Staff Reports
A bill aimed at speeding up the handling of political redistricting court cases cut it close Tuesday, clearing its second Senate committee by a 4-3 party-line vote.
The legislation (SB 352) was OK’d by the Senate Ethics and Election Committee, with all three Democrats on the panel voting no.
The bill is a response to court challenges over the state’s redrawn districts after the 2010 Census.
“The Florida Supreme Court issued eight separate apportionment opinions, the trial court issued additional opinions, and litigation spanned nearly 4 years in the state courts,” a staff analysis said.
“The litigation often proved confusing to candidates hoping to qualify and run for office because the candidates were uncertain where the district boundaries were located,” it added.
The bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Travis Hutson of Elkton, will next be considered by the Rules Committee.
