Starting with a very good foot this year.
HB 255: Insurance/Discriminatory Practices Relating to Firearm Ownership or Possession: Provides additional unfair methods of competition & unfair or deceptive acts or practices relating to business of insurance, to which penalties apply. (12 Yeas-1 Nay)
According to this bill, an insurance company cannot “Refuse to issue, reissue, or renew a policy; cancel or otherwise terminate a policy; or charge an unfairly discriminatory rate in this state based on the lawful use, possession, or ownership of a firearm by the insurance applicant, insured, or a household member of the applicant or insured.”
Eliminating more “Back of the Bus” misconceptions.
SB 544 Licensure to Carry a Concealed Weapon or Firearm: Authorizing an applicant for a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm to submit the application to an appointed tax collector; authorizing the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to appoint tax collectors to accept applications for new or renewal licenses to carry a concealed weapon or firearm on behalf of the Division of Licensing of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, etc. (Votes: Yeas 6 Nays 0)
As you well know, in Florida you either apply for your permit by mail or go to one of the eight regional offices to start your process. This bill would enable Florida Tax Collection Offices to accept the payment, proof of training & do the initial processing (electronic fingerprinting, digital photo and electronic forms) to be sent to Tallahassee for final processing and issuing of the permit. This way we jump from 8 locations to 75 places where people can personally start their application for a CWP. As with everything related to CWP, this will not be a burden on the taxpayer as it would be paid via the reserves we already have from applications and renewal fees that can only be used for CWP purposes.
However, there are already Antis complaining about this bill and spreading the bullcrap that these will be locations where anybody can go in and get a CWP on the spot. That is 100% false and we have to get medieval on anybody spreading the misinformation. Again, these places will be only offices where the person can apply and the application will be sent electronically to Tallahassee for background check and issuance of permit.
More good bills are in the pipeline. I’ll advise as I get more info.
Hat Tip to Timothy Z. for the reminder.