Anti-riot bill heading to the House floor, fate in Senate remains uncertain

Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin

With some changes that make it less drastic, backers have pushed a bill aimed at punishing violent protesters through its last committee stop and to the floor of the Florida House of Representatives.

The House Judiciary Committee on March 10 passed HB 1 – titled Combating Public Disorder and sponsored by Rep. Juan Fernandez-Barquin, R-Miami – on a 14-7 party-line vote. That was the last committee stop before the measure goes to the House floor.