Author: Kristen M. Clark

Snip: In an extremely rare move, Florida's House leaders are rushing a gun bill (SB 616) to the floor for a vote during the final week of session, even though none of their members have had time to consider it.

Senator Steube said, “My intention is to keep this specifically directed toward courthouses.” The passage of SB 616 would:
  • Allow concealed weapons permit-holders to store their guns in courthouses
  • Allow them to wear their guns in court facilities.

Because SB 616 did not have a House companion, it’s brand new to lawmakers in that chamber, and they won’t have a chance to vet it in a policy committee. The House and Senate have to pass identical bills before a new law can be sent to the governor for his approval.

The move by Steube is highly unusual because it deprives the public of a chance to address their representatives at a public meeting before the floor vote.

Typically when a bill passes one chamber, the presiding officer of the other chamber assigns it to a few committees. That ensures a proposal is vetted in both chambers — and allows the public to have input — before a bill gets to the floor for a vote, especially if it lacks a companion bill.

House leaders completely skipped that step with SB 616 and sent it straight to the floor for it to be voted on so, if it passes, then it can expeditiously be sent to Gov. Rick Scott before the session ends.

However, the way the House is going about it will draw a backlash from...

Full story:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/poli...147960634.html