BB - the LPF Bulletin Board
Libertarian Party of Florida Executive Committee => Committee Reports => Platform => Topic started by: platform on September 16, 2025, 03:36:35 PM
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Format below is not the best; can be found in better format here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xmHkxdm3vA2Eodn2Zd_inWxGx6nE7-tI/view?usp=drive_link
LP Florida Platform Committee
September 2025 Report
Chair: Karl Dickey Platform & Legislative Activities
Legislative Wing Activities
We attempted an informal online “getting to know you” meeting where only Karl & Michael showed up on 9/11. A formal meeting has been scheduled online for 9/28 @ 7PM Video call link: https://meet.google.com/aom-oyyg-rjz
Key Bills Analyzed:
This section will include bills we are focusing on that are of interest to our state Party.
I have re-set up my Tracker account with the Florida legislature to keep track of certain bills.
Here is a link to all the 2026 bills filed, so far: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2026 (see NOTES below for those I am reviewing)
2025 – 2026 FLORIDA LEGISLATURE INTERIM COMMITTEE MEETING SCHEDULE
October 2025 — Week of the 6th
October 2025 — Week of the 13th
November 2025 — Week of the 3 rd
November 2025 — Week of the 17th
December 2025 — Week of the 1 st
December 2025 — Week of the 8th
2026 REGULAR SESSION DATES
August 1, 2025: Deadline for filing claim bills (Senate Rule 4.81(2))
January 13, 2026 Noon: Regular Session convenes (Article III, section 3(b), State Constitution) deadline for filing bills for introduction (Senate Rule 3.7(1))
February 28: Motion to reconsider made and considered the same day (Senate Rule 6.4(4)). All bills are immediately certified (Senate Rule 6.8)
March 3, 2026: 50th day – Last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings (Senate Rule 2.9(2))
March 13, 2026: 60th day – Last day of Regular Session (Article III, section 3(d), State Constitution)
Direct Advocacy & Outreach:
Communications to Legislators/Staff: Going forward, I will summarize calls and emails made to legislative offices. Example: "Contacted the aides for all members of the House Judiciary Committee to provide our analysis on HB 123."
Coalition Building: In the future, I will note any engagement with allied, non-partisan groups. Example: "Met with Jodi from Florida Cannabis Action in Melbourne, Florida, re: 2026 legislative session”
Platform Wing Activities
This section focuses on the "principles" arm of our committee: developing and refining the LP Florida platform. We did hear from Lawrence Gillis regarding an amendment to the Florida Constitution and perhaps adding to our Platform, about "Presumption of Constitutionality". and will discuss at our 9/28 meeting.
Platform Amendment Cycle Status:
Nothing yet.
Proposals Under Active Review:
If there are any serious proposed changes to the LP Florida platform, we will include it/them here.
Platform Gaps Identified:
Here, we plan to include any legislative issues that reveal a weakness or gap in our current LP Florida platform.
Public Engagement & Candidate Support
Published Content:
None yet, officially, although I have and will include it in my Substack and other places, as per the LP Florida EC's direction.
LP Florida Candidate Support:
Candidates Supported: In the future, any names of LP Florida candidates I or the committee have assisted will be mentioned here.
Support Provided: In the future, we will mention that we provided candidate “John Doe” with our analysis on key tax bills, "Briefed candidate Jane Smith on the LP Florida's official platform regarding education policy."
Challenges & Roadblocks
Internal Challenges: In the future, I will include any internal challenges the committee will face. I have none to include now as we are just getting started.
External Challenges: In the future, I will include any challenges that the Florida legislature committee will be facing.
Goals for Next Month
Legislative Goals: Since the last day to file proposed bills for House members was August 1, 2025, identify those that are of Libertarian Party interest.
Platform Goals: Forthcoming
Outreach & Governance Goals: Forthcoming
NOTES:
Member
Bill #
Title
Plank Affected
Reasoning
Bills Potentially Opposed by Libertarians (Negative Interest)
SB30
Rate Filings for Property Insurers
Plank 1.1 ("We support a truly free-market economy with no government intervention.")
This bill likely increases the regulatory burden on insurance companies, potentially dictating how and when they can file for rate changes. From a libertarian perspective, this is a clear case of government interference in a private market. Such regulations can stifle competition, lead to market distortions, and ultimately harm consumers by creating an environment where insurers are less willing to do business in the state. The free market, not government mandates, should determine insurance rates.
SB36
Use of Professional Nursing Titles
Plank 1.1 (Free Market) and opposition to occupational licensing.
This bill appears to be a form of occupational licensing, restricting who can use certain professional titles. While framed as consumer protection, libertarians view such laws as government-enforced cartels that limit competition and restrict an individual's right to offer their services. It creates barriers to entry and can increase the cost of healthcare services without a demonstrable increase in quality or safety.
SB 38 & 40
Medicaid Providers & Parity for Nonnursing Services
Plank 3.3 ("We call for the repeal of all laws that give government the power to regulate or control the lives of individuals.")
These bills involve further regulation of the Medicaid system. While the LPF advocates for a separation of healthcare and state, any legislation that adds complexity, mandates, or new rules to government-run healthcare programs is a step in the wrong direction. Such bills tend to expand bureaucracy and increase state control over medical providers and the services offered to patients.
Karl
102
Taxation of Digital Goods and Services
This implies an expansion of the state sales tax to a new sector of the economy. Libertarians generally oppose the creation of new taxes or the expansion of existing ones.
130
Regulation of Public Camping
Titles like this often precede laws that criminalize homelessness and use state power to move vulnerable populations. This could be seen as an infringement on the use of public spaces and an inappropriate use of law enforcement.
