MOMS

Melony M. Bell

This bill establishes a 4 year statute of limitation on certain types of lawsuits against home building contractors, while also reducing the statute of repose from 10 to 7 years. Support is Moms For America's position as this measure helps maintain housing affordability by reducing frivolous construction related litigation which drives up costs for developers and consumers.

Reducing Frivolous Litigation by Shortening the Statute of Limitations for Construction-Related Lawsuits

This bill bans automobile manufacturers from selling cars directly to consumers (with a carveout to select electric vehicle manufacturers) as well as enacts numerous new regulations concerning the contracting agreements between manufacturers and dealers. For example, the bill requires manufacturers to provide dealers an 8% cut of any revenue they receive through remote upgrades to vehicles, places controls on vehicle pricing agreements, and regulates the vehicle ordering process. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this measure represents one of the very worst examples of cronyism and utilization of government power to enrich one party (dealerships) at the expense of another party (manufactures) in contracting agreements which should be privately negotiated without any government involvement. Furthermore, forcing consumes to go through dealers (middlemen) instead of giving them the option to buy direct from manufacturers hikes vehicle costs by thousands of dollars, while also providing select EV manufacturers a competitive advantage.

Hiking New Car Prices by Blocking Manufacturers from Selling Directly to Consumers and Imposing Dozens of New Mandates to Enrich Automobile Dealerships.

This bill dedicates $100 million annually the Department of Environmental Protection to continually purchase additional land for the Florida Forever conservation and recreation program. The state is currently tasked with managing and maintaining over 4 million acres of land under its control. This is further worsened through other measures such as SB 106, which provided $200 million to the Department of Transportation for Florida Shared-Use Nonmotorized Trail Network projects such as trails and bike paths. Oppose is Moms For America's position as the private sector is best equipped to manage and maximize land utilization - including for conservation purposes. Further growing government control and ownership of land merely drives up taxpayer costs and leads to further government spending initiatives, such as SB 106 which forces taxpayers to spend $200 million to create trails and bike paths on the state's ballooning land holdings.

Further Growing Government's Unsustainable Land Holdings through a $100 Million Annual Appropriation to the Florida Forever Program.

This bill establishes new regulations on the warranty offerings of manufacturers of Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems. Under the bill, manufacturers may no longer provide warranty offerings that are tied to an individual, rather they may only offer warranties that are tied to properties and are transferable. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this measure further grows the government regulatory state to now dictate the private warranty offerings of manufactures. As a result, consumers will likely no longer be able to enjoy extended-term, lifetime and other promotional warranty options that companies may offer due to the reduced percentage of long-term product ownership by one individual.

Imposing New Government Mandates on HVAC System Manufacturer Warranties which Limit Consumer Options.

This bill prohibits public colleges and universities from utilizing state or federal funds on programs or activities that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion or political or social activism. Support is Moms For America's position as while this bill may raise concerns over government moderation of speech on campus, taxpayers should not be forced to pay for college and university operational costs in the first place - especially for politicized activities. Such actions have led to the creation of countless worthless degree programs and administration waste which are born at the expense of individuals who chose to enter the trades or business and not pursue a degree.

Protecting Taxpayer Funds from Being Utilized for Politicized "Diversity Equity and Inclusion" (DEI) Programs at Public College Campuses

This bill prohibits a public employer from requiring a postsecondary degree as a baseline requirement. Instead, degrees may only be utilized as an alternative to the number of years of direct experience required for a position. Support is Moms For America's position as government hiring decisions should be based on recruitment of the most talented and qualified applicant for the position. Degree requirements are especially unnecessary in recent years due to the growing number of programs that are politicized and fail to equip students for real-world employment and careers.

Ensuring Government Can Hire the Most Qualified and Talented Employees by Prohibiting Agencies from Requiring College Degrees.

