‘Trooper’s Law’ heads to governor’s desk

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Trooper’s Law, inspired by the Florida canine abandoned during Hurricane Milton evacuations and rescued by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper, volition caput to Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk.

HB 205, filed by Rep. Philip Wayne “Griff” Griffitts, Jr. (R-Panama City) passed unanimously connected Tuesday successful the Florida House.

The measure would marque abandoning a restrained carnal during a earthy catastrophe a third-degree felony. If convicted, the punishment would beryllium up to 5 years successful situation and up to a $10,000 fine.

SB 150, a akin bill, passed successful the Florida Senate past month. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz, cleared the Rules Committee, Agriculture Committee and Criminal Justice Committee.

FHP troopers recovered Trooper, a Bull Terrier, successful belly-high water, abandoned on Interstate 75, adjacent Pebble Creek, northbound of Tampa during evacuations for Hurricane Milton past year.

Trooper did find a everlastingly location successful December 2024. He was adopted by Frank Spina and his household successful December 2024.

He came location to a canine sister named Dallas, who is besides a Bull Terrier rescue.

If signed, it volition instrumentality effect connected Oct. 1, 2025.

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