Lawmakers began to comb through hundreds of bills Tuesday at the 2018 Florida Legislative Session.
A proposal to make texting while driving a “primary” offense in Florida received unanimous support from the House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee as the 60-day session opened.
The proposed bill (HB 33), which must still go before two more panels, would allow law-enforcement officers to stop vehicles when they see motorists texting behind the wheel.
More: Lawmakers renew push to toughen texting and driving law in Florida
“This will prevent the actual behavior of texting behind the wheel,” said Rep. Emily Slosberg, a Boca Raton Democrat who is co-sponsoring the bill with Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa. “Because right now, it’s completely unenforceable as a secondary offense.”
Currently, motorists can only be charged with texting and driving if they are stopped for other offenses, such as speeding.
Another proposed bill would dedicate $100 million to the Florida Forever Program. The bill would help with efforts to restore the Everglades.
In addition, Gov. Rick Scott already committed $50 million in his budget this year to help repair the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee.
More: Trump joins Scott in push for speedy repair of Lake O dike
Other bills are aimed at health as lawmakers attempt to battle the opioid epidemic. Senate Rules Chairwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers introduced SB 8 to regulate prescriptions.
More: Florida bill seeks to rein in prescription painkillers
Scott also proposed $53 million in his budget for substance abuse treatment.
*Information in this report was used from the News Service of Florida