10 Big Issues in the 2023 Legislative Session

10 Big Issues in the 2023 Legislative Session

By Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers ended the 2023 legislative session Friday. During the 60-day session, the Republican-controlled House and Senate passed numerous high-profile bills that lined up with priorities of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Here are snapshots of 10 big issues:

— ABORTION: After passing a 15-week abortion limit in 2022, lawmakers and DeSantis went further this year and approved a plan (SB 300) to prevent abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. The six-week limit would take effect if the Florida Supreme Court rules that a privacy clause in the state Constitution does not protect abortion rights.

— AFFORDABLE HOUSING: In a priority of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, lawmakers passed a plan (SB 102) aimed at making housing more affordable for workers. The bill, signed by DeSantis, includes providing incentives for investments in affordable housing and encouraging mixed-use developments in commercial areas.

— BUDGET: The House and Senate on Friday passed a record $117 billion budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year, which will start July 1. The plan will go to DeSantis, who has line-item veto power. Lawmakers on Friday also passed a wide-ranging tax package (HB 7063) that includes a series of sales-tax “holidays” and trimming a commercial-lease tax.

— DEATH PENALTY: Lawmakers passed a measure (SB 450) that eliminated a requirement for unanimous jury recommendations before judges can impose death sentences. The bill lowered the threshold to recommendations of eight of 12 jurors. Lawmakers also approved a bill (HB 1297) aimed at allowing death sentences for people who rape children under age 12.

— ELECTIONS: In the latest round of partisan battles about elections laws, Republican legislators passed a bill (SB 7050) that would place additional restrictions on voter-registration groups, ease campaign-finance reporting requirements and change a “resign to run” law to help clear the way for DeSantis to potentially run for president in 2024.https://cc3b0f69e4f3214a4b13e724c7e51c59.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

— GUNS: Lawmakers and DeSantis approved a measure (HB 543) that will allow Floridians to carry guns without concealed-weapons licenses. Called “constitutional carry” by supporters, it will do away with a decades-old licensing process. The House also unsuccessfully sought to undo a 2018 law that prevents people under age 21 from buying rifles and other long guns.

— IMMIGRATION: Taking aim at federal border policies, lawmakers passed a bill (SB 1718) that includes stepping up requirements on businesses to check the immigration status of workers, cracking down on people who bring undocumented immigrants into Florida and collecting data about whether hospital patients are in the country legally.

— LAWSUIT LIMITS: In a major win for business groups, lawmakers and DeSantis approved a bill (HB 837) aimed at helping shield businesses and insurance companies from costly lawsuits. The bill, which drew opposition from plaintiffs’ attorneys, includes changes such as shortening the time to file negligence lawsuits and largely eliminating “one-way” attorney fees.

— LGBTQ ISSUES: Lawmakers passed a series of bills targeting LGBTQ issues. That included a bill (SB 254) that would bar doctors from providing treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy to transgender minors. Also, they approved expanding a prohibition on instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation in schools (HB 1069).

— SCHOOL VOUCHERS: In a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, lawmakers and DeSantis approved a bill (HB 1) that will make every student eligible for taxpayer-funded vouchers, which could be used for private-school tuition and other expenses. The bill includes ending income requirements in current voucher programs.

3 Responses to "10 Big Issues in the 2023 Legislative Session"

  1. @David — Abortion, puberty blockers, gun laws, voting, drinking, et al. age restrictions aren’t really intended to control access to these items, they’re to control and/or manipulate the voting public.

    Imagine where the Democrats would be if they didn’t let children vote!

  2. @ A Skeptic = I would take that even farther….. Why do you have to be 21 to buy Beer or a Gun BUT, at 14 you can have an Abortion with out your Parents knowing or 10 Years old and the School can but you on Puberty Blockers and help you turn Trans with out telling your Parents.

    We need to keep the “Resign to Run” Law in place.

  3. Regarding the 18/21 age restriction for buying long guns, I believe that we need to take a comprehensive look at ALL of the things that are age restricted.

    I have a problem with the current system. It restricts rights to seemingly random ages between 16 and 21. It declares as adults, people that are still in school but have never had a real job or been self supporting. The system declares that a person that has never had adult responsibilities is eligible to vote and shape politics in this country.

    If you’re not an adult until you’re 21, you’re not an adult. Voting privileges should not be given to children.

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