This tort reform bill makes several changes designed to limit lawsuit abuse by reforming the state's civil legal system. Specifically, the bill places caps on attorney's fees in certain cases, reduces the statute of limitations for negligence from 4 to 2 years, and reforms standards for comparative negligence cases Support is Moms For America's position as this bill is designed to reduce frivolous lawsuits and lawsuit abuse, which places significant financial harm on businesses and individuals through exorbitant liability insurance premiums.

Improving the State's Business Climate by Reducing the Statute of Limitation for Negligence Claims, Capping Plaintiff's Attorney Fees and Other Legal Reforms.

The Eskamani amendment #531629 to a bill relating to sex-reassignment procedures allows taxpayer funds to be utilized to provide sex-reassignment procedures or hormone therapies. Oppose is Moms For America's position as while adults should have the freedom to obtain such services, taxpayers should not be forced to pay for sex change operations.

Forcing Taxpayers to Fund Sex-Reassignment Procedures and Hormone Therapies

This bill expands eligibility for the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to all residents and eliminates household income restrictions. Support is Moms For America's position as this bill improves educational outcomes for all students by fostering competition and a market in education, which encourages schools to provide the best education so they can attract parents to enroll their child and receive the associated funding.

Improving Educational Outcomes by Expanding School Choice Under the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program to all Families.

This bill known as the "Prescription Drug Reform Act" imposes a series of new regulations on Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and drug companies. For example, manufacturers must report to the government if the price of one of their drugs increases by more than 15% and PBMs must abide by multiple new provisions in their contracting agreements with local pharmacies as well as meet various insurance and reporting requirements. Oppose is Moms For America's position as the nation witnessed first-hand the disastrous consequences and cost of growing government regulatory power in healthcare (i.e. Obamacare). Instead of working to promote a freer market through regulatory reduction, lawmakers added a series of new layers of regulations through this measure, including utilizing government to provide local pharmacies with more favorable outcomes in their private contract negotiations with PBMs.

Growing Government Regulatory Power within the Pharmaceutical Industry by Imposing a Series of New Mandates on Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Drug Companies.

This bill, part of the "Let Kids be Kids" legislative package, helps increase school choice by allowing private charter school, virtual school, and home school students participate in sports and other extracurricular activities at other public or private schools, regardless of zip code. Support is Moms For America's position as this bill improves educational outcomes by removing a barrier which may have prevented families from pursuing school choice.

Reducing a Barrier to School Choice by Ensuring Charter School Students May Participate in Extracurricular Activities.

This bill establishes a "Digital Bill of Rights" through a series of new regulations on tech companies that generate over a billion dollars in revenue. The bill's provisions cover issues ranging from content moderation, targeted advertising, search engine operations and data privacy with expanded opt-out rules. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this bill further grows government power and the regulatory state. While there is a role of government to protect individuals from fraudulent practices this overreach significantly limits the ability of tech companies to provide targeted and low-cost advertising to consumers. Additionally, the bill applies the regulations to only certain companies resulting in market manipulation and competitive advantages.

Imposing a Series of New Costly and Overreaching Government Regulations on Large Tech Companies through a "Digital Bill of Rights".

This resolution amends the state Constitution to require a vote of two-thirds (66.67%) of the electorate as opposed to three-fifths (60%) of the electorate for citizen-led amendments. Support is Moms For America's position as this measure helps protect the constitutional amendment process from abuse by special interests and other groups that seek to grow the size and scope of government. In recent years the amendment process has been utilized to raise the state's minimum wage and ban off-shore oil and gas drilling.

Protecting the State's Constitutional Amendment Process from Abuse by Raising the Citizen-led Threshold for Amendments to Two-Thirds Support (Currently 60%).

The Lopez amendment #239391 to the "human smuggling" section of the immigration enforcement bill. This amendment exempts a large number of individuals and entities from criminal penalties for willfully smuggling an individual unlawfully into the country, including charity and faith-based service providers, public and private commercial transportation providers, healthcare providers, and family members. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this amendment serves as a major loophole for entities to advance illegal immigration and creates additional avenues for human trafficking. A recent investigation by the Heritage Foundation's oversight project uncovered an enormous operation being conducted by Catholic Charities to aid illegal immigrants and move migrants across the county.

