2018 Legislative Session Overview - Florida

BILL #

SUMMARY

FINAL DISPOSITION

HB 53

Establishes the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

HB 145

Amends Title XXVIII (Natural Resources/Conservation), Chapter 379 (Fish & Wildlife Conservation), Section 379.231 (Regulation of Non-Native Animals) of Florida Statutes to establish a pilot program for the eradication of a specific species.

SUBSTITUTED BY SB 168

HB 153

Amends Title XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 823 (Public Nuisances), Section 823.15 (Dogs and cats released from animal shelters or animal control agencies) of Florida Statutes to prohibit the importation of dogs and cats from outside the state by:  1) public or private animal shelters; 2) animal rescue organizations; 3) humane organizations; or 4) animal control agencies operated by a humane society or by a county, municipality, or other incorporated political subdivision.

WITHDRAWN FROM CONSIDERATION

HB 1257

The "Boomer Gracie Act" amends Title XLV (Torts), Chapter 768 (Negligence) of Florida Statutes by creating a new Section 768.32 to specify damages that may be assessed against a person found liable for negligently or intentionally causing serious injury to or the death of a companion animal.

DIED IN COMMITTEE

HB 1386

Amends Title 15 (Agriculture & Animals), Article 21 (Commercial Dog Breeder Regulation) of Indiana Code to make various changes to the state commercial dog breeder law regarding: 1) thresholds for registration qualification; 2) facility inspections: 3) standards of care; 4) recordkeeping; and 5) fines.

DIED IN COMMITTEE

HB 7087

An omnibus appropriations bill containing a wide range of tax deductions and a provision relating to the local municipality sales tax restrictions.

NOTE: Language providing that a county, municipality, or other entity of local government may not prohibit the sale of or offering for sale of tangible personal property subject to the tax imposed by Chapter 212 which may lawfully be sold in the state was stricken from final version.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

SB 132

Amends Title XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 823 (Public Nuisances), Section 823.15 (Dogs and cats released from animal shelters or animal control agencies) of Florida Statutes to prohibit the importation of dogs and cats from outside the state by:  1) public or private animal shelters; 2) animal rescue organizations; 3) humane organizations; or 4) animal control agencies operated by a humane society or by a county, municipality, or other incorporated political subdivision.

WITHDRAWN FROM CONSIDERATION

SB 168

Amends Title XXVIII (Natural Resources/Conservation), Chapter 379 (Fish & Wildlife Conservation), Section 379.231 (Regulation of Non-Native Animals) of Florida Statutes to establish a pilot program for the eradication of a specific species.

SIGNED BY GOVERNOR

SB 232

Establishes the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Area.

SUBSTITUTED BY HB 53

SB 1488

The "Boomer Gracie Act" amends Title XLV (Torts), Chapter 768 (Negligence) of Florida Statutes by creating a new Section 768.32 to specify damages that may be assessed against a person found liable for negligently or intentionally causing serious injury to or the death of a companion animal.

DIED IN COMMITTEE

ORD 2018002

A proposed ordinance to amend Chapter 20 (Animals & Fowl) of Seminole County, FL Code by adding a new Part 5 (Adoption-Based Business Model for Retail Sale of Dogs and Cats) to restrict the retail sale of dogs and cats in the county.

ADOPTED

REG 2018-001

A Notice of Development of Rulemaking to analyze Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Rule 68A-6 (Wildlife as Personal Pets) during calendar year 2018 to determine if adjustments are needed to ensure the safety of the general public, possessors of wildlife and to ensure the welfare of the wildlife.

PENDING