JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two bills from this year’s legislative session into law Wednesday afternoon, during a news conference at the Florida State College of Jacksonville’s South Campus.
First, the governor signed Senate Bill 1134, which prohibits counties and municipalities from funding or promoting or taking official action as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The bill’s sponsor was Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, who was on hand for the signing, along with Jacksonville Republican Rep. Dean Black, who had worked on a similar version of the legislation in the House.
DeSantis explained the bill provides for potential removal from office for any public official who violates the prohibition.
“What I’ve found in this business is when people know there’s accountability, they’re much more apt to toe the line and do what the law requires,” DeSantis said.
Yarborough cited spending on several specific DEI-related items by local governments around the state as examples of why the bill was needed.
“At a time where, you know, families in Florida are struggling to afford gas, to afford groceries, struggling to make ends meet, why are cities spending those hard earned taxpayer dollars on DEI initiatives that, number one, are wrong, but number two, have failed to deliver on the very claim that they have purported to do and the goal that they have said that they would meet?” Yarborough said. “So the bill is important, it’s necessary.”
The law takes effect Jan. 1.
The governor also signed House Bill 1217, which prohibits governmental entities from adopting certain “net zero” energy policies. The governor called it an “anti-carbon tax” bill, which he happened to sign on Earth Day. Rep. Berny Jacques of Pinellas County was the sponsor of that bill, and was on hand for its signing.
“To me, this bill is about three things,” Jacques said. “It’s about affordability, reliability, and jobs.”
The governor also addressed the ongoing wildfires in the state, referring back to the state of emergency he extended on April 10th, related to drought and fire conditions. DeSantis said the Florida Division of Emergency Management is working with the Florida Forestry Service.
“They’ve all been working very hard on this to mitigate this stuff,” DeSantis said. “This has been by far the most active season that we’ve had certainly in recent memory.”
With a special legislative session scheduled for next week, slated to take up redistricting, along with bills related to medical freedom and AI, the governor suggested that another special session will take place later on, to address property tax reform.
For months, the governor has called for a proposed constitutional amendment to cut property taxes. Before the regular session ended in March, the Florida House approved a ballot proposal to eliminate all non-school taxes for homesteaded properties. The Senate also considered proposals, but didn’t advance one that lined up with the House proposal.
Wednesday afternoon, the governor acknowledged he has a role in talking to the public about property tax reform, but doesn’t have the authority to put it on the ballot - a step that requires the Legislature.
“You need 60% of each house. And I know the House took up some stuff and I’ve given them credit for doing that,” DeSantis said. “The Senate, it wasn’t that they were dragging their feet, they’ve just been working with us to get something that people will find meaningful, on the ballot. But you got to get the votes to do it and you got to make sure that you have all that lined up.”
DeSantis also noted that lawmakers must still complete the state budget, which was due to be finished during the regular session. The state’s new fiscal year begins July 1.