Dear friends,
This month we are continuing our report on the 2023 Legislative Session and all that we accomplished on behalf of Florida’s citizens. Last month we reported to you on some of the big budget items. Over the next few months, our column will focus on reporting on key pieces of legislation that was a priority of the leadership in the Florida Legislature.
HB 837 – For decades, Florida has been plagued by excessive litigation and a legal system that benefitted the lawyers more than people who are injured. Florida families have shouldered the hidden cost of lawsuit abuse. Florida’s litigation environment has cost the state jobs and driven up the cost of goods and services. According to the American Tort Reform Association’s “Judicial Hellhole” Report, lawsuit abuse costs Florida households more than $5000, and costs the state more than 173,000 jobs. HB 837 institutes the most comprehensive tort reform in decades to decrease frivolous lawsuits and prevent predatory practices of trial attorneys that prey on hardworking Floridians. The transformative reforms in this bill will strike the right balance between protecting the rights of Floridians who suffer a loss, while at the same time safeguarding everyone else against the hidden costs of prolonged litigation.
HB 1 – Florida students should not have their educational opportunities limited due to arbitrary lines on a map or their family’s income. Before HB 1, Florida’s approach to education created a system that limits a student’s choice to receive the full benefit of their education pathway. This legislation shifts focus from systems to students and families, supporting a customized educational pathway specific to each student’s unique needs. HB 1 builds on the foundation established in prior legislative sessions and expands access to Family Empowerment Scholarships to provide all Florida students with the opportunity to attend the public, private, charter, or home school of their choice at no or minimal cost to the student and family.
SB 300 – Recent legal developments provided the legislature the opportunity to strengthen the protections for the innocent unborn children in our state. The United States Supreme Court stated, “The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each state from regulating or prohibiting abortion.” With an unprecedented opportunity as lawmakers to protect innocent life, and to stand with the brave moms who choose life for their babies, this legislation provides for robust protections of innocent life by prohibiting abortions after six-weeks. SB 300 promotes healthy families and supports parents who chose life for their babies by providing additional counseling or mentoring services as well as providing nonmedical material assistance to families such as car seats, cribs, clothing, formula, and diapers. This legislation provides the moment of reflection for the humanity in all of us to protect and support pregnant mothers and their unborn child. We as a society have a responsibility and duty to protect the life of the unborn.
We hope this information will help you better understand your government and encourage your continued engagement in helping us preserve faith, family, freedom, opportunity and life. It is an honor to serve you in the Florida Senate.
Onward & Upward,
Senator Dennis Baxley
