Wakulla County Sheriff's Office - Public Safety Concerns

Public Safety Concerns

The Florida Sheriffs Association Legislative Agenda for 2010

By Frank Messersmith, FSA Governmental Consultant
Updated on 3/18/10

Priority Issues:
IMPASSE ISSUE - The FSA actively supports legislation amending the definition of the “Legislative Body” in F.S. 447.403 (10) to explicitly state that all the Constitutional Officers are the “legislative body” for their respective Offices. Each Sheriff has been asked to actively work this issue with their county commission and state representatives.
Legislation: SB 610, filed by Senator Mike Fasano on 11/04/09 , and HB 417, filed by Representative Alan Hays on 11/30/09.
MEDICAL EXPENSE CAP - The FSA actively supports changes in Florida law that will require payments made to a medical provider on behalf of an inmate or arrested person to be made at the state’s Medicaid rate. FSA has agreed to partner with the Florida Association of Counties to advocate for the passage of this bill.
Legislation: SB 218, filed by Senator Dennis Jones on 10/05/09, and HB 319, filed by Representative Ed Hooper on 11/06/09.
ELECTRONIC TRACKING OF EPHEDRINE SALES - The FSA actively supports legislation would create a statewide database which will allow all pharmacies in Florida to electronically monitor and block sales of ephedrine in excess of federal law. FSA is partnering with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Police Chiefs Association, the Governor’s Office of Drug Control, the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators, the Florida Retail Federation, the Consumer Health Products Association and the National Sheriffs Association to advocate for the passage of this bill.
Legislation: SB 1050, filed by Senator Carey Baker on 01/04/10 , and HB 1071, filed by Representative Alan Hays on 2/16/10.
BUDGET ISSUES
Restoration of Florida Crime Stoppers Program Funding - The FSA has long supported the operation of the Florida Crime Stoppers Program Crime. Last year the funding for this critical crime suppression program was reduced by 3.5 million dollars by the Legislature. FSA is actively supporting the reinstatement of the funds in the FY2010-2011 year budget.
Juvenile Assessment Center - The FSA opposes any further reductions in the funding of the JAC operated around the state by the FDJJ. In the past, funding has been reduced to the point that centers have been closed creating logistical problems for Sheriffs and Police reducing their ability to provide critical law enforcement services to their community.
Hold Public Safety Harmless from Budget Cuts - The FSA supports efforts to hold public safety harmless in further budget cuts, including the budgets of prosecutors and FDLE.
School Crossing Safety - The FSA supports efforts to reinstate a $4.00 penalty on traffic citations to be used to pay for school crossing guards.
Support Issues:
E911 RECORDINGS - The FSA supports legislation that would prohibit the release of E911 recordings to the public, as long as the actual transcript of the call was made available to the public, upon request, no later than 60 days after the call was made.
Legislation: PCB GAP 10-03, filed by the House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee on 03/01/10.
RED LIGHT CAMERAS - The FSA supports Mark Wandall Traffic Safety Act which allows cities and counties to enact an ordinance to use traffic infraction detectors to identify motor vehicles that fail to stop at a red light. The ordinance will provide that the registered owner of the vehicle involved in the violation will be responsible and liable for payment of fine assessed.
Legislation: HB 325, filed by Representative Ron Reagan on 11/06/09, and SB 294, filed by Senator Mike Bennett on 10/05/09.
PRETRIAL PROCEEDINGS - The FSA support legislation that would give Judges the authority to hold probationer up to 10 days without bail to await the outcome of a violation hearing.
Legislation: HB 89, filed by Representative Geraldine Thompson on 10/01/09, and SB 300, filed by Senator Mike Bennett on 10/05/09.
SEXUAL PREDATORS - The FSA supports legislation that would establish uniform regulations regarding the distance a sexual offender can live from specified locations where children are known to frequent ( schools, daycare, playgrounds, etc.,).
Legislation: HB 119, filed by Representative Rich Glorioso on 10/12/09 and SB 1284, filed by Senator Dave Aronberg on 09/15/09.
DISABILITY RETIREMENT- The FSA support legislation that will allow certain members of the Special Risk Class who retired under a medical disability to be reemployed and still receive their retirement benefits. Legislation: SB 162, filed by Senator Carey Baker on 10/05/09.
TRANSFER OF ADULT ABUSE HOTLINE CALLS - The FSA supports the Department of Children and Family Services legislation to transfer “non-caregiver” calls from the Adult Abuse Hotline to local law enforcement.
Legislation: HB 91, filed by Representative John Wood on 09/01/09, and SB 336, filed by Senator Rhonda Storms on 11/15/09.
FEDERAL HATCH ACT RESOLUTION - The FSA supports efforts for a Legislative Resolution recognizing that Sheriffs and all constitutional officers are not Executive Officers of the State.
Legislation: HB 515, filed by Representative Ken Roberson on 12/17/09, and SB 964, filed by Senator Nancy Detert, on 12/15/09.
INTERNET NOTICE OF FORFEITURE - The FSA supports the efforts of DHSMV to allow Forfeiture Act notices to be published on the internet as well as newspapers.
Legislation: SB 376, filed by Senator Charles Dean on 10/09/09 and HB 1511, filed by Representative Ritch Workman on 03/10/10.
LICENSING OF PILOTS - The FSA supports efforts to require all pilots to be licensed similar to the FAA requirements.
ADAM PEARCE ACT- The FSA supports passage of the Adam Pearce Act for catastrophically injured law enforcement officers.
Oppose Issues:
PENSION REFORM - The FSA opposes any efforts to reform the Florida Retirement System which would take away the current benefits that deputies and support staff have today.
Legislation: HB 1319, filed by Representative Tom Grady and HB 1543, filed by Representative Juan Zapata on 03/01/10.
EXPANSION OF GAMBLING - The FSA opposes the expansion of casino gambling in the State of Florida. Specifically, Sheriffs are concerned with expansion in the following areas: 1) Seminole Compact, 2) Para-Mutual Expansion and 3) Internet Gambling via Sweepstakes.
ELIMINATION OF JUVENILE RESTRAINTS IN COURT - The FSA opposes legislation that would require the elimination of restraints in Courthouses around the state in both juvenile and adult cases.
Legislation: SB 242, filed by Senator Frederica Wilson on 10/05/09.
EARLY RELEASE OF ELDERLY INMATES - The FSA opposes legislation designed to release offenders early based on their attaining the age of 50 in order to save money.
Legislation: SB 484, filed by Representative Chris Smith on 10/20/09 and HB 1515, filed by Representative James Bush III on 03/01/10.
RETROCESSION - The FSA opposes efforts to repeal all Florida Laws on the Miccosukee Indian land.
EXPUNGEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS - The FSA opposes legislation creating an automatic expungement of criminal records.
Legislation: HB 541, filed by Representative Perry Thurston on 12/28/09.
RETIREMENT ISSUES - The FSA opposes legislation to restrict retired FRS employees from collecting their retirement or being prohibited in some form from being reemployed.
CONSTITUTIONAL INDEPENDENCE - The FSA opposes an effort to weaken the independence or management authority of the elected Office of Sheriff.
MANDATORY RECORDING OF INTERROGATIONS - The FSA opposes legislation that would require interrogations to be recorded or the collected evidence becomes inadmissible.
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Florida House and Senate Bills of Concern

2010 Florida House Bill 23 Parole for Adolescent Offenders

Sponsored by Rep. Mike Weinstein and Rep. Dwight Bullard

2010 Florida Senate Bill 184 Parole for Adolescent Offenders

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Areas of Interest