>> THIS WEEK A FOCUS ON NEW LAWS
SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR INCLUDING
A HUGE PLAN FOR LAKE OKEECHOBEE.
>> NO ONE INCLUDING ARMY CORPS
OF ENGINEERS HAS A RIGHT TO
POLLUTE THE COMMUNITY OF ANOTHER
PART OF A FLORIDA.
>> NEW RULES FOR RIDESHARING
COMPANIES LIKE UBER AND LYFT
WITH PROTECTIONS TO HELP PEOPLE
WHO WITNESS A CRIME SPEAK UP AND
A BREAK FOR VOTERS WHO PLAY IT
SAFE, SOME OF THE NEW LAWS
COMING UP RIGHT NOW ON
"CAPITOL UPDATE".
♪
>> WELCOME TO THE SPECIAL
EDITION OF "CAPITOL UPDATE" WITH
A REVIEW OF NEW LAWS SIGNED BY
THE GOVERNOR.
I'M KRYSTA BROWN IN FOR THERESA
MARSENBURG.
IT'S UP TO THE GOVERNOR TO
FINALIZE CHANGES IN FLORIDA LAW
IN TIME FOR HIM TO SIGN BILLS,
VETO OR LET THEM BECOME LAW
WITHOUT HIS SIGNATURE.
HE SIGNED ONE BILL, THE LAKE
OKEECHOBEE WATER STORAGE BILL
EVEN THOUGH THE LEGISLATURE DID
NOT INCLUDE A PROJECT HE
PROPOSED.
CAPITOL UPDATE MELISSA CLEANSING
REPORTS.
>> WITH THE WATER LEVEL IN LAKE
OKEECHOBEE TOO HIGH AS IT WAS
LAST YEAR THE ARMY CORPS OF
ENGINEERS OPENS THE FLOODGATES
INTO WATERGATE'S EAST AND WEST.
THE WATER IS POLLUTED AND
TRIGGERED ALGAE BLOOM.
SENATE BILL 10 PROVIDES FUNDING
FOR A RESERVOIR SOUTH OF THE
LAKE.
THE GOVERNOR WANTED LAWMAKERS TO
SET ASIDE $200MILLION TO SPEED
UP REPAIRS TO THE DIKE
SURROUNDING THE LAKE SO THE LAKE
ITSELF COULD HOLD MORE WATER.
>> WE CAN WORK TO FIX THE DIKE
AND SOLVE A LOT OF WATER ISSUES.
>> ALTHOUGH THE IDEA WAS NOT
INCLUDED IN THE PLAN OR THE
BUDGET, THE GOVERNOR SIGNED THE
LAW AND CELEBRATED WITH
SUPPORTERS IN MAY.
THE SPONSOR OF SENATE BILL 10
ARGUED ONGOING WORK TO FIX THE
DIKE IS IMPORTANT, BUT RAISING
THE LAKE'S WATER LEVEL WOULD
THREATEN THE ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM OF
THE REGION.
>> ONE THING THAT HAS BEEN MADE
CLEAR IS THAT LAKE OKEECHOBEE IS
NOT JUST A BIG RESERVOIR.
ITS PURPOSE IS NOT TO HOLD WATER
LIKE WE ARE CONTEMPLATING THE
SOUTHERN STORAGE RESERVOIR, NOT
JUST A BIG HOLE TO HOLD WATER
FOR OTHER PEOPLE'S USE.
>> SENATE PRESIDENT JOE NEGRON
CHAMPIONED THE STORAGE PLANT
INCLUDING BUILDING A VAST
RESERVOIR, 14FEET DEEP, A
STRUCTURE SIMILAR TO THE
EXISTING A1 RESERVOIR, ON A
LARGER SCALE AND DURING THE
FINAL DAYS OF VOTING SOME
REPRESENTATIVES WERE CONCERNED
IT MIGHT INTERFERE WITH OTHER
EVERGLADES RESTORATION.
>> IS THERE ANYTHING IN THIS
PROPOSED BILL THAT WOULD DELAY
ANY OF THE CURRENT PROJECTS
UNDERWAY OR ANY PROJECTS WHICH
ARE FULL PLANNED UNDER THE
IDEAS?
>> NO.
REPRESENTATIVE PIGMAN, THAT
CONSTRUCTION IS MEANT TO HAPPEN
PARALLEL WITH OTHER PROJECTS.
>> OTHER MEMBERS SAID THE BILL
IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION, BUT DOES NOT ADDRESS
WHY THE LAKE FLOODED IN THE
FIRST PLACE.
>> THE WATER THAT COMES INTO THE
LAKE IS NUTRIENT RICH FROM THE
FERTILIZER AND COW WASTE AND
UNTIL WE ADDRESS THAT ISSUE WE
ARE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO
FIX THIS PROBLEM.
