Florida: Four pro-gun bills headed to Governor Rick Scott

“The seventh week of the Legislative Session was yet another exceptionally busy and successful week. Four more pro-gun bills passed the legislature and are headed for the Governor’s desk,” reports the NRA-ILA.

The blue underlined bill numbers are the most current versions of the bills. You can simply click on those links to read the bills. A new version is prepared every time a bill is amended (changed) in committee. If, there is no blue link that means the newest amended version is not yet available.

On Monday, April 21, 2014

HB-255 Discriminatory Insurance Practices by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Shalimar)
SB-424 Discriminatory Insurance Practices by Sen. Tom Lee (R-Brandon)

Both bills were on Special Order Calendar in the House Monday. Since SB-424 had already passed the Senate, SB-424 was substituted for HB-255 and approved for the Third Reading Calendar and debate on the following day

On Tuesday, April 22, 2014

SB-424 by Senator Tom Lee PASSED THE HOUSE by a vote of 74-44. The bill now goes to the Governor for final action.

SB-424 by Sen. Tom Lee & Rep. Matt Gaetz Discrimination by Insurance Companies is a bill to stop insurance companies from refusing to issue a policy, or refusing to renew a policy or canceling a policy, or charging unfair rates based on the lawful possession and ownership of a firearm or firearms or ammunition. Such actions constitute unfair discrimination and are actionable. Further, the bill protects privacy rights by prohibiting insurance companies and their agents from disclosing information on firearms and firearm ownership of its applicants and policyholders to others.

On Wednesday, April 23, 2014

SB-1060 Zero Tolerance/Pop Tart Bill by Sen. Greg Evers (R-Baker)
HB-7029 Zero Tolerance/Pop Tart Bill by Rep. Dennis Baxley (R-Ocala)

Both bills were on Special Order Calendar in the Senate Wednesday. Since HB-7029 had already passed the House, HB-7029 was substituted for SB-1060 and approved for the Third Reading Calendar and debate on the following day.

SB-544 CW License App/Tax Collectors by Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby)
HB-523 CW License App/Tax Collectors by Rep. James Grant (R-Tampa)

Both bills were on Special Order Calendar in the Senate Wednesday. Since HB-523 had already passed the House, HB-523 was substituted for SB-544 and approved for the Third Reading Calendar and debate on the following day.

On Thursday, April 24, 2014

HB-7029 by Rep. Dennis Baxley PASSED THE SENATE by a vote of 32-6. The bill now goes to the Governor for final action.

HB-7029 Zero Tolerance/Pop Tart Bill by Rep. Dennis Baxley & Sen. Greg Evers is a bill to stop some of the unbelievable actions by school administrators against children who behave like children and point fingers at each other pretending to shoot guns, or wear NRA T-shirts to school, etc.

SB-546 CW/Public Records/Tax Collectors by Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby)
HB-525 CW/Public Records/Tax Collectors by Rep. James Grant (R-Tampa)

Both bills were on Special Order Calendar in the Senate Thursday. Since HB-523 had already passed the House, HB-523 was substituted for SB-544 and approved for the Third Reading Calendar and debate on the following day.

On Friday, April 25, 2014

HB-523 by Rep. James Grant PASSED THE SENATE by a vote of 35-0. The bill now goes to the Governor for final action.

HB-523 CW Applications by Rep. James Grant & Sen. Wilton SImpson is a bill to allow 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 by Rep. James Grant PASSED THE SENATE by a vote of 37-1. The bill now goes to the Governor for final action.

HB-525 CW Public Records by Rep. James Grant & Sen. Wilton Simpson by Rep. Jamie Grant is a bill to prohibits Tax Collectors & their employees from disclosing identifying information of applicants and license holders.

TO RECAP: A total of 5 pro-gun bills are now on the way to the Governor:

HB-89 Threat of Force
SB-424 Insurance Discrimination Prohibition
HB-7029 Zero Tolerance/Pop Tart Bill
HB-523 CW Applications/Tax Collectors
HB-525 Public Records Exemption/CW License Holders Information

STILL NEEDS TO PASS:

HB-209 Firearms/Mandatory Evacuation has passed the House and still needs to pass the Senate. It will be up in the Senate next week.

EDITORS NOTE: The featured photo is courtesy of The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.