The Florida Sheriffs Association Legislative Agenda for 2013

NEW! Final FSA Legislative Report 2013

Hello Everyone,

    As in the past years, we will continue to update this information as it becomes available to us through the Florida Sheriffs Association (“FSA”). I participate in weekly conference calls regarding issues that your Sheriffs believe to be important to the public safety of our communities and state. The FSA has a number of lobbyists that work directly for us, and for you.

I encourage you to be involved in the process by following the legislation. As the session begins, please go to www.flsheriffs.org and click on the Legislative tab located at the top of the page. Our Legislative Platform and the Bill Tracking function may be accessed by using the drop-down menu. Both of these will give you valuable information. As the FSA takes positions on legislation, position papers will be posted for your review as well. We have provided links to your local legislative delegation, so you can contact them with your ideas and concerns. 

Respectfully,
Brad Steube

Florida Sheriffs 2013 Legislative Platform

Updated January 17, 2013  

Prevention &Youth Services

Juvenile Assessment Centers (JACs): Support continuation and funding of JACs.

Healthy Families: Support increasing funding to $28.1 million to provide prevention services to 7,590 high-risk families and their 13,441children.

Juvenile Detention: Support Sheriff’s authority to operate juvenile detention facilities under current law.

Community Mental Health Funding: Support funding for mental health services that will divert persons with mental health issues away from county jails into needed treatment services in the community.

Public Safety

Prescription Drug Monitoring: Support legislation that would authorize both private pharmaceutical entities and state funds to be used for operational costs of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Database.

Synthetic Drugs: Support legislation to classify synthetic cannabinoid, herbal incense, or synthetic marijuana, and synthetic stimulant bath salts and related substances, as a Schedule 1 drug for which the purchase, possession, sale, or distribution can result in a felony arrest.

Distracted Driving: Support legislation that would prohibit texting while driving.

Open Carry: Oppose legislation that would authorize the open carry of firearms to protect citizen and officer safety.

Emergency 911 Callbacks: Support legislation that authorizes Public Safety Telecommunicators to records lines related to call backs in the event of an emergency.

E911 Prepaid Wireless: Support the collection of prepaid wireless fee revenue.

Red Light Traffic Camera Operations: Oppose efforts to eliminate the use of cameras to enforce red light traffic violations.

Law Enforcement

Innocence Commission: Oppose legislation that would restrict law enforcement’s authority to conduct the interview and line up process during investigations.

Kathleen’s Cause: Support legislation to create a statewide electronic database of pawnshop items.

Crime Lab Funding: Support fully funding crime laboratories, both locally-operated and state-run.

Service of Process: Support legislation to update Service of Process laws.

Consolidation of State Agency Law Enforcement Functions: Oppose legislation creating a State Public Safety Department or anything similar.

Non-Caregiver Abuse: Support legislation addressing circular reporting for law enforcement and other implementation issues as it relates to HB 1355 (2012 Session).

Sovereign Citizens: Support legislation to deter the filing of false liens used to harass individuals and public officials.

Investigative Cost Recovery: Support legislation that would require judges to impose reasonable investigate cost recovery fees for law enforcement.

Gaming

Casino Resorts: Oppose any legislation that creates Casino Resorts.

Internet Cafes: Support legislation that prohibits the use of simulated gambling devices to conduct or promote game promotions, drawings, and games of chance.

Internet Poker: Oppose the legalization of internet poker.

Administration

Florida Retirement System: Support legislation that maintains retirement benefits for law enforcement and correctional officers at a level equal to or greater than those provided by law prior to the 2011 legislative session.

Impasse: Support legislative clarification that Constitutional Officers are the Legislative Body for their respective employees.

Payroll Deduction: Support legislation authorizing dues collection for the Florida Deputy Sheriffs Association through payroll deduction.

Fuel Rebates: Support clarifying legislation to allow the Florida Department of Revenue to provide tax credits for fuel for all Sheriff’s vehicles.

Jails, Corrections & Re-Entry

Inmate Medical Costs: Support legislation that limits inmate medical costs for county inmates consistent with current law authorizing the cost limitation for state prisoners in the custody of the Department of Corrections.

Pretrial Release: Oppose efforts to remove control of jails from Sheriffs, County Commissions and local Judges.

Early Release: Support Truth in Sentencing laws requiring convicted criminals to serve at least 85% of their sentence.

Mandatory Minimum Sentencing: Oppose the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences.

Expungement of Criminal Records: Oppose unlimited expungement of criminal records.

Year and a Day Sentencing: Oppose the state shifting year and a day criminals to county jails without adequate funding.Please check back regularly for updates on FSA's priorities and positions for the 2013 legislative session.

FL State Senators	Email	Web Page
Senator Arthenia L. Joyner - Democrat - District 19 Democrat	joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov	Senator Arthenia L. Joyner's Webpage
Senator Bill Galvano - District 26 - Republican	galvano.bill.web@flsenate.gov	Senator Bill Galvano's Webpage

FL State Representatives	Email	Web Page
Representative Darryl Ervin Rouson - District 70 Democrat	darryl.rouson@myfloridahouse.gov	Representative Darryl Ervin Rouson's Webpage
Representative Jim Boyd - District 71 Republican	jim.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov	Representative Jim Boyd's Webpage
Representative Greg Steube - District 73 Republican	greg.steube@myfloridahouse.gov	Representative Greg Steube's Webpage

SHERIFFS SUPPORT A RETIREMENT SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS PENSION PROMISES TO BE KEPT, and oppose House Bill 7011.  Click this link to the Florida Retirement System position paper for more information.