>> THE SENATE WORKED OUT
COMPROMISES IN THE FINAL VERSION
OF SENATE BILL 10 RECONFIGURING
FUNDING RESOURCES AND REDUCE THE
AMOUNT OF BONDING FOR PROJECTS.
>> THIS IS A NATIONAL TREASURE.
WE ARE DOING GOOD WORK HERE IN
THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE MAJOR
ECOLOGICAL ENGINE IN ALL OF
SOUTH FLORIDA.
>> THE HOUSE PASSED THE BILL
99-19 WITH THE FINAL VOTE IN THE
SENATE UNANIMOUS.
>> SENATOR BRADLEY, ANY FINAL
COMMENTS BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE
RETURNING MESSAGE?
>> MR.PRESIDENT,
CONGRATULATIONS.
>> WHILE THE SENATE PRESIDENT
DID NOT GET EVERYTHING HE
WANTED, THE LAW ADDRESSES A
PRIORITY HE OUTLINED ON DAY ONE
OF SESSION.
>> YOU CAN HAVE A SITUATION
WHERE IN 2017 THE BARGAIN
CONTINUES TO BE THAT WHEN THE
LAKE RISES WE WILL FLOOD AND
LITERALLY SEND HUNDREDS OF
BILLIONS OF GALLONS OF POLLUTED
WATER INTO COMMUNITIES
DESTROYING OYSTER BEDS,
DESTROYING SEA GRASSES.
NO ONE INCLUDING THE ARMY CORPS
OF ENGINEERS HAS A RIGHT TO
POLLUTE THE COMMUNITY OF ANOTHER
PART OF A FLORIDA.
>> FOR CAPITOL UPDATE, I'M
MELISSA CLEANSING.
>> FOUR YEARS IN MAKING NEW
STATEWIDE REGULATION FOR
RIDESHARING COMPANIES WERE
SIGNED INTO LAW BY THE GOVERNOR
AFTER LEGISLATION CLEARED THE
HOUSE AND SENATE.
JOHN KENNEDY IS HERE WITH MORE
IN WHAT BECAME KNOWN AS THE UBER
BILL.
>> WITH COMPANIES LIKE UBER AND
LYFT RELYING ON PHONE APPS TO
CONNECT CUSTOMERS, MAYBE IT WAS
FITTING GOVERNOR SCOTT TOOK TO
SOCIAL MEDIA TO ANNOUNCE HE
WOULD SIGN A NEW RIDE SHARE LAW
APPROVED BY FLORIDA LEGISLATORS,
TWEETING SUPPORT FOR HOUSE BILL
221, A COUPLE WEEKS BEFORE
SIGNING THE MEASURE THIS MONTH.
>> THIS WHOLE IDEA OF RIDE SHARE
IS BRAND-NEW ON THE SCENE AND
IT'S COMPLETELY DISRUPTED THE
PREVIOUS MODELS.
I THINK THE EXCITING THING IS
THAT FLORIDA IS EMBRACING IT.
>> AS SENATE SPONSOR, SENATOR
JEFF BRANDES HAS HAD A TOUGH
SELL THE LAST COUPLE YEARS WITH
THE HOUSE MORE RECEPTIVE TO THE
REGULATION, BUT THE SENATE SIDE
IS MORE WITH TAXI COMPANIES AND
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WHICH CONTINUE
TO OPPOSE THE MAJOR.
>> THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES
OPPOSES PREEMPTION AND UNDER
THIS LEGISLATION COUNTIES WOULD
HAVE ZERO AUTHORITY TO REGULATE
CONCERNS OF THE TRANSPORTATION
COMPANY.
>> THE NEW LAW WIPES OUT LOCAL
REGULATION MOSTLY IN URBAN
COUNTIES ACROSS CENTRAL AND
SOUTH FLORIDA.
INSTEAD, THE SINGLE STATEWIDE
RIDESHARING LAW REQUIRES DRIVERS
TO CARRY $1MILLION OF INSURANCE
COVERAGE WHEN CARRYING A
PASSENGER, AND THE COMPANIES
WOULD HAVE TO CONDUCT BACKGROUND
CHECKS ON DRIVERS EVERY THREE
YEARS AND WITH THE LAW FLORIDA
JOINS 38 OTHER STATES WITH SOME
KIND OF STATEWIDE RIDESHARING
STANDARDS.
>> WE HAVE A STANDARDIZED
RIDESHARE PROGRAM OPERATING
WHETHER YOU ARE IN THE KEYS,
TAMPA, OR JACKSONVILLE AND THOSE
STANDARDS APPLY ACROSS THE
BOARD.
