TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Thursday, the Florida House of Representatives passed four bills as part of the 2024 regular Legislative session.
These bills — now headed to the state Senate — cover a range of topics, including bear attacks, highway drivers and balloons.
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All four bills were either sponsored or co-sponsored by Republican members of the House, though many of the bills received bipartisan approval.
Those bills are as follows:
HB 87 — Self Defense Against Bears
Sponsor: Rep. Jason Shoaf, R-Port St. Joe
House Bill 87 — dubbed the “Self Defense Act” — seeks to protect Florida residents from legal penalties if they defend themselves from a bear attack.
The bill states that a person who kills a bear would not be subject to civil or criminal penalties if they “reasonably believed” lethal force was necessary to avoid death or serious injury, either to themselves, others or a pet.
However, those immunities would only go into effect if the person didn’t “intentionally or recklessly” put themselves or their pet into a situation where they would need to kill a bear.
Anyone who kills a bear to defend themselves would also have to notify authorities within 24 hours after doing so, the bill states.
“A bear taken under this section must be disposed of by the commission,” the bill reads. “A person who takes a bear under this section may not possess, sell, or dispose of the bear or its parts.”
State representatives passed the bill by a vote of 88 - 29.
If signed into law, this bill would take effect on July 1, 2024.
HB 91 — Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway
Sponsors: Rep. Charles Clemons, R-Newberry, and Rep. James Mooney, R-Islamorada
House Bill 91 would designate a stretch of State Road A1A as the “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.”
The proposed name change comes after the iconic Florida singer died in September last year.
“Margaritaville is just what Florida is all about. Jimmy Buffett is the icon of Florida. No one represents the open sun, beaches, music more than Jimmy Buffett and Margaritaville,” said Republican state Sen. Gayle Harrell, who sponsored a similar bill.
That designation would apply to the highway portions located in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, and Nassau counties.
In addition, the Florida Department of Transportation would have to erect markers along the highway to show the new name.
State representatives passed the bill by a unanimous vote.
If signed into law, this bill would take effect immediately.
HB 317 — Left-Lane Campers on the Highway
Sponsor: Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, R-Fort Myers
House Bill 317 would restrict drivers from sticking to the left lane on Florida’s highways.
According to the bill, the new rule would apply to any roadway with at least two lanes and a speed limit of at least 65 mph.
Under the rule, a driver would not be allowed to drive in the farthest-left lane on these roadways unless that driver is doing any of the following:
- Overtaking or passing another vehicle
- When preparing to exit the roadway
- When otherwise directed by an official traffic control device
State representatives passed the bill by a vote of 113 - 3.
If signed into law, this bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.
HB 321 — Banning Balloon Releases
Sponsor: Linda Chaney, R-St. Pete Beach, and Rep. James Mooney, R-Islamorada
House Bill 321 would restrict Florida residents from releasing balloons into the atmosphere.
According to the bill, people would not be allowed to intentionally release — or cause someone else to release — a balloon “inflated with a gas that is lighter than air.”
A few exceptions to the rule are as follows:
- If a balloon is released on behalf of a government agency for scientific or meteorological purposes
- Hot-air balloons if they’re recovered after launching
- Balloons released indoors
Under the bill, violations would be treated as littering and could be penalized under state law.
State representatives passed the bill by a vote of 114 - 1.
If signed into law, this bill would take effect on July 1, 2024.
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