Fueling Human Trafficking by Creating a Series of Loopholes Under the Immigration Enforcement Bill.

This bill requires the Florida Department of Transportation to start regulating and inspecting the Monorail transit system at the Walt Disney World theme parks. This measure would mark the first time the system has been subjected to regulations since its establishment over 50 years ago and has been operating without any safety incidents in nearly 15 years. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this bill harms the private sector by further growing the size and scope of the government regulatory state. All individuals and private businesses should be free to express their views as protected under the 1stAmendment - and face the repercussions of their actions in the marketplace. Disney has lost billions of dollars since its public opposition to a bill which strengthened parental rights in education. This bill establishes a dangerous precedent in which government is grown and weaponized to attack free speech and political opponents.

Weakening Government Integrity by Imposing New Regulations on Disney's Monorail to Advance a Political Agenda.

This bill prohibits local governments from enacting ordinances which ban an individual from owning a dog due to its size or weight. Additionally, the bill nullifies the grandfathered breed restrictions of Miami-Dade County and the City of Sunrise. Support is Moms For America's position as individuals should have the freedom to own and care for the dog of their choice. Restrictions on dog breed and other characteristics oftentimes result in the placement of dogs in taxpayer-funded shelters and euthanasia.

Combatting Government Overreach by Prohibiting Local Governments from Enacting Ordinances Which Bans Dog Ownership on the Basis of Size or Weight.

This bill allows landlords to offer residential tenants the option to pay a fee instead of a security deposit or to pay a security deposit in monthly installments as part of a rental agreement. Support is Moms For America's position as this measure strengthens the freedom to contract, and provides landlords and tenants greater flexibility to set housing agreements based on their individual needs.

Expanding the Freedom to Contract by Allowing Landlords to Offer Residential Tenants the Option to Pay a Fee in Lieu of a Security Deposit.

This resolution amends the state's Constitution to establish a right to hunt and fish, including the use of "traditional methods," which will be presented before voters in the 2024 election. Support is Moms For America's position as government should not unduly infringe the right to responsibly and humanely hunt and fish, and this measure protects those liberties.

Protecting the Right to Hunt and Fish through a State Constitutional Amendment.

This bill includes multiple provisions which strengthen "right to work" protections for public employees. For example, the bill no longer allows dues to be deducted from workers' paychecks, instead requiring members to make their payments to unions. Additionally, the bill requires recertification of unions whose membership includes fewer than 60 percent of employees. The bill includes exemptions for certain public-sector unions such as law enforcement Support is Moms For America's position as while the state should not collectively bargain with any union as such action unnecessarily drives up taxpayer costs, this measure helps reduce labor union power and strengthens the "right to work".

Strengthening "Right to Work" Protections for Public Employees through a Prohibition on Deducting Union Dues from Paychecks and Bargaining Agent Recertification.

This bill establishes restrictions on the advertising practices that some trial attorneys have utilized to draw customers for cases relating to medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Under the bill, legal service ads may not use language such as "medical alert" or "health alert," or use state of federal government logos. The bill is in response to some ads that made unfounded claims about products and scared individuals into discontinuing their medications. Support is Moms For America's position as while the U.S. Constitution rightfully protects free speech, government also has a role to prevent defamation and ensure that the legal system is protected from abuse. Reforms such as this measure help improve the state's legal and business climate which has a reputation of being a "judicial hell hole".

Improving the State's Legal Climate through Restrictions on Misleading Medical-Related Advertisements which Spark Frivolous Litigation.

This bill allows healthcare providers, and payors to opt out of providing a healthcare service due to a sincerely held religious, moral, or ethical belief. Support is Moms For America's position as businesses and individuals should have the freedom to contract and not be forced to provide a services that violates their beliefs. Unfortunately, this bill only serves as a step in the right direction as it contains a negative provision which infringes the contracting rights of private companies by forcing them to retain employees who refuse do perform their job because of their belief.

