Florida legislature News

Arming Teachers Won’t Make Schools Safer: Viewpoint

Florida this month became the latest state to allow teachers to carry guns at school — even though there is no evidence to suggest this can reduce school violence, and ample reason to fear the unintended consequences. The new law …

Insurers and Others Urge Supreme Court to Limit Assignment of Benefits

The main battle may be at the Florida state capitol as lawmakers consider reforming the state’s assignment of benefits law, but insurers, trial lawyers and contractors staked out their positions this week in a separate skirmish at the state Supreme …

Florida Legislature Can’t Agree on Medical Marijuana

Rules to enact Florida’s medical marijuana amendment went up in smoke on Friday after the Legislature failed to pass a bill. The House and Senate agreed on most key parts of a bill putting rules in place for Amendment 2. …

Ban on Texting-While-Driving Back in Legislature

A statewide texting-while-driving ban that has eluded passage for several years is again moving through the Florida Legislature. The Senate Communications committee meets Wednesday to consider the bill (SB 52). Opponents have long likened it to needless government intrusion, but …

Failed Claims Bills Revived in Florida Legislature

Emotion-packed bills that would compensate two men whose lives were turned upside down by governmental mistakes will get another chance during Florida’s 2012 legislative session after the measures died in the frantic final hours of the 2011 session. They are …