TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis has signed two significant bills into law aimed at enhancing public safety and protection for first responders in the state of Florida.The bills signed by Governor DeSantis are HB 601 – Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers and SB 184 – Impeding, Threatening, or Harassing First Responders. These legislative measures underscore the commitment of the state government to support law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and all first responders in their vital roles within the community.In a statement regarding the new...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed four individuals to the Town of McIntosh Council. Eva Callahan, William "Lee" Deaderick, Donald Medeiros, and Richard Talbert have been selected to serve in this capacity.Callahan, a retired individual who previously worked in the Florida Department of Health’s Administration and Medical Records Office, brings a wealth of experience to the council. She has been a resident of the Town of McIntosh for over 20 years and has served as a member of the council for over 17 years. Callahan is also the Treasurer of the...
Governor Ron DeSantis has appointed three individuals to the Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees. John Allocco Jr., Ryan Brady, and Gino Collura have been selected for these important positions in the educational institution.John Allocco Jr., a Realtor for Home-Land Real Estate, Inc. and Hernando County Commissioner, expressed his commitment to the community by stating, "I am honored to have been appointed to the Pasco-Hernando State College District Board of Trustees."Ryan Brady, a Product Sales Consultant for Motorola Solutions, shared his...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dr. Bryan Stam and the reappointment of Dr. Denise Burns-LeGros to the Board of Optometry.Dr. Stam, of Ponte Vedra Beach, is an Optometrist at Couzens, Stam, and Domingo, P.A. He is the former President of the Florida Optometric Association and was the recipient of the 2023 “Optometrist of the Year” Award from the Florida Optometric Association. Dr. Stam earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from Florida State University and his doctorate of optometry from Nova Southeastern University.Dr....
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of James Satcher as Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.Satcher, of Ellenton, is a Minister and a Manatee County Commissioner, representing District 1. Active in his community, he has led a successful nonprofit with more than two decades of ministry. Satcher served as the Chair of the Manatee Port Authority and the Tourist Development Council in 2023. He is a member of the Coastal and Heartland National Estuary Partnership Policy Commission and the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition...
St. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - Governor Ron DeSantis has signed new legislation aimed at protecting law enforcement officers in Florida. The legislation includes measures to increase penalties for those who harass officers in the line of duty and prohibits the use of political entities to drive an anti-police agenda."I am proud to support the men and women of law enforcement throughout the state," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "Today’s legislation will ensure law enforcement can do their jobs without the threat of harassment. While blue states vilify and defund the police, Florida...
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida has reached the milestone of nearly 5,000 bonuses awarded through the Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Program. The program, which aims to incentivize individuals to join the law enforcement profession and attract officers from other states to relocate to Florida, has successfully drawn in 1,267 law enforcement recruits from 49 states and U.S. territories, including 400 from states known for being anti-police like Illinois, California, and New York.“Florida’s investments in law enforcement...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed five bills into law in Florida. These bills include HB 1131 – Online Sting Operations Grant Program, CS/CS/HB 1235 – Sexual Predators and Sexual Offenders, CS/HB 305 – Offenses Involving Children, CS/HB 1545 – Child Exploitation Offenses, and CS/CS/CS/SB 1224 – Protection of Children and Victims of Crime.Governor DeSantis also received two bills from the Florida Legislature. These bills are HB 601 – Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers and SB 184 – Impeding, Threatening, or Harassing First Responders. The...
PETERSBURG, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed five pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing and creating additional criminal punishments for abusing children through grooming or other sexual offenses. The bills are designed to provide law enforcement with more tools to keep children safe and ensure that sexual predators and offenders face severe consequences."In Florida, we let kids be kids, and we protect children from those who seek to harm them," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "Today’s anti-grooming legislation punishes those who seek to prey on children and rob...
In a recent event, First Lady Casey DeSantis awarded $40,000 from The Hope Florida Fund to law enforcement nonprofits serving in Seminole County, Florida. The recipients of the funds were the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office Community Foundation and Central Florida Concerns of Police Survivors, each receiving $20,000.Speaking about the importance of supporting law enforcement and their families, First Lady Casey DeSantis emphasized, "Law enforcement must make split-second decisions every day in the course of their duty." The Hope Florida Fund, initiated by the First Lady...
STUART, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 549, which increases penalties for retail theft, porch piracy, and inciting looting via social media."Florida is taking another step to distinguish ourselves from lawless jurisdictions and keep our residents and businesses safe," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "If you steal in Florida, we will catch you and we will prosecute you.""Florida is a law-and-order state, and our policies combating organized retail theft are another shining example of how we are leading the nation," said Attorney General Ashley Moody. "Grateful...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis took action on several bills in the state of Florida. In a statement, Governor DeSantis announced, "Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the following bills: CS/CS/CS/SB 718 – Exposures of First Responders to Fentanyl and Fentanyl Analogs, CS/CS/SB 66 – Revive Awareness Day."The public can access the transmittal letters by clicking on a provided link.Governor Ron DeSantis also received additional bills from the Florida Legislature. The Governor now has until April 23, 2024, to make decisions on these bills, which cover a...
SANFORD, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation to increase penalties on individuals who expose law enforcement officers to fentanyl and to bring awareness to life-saving measures for someone experiencing an opioid overdose. Governor DeSantis also announced an expansion of the Coordinated Opioid Response (CORE) network from 12 counties to 29."Because of the Biden administration’s unwillingness to secure the southern border, law enforcement officers are encountering fentanyl at alarming rates," said Governor Ron DeSantis. "I’m signing legislation today to...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed seven bills into law, covering a range of important topics for the state of Florida.Among the bills signed by Governor DeSantis are measures addressing public records, hot car death prevention, special observances, motor vehicle parking on private property, coverage for skin cancer screenings, employment of individuals with disabilities, and the return of weapons and arms following an arrest.In a statement released by the Governor's office, it was highlighted that these bills aim to improve various aspects of life...
Governor Ron DeSantis has signed Senate Bill (SB) 1638, Funding for Environmental Resource Management, which allocates $150 million for repairs and upgrades to Florida's water management system. The bill directs 96% of the revenue from the Seminole Tribe Compact to fund water quality improvement, infrastructure, and conservation efforts in the state.Governor DeSantis emphasized the importance of preserving natural resources, stating, "Among Florida’s greatest assets are its natural resources." He highlighted that the revenue stream generated by the legislation will...
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida has signed two bills into law in Tallahassee today. The bills signed by Governor DeSantis are SB 7080 – Trust Funds/Indian Gaming Revenue Clearing Trust Fund/Department of Financial Services and SB 1638 – Funding for Environmental Resource Management.In a brief statement, Governor DeSantis urged the public, "To view the transmittal letter, click here."The details of the bills and their implications are expected to be revealed as they come into effect.
Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), has revealed accelerated timelines for various infrastructure projects under the banner of "Moving Florida Forward." These initiatives, which include the widening of I-4 in Osceola and Polk counties and the Poinciana Parkway Connector Project in Osceola County, are now set to commence 10–20 years ahead of schedule.Speaking on the prioritization of transportation over politics, Governor DeSantis affirmed, "Under my watch, Florida’s Department of Transportation will be...