Legislative update

Tampa Bay Times reported House Speaker Paul Renner is backing HB 1645, which would enact wide-ranging changes to Florida’s energy policy. The bill also would delete “climate change” eight times from current law. Read more.

Florida Politics looks at whether HB 1379, which would increase the age for strippers, would cause taxpayers to pay more for prison costs. Read more.

Today, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced proposed legislative action to curb the growing nationwide uptick of retail theft and porch piracy, despite claiming that shoplifting has decreased by 30% since he took office.

The presser allowed him to bash New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.

“If you commit a crime in Florida, you are going to be held accountable,” said Gov. DeSantis. “We will not tolerate retail crime, porch pirates and the lawlessness that they allow in California and New York.”

He proposes:

  • Third-degree felony if you commit retail theft with five or more individuals.
  • Second-degree felony if criminals use social media to solicit others to participate in retail theft.
  • First-degree felony if an individual commits retail theft with a firearm or has already had two or more prior convictions of retail theft.
  • Reducing the stolen property value necessary to charge criminals with a felony for stealing delivered packages.