By Jim Turner and Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida
TALLAHASSEE — With Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a state budget and a flurry of other bills, the dust has settled on the 2025 legislative session. Here are 10 laws that took effect Tuesday, the start the 2025-2026 fiscal year:
BALLOT INITIATIVES: A law (HB 1205) that places additional restrictions on the ballot-initiative process largely took effect Tuesday. Groups backing proposed constitutional amendments are fighting the law in federal court.
BUDGET: DeSantis on Monday signed the budget (SB 2500), which he and legislative leaders said would help prepare the state in case of an economic downturn. DeSantis issued $567 million in line-item vetoes to the budget, which had a $115.1 billion bottom line when passed by the Legislature.
FLUORIDE: A wide-ranging bill (SB 700) about issues involving the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bans the longstanding practice of local governments adding fluoride to water supplies.
GULF OF AMERICA: Following the lead of President Donald Trump, the Republican-controlled Legislature approved a measure (HB 575) changing dozens of state laws to use the name “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico.”
JUDGES: Lawmakers approved a bill (SB 2508) that calls for adding 22 circuit-court judges and 15 county-court judges across the state, while also making changes at two appeals courts.
PUBLIC RECORDS: With lawmakers pointing to threats and harassment, a law (SB 268) will prevent release of the home addresses and telephone numbers of legislators, members of Congress and numerous other state and local elected officials.
SCHOOL START TIMES: Lawmakers passed a measure (SB 296) that backed away from a 2023 law that would have prevented high schools from starting earlier than 8:30 a.m. The 2023 law, which was designed to help teens get more sleep, was scheduled to take effect in 2026.
STATE PARKS: After a public outcry last year about a development proposal, a new law (HB 209) will prevent the construction of golf courses, resort-style lodges and sports facilities in state parks.
STUDENT CELL PHONES: Students will be prohibited from using cell phones throughout the school day in elementary and middle schools under a measure (HB 1105) that expands a restriction on using phones during instructional time.
TAX CUTS: Parts of a tax-cut package (HB 7031) took effect Tuesday, including sales-tax exemptions on hurricane-preparedness supplies and certain purchases related to outdoor activities. Other parts, including eliminating a commercial-lease tax, will take effect later.
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I’m not sure why comments would be left for the first one on this list. Sorry, but it did not make sense at all. Why do elementary students need a phone? My daughter is 14, and she doesn’t have a telephone yet, as it would be too much of a distraction, and she doesn’t have the discipline to resist it. This is the reason for the new law: children lack the discipline to resist using their devices. When you try to restrict it, it’s like taking a drug away from a person with an addiction. My daughter, on the other hand, has an Apple Watch that she can use to receive calls. If children need a phone, give them a watch that they cannot use for social media and other activities that can be accessed on a phone.
Teachers and administrative staff have cell phone in hand, plus hand held radio communications. Your student needs to leave his or her’s cell phone home. Having it active during a lock down is a distraction to staying low and staying quiet. High Schools in FL should also ban cell phone use during class hours. Some schools have. Not one FL student has died because they did not have their cell phone with them. Cell phones are a huge distraction that disrupts learning and achievement. Sexual predators use cell phones to lure girls out of class and out of a school building for pick up. It has happened at our school several times.
Why would a student need to use their cell phone? Its a lockdown.
So what happens if a school goes on lock down because of a shooter. A student can’t use their cell phone??????
Would be better with initiatives for 1. state constitutional amendments 2. state statutory amendments (which could be overturned by simple majority of state legislature) 3. proposed federal constitutional amendments to recommend to the convention of states.