On Wednesday, the Senate Transportation Committee gave “Lucy’s Law” its second unanimous OK.

This proposed law would strengthen penalties for reckless boating and require safety training for all boaters.

Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin is carrying the bill (SB 628). The Senate Criminal Justice Committee voted to approve the measure earlier this month.

“We need to make sure our boaters are responsible out on the water,” said Transportation Vice Chair Bryan Ávila of Miami-Dade.

The legislation is named after 17-year-old Luciana Fernandez, who died during a September 2022 boat crash that left other passengers injured, including 18-year-old Katerina Puig, now permanently disabled.

George Pino is facing homicide charges after operating a boat where Fernandez, Puig and others were on board when it violently struck a channel marker. Puig refused a Breathalyzer at the time.

Per the legislation, if someone leaves the scene of an accident where someone is hurt, but it’s not a serious bodily injury, prosecutors can charge a third-degree felony. In the event of a serious bodily injury, it’s a second-degree felony, up from a third-degree felony. Such accidents involving death would be punishable as first-degree felonies.

The bill sets up similar penalties for accidents where a person is operating a vessel recklessly.

The companion legislation (HB 289) is scheduled to be taken up by the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday. Republican Reps. Vicki Lopez and Vanessa Oliver support it.

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee has already signed off on the legislation. If the State Affairs Committee agrees, the bill would have one more stop before the House Judiciary Committee.

“The power to pass Lucy’s Law is in your hands, and the next generation is counting on us to create a safer future,” read a statement from bLU CREW, an initiative of the Lucy Fernandez Foundation.

There remain some differences between the two versions. For instance, the House bill now sets up a mandatory minimum of four years in prison for someone involved in a deadly crash who leaves the scene or fails to notify law enforcement.

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Florida’s most recent former “Top Cop” is sticking up for her former colleagues and other public servants in her first bill filed in the U.S. Senate.

Republican U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody’s Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder (HELPER) Act seeks to provide Federal Housing Administration home loan assistance to teachers, cops, firefighters and other first responders.

She’s reaching across party lines and state lines with this introduction, teaming up with Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff of Georgia.

Moody invokes her half-dozen years as Florida Attorney General in explaining why this legislation, which was previously introduced by her predecessor Marco Rubio, is so meaningful to her.

“Florida is the most pro law enforcement state in the nation,” the Plant City Republican said.

“Over the past six years, while many other states and cities disparaged and cut funding for law enforcement, I fought for raises, bonuses, relocation assistance, and other benefits to show these officers that we value their service. The HELPER Act is the next great step in ensuring these heroes know we appreciate their hard work and sacrifices. It will also help them purchase a home in the community where they serve.”

Yet it’s not just her political history that inspires this bill. It’s also a personal connection, she relates, that drives her to fight for cops’ well-being.

“As the wife of a law enforcement officer, I see firsthand the sacrifices made each day. Standing up for the LEO community will always be a top priority of mine, and I am proud that my first bill in the U.S. Senate will help them make their dream of homeownership a reality,” Moody said.

Ossoff notes that he is “working across the aisle to support Georgia’s teachers, first responders, and law enforcement officers by making homeownership more affordable for public servants who teach our kids and protect our families.”

There’s a Florida connection to the House companion legislation as well.

U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, a former Jacksonville Sheriff, is one of four co-sponsoring that launch.

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Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

Legislation that could roll back age restrictions on gun purchases passed after the Parkland shooting cleared its first House committee.

The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee advanced a bill (HB 759) to reduce the age limit to buy firearms from 21 to 18. That follows a call from Gov. Ron DeSantis to roll back restrictions signed by his predecessor, former Gov. Rick Scott, in the wake of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

“At 18 to 20 years old, you can be tried for crimes and sentenced to death. You can sign contracts, can sue and be sued,” said Rep. Michelle Salzman, a Pensacola Republican.

“You can get married, and you can own property. House Bill 759 rectifies an inconsistency in our legal framework by ensuring that all adult citizens in Florida are afforded their full Second Amendment rights by lowering the minimum age for firearm purchases to 18. We acknowledge the responsibilities and rights that come with adulthood.”

The bill passed on a 13-5 vote. It now heads to the House Judiciary Committee.

In the 2018 Parkland attack, a 19-year-old shooter killed 17 people, including 14 teenage students, and injured 18 others. He used an AR-15 rifle he purchased from a gun shop shortly before the crime.

Gun control advocacy groups vocally opposed the potential change in the gun-buying age, which many lobbied for in the aftermath of the shooting.

“After that tragedy, Florida did the right thing by raising the minimum age to buy a long gun to 21. That law has saved lives,” said Fiona Shannon, who leads the League of Women Voters’ gun safety committee.

“Now there was a push to undo that progress, to lower the age back to 18. Why? What has changed? Have we forgotten the pain of Parkland? Have we forgotten the parents who still wake up every day missing their children, the teachers who sacrifice their lives to shield their students?”

But gun rights advocates say it’s unconstitutional to restrict the right to purchase firearms for adults. Luis Valdes, Florida State Director for Gun Owners of America, said similar legislation has already run into legal trouble in other states, including Tennessee and Minnesota.

Read more on Florida Politics.

Evening Reads

—“Is Donald Trump tanking the economy?” via Andrew Prokop of Vox

—“Trump’s economic messaging is spooking some of his own advisers” via Brian Schwartz, Gavin Bade and Josh Dawsey of The Wall Street Journal

—”An unexpected Trump bump for the world’s centrists” via Mark Landler of The New York Times

—“Maybe Americans shouldn’t have treated Canada as a punch line all these years?” via Dahlia Lithwick of Slate

—”Ron DeSantis installs allies at state universities in purge of ‘ideological concepts’” via Jay Waagmeester of the Florida Phoenix

—”A(nother) Senate bombshell for Democrats” via Chris Cillizza of So What

—“Florida successfully uses law weaponized by Joe Biden DOJ to protect pregnancy centers” via Mary Margaret Olohan of Daily Wire

—“Out-of-state employees, a Paris trip, missing vehicles: Florida legislators question spending” via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel

—”Rollback of Parkland-inspired age limits on gun purchases clears House committee” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—”‘A bored John Mulaney is a dangerous thing’” via Jason Newman of Rolling Stone

—”Michelin adds 14 new restaurants to Florida guide” via Helen Freund of the Tampa Bay Times