Florida Legislature May Abandon Monuments and Flags Bills for Current Session

Controversial bills aimed at preserving historical monuments and regulating the display of flags in public spaces have hit a roadblock in the Florida Senate, according to Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. Passidomo, a Republican from Naples, stated that she does not anticipate any progress on the monuments bill, while the flags bill remains stuck in an inactive committee.

The monuments bill, also known as SB 1122, seeks to protect historical monuments from removal or destruction on public property. However, the bill has faced controversy due to concerns that it may prevent the removal of Confederate memorials. Last week, Passidomo expressed doubts about the bill’s future after lawmakers voiced outrage over remarks made by supporters during a committee meeting on February 6. Senator Jennifer Bradley, a Republican from Fleming Island, described some of these comments as “vile” and “bigoted.”

Passidomo appeared to confirm the demise of the monuments bill when questioned by a reporter, stating that it had been “weaponized” by both sides and that she did not envision its return. She clarified that the bill itself is harmless if read objectively, but the divisive rhetoric surrounding it troubled her. Senator Jonathan Martin, a Republican from Fort Myers and the bill’s sponsor, argued during the February 6 meeting that his proposal aimed to protect all “American monuments” that had been torn down in recent years, rather than specifically targeting any particular group.

Governor Ron DeSantis has been supportive of efforts to preserve monuments and has not explicitly mentioned the Confederacy in relation to the bill. However, controversies have arisen in places like Jacksonville regarding the removal of Confederate monuments. The House version of the bill, HB 395, successfully passed its initial committee last month.

The flags bill, known as SB 1120 and also sponsored by Senator Martin, has sparked further controversy. Critics argue that the bill seeks to limit the display of LGBTQ pride flags. It proposes prohibiting government agencies, public schools, colleges, and universities from flying any flag that represents a political viewpoint, including those associated with partisan politics, race, sexual orientation, gender, or political ideology.

Unfortunately, the flags bill encountered a setback on February 6 when it stalled in the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee. The committee ran out of time, as Martin was occupied with the monuments bill in the Community Affairs Committee. Passidomo confirmed that the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee will not reconvene before the legislative session ends on March 8.

Governor DeSantis has also expressed support for the flags bill. A House version of the bill, HB 901, passed through a subcommittee last month.

As these controversial bills face obstacles in the Florida Senate, their future remains uncertain. However, the debates surrounding them have highlighted the deep divisions and passionate arguments on both sides of these contentious issues.