Rep. Debra Tendrich

Recognizing Judea and Samaria; Prohibits use of term "West Bank" in official government materials; prohibits use of moneys to create official government materials using such term; requires instructional materials & library media center collections adopted or acquired by certain entities on or after specified date to refer to certain area as Judea & Samaria; prohibits instructional materials & library media center collections adopted or acquired by certain entities on or after specified date from using term "West Bank."

Maddy summaryHB 143 would reclassify certain criminal offenses as more serious if they demonstrate prejudice based on the victim's political ideology. It would upgrade sentences: for example, a misdemeanor of the second degree would become a misdemeanor of the first degree, and a felony of the third degree would become a felony of the second degree. The bill specifically adds "political ideology" to the list of protected characteristics (alongside race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.) that trigger these sentencing upgrades. This change would directly affect individuals convicted of crimes where the victim was targeted due to their political views, making the penalties more severe. The bill is currently under review in Florida's Criminal Justice Subcommittee and would take effect on October 1, 2026, if passed.

Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote; Provides for enactment of agreement; provides method by which state may become member state; requires statewide popular election for President & Vice President of United States; establishes procedure for appointing presidential electors in member states; provides that agreement becomes effective upon occurrence of specified actions; provides for withdrawal of member state; requires notification of member states when agreement takes effect in nonmember state or when member state withdraws from agreement.

Pregnant Women in Custody; Requires every female who is arrested & not released within 72 hours after arrest be administered pregnancy test upon request; requires that each municipal or county detention facility notify each arrested female of right to request pregnancy test; authorizes sentencing court to stay beginning of period of incarceration; authorizes court to order pregnant woman to comply with specified terms & conditions during stay; requires that woman be offered specified assessment & services; requires detention facilities & DOC to collect & report specified information.

Smoking in Public Places; Revises legislative intent; defines "public place"; revises definition of terms "smoking" & "vape" or "vaping"; prohibits smoking in public places in this state, with exceptions; provides applicability; revises requirements for customs smoking rooms to prohibit smoking & vaping of marijuana products at any time.

Funding for the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program; Revises calculation of base student allocation for VPK; requires Division of Early Learning to annually publish & provide to early learning coalitions specified information;& authorizes Legislature to provide additional funding for program.

Discrimination in Education; Requires each district school board, Florida College System institution, & state university to designate Title VI coordinator; provides requirements for such coordinators; & establishes process for complaints relating to violations of Title VI of Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Student Elopement ; Requires public schools to create School Staff Assistance for Emergencies (SAFE) Team & school elopement plan; provides requirements for SAFE Teams, elopement plans, & schools.

Designation of the State Birds; Designates American flamingo as official state bird and the Florida scrub-jay as the official state songbird; provides that such designation supersedes designation of mockingbird as official Florida state bird.

Florida Public Service Commission; Revises membership of PSC; requires PSC to include specified information in settlement agreement orders, ensure certain allowable returns on equity, establish certain schedules for rate change requests, & provide annual report to Governor & Legislature.