Protecting Religious Liberties of Healthcare Providers and Insurers by Establishing a "Right of Medical Conscience".

This bill serves as a proactive attempt to block Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDC) issued by the U.S. Federal Reserve System. The bill prohibits CBDC issued by the federal government from being regulated as money under the Florida Uniform Commercial Code. Support is Moms For America's position as President Biden issued an executive order to study creation of such a currency under the guise of protecting consumers from decentralized cryptocurrencies and a way to crack down on financial crimes. The creation of a CBDC serves as an existential threat to individual liberties and privacy and will further grow government control over the economy. The Fed has already placed the U.S. dollar in dire jeopardy of destruction through its reckless quantitative easing and expansionary practices.

Combatting Increased Government Control and Surveillance by Prohibiting Recognition of Federal "Central Bank Digital Currency" as Money Under State Law.

The Eskamani amendment #286229 to the "Heartbeat Protection Act," which prohibits abortions after six weeks in most cases. Under existing law, certain information must be provided by a physician to a woman at least 24 hours before performing an abortion, such as the nature and medical risks of the procedure and the probable gestational age of the fetus. This amendment removes the requirement that this information be provided at least 24 hours before performing the abortion. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this measure eliminates a critical requirement that may help a woman decide to choose life. All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.

Eliminating the Requirement that Certain Information be Provided by a Physician At Least 24 Hours Prior to an Abortion

This bill authorizes counties and municipalities to deploy speed cameras on roadways designated as school zones. Motorists would receive fines for exceeding a posted speed limit by 10mph. Oppose is Moms For America's position as these systems have been abused by countless local governments across the nation to produce revenue, many of which place such devices not at spots closest to schools but at locations most likely to catch speeders. Additionally, the significant increases in automated traffic systems brings up valid concerns regarding civil liberties and the growth of government tracking and surveillance.

Growing the Surveillance State and Authorizing "Taxation through Citation" by Allowing Local Governments to Deploy Speed Cameras in School Zones.

This bill expands the timeframe for newborns to be surrendered to a hospital or fire station from 7 days to 30 days after birth. Additionally, the bill allows such locations to utilize newborn infant safety devices (drop boxes). Support is Moms For America's position as this measure strengthens an alternative to abortion. All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.

Providing an Alternative to Abortion by Expanding the State's "Safe Haven" Law to Allow Newborns to Be Surrendered up to 30 Days After Birth.

This bill prohibits localities from imposing any additional regulations on landlord-tenant relationships than what is already permitted by the state. This preemption bill includes issues relating to security deposits, rental applications and fees, and lease terms and conditions. Support is Moms For America's position as this measure protects against local government overreach when infringes contracting rights and ultimately drives up housing costs and rental rates. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

Combatting Government Overreach by Preventing Localities from Imposing Additional Regulations on Landlord-Tenant Contracts.

This bill expands coverage under Medicaid (government-provided healthcare) to now include continuous glucose monitors, as opposed to just the less costly traditional monitors and test strips. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this bill further traps individuals into government dependency by growing benefits under the government welfare state. Enrollment in Florida's Medicaid system has ballooned to 5.5 million individuals with spending on the program spiraling to $35 billion a year or nearly a third of the entire state budget.

Increasing Government Dependency by Expanding the Medicaid Welfare Program to Now Cover Continuous Glucose Monitors

This bill is designed to curb illegal immigration by implementing a series of new policies. For example, the bill prohibits local governments from issuing ID cards to those residing in the country unlawfully, enhances penalties for human trafficking, requires DNA samples from those subject to federal detainers, and increases E-Verify requirements. Support is Moms For America's position as the promotion of an open-border immigration system places an immense strain on U.S. infrastructure and taxpayer resources, ranging from welfare to the education system, while also creating serious national security and human trafficking issues. Lawmakers should focus on growing the U.S. economy through reforms to the immigration system that both increase the number of skilled individuals who may enter and work in our country and reduce human trafficking across our borders.

