TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Sierra Club Florida is again calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to veto HB 87, “Taking of Bears," which was sent to him by the Legislature this past Friday, June 7. This marks Sierra Club Florida’s second veto request for the bill since it was passed by both chambers in March.
If signed into law, HB 87 would have disastrous consequences for the welfare and safety of Florida wildlife and residents alike. Built upon the falsehood that Florida faces an epidemic of “crack bears”, the bill would usurp the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) sole constitutional authority to regulate wildlife and exempt people from any administrative, civil or criminal penalties for killing a bear if:
The person is believed that it was necessary to avoid imminent death or serious bodily injury to their self, another person or a pet; and
The person didn’t intentionally or recklessly put their self or pet in a situation where they would need to use lethal force.
Sierra Club Florida has continued to make it clear that HB 87 is unnecessary, stymies conservation, and undeniably at odds with the state’s constitution, which states that the FWC “shall exercise the regulatory authority and executive powers of the state with respect to wild animal life and freshwater aquatic life.”
Additionally, the Florida Supreme Court and other state courts have consistently found that this language vests FWC with the exclusive legislative authority to adopt reasonable rules to regulate wild animal life, thereby constitutionally prohibiting the Legislature from adopting statutes that are inconsistent with or conflict with FWC regulations.
Sierra Club Florida Acting Political Director Javier Estevez said, “There is no real reason why HB 87 was introduced in the first place, much less why it should become law. While Floridians are dealing with actual issues like the property insurance crisis, climate change, and affordability, legislators have instead chosen to focus on a dangerous solution to an imaginary problem.”
Sierra Club Florida Executive Committee Chair James Scott said, “HB 87 is yet another example of our legislators’ refusal to do their jobs and address the real issues facing our state. Floridians want action to protect their homes from climate change, not fictional movie villains. If the Governor wants to keep Florida’s residents and wildlife safe, it’s imperative that he veto this bill immediately.”
Sierra Club Florida remains unequivocally opposed to HB 87, and strongly urges the Governor to veto this harmful bill that would do nothing but threaten Florida’s black bear population and jeopardize the safety of our communities.
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