The Florida state legislature’s $7 billion budget went into effect as of the beginning of July 2014. At the same time, so did more than 150 other bills with the governor’s signature. The legislature had sent 255 bills to the governor over the past year, with only one getting the heave-ho: A Senate proposal that would have permitted the state’s transportation department to raise the speed limit on some highways by 5 mph.
Here are just a few of the changes that recently went into effect:
The so-called Florida GI Bill will give veterans access to university tuition waivers, while also providing money for guard and military base improvements.
Senate Bill 224 bans the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. The ban is along the lines of existing state prohibitions on the sale of other tobacco products to minors.
Senate Bill 424 makes it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage or to increase premiums based solely on whether policyholders own guns or ammunition. Senate Bill 523 gives tax collection offices the authority to take concealed-weapon gun license applications. And Senate Bill 525 expands upon an existing provision in the law that shields the identities of persons who apply for and are granted concealed-carry licenses in Florida.
House Bill 7005 introduces a number of new provisions for drivers of motor vehicles. The new laws include adding utility service and sanitation vehicles to the requirements of the Move-Over Act—a provision that is designed to protect emergency responders while they are carrying out their duties on the road. Penalties for failing to move over and slow down include a fine and points against a driver’s license. The bill also requires buses (except for school buses) to use “reasonable means” when picking up or discharging passengers.
That’s not all for House Bill 7005: Additional provisions include requiring the words “Sexual Predator” to be marked on the front side of ID cards and driver licenses of people who have been designated as sexual predators. And the law also gives judges the authority to compel repeat DUI offenders to take Breathalyzer tests twice a day instead of dealing with an ignition interlock device.
As you can see, that’s just a short listing of all of the state’s many new laws. Now more than ever, it makes sense to immediately consult an attorney whenever you have a brush with the law. Not only do you stand the best chance of preserving your rights, you also will gain access to the most current knowledge of Florida’s ever-changing laws.