Strengthening National Security through a Series of New Policies to Combat Illegal Immigration and Human Trafficking

This bill further expands the application of the state's expungement law, which currently allows criminals to expunge one of their records in their lifetime. Under this bill, a criminal can expunge an additional record if the first one they expunged was as a minor. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this prevents individuals, particularly employers and landlords, from considering and protecting themselves from repeat criminals in their homes, businesses, and communities. Unfortunately, this bill represents one of many so-called criminal justice "reforms" which have led to skyrocketing crime rates and are being advanced in state legislatures by George Soros and other left-leaning Billionaires through their funding of liberal - and even some conservative - advocacy organizations.

Weakening Public Safety by Limiting the Ability of Communities to Protect Themselves from Repeat Criminals by Expanding the State's Expungement Law.

This bill authorizes "veterinary telemedicine", or the ability of a licensed veterinarian to connect with a pet owner over the internet or video call and prescribe medication. The bill repeals an outdated law which prevents the prescribing of medication without physically examining an animal. Support is Moms For America's position as this bill helps save the lives of animals and lower pet ownership costs by repealing an outdated law which is especially costly and burdensome for animal shelters and rural pet owners.

Expanding Competition and Lowering Costs for Pet Owners by Authorizing Veterinary Telemedicine

This bill expands the size of the Florida State Guard (FSG) from 400 to 1,500 members and makes the unit permanent (previously set to expire July 1). The bill also creates a specialized unit that is authorized to carry arms and assist law enforcement. The FSG is made up of volunteers and serves as an additional to Florida's National Guard. Support is Moms For America's position as the promotion of an open-border immigration system by the Federal government has placed an immense strain on taxpayer resources and this unit is necessary to bolster law enforcement, combat human trafficking and improve the state's response in national disasters.

Strengthening State and National Security by Expanding the Size of the Florida State Guard and Improving Cooperation with Law Enforcement.

The Bartleman amendment #010837 to a bill pertaining to the minimum age for firearm transfers. Under this amendment, individuals may no longer receive a firearm through a family transfer until they are 21 years of age (currently 18 years of age. Oppose is Moms For America's position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This government overreach could create significant issues in cases of estates and the transfer of family heirlooms.

Advancing Government Overreach by No Longer Allowing an Individual Under 21 from Receiving a Firearm through a Family Transfer (Family Heirlooms).

This bill, part of the "Let Kids be Kids" package, prohibits children under 18 years of age from receiving sex-reassignment procedures or puberty blockers until they reach the age of consent. Support is Moms For America's position as it is a role of government to protect children from abuse and physical harm. Irreversible decisions such as sex-reassignments should not be made until an individual reaches the age of consent.

Protecting Children Under 18 from Sex-Reassignment Surgeries and Prescriptions with Irreversible Implications Until they are Old Enough to Consent.

This bill implements a series of reforms to usage of the "Brady List" (tracks officer misconduct across the country) by law enforcement agencies. For example, the bill prohibits agencies from firing or taking disciplinary action against an officer solely because of their inclusion on the list, as well as provides officers the ability to petition the court to remove their name. Support is Moms For America's position as this measure strengthens government integrity and due process rights, while helping ensure good officers are not harmed by unjust actions in anti-police jurisdictions and also ensuring bad actors are known and accounted for.

Increasing Government Integrity and Due Process for Law Enforcement Officers Accused of Misconduct through Reforms to the "Brady List".

This bill prohibits localities from banning or restricting g the use of gas stoves, grills and other appliances fueled by natural gas. Support is Moms For America's position as a number of local governments across the country have infringed the rights of their residents to utilize natural gas in order to advance a politized environmental agenda. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

Combatting Government Overreach by Preventing Local Government Bans Gas-Powered Stoves and Other Appliances.

