercises
- CS/CS/SB 1386 - Assault or Battery on a Utility Worker
- CS/SB 1430 - Postjudgment Execution Proceedings Relating to Terrorism
- CS/CS/HB 113 - Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer
- CS/CS/CS/HB 351 - Dangerous Excessive Speeding
- CS/CS/HB 437 - Tampering with an Electronic Monitoring Device
- CS/HB 901 - Court-appointed Psychologists
- CS/HB 903 - Corrections
- CS/CS/HB 1053 - Department of Law Enforcement
