Florida Attorney General McCollum Announces Progress on 2008 Legislative Priorities

By newsdesk - Posted on April 2nd, 2008

Two of six bills up in committees today

April 1, 2008 -- TALLAHASSEE – Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum today announced that as the 2008 Legislative Session reaches its midpoint, all six bills supported by the Attorney General as his legislative priorities this year are making good progress in the Legislature. The bills cover a wide range of issues related to protecting the safety and security of Floridians, from enhancing the rights of victims of child pornography to providing additional protections against mortgage-related fraud.

Two of the Attorney General’s legislative priorities will be heard in committee today. They are:

- SB 1442/HB 605 – The Exploited Children’s Rights Act – This bill allows Florida victims of child pornography the opportunity to be heard in court and to be compensated for the crimes committed against them by the continued distribution of images of their sexual abuse. While victims have those rights in federal court, there is no similar law in any other state. SB 1442 by Sen. Dockery is on the Senate Judiciary Committee agenda today, having passed two prior Senate committees unanimously; HB 605 by Rep. Rivera passed two previous House councils unanimously and awaits action in the House Policy & Budget Council.

- SB 390/HB 173 - The Marijuana Grow House Eradication Act – This bill enhances penalties for persons who cultivate the extremely potent form of marijuana grown hydroponically by drug dealers in neighborhoods throughout the state. The legislation would make it a third-degree felony to own a house for the purpose of cultivating, packaging and distributing marijuana; a second-degree felony to grow 25 or more plants; and a first-degree felony to grow 25 or more plants in a home with children present. SB 390 by Sen. Oelrich is on the Senate Criminal Justice Committee calendar today; HB 173 by Rep. Thompson is on the House Special Order Calendar tomorrow, April 2nd, having already passed its three prior House committees and councils.

The other four legislative priorities of Attorney General McCollum are also making excellent progress in the Legislature this spring. They include:

- SB 76/HB 43 – Anti-Gang Legislation – This legislation will provide law enforcement with specific tools to combat gang activity by providing additional penalties, enhanced witness protections and the potential for life prison sentences for convicted gang kingpins. SB 76 by Sen. Atwater awaits action in the Senate Criminal Justice Appropriations Committee after passing its first two committees unanimously; HB 43 by Rep. Snyder is on Second Reading in the House.

- SB 992/HB 643 – The Foreclosure Fraud Prevention Act – This bill will educate consumers on their rights when signing a contract with a “foreclosure rescue” entity and will provide a three-day right of cancellation period with foreclosure rescue companies. It also allows the Attorney General’s Office to pursue these cases under Chapter 501, Florida Statutes. SB 992 by Sen. Fasano awaits action in the Senate Judiciary Committee after passing its first committee unanimously; HB 643 by Rep. Ford has already passed the full House unanimously.

- SB 2374/HB 1417 – The Anti-Counterfeiting/Anti-Piracy Act – This bill targets those who manufacture, distribute or posses counterfeit goods with the intent to sell as well as those who counterfeit goods which cause bodily injury or serious bodily injury and provides enhanced penalties for these actions. SB 2374 by Sen. Diaz de la Portilla is awaiting action in the Senate Commerce Committee; HB 1417 by Rep. Gardiner passed two House councils unanimously and awaits action in the House Policy & Budget Council.

- SB 2430/HB 1341 – Transparency in Private Attorney Contracting (TPAC) Bill – This legislation enhances transparency and accountability in government by requiring additional disclosures and restrictions for contingency fee-based contracts between the Attorney General’s Office and outside private counsel. SB 2430 by Sen. Webster awaits action in the Senate Judiciary Committee; HB 1341 by Rep. Cannon is on the House Special Order Calendar tomorrow, April 2nd.

Additional information on each legislative priority can be obtained from the Attorney General’s Communications Office.

Source: Florida Attorney General

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