This bill, known as the "Live Local Act," appropriates $711 million in taxpayer funds to fund various "affordable housing" initiatives. The bill including $259 million in loans to certain developers and a sales tax credit of up to $5,000 for materials used to build affordable housing units. Oppose is Moms For America's position as not only does this bill fuel cronyism by enriching select developers through government central planning, but also represents a roughly $34.00 unnecessary tax burden on every one of Florida's 22 million residents. Instead of growing government and central planning, lawmakers should empower the free market to make housing truly "affordable" by reducing stringent zoning regulations which a recent study by Florida State University found has significantly driven up housing costs.

Forcing Taxpayers to Spend $711 Million on Various Government "Affordable Housing" Programs to Enrich Select Developers and Special Interests

This bill repeals a limitation placed on the size of individual wine containers. Prior law generally prohibited the sale of wine to consumers in containers larger than 1 gallon. Support is Moms For America's position as government should not infringe individual liberties and drive up consumer costs through anti-competitive measures which limit alcohol sales.

Expanding Consumer Choice and Reducing Anti-Competitive Regulations by Repealing the Size Limit of Individual Wine Containers

This bill prohibits local governments from taking actions which prevent residential property owners from placing temporary shelters on their property for up to 36 months following property damage due to a natural disaster. The property owner must make a good faith effort to rebuild their home during this time period. Support is Moms For America's position as this measure strengthens property rights and helps protect individuals from unnecessary government burdens as they work to rebuild from a natural disaster.

Strengthening Property Rights by Preventing Local Government Bans on Temporary Shelters Following a Hurricane or Other Natural Disaster.

This bill contains a number of provisions that are designed to prevent wrongdoing by voter registration groups. For example, the bill prohibits organizations from mailing pre-filled voter registration applications and permits only U.S. citizens to collect the applications. Support is Moms For America's position as maintaining safeguards to prevent voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic

Strengthening Election Integrity through a Series of Reforms to Prevent Wrongdoing by Voter Registration Groups.

The Franklin amendment #212971 to the "Heartbeat Protection Act," which prohibits abortions after six weeks in most cases. This amendment provides that for an abortion after six weeks due to a fatal fetal abnormality, only one physician is required to certify the fetal abnormality, as opposed to two. Oppose is Moms For America's position as this measure weakens a critical protection against abortion by anti-life physicians. All abortions are tragedies and every child deserves the right to life.

Weakening the Heartbeat Protection Act by Requiring One Physician (Instead of Two) to Certify a Fatal Fetal Abnormality for Abortion After Six Weeks.

This resolution amends the state's Constitution to require partisan school board elections, which will be presented before voters in the 2024 election. Under existing law, the state has non-partisan school boards. Support is Moms For America's position as this bill helps increase transparency of school board candidates and their beliefs, ultimately empowering parents to select the candidate who best aligns with their views. Such information is critical for voters considering how large an impact school board decisions have on students and society, and the fact such decisions have increasingly fallen along political lines.

Increasing Transparency and Parental Control over Education through a Constitutional Amendment to Transition to Partisan School Board Elections.

This bill establishes a series of new regulations pertaining to the usage of titles such as "Doctor" and "Physician". The bill is primarily intended to prohibit optometrists from calling themselves physicians, as part of the "eyeball wars" between optometrists and ophthalmologists who are medical doctors specializing in eyecare. Oppose is Moms For America's position as like many other measures pertaining to title protection, product labeling, and licensing, this bill is primarily designed to utilize government power to restrict competition. The private sector through license issuance, certification and review systems is best equipped to protect and educate consumers on the most qualified and competent individuals in their respective fields.

Invoking Government Overreach into the Private Sector Concerning the Usage of the Term "Physician" as Part of the "Eyeball Wars" between Optometrists and Ophthalmologists.

