LEGISLATIVE UPDATE IN FLORIDA!
We would like to update you on the outcome of some important bills and resolutions in the Florida Legislature.
Unfortunately, the Legislature did not make progress on the important topic of nullification. Several bills and resolutions had been introduced. For example, HB 1205, titled the Second Amendment Preservation Act, would have nullified a large number of “federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, court orders, rules, and regulations” that violate the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment and Article I, Section 8, of the Florida Constitution — including the 1934 National Firearms Act and the 1968 Gun Control Act.
If passed it would have been the strongest and most comprehensive gun control nullification bill in the country. In addition to HB 1205, the resolution HM 1135 would have urged Congress to protect the God-given rights guaranteed in the Second Amendment and to recognize Florida as a Second Amendment sanctuary state. Furthermore, HM 1301 would have declared Joe Biden’s gun control policies unconstitutional and asserted the Legislature’s ability to nullify them.
HB 1163 was another robust nullification bill. It would have prevented combat deployments of the Florida National Guard by the federal government in the absence of a congressional declaration of war in accordance with Article I, Section 8, Clauses 11 and 15, of the U.S. Constitution. Furthermore, the bill includes a list of legislative findings affirming the Constitution’s requirement that only Congress can declare war. If passed, HB 1163 would have severely hampered the federal government’s ability to ability to further entangle the U.S. in undeclared and endless overseas wars.
Unfortunately, none of these bills and resolutions made it out of their respective committees. The only exception is HM 1301, which passed the House but died in the Senate. We encourage you to show their legislators the texts of these bills and resolutions and to urge them to pass those bills next year. Patriots must not lose hope, and by educating our legislators and fellow citizens, we will win the battle over enforcing the Constitution.
On the topic of health freedom, we had been watching HB 6003. This bill would have removed a legal loophole allowing the Surgeon General of Florida to mandate forced vaccinations during a public health emergency. Unfortunately, HB 6003 died in committee. Thankfully, however, the Legislature enacted SB 2006, which among other provisions, limits the governor’s emergency powers, suspends local government COVID-19 restrictions, prohibits COVID-19 “vaccine passports,” and prevents schools from forcing students to receive the COVID vaccines. SB 2006 is a positive step, but the Legislature must go further. Urge your legislators to enact stronger legislation, including the provisions of HB 6003.
Regarding election integrity, the Legislature enacted SB 90, which made multiple reforms to Florida’s election laws. Unfortunately, the bill was watered down during the legislative process; for example, the original’s total ban on drop boxes was removed, as was a provision requiring a physical signature for ID verification. Tell your legislators to pass real election integrity legislation that follows The John Birch Society’s list of voting solutions.
The Florida Legislature passed many other bills, some better and stronger than others. Regardless, our fight for freedom continues and there is much that the Legislature can still do to protect our liberties. The John Birch Society encourages you to remain in contact with and continue educating your state legislators about these important issues imperative to keeping our Republic and promoting individual liberty.
As Robert Welch wrote, “education is our total strategy, and truth is our only weapon.”
Thank you,
Your Friends in The John Birch Society
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