Report on Florida Legislative Committee Action Week of 2/17/14 - 2/20/14

DATE:   February 21, 2014
TO:      USF & NRA Member and Friends
FROM:  Marion P. Hammer
           USF Executive Director
           NRA Past President

Thank you for your help this week.  If you want to review the bills, click on the blue, underlined bill numbers, they are the most current versions of the bills.

On Monday, February 17, 2014

SB-544 by Sen. Wilton Simpson  was heard in the Senate Agriculture Committee on Monday, February 17, 2014.

SB-544 is a bill to allow the Division of Licensing to designate qualified Tax Collectors to conduct the  "Fast-Track" concealed weapons licensing application process in their respective counties.  This brings the process closer to the people and makes it more convenient for applicants.  The bill PASSED by a VOTE of 6-0.

On Tuesday, February 18, 2014

HB-523 by Rep. James Grant  was heard in the House Business & Professional Regulation Committee on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2014. (When you click on the link to review this bill, you will see the bill in amendment form.  That is currently the actual language of the bill awaiting action by the bill drafting staff to incorporate it into formal bill format)

HB-523 is a bill to allow the Division of Licensing to designate qualified Tax Collectors to conduct the  "Fast-Track" concealed weapons licensing application process in their respective counties.  This brings the process closer to the people and makes it more convenient for applicants.  The bill PASSED by a VOTE of 10-2.

HB-525 by Rep. James Grant was heard in the House Business & Professional Regulation Committee on Tuesday Feb. 18, 2014.

HB-525 is a bill to assure that Tax Collectors and their employees hold all license applicant and license holder personal identifying information confidential and exempt from public records.  The bill PASSED by a VOTE of 10-2.

On Wednesday, February 19, 2014

HB-255 by Rep. Matt Gaetz was heard in the House Civil Justice Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2014.

HB-255 is a bill to stop insurance companies from discriminating against gun owners. An amendment was added in this committee to also stop discrimination based of possession of ammunition The bill PASSED by a VOTE of 8-2.

On Thursday, February 20, 2014

HB-89 by Rep. Neil Combee (R) & Rep. Katie Edwards (D) was heard in the House Judiciary on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014.

HB-89 is a bill to stop abusive prosecutors from using 10-20-LIFE to prosecute people who, in acts of self-defense, merely threaten to use deadly force against an attacker as a means to stop an attack.  The bill PASSED by a VOTE of 15-2.

The 2014 Legislative Session begins Tuesday, March 4, 2014 and runs for 60 consecutive days ending on May 2, 2014 -- if the legislature completes its work.  If the legislature fails to complete its work in 60 days, they may extend the session or adjourn and be called back into Special Session.