The anti-protest bill -- HB 1 Combating Public Disorder -- will be debated and voted on the Senate floor Wednesday April 14. If it passes, it will go to the Governor for his signature. So, we need everyone to contact their individual Senators before Wednesday to VOTE NO on this anti-democracy bill.
We previously sent out talking points regarding HB 1 which we am again including below:
This bill was initially conceptualized by Gov. DeSantis as a backlash to Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests during the summer, even though these protests remained mostly peaceful, especially in Florida.
Violent behavior during public protests is already illegal under Florida law, but HB 1 would go beyond and seek to:
Expand penalties against anyone affiliated with a protest that becomes "disorderly;"
Mandate that anyone arrested at a protest would be detained until their first court appearance;
Protect Confederate monuments;
Prevent local community decisions from modifying law enforcement activities;
Provide protections for people who drive into a peaceful demonstration and "accidentally" run over a protester obstructing a public roadway.
According to the most recent Florida House Staff Analysis, this bill may have a negative fiscal impact on the Florida Department of Corrections and local governments due to:
The creation of new felony offenses relating to public disorder that will require more prison beds, and
The creation of new misdemeanor offenses that will require more jail beds for those arrested and held over until their first appearance hearings.
Please contact your individual State Senators before this bill goes to the floor and urge them to VOTE NO as soon as possible!
Our Citrus State Senator is -
Senator Wilton Simpson (R) Simpson.Wilton.web@flsenate.gov (850) 487-5010
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