CALL TO ACTION FOR FLOOR VOTES ON HB 1085 AND SB 1252 – RED LETTERING ON DRIVER’S LICENSES

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At the time of the posting of this Call To Action, the dates for the floor votes have not been determined. 

The many calls, emails, and letters on these bills are having an effect as opposition to these bills is starting to come from some of our legislators.  Representative Maney was not nearly as confident in the third committee meeting as he was in the first one.  He even acknowledged that legislators have been sharing concerns with him about the red lettering.  SO, NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR US TO LET UP!!!

ALL 160 FLORIDA LEGISLATORS NEED TO HEAR FROM US BEFORE THE FINAL FLOOR VOTE CONCERNING THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL RED LETTERING ON THE DRIVER’S LICENSES PROPOSED IN THESE TWO BILLS.

You might also want to include a sentence or two about your opposition to HB 833, the reporting of 24-hour stays at vacation rentals.  Talking points for this bill are posted in the Call To Action for HB 833 at floridaactioncommittee.org.

PLEASE do the following:

• Email all 160 members, or as many members as you can, in the Florida legislature. If you cannot email our legislators, or choose not to, please call as many as you can.
• State that you OPPOSE the part of both bills that would require the red lettering on driver’s licenses for people on the registry.
• Mention that you are a constituent if you happen to live in the legislator’s district.
• Give some reasons as to why you oppose these bills. (Refer to suggestions made below.)
• Ask family members and friends to also call to oppose the red lettering. (If these people live out of state: they can state that they are concerned that such unconstitutional laws could spread to their state; they travel to Florida and do not feel comfortable visiting a state that does not abide by the U.S. Constitution, etc.)
• If our emails are treated as spam, then they will never be read. The FAC IT Committee recommends that we send only ONE EMAIL at a time to assure this does not happen.
• Even if you are not able to email (or call) all 160 legislators, please email as many as you can. Every little bit helps.
• Please work on the House of Representatives (HB 1085) first as their floor vote could be sooner than the vote in the Senate (SB 1252). There has to be 3 days between the last committee meeting and the floor vote, so the vote on SB 1252 would come at the middle of next week at the earliest.  The last committee meeting for HB 1085 was April 17.  Its floor vote could come as early as this Friday, April 21.  SO, PLEASE START EMAILING THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FIRST.  THEN WORK ON EMAILING THE SENATORS.

Comments made by Representative Patt Maney at the April 17 House Infrastructure Strategies Committee that need to be corrected:

• When asked for an example of why it was necessary to change the markings that are already present on the driver’s licenses or identification cards for people on the sex offense registry, the only answer Maney could come up with was that “not everyone is as careful as you are”, i. e., law enforcement and landlords are not as careful. (Law enforcement uses the David check or FDIC which typically comes back in minutes with a greater history of who the person is.  Additionally, law enforcement is not saying that they are having a difficult time seeing the statute number or the words “SEXUAL PREDATOR.”)
• Maney argued that marking the front of the driver’s license in red is the least intrusive way. (Two other representatives argued that the red lettering is NOT less intrusive than what is currently used on the licenses.  Courts have said the markings need to be the least restrictive means.)
• Maney argued that the red lettering of the information on the driver’s license is totally unlike the Louisiana and Alabama cases. (The red lettering is not “totally unlike” the LA and AL cases.  The courts in both cases specifically said that the state must use the “least restrictive means’ in conveying its message because such a message – and code or announcement on the cards – constitutes compelled speech under the First Amendment, so strict scrutiny applies.  The whole point of HB 1085 and SB 1252 is to make the driver’s licenses for people on the registry very noticeable to the average person, which is exactly what the courts in LA and AL said is prohibited by the U.S. Constitution.  Representative Maney needs to read both entire cases.)
• Maney stated that words are not on the Florida licenses – just letters. (This is incorrect.  Either the statute number is on the front of the license or the words SEXUAL PREDATOR.)
• Maney stated that some law enforcement in smaller Florida communities may treat people differently than law enforcement officials do in cities. (The implication made was that law enforcement in our smaller communities are not as capable as law enforcement in the larger cities.  There was no documentation given to back up such a statement.)
• Maney stated that the red lettering on the Florida licenses would be clearly less intrusive than what Alabama is using. (The point is not which is less intrusive but whether the state is using the least intrusive means.  This is the point that Representative Maney does not want to deal with.)
• When asked whether people who had adjudication withheld can be placed on the registry, Maney thought they could not. (Maney is wrong.  The Florida Sex Offender Act specifically states that having adjudication withheld is irrelevant and that such persons must be required to register.)
• When asked if Romeo and Juliet offenders can be placed on the registry, Maney said he did not know. (In the Romeo and Juliet cases, it is very difficult for individuals to be removed because there is controlling case law in Florida that says in order for a person to be removed, they cannot still be required to register under Federal SORNA, which most of them are because under Federal SORNA, if any force was used, that automatically makes the person a Tier III offender who must register for life or at least 25 years if they were under 18 at the time of the offense.  Many of the Romeo and Juliet registrants are unable to get off the registry.  Even for those who are eligible to be removed, many have no idea that they are eligible, or if they do know they are eligible, they do not have the money to hire an attorney to apply for the removal.  Money is difficult for many registrants to come by because of the Scarlett Red Letter hung around their neck that can make it impossible to find a decent-paying job.)

