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April 24, 2025Bill Creating Aggravating Factor for Victims that are Public Leaders Nears Final Passage
HB 653, sponsored by Representative Jeff Holcomb (R-Spring Hill), was passed by the full House on Thursday, April 24 by a 99-13 vote. The measure would add a new aggravating factor if the victim was a head of state, or bystander in an attempt to kill a head of state. The bill has been sent to the Senate for final passage.
Companion, SB 776, sponsored by Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill), was passed 15-3 by its final committee of reference, Fiscal Policy, on Tuesday, April 22. Joe Harmon, policy coordinator, shared FCCB's opposition to the bill's expansion of the death penalty. Harmon acknowledged the gravity of the crime of assassinating a political leader. However, the conference opposes the death penalty as a remedy for this crime. It is not a good solution for the state to take a human life. The bill has been placed on the Senate Special Order Calendar for Tuesday, April 29.
Senate Gives Final Passage to Aggravating Factor for Victims Gathered in a Group
A measure that would add a new aggravating factor to the application of the death penalty when the victim was gathered with one or more persons for school activities, religious activities, or public government meetings reached final passage on Thursday, April 24. Senators voted 32-5 to approve HB 693, sponsored by Representative Mike Redondo (R-Miami), which was passed by the full House 96-10 on April 3. Senator Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) sponsored the senate companion, SB 984.
FCCB recognizes that these terrible and tragic crimes are gravely evil but opposes the legislation. In particular, there is good reason to doubt the deterrence effect when in so many cases that the perpetrator is a deeply disturbed individual who intends to die in the act. Life imprisonment without the possibility of parole already serves a severe punishment and protects the public.
HB 693 will be sent to the governor for approval.