>> TAXI AND LIMOUSINE COMPANIES
HAVE BEEN LOSING MARKET SHARE
WITH RIDESHARE COMPANY'S.
TRAJECTORY INDUSTRY WATCHERS SAY
IS LIKELY TO ACCELERATE WITH THE
NEW LAW.
UBER WAS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR
REPLACING THE LOCAL REGULATION
WITH A SINGLE STATE STANDARD
EMPLOYING 22 LOBBYISTS TO GET
THE MESSAGE ACROSS.
TAXIS STILL HAVE ALLIES IN THE
LEGISLATURE WITH CRITICS ARGUING
UBER AND LYFT WOULD BE HELD BY
ONLY MEETING ONE STANDARD WHILE
TAXIS DEAL WITH MANY ORDINANCES.
>> WHY DO WE HAVE UBER UNDER
STATE CONTROL AND THIS WILL
LEAVE THE YELLOW CABS UNDER
COUNTY CONTROL?
>> THE RESPONSE FROM RIDESHARE
SUPPORTERS WAS SIMPLE, FOR UBER
AND LYFT AND WHATEVER OTHER
COMPANIES GIVE FLORIDIANS A RIDE
IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.
AFTER THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE
AND WAS SENT TO SCOTT AN UBER
SPOKESMAN SAID THE COMPANY'S
ROADWAY HAS GOTTEN MORE CLEAR.
>> THIS LAW TODAY PUTS IN PLACE
CONSISTING GROUNDRULES MEANING
COMPANIES ARE ABLE TO SERVE
CITIES ACROSS THE STATE WITHOUT
HAVING TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED
ON THIS LOCAL REGULATION.
>> AFTER TWEETING THAT HE
PLANNED TO SIGN THE BILL, THE
GOVERNOR OPTED FOR A MORE
CONVENTIONAL STATEMENT WHEN HE
DID.
SCOTT SAID THE NEW LAW WILL
ENCOURAGE INNOVATION AND HE SAID
HE EXPECTS TO SEE CONTINUED
GROWTH AMONG RIDESHARING
COMPANIES IN THE STATE.
>> THANK YOU.
GOVERNOR RICK SCOTT SIGNED A
RELIEF BILL FOR ONE OF THE WORST
CASES OF CHILD ABUSE IN RECENT
HISTORY.
SENATE BILL 18 PROVIDES NEARLY
$4MILLION, THE BALANCE OF A
5MILLION-DOLLAR SETTLEMENT.
IN 2010, NUBIA BARAHONA WAS
FOUND DEAD IN THE BACK OF HER
ADOPTED FATHER'S TRUCK ON
INTERSTATE 95 IN PALM BEACH
COUNTY.
VICTOR BARAHONA WAS FOUND BARELY
ALIVE.
>> THIS IS A FAMILY AND THESE
ARE CHILDREN WHO HAVE WAITED
YEARS FOR SOME SMALL
COMPENSATION BECAUSE OF THE
HORRIBLE SITUATION THEY LIVED IN
BECAUSE OF THE NEGLECT, SO I
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE
ABILITY TO PASS THIS BILL.
THIS WILL NOT BRING BACK NUBIA,
BUT IT WILL GO A LONG WAY
TOWARDS ENSURING SOMETHING LIKE
THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN.
>> THE MEASURE OUTLINES REPEATED
TIMES WHEN DCF IGNORED CLAIMS OF
ABUSE AND NEGLECT.
SENATE BILL 884 SIGNED INTO LAW
INCREASES PENALTIES FOR THE
PRACTICE OF SHARK FINNING AND
FISHERMEN IN FLORIDA WATERS
WOULD BE BANNED FROM CUTTING OFF
THE FINS OF A SHARK AND DUMPING
THE REST OF THE FISH.
SUPPORTERS OF THE MEASURE
TESTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM
WORLDWIDE.
>> THIS SHOWS EACH ONE OF THOSE
LINES THAT LOOKS LIKE A DASH IS
A SHARK, ABOUT 11000 SHARKS ARE
KILLED PER HOUR FOR THE PURPOSE
OF SHARK FIN SOUP, 11000 PER
HOUR.
>> PROFESSIONAL FISHING GROUPS
SUPPORT THE BILL SAYING IT'S A
DESPICABLE ACT OUTLAWED IN
FLORIDA YEARS AGO BY THE FISH
AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
COMMISSION.
THE BILL CODIFIES THE
PROHIBITION.
>> IT SEEMS EVERY YEAR THERE IS
LEGISLATION DEALING WITH
TIME-SHARING, AND THIS YEAR
SENATE BILL 818 REQUIRES
TERMINATION OF TIMESHARE PLAN
REQUIREMENTS.
