Texting and 'Sharia' bans among first bills filed for 2013

Florida lawmakers have filed their first bills of the season.

Several are familiar: A ban on texting while driving, a requirement that parasailing operators carry insurance and a 'foreign law' bill criticized by opponents as anti-Islamic.

Sen. Nancy Detert, R-Venice, who sponsored anti-texting while driving bills for the past two sessions says she has renewed hope for the year.

Last year the measure died after House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Park, kept it from being heard in committee, Detert said.

"I'm about to drive home five hours, and I'll probably see someone on the road swerving," said Detert, who was in Tallahassee for the organization session that ran Monday and Tuesday. "I'll look over and see the person texting, looking down and not paying attention to the road."

Under the bill, drivers could be fined $30 for texting only if they're stopped for another violation. Detert pitched the measure as "common sense" middle ground.

Some people don't like any new laws while others think the state should ban all cell phone use while driving.

"That's why we should put it before members and let them vote on it," she said.

Of the 26 bills that  have been filed, 19 are claims bills.

@britt_alana 

Comments

[Embarrassed Republican]

As a Republican, I see it's clear we learned so much from the humiliating defeat we experienced a couple of weeks ago because we've acted like bigoted idiots.

Great idea to lead with an anti-Sharia bill because it's so likely our legal system is about to be converted to Islamic law.

Really guys? Really? Did you learn nothing?

[Stpetepoll]

The thought is good, but upon reading the anti-texting bill it has the same problems as the one filed last year. You could be cited for texting while driving if you are pulled over at the side of the road and not moving. There is no provision in this bill that the vehicle be in motion to be in violation. Technically every UPS and FedEx driver would be guilty hundreds of times a day of violating this law due to data entry while stopped and not legally parked. This bill needs to be amended before it moves forward.

[Shirley Munoz]

Sharia Law? I find Republicans shameful there is no stupidity that they will do.