Legislation to Expand Access to Florida’s Wildlife Corridor Signed Into Law on Path of the Panther Day

Tuesday was Path of the Panther Day in the Senate. Governor DeSantis signed SB 106, our expansion of access to Florida’s iconic Wildlife Corridor into law, and we welcomed renowned conservation photographer and national geographic explorer Carlton Ward, Jr. to the Senate to celebrate the opening of his “Path of the Panther” exhibit, which is open to the public during the month of April on the 22^nd Floor observatory of the Florida Capitol. We have several pieces of Mr. Ward’s “Path of the Panther” exhibit on display in my office as well. Please stop by if you are ever in Tallahassee!  

Our wildlife corridor provides a unique opportunity to experience the wonder and beauty of Florida’s heartland.  We have the chance not only to preserve this natural resource for future generations, but to expand access so more Floridians can walk, run, and bike from trail town to trail town, taking in all our great state has to offer. I envision Florida’s Wildlife Corridor as a top destination for recreational tourists from across the country and around the world. As I have said before, I believe this will be Florida’s Central Park – a legacy we can be proud to leave for future generations of Floridians and visitors to enjoy.

The corridor is being created through the state’s purchase of development rights of farmers, ranchers, and other landowners who will be able to continue their operations in perpetuity and the lands will never be developed. From 2020-2022, under the leadership of Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture, former Senate President Wilton Simpson we appropriated $600 million in funding available to expand the Wildlife Corridor. The legislation signed into law this week includes $200 million to connect the corridor to our trail system so more people across our state and around the world can experience Florida’s unique natural habitat.

Additionally, the Senate budget we passed last week funds an additional $580 million for our traditional Florida Forever programs and land acquisition, much of which will go towards expanding the Wildlife Corridor.  This significant expansion of not only the corridor, but also access to the corridor, will provide even more options for families, athletes, and adventure seekers to experience old Florida at its finest, safeguarding more of our wetlands, farmlands and ranchlands, while improving the visibility of our quaint, legacy trail towns across Florida’s heartland.

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Heartbeat Protection Act

On Thursday, I signed the enrolled copy of Senate Bill 300, the Heartbeat Protection Act and the Senate delivered the legislation to the Governor for his signature.  The Heartbeat Protection Act builds on Florida’s strong track record of protecting the most vulnerable, especially the unborn, and strengthens state efforts to promote adoption, and support families, with significant resources to benefit infants, young children, and parents, which we hope will encourage more Floridians in difficult and unplanned situations to choose life for their babies. Our bill also includes strong and clear exceptions for rape, incest, and human trafficking which I insisted on, in addition to those already available for the life of the mother. We also clarified the existing exception for the horrible situation when parents are facing the heartbreaking diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality.

Florida Senate Moves to Protect Student Privacy

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 662, by Senator Jennifer Bradley, passed the Senate floor with unanimous support. SB 662, also known as the “Student Online Personal Information Protection Act,” protects K-12 students’ personal data collected from online learning platforms.

This legislation prohibits operators of websites or online software from collecting, disclosing, selling or renting K-12 student data. Additionally, operators are prohibited from using student data to engage in targeted advertising and must ensure that any data collected is utilized solely for educational purposes.

The legislation also requires that websites or other online software operators only collect information that is necessary. This is limited to the operation of educational technology, the implementation and maintenance of robust security procedures, and the deletion of student information if requested

This legislation will tighten data security in our schools and ensure students get the most out of educational technology. It will also prevent the monetization of their personal information by big tech companies.

Senate Bill 662 will be sent to the Florida House of Representatives for their consideration.

Protection of Agricultural Land Passes Full Senate

On Tuesday, Senate Bill 264, by Senator Jay Collins, passed the Senate floor with unanimous support. SB 264 expressly prohibits the Chinese Communist Party and any associated individual or business from purchasing agricultural land in the State of Florida.

Agriculture and a stable food supply are critical aspects of national security that must be protected at all costs. In response to recent attempts of foreign adversaries to make strategic land purchases across the United States, this legislation provides for crucial protections of Florida’s agriculture industry and strictly prohibits America’s enemies such as the Chinese Community party from purchasing agricultural land within our state.

This measure is necessary to ensure Florida is safe from foreign threats looking to weaken our security and jeopardize our nation’s food supply.

SB 264 will now be sent to the Florida House of Representatives for their consideration.

Florida Senate Approves Support for Military Students

Senate Bill 732, by Senator Tom Wright, passed the Senate floor with unanimous support. The bill provides first-class support and services to military students at all of Florida’s postsecondary public institutions.

SB 732 establishes the Collegiate Purple Star Campuses Program at Florida postsecondary public institutions and offers a comprehensive set of services to current and former members of the United States Armed Forces pursuing an education in Florida.

Through this program, Florida public institutions will offer a transition program to assist military students entering the university, provide specific training to staff members to improve military student services and designate a military liaison dedicated to assisting the military student population at the institution.

This legislation builds upon Florida’s commitment to veterans and ensures that the heroes who serve our country receive the very best educational opportunities.

SB 732 will now be sent to the Florida House of Representatives for their consideration.

Robbie, the Safe School Canine, came by for a visit.

The Florida Channel recently highlighted the important school safety components of HB 543 that Senator Collins and I worked on with Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, Chair of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission, and Marion County Sheriff Billy Woods. The bill, recently signed into law by Governor DeSantis, expands the tools available to keep our communities and schools safe. Robbie, the Safe School Canine featured in the video, recently came by my office in Tallahassee for the visit.

Pebbles the Penguin from the Florida Aquarium also joined us in Tallahassee.

The Florida Senate will reconvene next week as legislative session continues. 

Respectfully,

Kathleen

Kathleen C. Passidomo

Senate President
State Senator, District 28

Not paid for at taxpayer expense.

Paid political advertisement paid for by Working Together for Florida P.C., 133 South Harbor Drive, Venice, FL 34285.