>> WHEN TIMESHARES FIRST STARTED
25 YEARS AGO WITH SUNSETS IN
PLACE, IT WAS NEVER CLEARLY
THOUGHT OUT HOW IT WOULD EITHER
EXTEND OR TERMINATE.
THIS WILL SET A MINIMUM OF VOTE
REQUIREMENT OF 50% OF VOTERS IN
A 66% MAJORITY VOTE TO EXTEND
TIMESHARE PLANS AND IF
TERMINATION WAS TO OCCUR IT WILL
HANDLE THE TERMINATION ACTIVITY
WITH OWNER PARTICIPATION.
>> SARAH TRAVIS RESPONDED TO THE
MEASURE SAYING TIMESHARE GOES
INTO A TRUST, THAT OTHER OWNERS
DON'T GET TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR
THE TRUST, AND THE BILL WAS
SIGNED INTO LAW THE FOURTH WEEK
OF MAY.
>>> ANOTHER BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
INCREASES THE AMOUNT OF MONEY
SOMEONE CAN EARN SELLING FOOD
MADE FROM SCRATCH.
>> TO QUALIFY AS A COTTAGE FOOD
OPERATOR ONE MUST BE AN
INDIVIDUAL, NOT BUSINESS,
PREPARE FOOD AT HOME USING
RESIDENTIAL OVENS AND SELLING
FOOD THAT DOES NOT CLASSIFY AS
POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS AS
DETERMINED BY THE DIVISION OF
FOOD SAFETY.
>> TYPICAL FOOD ITEMS ARE SOLD
IN THIS HOMEBASE INDUSTRY ARE
HONEY AND BAKED GOODS THAT DON'T
HAVE TO BE REFRIGERATED AND AS
THE LAW STANDS NOW IF YOU SELL
MORE THAN $15000 WORTH OF ITEMS
YOU HAVE TO GET A STATE LICENSE.
THE BILL HAS INCREASED THAT TO
$50000 AND ALLOW SELLERS TO
COLLECT PAYMENTS ON LINE.
>>>THE FIRST NEW LAW OF 2017
CAME IN RESPONSE TO A SUPREME
COURT RULING THAT FOUND
FLORIDA'S DEATH PENALTY STATUTE
UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
LAWMAKERS PUT FORWARD IN LINE
WITH NO STATES BY REQUIRING
JURIES TO AGREE UNANIMOUSLY
BEFORE HANDING OUT A DEATH
SENTENCE.
MIKE LICQUIA GIVES US A LOOK AT
HOW THIS CAN CHANGE FLORIDA'S
JUSTICE SYSTEM.
>> IS THERE DEBATE ON THE BILL?
>> WHEN LAWMAKERS PASSED SENATE
BILL 280 THEY MADE A CHANGE TO
THE DEATH PENALTY STATUTE
REQUIRING JURIES TO UNANIMOUSLY
AGREE BEFORE DEATH SENTENCES
HANDED DOWN.
LAST YEAR THE FLORIDA SUPREME
COURT FOUND THE STATE
CONSTITUTION REQUIRES TOTAL
AGREEMENT AMONG JURORS AND THIS
WEEK THE US SUPREME COURT
REFUSED TO CONSIDER A BALANCE TO
THE RULING.
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND
PROSECUTORS EXPECT FEWER DEATH
PENALTY CASES.
>> THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAVING
TO HAND UNANIMITY AND KNOWING
YOU NEED ONLY MAJORITY WILL MAKE
THE PROCESS OF EVALUATING CASES
MORE STRINGENT IN EVERY PART OF
THE STATE.
I CAN ASSURE YOU FROM MY OFFICE
THAT BECOMES A REAL
CONSIDERATION WITH THE EVIDENCE
COMPELLING ENOUGH IN THIS CASE
THAT WE BELIEVE A JURY WILL
UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMEND THAT AS
OPPOSED TO WE BELIEVE A MAJORITY
WILL RECOMMEND DEATH.
>> I DO KNOW IN THE STATES THAT
HAVE UNANIMOUS JURY VERDICTS YOU
HAVE MUCH LOWER RATES OF THE
DEATH PENALTY, SO WE WOULD HOPE
THAT WOULD BE THE CASE HERE.
>> BOTH SIDES SEE JURY SELECTION
PLAYING A MORE CRUCIAL ROLE IN
THESE CASES PERHAPS TAKING
LONGER THAN THE TRIAL ITSELF.
>> WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE
MUCH MORE METICULOUS IN PROBING
THE ATTITUDES AND WILLINGNESS OF
JURORS TO CONSIDER THE
IMPOSITION OF A DEATH PENALTY
THAN WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN.
