Capitol Watch: Lawyers, Guns, and Money

The Blue Ribbon Projects bill is another way Tallahassee wants to handcuff local governments when it comes to development approval. A gun manufacturer wants immunity regarding lawsuits over pistols that seem to misfire without the trigger being pulled. SB 180 gets closer to a floor vote.

Blue Ribbon Projects: HB 299/SB 354

From Rep. Lauren Melo (R-Naples) and Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala), this bill would fast-track massive developments. If passed, it would allow projects of 10,000 acres or more to bypass local government approvals and public hearings with only administrative approval. Rezoning requirements could also be bypassed. If the project meets the state's standards, local officials would have no choice but to approve it.

Do you remember when the Manatee County Commission buckled under considerable public pushback on the massive Gamble Creek Village project on rural land east of the urban service boundary, with private utilities that required a comp plan rewrite to significantly increase density? Well, it wouldn't have even been subject to public debate had this bill been passed.

The Sig Sauer Bill: House Bill 1551 and Senate Bill 1748

A major gun manufacturer is lobbying for protection from lawsuits. Sig Sauer is facing multiple suits over its P320 pistol, which plaintiffs allege misfires without trigger pull, causing serious injuries and deaths.

The company has rained money on Republican-controlled legislature, including $50,000 each to House Speaker Danny Perez (R-Miami), Senate President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula), and Rep. Wyman Duggan, a Republican from Jacksonville who is sponsoring the legislation in the House.

SB 840 Update

SB 840, which is intended to cure SB 180, is advancing toward the Senate Rules Committee. This is the bill's final committee stop before reaching the Senate floor. The sooner this happens, the better the chance it has of getting through the House, where no companion bill exists. Meanwhile, HB 1465 would make things much worse.

Email your Manatee County legislators and let them know what you think of these bills:

Senator Jim Boyd: boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov
Rep. Will Robinson: Will.Robinson@flhouse.gov
Rep. Bill Conerly: Bill.Conerly@flhouse.gov