This bill, part of the "Let Kids be Kids" package, expands the prohibition enacted last year on discussion of sexual orientation and gender identity in K-3 classrooms to now include K-8 classrooms. Support is Moms For America's position as strong parental rights in their child's education is a critical element of a free society. This measure prevents discussion of sensitive topics in which it is the role of parents to address with their child, not government employees.

Strengthening Integrity of the Education System by Prohibiting Discussion of Sensitive Issues Surrounding Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in K-8 Classrooms.

This bill requires local governments to produce a "business impact estimate" before enacting an ordinance. These estimates must contain information on the direct economic impact, compliance cost, and government regulatory cost of the ordinance. Support is Moms For America's position as this measure helps combat government overreach and growth by increasing transparency surrounding the impact new ordinances will have on local communities.

Combatting Overregulation by Local Governments by Requiring Business Impact Estimates Before Localities Enact Ordinances.

This bill, part of the "Let Kids be Kids" package, requires educational institutions, detention facilities, and public buildings with a restroom or changing facility to designate separate facilities based on biological sex at birth or to provide one-person unisex facilities. Support is Moms For America's position as this measure helps strengthen safety and privacy in restrooms and locker rooms at educational facilities, prisons and other locations across the state.

Strengthening Safety and Privacy in the Restrooms of Schools, Prisons and State Buildings by Requiring Usage to be Based on Biological Sex (Male or Female) at Birth.

This bill makes several changes to pretrial bail release laws. For example the bill prohibits judicial circuits from establishing local bond amounts that are less than the uniform statewide amounts, while also prohibiting a person from being released before appearing before a judge if they were arrested for a felony and already on probation or arrested at least three times in the last six months for the same offense. Support is Moms For America's position as upholding law and order and ensuring public safety serve as essential functions of government. This measure is especially necessary considering the rising crime rates that have resulted from catch-and-release policies and poorly crafted criminal justice "reforms".

Strengthening Public Safety by Reforming Pre-Trial Bail Laws to Combat "Catch-and-Release" Practices

This bill makes a number of reforms to the state's Consumer Finance Law, including raising the maximum allowable interest rate on consumer loans from 30% to 36%. The bill is designed to slightly loosen government restrictions and price controls on interest due to high inflation and national interest rates. Support is Moms For America's position as the free-market - not government price controls - is the best mechanism to ensure the lowest borrowing rates and greatest available credit options for all borrowers. This slight regulatory relief will help expand borrowing and lending opportunities.

Expanding Borrowing and Lending Opportunities by Raising the Maximum Allowable Interest Rate on Consumer Loans from 30% to 36%.

This bill strengthens the ability of the Office of Statewide Prosecution (OSP) to prosecute election-related crimes. The bill clarifies OSP has the power to prosecute any crime involving voter registration, petition activities for a referendum, a candidate for federal or state office, or voting in an election if the crime falls in more than one judicial circuit. Support is Moms For America's position as combatting and prosecuting voter fraud is a critical aspect of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Increasing Election Integrity by Strengthening the Ability of the State to Prosecute Election-Related Crimes

This bill prevents state employees and officers from downloading or accessing TikTok or other applications controlled by U.S. foreign adversaries such as China or Russia on state devices or networks. Support is Moms For America's position as the installation of such systems poses a significant and unnecessary threat to state and federal networks. Additionally, state employees should not be utilizing government equipment to access entertainment apps such as TikTok.

Strengthening National Security by Banning TikTok and Other Chinese Government-Owned Applications from Being Accessed on State-Issued Devices or Networks.

This bill authorizes qualifying adults 21 years and older to carry a concealed firearm without having to obtain a special permit from the state - a measure commonly referred to as "constitutional carry". Support is Moms For America's position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This measure helps reduce unnecessary barriers for lawful individuals wishing to exercise their Second Amendment rights, barriers which do nothing to deter criminals from engaging in unlawful behavior.

Strengthening Second Amendment Rights by Enacting "Constitutional Carry" thus Allowing Qualified Adults 21 and Older to Carry a Concealed Firearm without a Special Permit