IF YOU KNEW YOU DID NOT HAVE TO
HAVE NECESSARILY UNANIMITY.
>> BOTH SIDES EXPECT THE NUMBER
OF DEATH PENALTY TRIALS TO VARY
FROM COUNTY TO COUNTY WITH SOME
STATE ATTORNEYS PURSUING A MORE
AGGRESSIVELY.
THERE ARE OLD CASES ACROSS THE
STATE WHICH DID NOT HAVE
UNANIMOUS JURIES THAT COULD GO
BACK FOR NEW SENTENCING
HEARINGS.
>> IT WILL PROBABLY AFFECT
HUNDREDS OF CASES.
THAT'S A GUESS, BUT APPROXIMATE
COUPLE HUNDRED IS MY
UNDERSTANDING.
>> STATE ATTORNEYS COULD CHOOSE
TO SETTLE ON LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE
ON SOME OLD CASES WITH FEWER
AGGREGATING CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> I THINK IT WILL VARY SO MUCH
CASE TO CASE, I MEAN, SOME OF
THOSE CASES YOU WILL HAVE TO USE
PERPETUATED TESTIMONY I WOULD
ASSUME, SWORN TESTIMONY FROM A
PREVIOUS TRIAL OR SOMETHING
BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WILL BE
DECEASED.
OBVIOUSLY READ TESTIMONY IS NOT
THE SAME AS TESTIFIED TESTIMONY.
YOU ARE CONFRONTED WITH ALL
KINDS OF ISSUES.
>> PROSECUTORS EXPECT THE EXTRA
WORK REQUIRED TO FURTHER SQUEEZE
THE LIMITED RESOURCES THROUGHOUT
THE COURT TO STEM.
FOR CAPITOL UPDATE MIKE LICQUIA.
>> SOUTH FLORIDA LAWMAKERS HOPE
A NEW LAW WILL PERSUADE
WITNESSES OF MURDER TO COME
FORWARD.
CODY TRAVELED TO MIAMI TO HEAR
HOW LAWMAKERS SAY IT WILL HELP.
>> FAMILIES OF MURDER VICTIMS
HOPE A NEW PUBLIC RECORDS
EXEMPTION WILL NOT ONLY BRING
UNSOLVED CASES TO A CLOSE, BUT
PROTECT PEOPLE WHO ARE AFRAID TO
BE LABELED A SNITCH.
>> MY SON WAS SHOT NINE TIMES,
NINE TIMES.
MY SON TOOK FOUR BULLETS IN HIS
BACK.
WHILE HE WAS CRAWLING UNDER A
TRUCK TO SAFETY.
I ASK YOU TODAY, PLEASE, PASS
THIS BILL.
>> HOUSE BILL 111 STIRRED
EMOTION AND PASSION THROUGHOUT
THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
>> WE HAVE TO DO MORE TO PROTECT
THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO BE A
WITNESS OF THE MURDERS.
>> I HAVE IN MY DISTRICT
HEADLINES LIKE THIS, 10
SHOOTINGS IN 10 DAYS.
A 10-YEAR OLD RETRIEVING A
BASKETBALL IN HIS FRONT YARD
SHOT AND KILLED.
8-YEAR OLD GIRL SHOT AND KILLED
WALKING OUT OF HER FRONT YARD.
A STRAIGHT A STUDENTS ON HER WAY
TO COLLEGE, VALEDICTORIAN OF HER
CLASS WITH A FULL SCHOLARSHIP
SHOT AND KILLED RIDING IN HER
CAR.
>> EFFECTIVE JULY1, THIS LAW
WILL EXEMPT PERSONAL INFORMATION
FROM WITNESSES OF MURDERS FOR
TWO YEARS AFTER THE MURDER.
PREVIOUSLY WITNESS NAMES WERE
MADE PUBLIC WHEN A MURDER CASE
WAS SOLVED.
>> THIS BILL HAS BIPARTISAN
SUPPORT BECAUSE REPRESENTATIVES
FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE,
FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE
STATE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME
PROBLEM IN THEIR DISTRICT
INCREASE IN VIOLENCE AND
UNSOLVED MURDERS WHERE SOMEONE
KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED, BUT THEY
ARE AFRAID TO COME FORWARD TO.
>> REPRESENTATIVE GELLER WAS ONE
OF SIX LEGISLATORS WHO VOTED
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL.
>> THE FIRST AMENDMENT
FOUNDATION IS OPPOSED TO THIS
BILL.
THEY THINK IT IS AN UNNECESSARY
EXEMPTION AND THAT WE CAN FIND
OTHER WAYS TO TRY TO ACCOMPLISH
THIS PURPOSE.