150
Extreme Risk Protection Orders
This is common language for "red flag laws." Libertarians strongly oppose such laws as a violation of Second Amendment rights and, critically, the right to due process, as they allow for the seizure of property without a criminal conviction.
202
Government Regulation of Social Media Platforms
While concerned about censorship, libertarians generally oppose government mandates on how private companies moderate content, viewing it as a violation of the platforms' rights of property and free association.
SB454
Telephone Solicitation
Plank 2.2 ("Governmental intrusions into the personal lives of individuals... are anathema to a free society.")
This bill aims to expand the regulation of "telephone solicitation." While unsolicited calls are a nuisance, libertarians argue that expanding government's power to regulate private, non-fraudulent communication is a dangerous overreach. The preferred solution would be private and technology-based (e.g., call-blocking services), not state coercion. This represents an attempt to use state power to solve a problem that the market is already addressing.
SB438
Food and Hemp Products
Plank 1.1
This bill likely imposes new regulations, labeling requirements, or restrictions on the sale of food and hemp products. Any such intervention distorts the free market, increases compliance costs for small businesses, and limits consumer choice. This runs directly counter to the LPF's advocacy for "the unhampered and unregulated exchange of goods and services."
SB432
Power of County Commissioners to Levy Special Assessments
Plank 1.4 ("The LPF advocates the repeal of all laws which empower government to take the property of any person.")
"Special assessments" are a form of taxation tied to property, often levied without direct voter approval for specific projects. Expanding this power allows county governments to place new financial burdens on property owners, infringing on their property rights. This is fundamentally opposed to the libertarian principle that individuals should keep the fruits of their labor and property.
CS/CS/HB 113
Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Law Enforcement Officer
Plank 2.3 ("We call for the repeal of all laws that create criminal offenses for actions that do not violate the rights of others.")
While eluding law enforcement is a serious issue, bills that increase penalties or broaden the definition of this offense must be scrutinized carefully. The concern is the potential for disproportionate punishment and the creation of "stacked" charges that give prosecutors undue leverage. Libertarians advocate for a justice system focused on restoring victims, not simply enhancing the power of the state over individuals who may not have harmed anyone.
CS/CS/HB 1121
Unmanned Aircraft and Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Plank 1.1 / 2.4
This bill, dealing with drones, almost certainly expands government's power to regulate their use by private citizens and businesses. Libertarians are deeply concerned with how such technology could be used for warrantless surveillance. Furthermore, imposing a complex regulatory framework on a nascent industry like commercial drone use can stifle innovation and create barriers to entry for entrepreneurs.
Bills Potentially Supported by Libertarians (Positive Interest)
SB44
Electronic Payment of Public Records Fees
While a minor process bill, this is a net positive. Libertarians believe that government should be transparent and accountable to the people. Making it easier and more convenient for citizens and journalists to access public records by allowing electronic payments is a small but important step toward reducing friction in government oversight. It modernizes access and removes a needless bureaucratic hurdle.
110
Deregulation of Professions and Occupations
This title suggests a reform of occupational licensing laws. Libertarians support such efforts as they remove government barriers to entry, promoting the right to earn a living and fostering free-market competition.
124
Expansion of School Choice Programs
This likely relates to expanding voucher or scholarship programs, which aligns with the libertarian principle of separating school and state and empowering parents with educational choice.
Karl
190
Limitations on Civil Asset Forfeiture
Civil asset forfeiture is viewed by libertarians as a form of government theft that circumvents due process. Any bill aiming to limit or abolish this practice would be a high-priority item to support.
220
Repeal of Certain Special Taxing Districts
This suggests a reduction in the layers of government and taxation, which is a core libertarian goal. Dissolving quasi-governmental entities with the power to tax is seen as a positive step.
Bills Requiring Close Monitoring
SB32
Injunctions for Protection in Cases of Repeat or Serious Violence
Plank 2.1 ("...no law should be passed abridging the right of individuals to keep and bear arms...") and concerns for due process.
This bill needs careful scrutiny. On one hand, protecting individuals from violence is a legitimate function of the justice system. On the other hand, the process for issuing injunctions can be fraught with due process concerns. The committee must examine whether this bill allows for the suspension of rights (including Second Amendment rights) without a full and fair hearing, or if it creates a system that could be easily abused for personal disputes.
SB42
Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective Investigations
Plank 3.1 ("We believe that parents, or other legal guardians, have the right and responsibility to raise their children according to their own standards and beliefs.")
This is a high-stakes issue. The bill could be positive if it limits the ability of Child Protective Services to intervene based on controversial or questionable medical diagnoses, thereby protecting parental rights from overreach. Conversely, it could be extremely negative if it expands the list of specific diagnoses that automatically trigger state intervention, potentially undermining the rights of parents to make medical decisions for their children.
SB142
Consumer Data Privacy
This is a double-edged sword. Libertarians support individual privacy but are wary of new regulatory frameworks that could burden businesses, stifle innovation, or give the government new tools for surveillance. The key question is whether it protects citizens from the government as well as from corporations.
SB166
Statewide Land Use and Zoning Preemption
Could be positive if it overrides restrictive local zoning laws to protect property rights. Conversely, it could be negative if it imposes a top-down, statewide land-use plan, removing local control and flexibility.
Karl
SB178
Revisions to the Medical Marijuana Program
This could be positive if it deregulates the market and expands patient access. It could be negative if it adds more state controls, taxes, or limitations on doctors and patients.
SB214
Emergency Management Powers
A critical topic. This bill could either place much-needed restrictions on the emergency powers of the executive branch (a positive) or codify and expand them (a negative). This would be a top priority for careful review.