Florida has nine new laws that went into effect on January 1st.
Political analyst and journalist William March said it was a fairly active legislative session in Tallahassee, especially on culture war issues
“It was also a legislative session where (Gov.) Ron DeSantis, for the most part, got his way with the Legislature,” March said.
“In keeping with the fact that there are Republican supermajorities in both chambers, it was a legislative session that strongly emphasized Republican preferences and priorities.”
Harassing first responders
You can now be charged with a second degree misdemeanor in Florida if you get too close to an on-call first responder.
If an on-duty police officer gives you a verbal warning, you must stand back 25 feet under what is known as the “halo law.”
Supporters say it protects first responders from harassment, but opponents argue the legislation could encourage police misconduct.
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March pointed to Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, who was convicted of killing George Floyd. A video taken by a bystander within 10 feet was used as evidence.
“And under this law, the officer involved could have prevented the video from being recorded,” March said.
There are also concerns that the law’s language, such as “emotional distress” and “legitimate purpose,” is vague.
“It defines harassment as causing emotional distress. What does that mean if it causes the first responder emotional distress?” March said.
Because the law creates a crime, March said it can’t really be challenged in court until someone is accused. Although, he said, it wouldn’t be a surprise if it happens fairly quickly.
Building permit
Wait times for building permits should decrease significantly starting this year in Florida.
Another new law shortens the amount of time local authorities have to approve or reject applications from 120 days down to 30 days.
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Supporters say it would make housing cheaper and faster to build. It is supported by the real estate development industry, and it was sponsored by Rep. Tiffany Esposito, R-Fort Myers, who heads the chamber of commerce.
It was opposed by the League of Cities and environmental groups, which say it could lead to environmental destruction without consideration of ecological effects.
“I’m saying it could also lead to shoddy construction of the kind that led to the collapse of the Surfside condominium in South Florida,” March said.
According to the law, the permit application is automatically approved if the deadline is not met.