CERTAINLY, IT IS A WORTHWHILE
THING TO TRY TO BRING PEOPLE TO
JUSTICE, BUT WE ALWAYS HAVE TO
BE VIGILANT WHEN IT COMES TO
PUBLIC RECORDS.
>> PROPONENTS SAY THE LANGUAGE
WHICH OF THE NEW LAW IS A
SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL TO THE
LANGUAGE ALREADY USED FOR
EXEMPTING INFORMATION ON SEXUAL
ASSAULT VICTIMS AND CHILD ABUSE
VICTIMS FROM PUBLIC RECORDS.
REPRESENTATIVE STAFFORD SAID THE
IDEA CAME FROM ANGELA SEARS,
PRESIDENT OF THE GROUP PARENTS
OF MURDERED KIDS.
SHE CALLED REPRESENTATIVE
STAFFORD PLEADING FOR MORE
PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE IN HER
COMMUNITY WHO WANT TO GIVE
INFORMATION TO THE POLICE.
>> I THINK THAT IT-- THE BEST
THING WE CAN DO TO PUT THE BILL
TO REST WAS TO CREATE THIS
PROTECTION BILL.
>> SEARS SAYS AS WITNESSES ARE
COOPERATING IN HER SON'S MURDER
CASE, BUT SHE SAID IN MANY
UNSOLVED MURDERS THAT IS NOT
HAPPENING.
>> RARELY WILL YOU FIND AN
INSTANCE FOR THESE MURDERS WERE
SOMEONE DOES NOT KNOW WHAT
HAPPENED.
EITHER THEY SAW IT OR THE
PERPETRATOR WHEN THEY WERE DONE
THEY HAD TO GO SOMEWHERE.
>> POLICE IN MIAMI-DADE AND
OTHER CITIES HAVE WAYS TO GET
WITNESSES TO COME FORWARD.
ONE-WAY IS TO OFFER MONEY FOR
TIPS, BUT THEY SAY MONEY DOES
NOT ALWAYS TRUMP THE FEAR OF
RETALIATION.
>> WE HAVE HAD CASES WHERE SOME
OF THE SUBJECTS HAVE TAKEN IT
OUT ON NOT ONLY THEM, BUT THE
FAMILY MEMBERS.
>> REPRESENTATIVE STAFFORD SAID
PEOPLE HAVE GONE AS FAR AS
POSTING WITNESS INFORMATION FROM
PUBLIC RECORD ON SOCIAL MEDIA
SITES TO INTIMIDATE WITNESSES
AND TO JEOPARDIZE THEIR SAFETY.
THE LAW WILL HAVE TO BE RENEWED
IN 2022 TO KEEP THE NAMES OF
WITNESSES CONFIDENTIAL.
>> TESTIFYING IN COURT CAN BE AN
INTIMIDATING EXPERIENCE
ESPECIALLY FOR YOUNG VICTIMS AND
A NEW LAW EXPANDING THE USE OF
THERAPY ANIMALS INTO HELPS.
PREVIOUSLY STATE LAW AUTHORIZED
USE OF THERAPY DOGS IN CASES
INVOLVING CHILDREN WHO ARE
VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE
NOW UNDER THE NEW LAW COURTS CAN
USE THEM TO COMFORT CHILDREN IN
CASES OF ABUSE, NEGLECT OR
ABANDONMENT.
>> I HAVE HAD CHILDREN BRAID THE
DOG'S HAIR.
I HAVE HAD CHILDREN PUT STONES
ON THERE EARS AND JUST BEING
THEMSELVES AND HAVING A LITTLE
BIT OF A DISTRACTION ON THIS
DIFFICULT AND INTENSE THING THEY
HAVE TO DO.
>> THESE THERAPY DOGS LOVE IT.
THEY FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE A
MISSION AND IF THEY DON'T JUST
LIKE BEING AROUND PEOPLE, BUT
THE GREAT THERAPY DOGS ARE DRAWN
TO PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING
TRAUMA.
THEY KNOW SOMEONE NEEDS THEM AND
THAT'S ONE OF THE GREAT THINGS
THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH MY
DOG IS THAT SHE CAN WALK INTO A
ROOM AND WITHIN A MINUTE OR TWO
TELLS WHO NEEDS HER THE MOST.
>> THE LAW ALSO ALLOWS COURTS TO
USE THE DOGS WHEN TAKING
TESTIMONY FROM THOSE WITH
INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, AND
SEVERAL CIRCUITS ALREADY USE
DOGS AND HOPE THE NEW LAW
ENCOURAGES OTHERS TO INITIATE
SIMILAR PROGRAMS.
>>>AS MORE LAW-ENFORCEMENT
AGENCIES BEGIN USING BODY CAMS
LAWMAKERS WRITE NEW LAWS
GOVERNING THEIR USE.