 Representative Maney does not have a clear understanding of the statutes and case law for people with a sex offense. Please consult with attorneys that do have such knowledge before voting on HB 1085 or SB 1252.

Additional talking points:

• Florida currently has two court cases challenging the markings on the licenses and identification cards. One is in the Southern District with the other case being in the Northern District.  This is all public record.
• Similar provisions in Louisiana and Alabama have been struck down as unconstitutional on First Amendment grounds. Both the Supreme Court of Louisiana, on the state level, and the Middle District of Alabama, on the federal level — two very conservative courts — have ruled that states must employ the least restrictive means when branding the driver’s licenses and identification cards for persons required to register as sex offenders.
• Currently, a discrete numerical code appears in blue on the driver’s licenses of persons required to register in Florida. Sheriffs and police officers throughout the state are already aware of this code and its meaning, as are most schools. In fact, most schools in this state employ card scanning technology that immediately alert school officials to the card holder’s status. The red-letter provision of SB 1252 and HB 1085 are therefore as unnecessary as they are unconstitutional.
• As several House Representatives recently acknowledged during committee deliberations, the red-letter provision of this bill is clearly unconstitutional, as it constitutes compelled speech that does not utilize the least restrictive means of expressing that the card holder is required to register. Supporting the red-letter provision of this bill is not being “tough on crime,” but rather is being tough on the First Amendment, whose guarantees protect all individuals, even the most unpopular members of society, from government compelled speech and shaming, which would be the practical effects of the red-letter provision of SB 1252 and HB 1085.
• There are currently 52 registry requirements for people on the registry. Every Florida legislator should have received a copy of the timeline of these registry requirements that started off with 3 in 1997 and have grown to 52 by 2020.  Failure to fulfill any of these requirements could lead up to 5 years of imprisonment, even for the thousands of Florida registrants who are now law-abiding citizens. 
• With a possible 53^rd punitive registry requirement being passed into law, the tens of thousands of people on the Florida registry, along with family members and friends who are punished by these registry requirements, are beginning to unite to file a lawsuit if HB 1085 and SB 1252 are passed into law. Talks have begun with attorneys.
• It is the responsibility of our elected Florida Legislators to ensure that all bills passed into law are constitutional. It should NOT have to be the responsibility of hard-working Florida citizens to ensure that new laws are constitutional by having to file costly lawsuits.  LEGISLATORS, PLEASE DO YOUR JOB!

Emails and Phone Numbers for Florida House of Representatives:

1. Shane G. Abbott:  Shane.Abbott@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5005
2. Thad Altman:  Thad.Altman@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5032
3. Daniel Antonio “Danny” Alvarez:  Danny.Alvarez@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5069
4. Carolina Amesty:  Carolina.Amesty@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5045
5. Adam Anderson:  Adam.Anderson@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5057
6. Robert Alexander “Alex “Andrade:  Alex.Andrade@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5002
7. Bruce Hadley Antone:  Bruce.Antone@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5041
8. Kristen Aston Arrington:  Kristen.Arrington@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5046
9. Jessica Baker:  Jessica.Baker@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5017
10. Douglas Michael “Doug” Bankson:  Doug.Bankson@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5039
11. Webster Barnaby:  Webster.Barnaby@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5029
12. Robin Bartleman:  Robin.Bartleman@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5103
13. Fabián Basabe:  Fabian.Basabe@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5106
14. Melony M. Bell:  Melony.Bell@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5049
15. Mike Beltran:  Mike.Beltran@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5070
16. Christopher Benjamin:  Christopher.Benjamin@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5107
17. Kimberly Berfield:  Kim.Berfield@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5058
18. Dean Black:  Dean.Black@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5015
19. David Borrero:  David.Borrero@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5111
20. Adam Botana:  Adam.Botana@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5080
21. Robert A. “Robbie” Brackett:  Robert.Brackett@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5034
22. LaVon Bracy Davis:  LaVon.BracyDavis@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5040
23. Robert Charles “Chuck” Brannan III:  Chuck.Brannan@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5010
24. James Buchanan:  James.Buchanan@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5074
25. Demi Busatta Cabrera:  Demi.BusattaCabrera@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5114
26. Daryl Campbell:  Daryl.Campbell@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5099
27. Jennifer Canady:  Jennifer.Canady@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5050
28. Michael A. “Mike” Caruso:  Mike.Caruso@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5087
29. Joe Casello:  Joe.Casello@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5090
30. Hillary Cassel:  Hillary.Cassel@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5101
31. Kevin D. Chambliss:  Kevin.Chambliss@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5117
32. Linda Chaney:  Linda.Chaney@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5061
33. Charles Wesley “Chuck” Clemons Sr.:  Chuck.Clemons@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5022
34. Lindsay Michelle Cross:  Lindsay.Cross@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5060
35. Dan Daley:  Dan.Daley@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5096
36. Kimberly Daniels:  Kimberly.Daniels@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5014
37. Fentrice Driskell:  Fentrice.Driskell@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5067
38. Wyman Duggan:  Wyman.Duggan@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5012
39. Lisa Dunkley:  Lisa.Dunkley@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5097
40. Jervonte “Tae” Edmonds:  Jervonte.Edmonds@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5088
41. Anna V. Eskamani:  Anna.Eskamani@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5042
42. Tiffany Esposito:  Tiffany.Esposito@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5077
43. Tom Fabricio:  Tom.Fabricio@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5110
44. Juan Alfonso Fernandez-Barquin:  JuanF.Barquin@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5118
45. Randy Fine:  Randy.Fine@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5033
46. Gallop Franklin II:  Gallop.Franklin@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5008
47. Ashley Viola Gantt:  Ashley.Gantt@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5109
48. Alina Garcia:  Alina.Garcia@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5115
49. Sam Garrison:  Sam.Garrison@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5011
50. Mike Giallombardo:  Mike.Giallombardo@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5079
51. Karen Gonzalez Pittman:  Karen.Pittman@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5065
52. Peggy Gossett-Seidman:  Peggy.GossettSeidman@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5091
53. Michael “Mike” Gottlieb:  Michael.Gottlieb@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5102
54. Michael Grant:  Michael.Grant@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5075
55. Tommy Gregory:  Tommy.Gregory@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5072
56. Philip Wayne “Griff” Griffitts Jr.:  Griff.Griffitts@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5006
57. Jennifer “Rita” Harris:  Rita.Harris@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5044
58. Dianne “Ms Dee” Hart:  Dianne.Hart@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5063
59. Fred Hawkins:  Fred.Hawkins@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5035
60. Yvonne Hayes Hinson:  Yvonne.Hinson@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5035
61. Jeff Holcomb:  Jeff.Holcomb@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5053
62. Christine Hunschofsky:  C.Hunschofsky@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5095
63. Berny Jacques:  Berny.Jacques@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5059
64. Dotie Joseph:  Dotie.Joseph@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5108
65. Sam H. Killebrew:  Sam.Killebrew@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5048
66. Traci Koster:  Traci.Koster@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5066
67. Chip LaMarca:  Chip.LaMarca@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5100
68. Thomas J. “Tom” Leek:  Tom.Leek@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5028
69. Johanna López:  Johanna.Lopez@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5043
70. Vicki L. Lopez:  Vicki.Lopez@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5113
71. Randall Scott “Randy” Maggard:  Randy.Maggard@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5054
72. Patt Maney:  Patt.Maney@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5004
73. Ralph E. Massullo, MD:  Ralph.Massullo@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5023
74. Stan McClain:  Stan.McClain@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5027
75. Lawrence McClure:  Lawrence.McClure@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5068
76. Fiona McFarland:  Fiona.McFarland@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5073
77. Lauren Melo:  Lauren.Melo@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5082
78. Kiyan Michael:  Kiyan.Michael@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5016
79. James Vernon “Jim” Mooney Jr:  Jim.Mooney@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5120
80. Angela “Angie” Nixon:  Angie.Nixon@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5013
81. Tobin Rogers “Toby” Overdorf:  Toby.Overdorf@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5085
82. Bobby Payne:  Bobby.Payne@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5020
83. Daniel Perez:  Daniel.Perez@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5116
84. Jenna Persons-Mulicka:  Jenna.Persons@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5078
85. Rachel Lora Saunders Plakon:  Rachel.Plakon@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5036
86. Susan Plasencia:  Susan.Plasencia@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5037
87. Juan Carlos Porras:  JuanCarlos.Porras@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5119
88. Michele K. Rayner-Goolsby:  Michele.Rayner@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5062
89. Paul Renner:  Paul.Renner@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5019
90. Alex Rizo:  Alex.Rizo@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5112
91. Spencer Roach:  Spencer.Roach@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5076
92. Felicia Simone Robinson:  Felicia.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5104
93. William Cloud “Will” Robinson Jr.:  Will.Robinson@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5071
94. Bob Rommel:  Bob.Rommel@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5081
95. Rick Roth:  Rick.Roth@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5094
96. Dr. Joel Rudman:  Joel.Rudman@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5003
97. Michelle Salzman:  Michelle.Salzman@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5001
98. Jason Shoaf:  Jason.Shoaf@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5007
99. David Silvers:  David.Silvers@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5089
100. Tyler I. Sirois:  Tyler.Sirois@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5031
101. Kelly Skidmore:  Kelly.Skidmore@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5092
102. David Smith:  David.Smith@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5038
103. John Snyder:  John.Snyder@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5086
104. Paula A. Stark:  Paula.Stark@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5047
105. Kevin M. Steele:  Kevin.Steele@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5055
106. Cyndi Stevenson:  Cyndi.Stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5018
107. Allison Tant:  Allison.Tant@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5009
108. John Paul Temple: John.Temple@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5052
109. Josie Tomkow:  Josie.Tomkow@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5051
110. Dana Trabulsy:  Dana.Trabulsy@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5084
111. Chase Tramont:  Chase.Tramont@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5030
112. Keith L. Truenow:  Keith.Truenow@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5026
113. Kaylee Tuck:  Kaylee.Tuck@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5083
114. Susan L. Valdés:  Susan.Valdes@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5064
115. Katherine Waldron:  Katherine.Waldron@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5093
116. Patricia H. Williams:  Pat.Williams@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5098
117. Marie Paule Woodson:  Marie.Woodson@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5105
118. Taylor Michael Yarkosky:  Taylor.Yarkosky@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5025
119. Bradford Troy “Brad” Yeager:  Brad.Yeager@myfloridahouse.gov  (850) 717-5056
120. PENDING SPECIAL ELECTION

