TALLAHASSEE – It was a busy week in Tallahassee as several high-profile initiatives moved forward, including campus carry and open carry of firearms. A pro-development bill concerning DRIs (Developments of Regional Impact) moved forward, as did a controversial immigration bill. Meanwhile, state lawmakers took aim at Planned Parenthood in the budget proposal.
A bill that would reduce state oversight on large developments passed a committee vote this week, after several key changes. HB 1361 eliminates state review of new Developments of Regional Impact. DRIs are large subdivisions that could affect roads and other infrastructure in multiple counties. Oversight of DRIs was already reduced at the state level when Governor Scott gutted the Department of Community Affairs in 2011.
One change to the original bill gives local governments input when a developer wants to make changes to a DRI's approved land use when it could cause more traffic, or impact public facilities. The conservation group 1,000 Friends of Florida was pleased with the changes but expressed concern over eliminating state review of large developments because it wouldn't allow for input from neighboring communities on projects that affect them. A review by the Department of Economic Opportunity, however, would still be required if the local government needs to change its comp plan to approve a DRI.
An open-carry bill passed the House by an 80-38 vote this week. A last-minute revision allows licensed lawmakers to carry concealed weapons in legislative meetings. HB 163 would let permit-holders openly display handguns in a holster or bag. Employers would have the right to prohibit weapons in the workplace, as would private hospitals. Bars, jails, courthouses and police stations would be exempt. House lawmakers also approved a Campus Carry bill that would allow citizens with a concealed weapons license to carry handguns on university campuses. HB 4001 passed 80-37.
As state lawmakers work on the budget, leaders in the Florida House took aim at Planned Parenthood. At the top of the House budget proposal for the Department of Health and the Agency for Health Care Administration are directions that "no funds ... may be provided to Planned Parenthood" and "no recipients of funds ... shall provide funding to Planned Parenthood directly or indirectly."
The Florida House passed a controversial immigration bill targeting so-called "sanctuary cities," or those with policies limiting enforcement of immigration procedures, in an 80-38 vote on Wednesday. HB 675 would compel state or local governments and law enforcement to support the enforcement of federal immigration laws, while preventing them from having laws, policies or practices that block law enforcement agencies from communicating and/or cooperating with federal immigration authorities.
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