THIS YEAR A BILL SIGNED INTO LAW
BY GOVERNOR SCOTT STIPULATES
POLICE ARE ALLOWED TO REVIEW
BODY CAM FOOTAGE PRIOR TO
WRITING A REPORT OR MAKE A
STATEMENT.
CAPITOL UPDATE TALKED TO A
SHERIFF'S DEPUTY ABOUT WHY IT'S
NECESSARY.
>> IN THIS RURAL NORTH FLORIDA
COUNTY SERGEANT LOGAN WILCOX
SAYS JEFFERSON COUNTY SHERIFF
DEPUTIES ALREADY REVIEW THEIR
BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE AND IT
HELPS.
>> OFFICER CAN LOOK AT THE VIDEO
TO DO A REALLY DETAILED REPORT
WHEREAS BEFORE YOU WERE GOING BY
MEMORY AND SOMEONE UNDER A
STRESSFUL SITUATION, SOME OF THE
DETAILS OF THAT EVENT THAT
TRANSPIRED MIGHT NOT-- THE
OFFICER MIGHT NOT REMEMBER
EVERYTHING.
>> AS THE BILL MOVES THROUGH THE
PROCESS LAWMAKERS HAD QUESTIONS
ABOUT HOW IT WOULD APPLY IN
CASES WHERE LETHAL FORCE IS
USED.
>> THERE WAS AN OFFICER INVOLVED
SHOOTING, WOULD HE BE ABLE TO
WATCH HIS OWN BODY CAMERA
FOOTAGE AS HE WAS WRITING HIS
REPORT?
>> CURRENT LAW IN 112 ALLOWS AN
OFFICER UNDER INVESTIGATION TO
SEE ALL VIDEO FOOTAGE AND
WITNESS STATEMENTS AGAINST HIM
BEFORE HE GOES THROUGH AN
INTERNAL AFFAIRS INVESTIGATION.
OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS WILL
BE INVESTIGATED SO THIS
INFORMATION WILL ALREADY BE
PROVIDED TO THE OFFICER.
>> OTHER LEGISLATORS HAD
CONCERNS ABOUT OFFICERS ABLE TO
EDIT OR DELETE THE VIDEO.
SERGEANT WILCOX SAID THE BODY
CAMERAS USED IN JEFFERSON COUNTY
AUTOMATICALLY UPLOAD AND SAVE
THE VIDEO TO A SERVER WHERE NO
EDITING CAN BE DONE.
>> IT TAKES THAT THAT OUT OF THE
OFFICER'S HANDS AND
AUTOMATICALLY UPLOADS AN OFFICER
HAS NO CONTROL OTHER THAN BEING
ABLE TO WATCH IT AND CHECK OUT A
CAMERA.
THAT'S THE ONLY THING HE OR SHE
CAN DO.
>> GET DOWN ON THE GROUND!
>> A PRELIMINARY 2016 CRIMINAL
JUSTICE AGENCY PROFILE SURVEY
SHOWED CURRENTLY 107 OUT OF 399
LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN
FLORIDA USES BODY CAMERAS.
THOSE WHO DO SAY THEY PROVIDE
GREAT BENEFITS.
>> COMPLAINTS WOULD GO DOWN.
SOMEONE WOULD COMPLAIN ON AN
OFFICER, LIEUTENANT WOULD LOOK
AT THE VIDEO AND THEY WOULD SEE
THAT EITHER THE OFFICER WAS
DOING WHAT THEY SAID OR NOT.
>> IN FACT, HE SAID THE ONLY
DISADVANTAGE TO A BODY CAMERA IS
THAT YOU CAN'T SEE MORE.
>> YOU MAY NOT ALWAYS SEE WITH
OFFICER'S ACTIONS ARE OR IF
SOMETHING HAPPENS OUTSIDE OF THE
BODY CAMERAS ARE YOU IT WOULD BE
HARD TO TELL WHY THE OFFICER DID
THAT.
>> ON THE GROUND.
>> THE LAW MAKING IT CLEAR
OFFICERS ARE ALLOWED TO REVIEW
THEIR BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE IS
EFFECTIVE JULY1.
DEPARTMENTS WITHOUT RULES
ALREADY ESTABLISHED WILL HAVE TO
DECIDE THE BEST POLICIES AND
PROCEDURES AND ESTABLISH THOSE.
FOR CAPITOL UPDATE ON BLAISE
GANEY.
>> IF YOU VOTE YOU WILL GET
DEEPER DISCOUNTS ON REGISTRATION
FEES IF YOU GET AN EMERGENCY
LOCATOR BEACON.
