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New Laws On the Books

July 1st, 2016 by flanews

July 1st means new laws going into effect, and as Matt Galka tells us, Floridians have 159 new things to worry about.

It’s time to follow some new rules, but they’re not all bad.  Lawmakers passed nearly 300 bills this year, and more than half of them go on the books Friday.

One of the more controversial bills debated this year – the pastor protection act – takes effect.  Clergy will have the state’s backing if they refuse to marry gay couples.

“We’re pastors, we’re not politicians and we’re not lawyers and we cannot afford to fight legal fights,” said Miami pastor Abraham Rivera when the bill was being debated in February.

You’ll also now be able to better manage your digital life after you pass away under a law that lets you assign a guardian for you cloud assets.

“People are doing banking online, they’re doing all kinds of financial transactions online, how would anyone even know if you had those transactions if you couldn’t gain access?” said bill sponsor Sen. Dorothy Hukill (R-Port Orange).

But the only most likely to impact you right away – the tax cut package. Including a three day back to school sales tax holiday in August.

“Back to school sales tax holiday is important not just for consumers but also for businesses as well. Businesses see an increase in sales during this three day period, and consumers obviously get to save a nice chunk of money as well on the stuff they’re going to buy anyways going back to school, now they get to save 6, 7 percent,” said James Miller with the Florida Retail Federation.

A controversial new abortion law was set to take effect but was blocked by a federal judge just hours before midnight. The bill blocks Planned Parenthood from receiving state funds.

“These laws specifically target abortion providers and we do more to prevent the need for abortion than any group in the country, what’s really at risk here is the healthcare of women in the state of Florida,” said Barba Zdravecky, a CEO with the organization.

Part of the law requiring doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals was not blocked by the judge.

Of the 272 laws lawmakers passed overall this year and sent to the Governor, only three were vetoed, the rest were signed.

 

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