15 New Bills Reach Governor's Desk

TALLAHASSEE, FL—Gov. Ron DeSantis has just received 15 new bills to be signed into law, including a controversial workers' union measure and new requirements for prospective Florida State Guardsmen.

Propelled through and out of the legislature by Republican Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, SB 1746 alters a union dues law passed last year—also sponsored by Ingoglia. Both measures drew ire from the left and educational organizations, arguing that the aim is to decrease union membership.

Last year's law prevented automatic dues deductions and required 60% of workers to be members to remain for the union to continue.

It excluded firefighter and law enforcement unions from these requirements, and this year's measure expands that exemption to 911 operators, emergency medical technicians, and paramedics. Now it remains to be seen if DeSantis will allow this bill to join its sister law...

The greatly watered-down State Guard bill also sits atop the governor's desk, instituting Level 2 background checks for prospective State Guardsmen.

The Florida State Guard is a volunteer organization that was utilized throughout World War II to assist the state while troops were abroad. It was disbanded in 1947 and went completely defunct until its 2022 revival by the Governor.

DeSantis has since deployed his Guard to shore up the Texas border, drawing criticisms that his state-run agency may be militarily deployed nationwide.

The State Guard bill's original form would have allowed DeSantis to deploy the State Guard during "periods of unrest" and "at any other time deemed necessary and appropriate" by the Governor. After a strike-all amendment, it now exclusively deals with security precautions for Guardsmen.

Due to the big headlines and ramped-up usage of the Guard, it's expected to be signed into law shortly.

Other bills that reached DeSantis this afternoon include:

• Renaming Tallahassee Community College as Tallahassee State College (SB 522)
• Shielding public records of suicide victims (SB 474)
• Military leave (SB 818)
• Financial disclosure (HB 7005)
• Preregistered voters (HB 7003)
• Volunteer Advisory Committees (SB 224)
• Regulation of Structures (SB 1526)
• Utility of Owned By Government (SB 7006)
• Campus Emergency Response (HB 7007)
• Reporter of Child Abuse (HB 7001)
• Trust Funds (HB 5201)
• Youth Athletic Activities (HB 865)
• Lost Property (HB 487)