DATE: March 7, 2014
TO: USF & NRA Member and Friends
FROM: Marion P. Hammer
USF Executive Director
NRA Past President
Thank you for your help this week. Not only was it the first week of the Legislative Session, it was an incredibly busy week of Committee hearings for us. It was one of the busiest weeks we've ever had and was a logistical challenge that we met with unqualified success.
If you would like to review the most current version of each of the bills, click on the blue underlined bill numbers. A new version is prepared every time a bill is amended (changed) in committee.
On Monday, March 3, 2014
SB-296 PASSED by a vote of 5-2 in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee
SB-296 Firearms During Mandatory Evacuation by Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) provides an exemption from criminal penalties for carrying a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm when complying with a mandatory evacuation order during a declared state of emergency. SB 296 restores the right to protect yourself and your family during an emergency, mandatory evacuation.
SB-1060 PASSED by a vote of 5-2 in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee
SB-1060 Zero Tolerance School Policies by Senator Greg Evers (R-Baker) prohibits school officials from suspending or punishing innocent children for simulating firearms or weapons with fingers, pencils, or pastries while playing, or possessing photographs of or wearing t-shirts depicting firearms or weapons.
On Tuesday, March 4, 2014
SB-448 PASSED by a vote of 9-0 in the Senate Judiciary Committee
SB-448 Threatened Use of Force by Senator Greg Evers (R-Baker) stops abusive prosecutors from using 10-20-LIFE to prosecute people who in acts of self-defense, threaten to use deadly force against an attacker as a means to stop an attack.
On Wednesday, March 5, 2014
HB-523 PASSED by a vote of 12-1 in the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee
HB-523 Applications for Concealed Weapons or Firearms Licenses by Representative James Grant (R-Tampa) allows 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.
HB-525 PASSED by a vote of 12-0 in the House Governmental Operations SubCommittee
HB-523 Public Records Exemption by Representative James Grant (R-Tampa) prohibits Tax Collectors & their employees from disclosing identifying information of applicants and license holders.
SB-544 PASSED by a vote of 9-0 in the Senate Community Affairs Committee
SB-544 Applications for Concealed Weapons or Firearms Licenses by Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby) allows 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.
HB-209 PASSED by a vote of 9-3 in the House Economic Development & Tourism Committee
HB-209 Firearms During Mandatory Evacuation by Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (R-Ft. Myers) provides an exemption from criminal penalties for carrying a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm when complying with a mandatory evacuation order during a declared state of emergency. HB 209 restores the right to protect yourself and your family during an emergency, mandatory evacuation.
On Thursday, March 6, 2014
HB-255 PASSED by a vote of 11-5 in the House Regulatory Affairs Committee
HB-255 Discrimination by Insurance Companies by Representative Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar) stops insurance companies from discriminating against policy holders who own firearms and ammunition.
HB-7029 PASSED by a vote of 16-0 in the House Education Committee
HB-7029 Zero Tolerance School Policies by Representative Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala) prohibits school officials from suspending or punishing innocent children for simulating firearms or weapons with fingers, pencils, or pastries while playing, or possessing photographs of or wearing t-shirts depicting firearms or weapons.
SB-424 PASSED by a vote of 17-2 in the Senate Appropriations Committee
SB-424 Discrimination by Insurance Companies by Senator Tom Lee (R-Brandon) stops insurance companies from discriminating against policy holders who own firearms and ammunition.
Stay Informed -- See your Legislature in action on The Florida Channel
REMEMBER, you can watch committee hearings on The Florida Channel live on TV or on your computer by going to The Florida Channel on your computer, you can find the TV channel in your local area.
To find the TV Channel in your area, just click on the Orange Tab in the upper right corner that says "Where to Watch."
To watch on your computer go to "Today's Schedule" on the right hand side of the screen and click on "Live Streams" then scroll down until you find the Committee Meeting you wish to watch.
If you miss a Committee meeting, you can go to "Video Library" in the Blue Menu Bar close to the top of the screen then scroll down until you find the committee meeting you wish to watch.
To go to The Florida Channel now, Click Here
The 2014 Legislative Session began last Tuesday, March 4, 2014 and runs for 60 consecutive days ending on May 2, 2014 -- if the legislature completes it 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.
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