With a hypothetical future governor in mind, Republicans push to limit emergency powers
Florida lawmakers are proposing a new bill that would require legislative approval of extended public-health emergencies, citing COVID-19 restrictions in other states as the reason behind their move. Earlier this week, the Republican-controlled House Healthcare Regulation Subcommittee voted 13-4 in support of the bill (HB 1487), filed by Rep. Joel Rudman, a Republican and licensed physician. The bill comes after a statewide public-health emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic that lasted for more than a year in 2020 and 2021.
According to Rudman, the proposed legislation would make it harder for one person to impose lockdowns on homes, schools, offices, and churches, as he had promised his c...
