A bill seeking to crack down on illegal gambling activities is awaiting a custom calendar to be debated on the floor of the House and Senate.
The bill broadly seeks to increase penalties for illegal gambling activities from a second-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony. It also carries a staggered sentence and increases to a second-degree felony for a second offense and a first-degree felony for a third or subsequent offense.
Both the House and Senate bills have faced significant opposition from veterans groups and small businesses, but the House bill was recently amended to provide an avenue for redress if someone discovers they have unknowingly violated the law. I decided to do it. Specifically, the House adopted an amendment that would require violative establishments to be served with a cease-and-desist letter (which can be challenged) before an arrest is made.
The House amendment was specifically mentioned in public testimony before the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee, stating that the amendment provides an opportunity to educate people who are unknowingly breaking the law, but the Senate bill does not include an educational opportunity. explained that it was not given.
John ZakemA subject matter expert representing Florida’s recreational equipment operators spoke to a Senate committee about how the Senate bill as it is currently being written will have a major impact on people’s lives, saying, “After an incident occurs, , you can’t ring that bell.”
“This bill has elements that are harsh and prevent you from ringing the bell after the fact. If you end up arresting someone for a felony, you can tell them afterwards… You have the ability to say, “I didn’t know that.” But with so many documents these days, even if you’ve been arrested for a felony, you have to disclose…if you’re looking for a mortgage on your home, that’s impacting on people being able to do that. Masu. Some service members who ultimately receive a pension could be affected by the mere act of being arrested. Sure, you can prove it after the fact, but at that point the bell has already rung. You are already impacting people’s lives. ”
Some committee members continued to oppose the bill because it could have unintended consequences for unsuspecting employees.
“The amendments that one of the speakers who opposed this bill in the House mentioned earlier…made some changes. I support those changes. The Gaming Commission supports these changes. I look forward to amending this bill or adopting it if no House version is introduced before this bill is introduced. The goal is to ensure some clarity. “The goal is not to put people in prison knowingly that they are committing a crime,” the bill’s sponsor said. Jonathan Martin Said.
However, the amendments introduced since Martin’s final statement are still not consistent with the House amendments discussed during the session. Rather, the proposed amendment, which has not yet been adopted, adds a cease and desist letter but does not provide a means for individuals or businesses to challenge the cease and desist. This refers to the concerns expressed during the Senate committee meeting. Not addressed yet.
“At the last committee hearing in the House, the 48-hour suspension and suspension amendment made the law better.” stuart scottsaid the Legislative Chairman of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. “However, the Senate amendment still lacks the adequate clarity that veterans organizations have been asking for from the Gaming Commission.” It does not lessen the impact on veterans organizations and their volunteers, who may be affected.”
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