Scott Signs Red Light, Mobile Home, Distiller Bills; Vetoes Others

June 13, 2013

Gov. Rick Scott late Wednesday signed four bills, including a measure that would make it tougher for local governments to issue tickets to drivers turning right on red.

An omnibus transportation bill (HB 7125) made the change, which dealt with red-light cameras. It would prevent ticketing motorists as long as vehicles come to a stop, even after crossing the stop line, before making legal right turns on red.

The bill also includes a slew of other changes, including revamping laws that deal with ignition-interlock devices issued to some people convicted of drunken driving and approving new specialty license plates. Among the groups that would receive plates are the American Legion, Big Brothers Big Sisters and Lauren’s Kids, which is a program aimed at preventing sexual abuse of children.

Also, Scott signed a measure (HB 347) that would allow about 20 small craft distillers in Florida that annually produce less than 75,000 gallons of spirits to offer on-site sales. The bill imposes a two-bottle-per-customer annual cap for the purchases.

What’s more, Scott approved a bill (HB 573) allowing residents of mobile homes to get insurance from Citizens Property Insurance Corp. and a measure (HB 7025) specifying that certain condo board election requirements don’t apply to timeshares.

Meanwhile, Scott vetoed three bills, including a measure that would have revamped laws dealing with the competency of mentally ill people charged with crimes. In a veto letter, Scott said he rejected the measure (SB 1420) because it would have led to many types of criminal charges being dismissed after three years if defendants are determined to be incompetent to stand trial. Current law sets that time frame at five years.

Under the bill, the shortened period of time would not have applied to violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. But Scott wrote that dismissal of charges after three years for people accused of attempting to commit violent crimes “could pose a serious public safety risk.”

Scott also vetoed HB 725, which would have eliminated recording requirements for closed meetings of the State Child Abuse Death Review Committee. He wrote that the recordings are already exempt from disclosure, but that the “careful balance between openness and reasonable confidentiality” would be best met by maintaining the current requirements.

The third veto hit a measure (SB 354) that involved a property-tax exemption on certain housing for active-duty military members. But Scott wrote that an amendment added to the bill could inadvertently impose property taxes on other military housing that already is exempt from property taxes.

By Brandon Larrabee and Jim Saunders, The News Service of Florida

Comments

5 Responses to “Scott Signs Red Light, Mobile Home, Distiller Bills; Vetoes Others”

  1. David Huie Green on June 13th, 2013 5:23 pm

    REGARDING:
    “A violent crime is a crime in which the offender uses or threatens to use violent force upon the victim.
    There are a lot of crimes to consider not just the ones mentioned in the article.”

    Right, and?

    The list of offenses was:
    1. Arson;
    2. Sexual Battery;
    3. Robbery;
    4. Kidnapping;
    5. Aggravated child abuse;
    6. Aggravated abuse of an elderly person or disabled adult;
    7. Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon;
    8. Murder;
    9. Manslaughter;
    10. Aggravated manslaughter of an elderly person or disabled adult;
    11. Aggravated manslaughter of a child;
    12. Unlawful throwing, placing or discharging of a destructive device or bomb;
    13. Armed burglary;
    14. Aggravated battery;
    15. Aggravated stalking.

    Further, it stated:
    “Unless the court, in an order, specifies reasons for believing that the defendant will become competent to proceed, and specifies a reasonable time within which the defendant is expected to become competent.
    (2) Nothing in this section of law shall be construed to prohibit the state from refiling dismissed charges, should the defendant be declared to be competent to proceed in the future.”

    Now, if the thought is that it wouldn’t apply to those who tried to commit those crimes, I still don’t see it because I don’t see where it does that.

    Not that I care, just doesn’t make sense.

    David for sane non criminals

  2. ed on June 13th, 2013 7:34 am

    The key word is attempting.

  3. neighbor on June 13th, 2013 7:24 am

    @ David
    A violent crime is a crime in which the offender uses or threatens to use violent force upon the victim.
    There are a lot of crimes to consider not just the ones mentioned in the article.

  4. 429SCJ on June 13th, 2013 6:31 am

    It would be an interesting thing to see the names of those who receive a distillers permit.

    Governor Scott obviously has no prejudices against C2-H5-OH.

  5. David Huie Green on June 13th, 2013 4:33 am

    CONTEMPLATING:
    “Under the bill, the shortened period of time would not have applied to violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping and sexual battery. But Scott wrote that dismissal of charges after three years for people accused of attempting to commit violent crimes “could pose a serious public safety risk.” ”

    So he vetoed it to avoid it doing what it wouldn’t have done in the first place?

    Fascinating.

    David for literate governors

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News