Florida is going to pass the “riot law” that requires state approval to cut city police budgets

Florida is on track to implement a “riot” law that would include demanding state approval for cuts to the city’s police budgets.

The bill was passed Thursday in a partisan line in the state Senate in a vote of 23 to 17 and has already been approved by the State House in a vote of 76 to 39, reported the Orlando Sentinel.

The bill says a city cannot cut the police budget without state approval. It also increases the charge for protesters destroying historic structures, including flags and monuments, to a felony.

The bill also grants civil legal immunity to people driving on roads that protesters block if they are in danger and prohibits protesters who are arrested during a riot from being released on bail until after the first court date.

The provision to delay bail is to ensure that a protester does not rejoin the riot, Governor. Ron DeSantisRon DeSantis: The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Tax March – U.S. vaccination effort is successful and Johnson & Johnson stops Florida wastewater tank to close after leak, DeSantis says Republicans must stop Joe Biden’s progressive attack on America MORE (R) said when he revealed the legislation in September.

The battery charge of a police officer during a riot was also increased to six months of mandatory imprisonment, the state center reported.

“This legislation strikes the right balance to safeguard the constitutional right of all Floridians to assemble peacefully, ensuring that those hiding behind peaceful protest to cause violence in our communities will be punished,” DeSantis said. in a statement. “In addition, this legislation ensures that no community in the state is engaged in the refinancing of its police.”

DeSantis wants an “riot” bill since September after some police brutality protests turned violent over the summer and is expected to sign the bill soon.

Democrats were against the bill saying it violated the first amendment and some Democratic senators even wore black shirts after the vote to signal the death of the first amendment.

The Texas Senate approved an invoice on Tuesday, this would also only allow police budgets to be reduced if the community voted for them.