Governor Ron DeSantis (R) vetoed four bills from June 26-July 2. The four bills are below:
SB 284, which would have “required state agencies to buy vehicles that use ethanol and biodiesel blended fuels, as well as natural gas fuel, when possible.”
- DeSantis did not provide a reason for the veto.
- As of July 2, Ballotpedia could not identify a response from the bill’s sponsors.
- The Florida House voted 115-1 to approve the bill on May 3. The Florida Senate voted 38-0 to approve the bill on May 3. Senator Jason Brodeur (R) introduced the legislation on Jan. 18.
SB 1478, which would have “revised criminal sentencing, including releasing an offender without bail under certain conditions.”
- DeSantis did not provide a reason for the veto.
- As of July 2, Ballotpedia could not identify a response from the bill’s sponsors.
- The Florida House voted 116-0 to approve the bill on May 3. The Florida Senate voted 40-0 to approve the bill on May 3. Senator Corey Simon (R) introduced the legislation on March 2.
HB 605, which would have “revised the eligibility criteria under which a person can petition a court to expunge a criminal history record if the court dismisses a charging document.”
- DeSantis did not provide a reason for the veto.
- Representative David Smith (R), one of the bill’s sponsors, said he was “committed to good justice reform policy that gives deserving Floridians second chances.”
- The Florida House voted 107-2 to approve the bill on April 13. The Florida Senate voted 38-0 to approve the bill on May 2. Representative David Smith and co-sponsors introduced the legislation on Feb. 3.
HB 1267, which would have revised “laws governing consumer finance loans,” including increasing the maximum interest rate to 36%.
- DeSantis said, “This increase in rates may result in additional consumer indebtedness and could exacerbate the pinch already being felt due to federal government-induced inflation.”
- As of July 2, Ballotpedia could not identify a response from the bill’s sponsors.
- The Florida House voted 96-18 to approve the bill on April 27. The Florida Senate voted 22-9 to approve the bill on May 1. Representative Juan Fernandez-Barquin (R) introduced the legislation on Feb. 28.
Overriding a gubernatorial veto requires a two-thirds vote from both chambers of the legislature. Florida is one of 36 states to require a two-thirds vote.
DeSantis has issued six vetoes in 2023. During the week of June 26-July 2, the nation’s governors issued 16 vetoes. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) issued the most with 11. Governors in 47 states vetoed no legislation. Democratic governors issued 11 of the 16 vetoes, while Republican governors issued five.
DeSantis has served as governor since Jan. 8, 2019. He vetoed 11 bills in 2022. Governors have issued 494 vetoes in 2023. Republican governors issued 262, while Democratic governors issued 232. Florida is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
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