EMERGENCY POSITION INDICATING
RADIO BEACONS ARE KNOWN AS EPERK
AND SEND AN EMERGENCY RADIO
MESSAGE TO RESCUE TEAMS IF YOU
GET IN TROUBLE IN THE WATER.
THE HOUSE PASSED THE BILL LAST
YEAR TO REDUCE REGISTRATION FEES
FOR PEOPLE WHO GET THE BEACON.
THIS YEAR THE GOVERNOR SIGNED
HOUSE BILL 7011 REDUCING THE
FEES FURTHER AND REMOVES SOME OF
THE DEADLINES AND LIMITATIONS
FROM LAST YEAR'S LAW.
>> FISH AND WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION COMMISSION
RECOMMENDED BEACONS FOR AND
ASKED BOATERS TO GET SERIOUS
ABOUT WEARING LIFE JACKETS
RELEASING TESTIMONIAL INCLUDING
ONE WHO WOUND UP IN THE GULF.
TONY MANAGED TO GET HIS SON TO A
BUOY BUT WAS TOO EXHAUSTED TO
GET THERE HIMSELF.
>> HE WAS GOING TO WATCH
HIS DAD DIE RIGHT IN
FRONT OF HIM AND WHAT
THAT WOULD DO TO HIM,
WHAT IF HE TRIED TO JUMP
OFF AND COME TO ME, YOU
KNOW, JUST DIDN'T KNOW
HOW TO PROCESS THAT.
THE OTHER SELFISH
THOUGHT WAS THAT I WAS
SCARED AND I SAID THIS
IS GOING TO HURT AND IT
REALLY SCARED ME HOW
BADLY IT WOULD HURT TO
GO UNDER AND TAKING THE
WATER AND DIE.
>> THEY REENACTED THE
ORDEAL FOR FWC WITH TONY
COMING OUT FOR ONE LAST
BREATH AND FINDING THE
FWC RESCUE TEAM.
THE AGENCY SAYS THERE
ARE ALTERNATIVES THESE
DAYS TO BULKY
UNCOMFORTABLE JACKETS
INCLUDING A VARIETY OF
AFFORDABLE MODELS.
FOR DETAILS GO TO MY
FWC.COM./BOATING.
HERE'S A LOOK AT MORE
BILLS A SIGNED INTO LAW
BY THE GOVERNOR SO FAR.
♪
>> THE PROGRAM THAT'S
HELPED MORE THAN A
THOUSAND FOSTER KIDS GET
THE DRIVER'S LICENSE
WILL STAY IN PLACE UNDER
A NEW LAW, THE LAW MAKES
THE KEYS TO INDEPENDENT
PILOT PROGRAM PERMANENT,
AND THE PROGRAM HELPS
PAY FOR THE COST
ASSOCIATED WITH
LICENSURE INCLUDING
DRIVERS ED AND
INSURANCE.
CHILD WELFARE ADVOCATES
HELP TEAM AT SHEET--
HELPS TEENS ACHIEVE A
RITE OF PASSAGE.
>> IT PUTS YOU IN A
SITUATION TO BE AN ADULT
AND INDEPENDENT.
>> VERY IMPORTANT
BECAUSE IT'S A PART OF
BEING INDEPENDENT IN
LIFE AND IT'S A NORMAL
THING.
WHO DOESN'T HAVE THEIR
DRIVER'S LICENSE AROUND
16 OR 17?
>> THE MEASURE WAS
SPONSORED BY AARON BEAN
AND REPRESENTATIVE
JENNIFER SULLIVAN WHO
STEERED IT TO UNANIMOUS
APPROVAL IN BOTH
CHAMBERS, THE LAW
EXPANDS THE PROGRAM TO
THOSE IN UNLICENSED CARE
AND REQUIRES COURTS TO
ADDRESS DRIVER LICENSING
AND FOSTER KID
TRANSITION PLANS.
ANOTHER BREAK FOR FOSTER
KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES
AT A STATE PARK NEAR
YOU, FREE ADMISSION.
HOUSE BILL 185 ALLOWS
LICENSED FOSTER FAMILIES
TO GET A FREE ANNUAL
PASS TO STATE PARKS IN
FLORIDA.
OF A CAN ALSO GET A 50%
DISCOUNT ON BASE
CAMPSITE FEES STARTING
JULY 1.
THE MEASURE SIGNED INTO
LAW ALSO REQUIRES THE
DIVISION OF RECREATION
AND SPARKS WITHIN DEP TO
CONTINUE AS PARTNERSHIP
WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
PROMOTING FOSTERING AND
ADOPTION OF SPECIAL
NEEDS CHILDREN.
THAT'S IT FOR THIS
EDITION OF "CAPITOL
UPDATE".
FROM ALL OF US, THANKS
FOR WATCHING. 842 00:27:53,471 ♪