Emails and Phone Numbers for Florida Senators:

1. Ben Albritton:  albritton.ben.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5027
2. Bryan Avila:  avila.bryan.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5039
3. Dennis Baxley:  baxley.dennis.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5013
4. Lori Berman:  berman.lori.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5026
5. Lauren Book:  book.lauren.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5035
6. Jim Boyd:  boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5020
7. Jennifer Bradley:  bradley.jennifer.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5006
8. Jason Brodeur:  brodeur.jason.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5010
9. Doug Broxson:  broxson.doug.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5001
10. Danny Burgess:  burgess.danny.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5023
11. Colleen Burton:  burton.colleen.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5012
12. Alexis Calatayud:  calatayud.alexis.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5038
13. Jay Collins:  collins.jay.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5014
14. Tracie Davis:  davis.tracie.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5005
15. Nick DiCeglie:  diceglie.nick.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5018
16. Ileana Garcia:  garcia.ileana.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5036
17. Erin Grall:  grall.erin.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5029
18. Joe Gruters:  gruters.joe.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5022
19. Gayle Harrell:  harrell.gayle.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5031
20. Ed Hooper:  hooper.ed.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5021
21. Travis Hutson:  hutson.travis.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5007
22. Blaise Ingoglia:  ingoglia.blaise.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5011
23. Shevrin Jones:  jones.shevrin.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5034
24. Jonathan Martin:  martin.jonathan.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5033
25. Debbie Mayfield:  mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5019
26. Rosalind Osgood:  osgood.rosalind.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5032
27. Kathleen Passidomo:  passidomo.kathleen.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5028
28. Keith Perry:  perry.keith.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5009
29. Jason Pizzo:  pizzo.jason.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5037
30. Tina Scott Polsky:  polsky.tina.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5030
31. Bobby Powell:  powell.bobby.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5024
32. Ana Maria Rodriguez:  rodriguez.anamaria.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5040
33. Darryl Rouson:  rouson.darryl.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5016
34. Corey Simon:  simon.corey.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5003
35. Linda Stewart:  stewart.linda.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5017
36. Geraldine Thompson:  thompson.geraldine.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5015
37. Victor Torres:  torres.victor.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5025
38. Jay Trumbull:  trumbull.jay.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5002
39. Tom Wright:  wright.tom.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5008
40. Clay Yarborough:  yarborough.clay.web@flsenate.gov  (850) 487-5004

Every email/call gets tallied.  Every respectful communication is an excellent opportunity to change a mind about our community with a lawmaker.  YOUR EFFORTS DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

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