Sunrise

Gov. Ron DeSantis signs an executive order abolishing all of the COVID-19 rules and regulations enacted by city and county governments throughout the state. The Governor’s order also prohibits businesses from requiring customers to show proof of vaccination.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The ban on vaccination passports and local COVID-19 rules is part of a bill DeSantis signed Monday. The new law doesn't kick in until July, so he signed executive orders to impose those rules until the law takes effect. But businesses can still require you to wear a mask in their stores and Rep. Evan Jenne says that's going to confuse folks.

The Governor also claims it's wrong for the feds to recommend social distancing and masks for people already vaccinated … but Rep. Fentrice Driskell says DeSantis is ignoring the obvious.

— After being closed to the public for more than a year, Senate President Wilton Simpson says The Capitol is about to reopen to the public this Friday; masks are optional, and you will NOT need a vaccine passport.

— Democratic Congressman and former Republican Gov. Charlie Crist is expected to announce another run for Governor. Let's just say he's no fan of the incumbent.

— A Florida Man is accused of dealing drugs; he tried to escape on an electric skateboard.

The Regular Legislative Session is over, but lawmakers will be back in The Capitol in a couple of weeks for a Special Session on gambling. And the Seminole Tribe of Florida launched a new PR campaign to try to build support for the new gaming Compact between the Tribe and Florida.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— There are going to be some substantial changes in the Session’s aftermath. It's going to be harder to vote by mail because the Governor will sign SB 90 … which critics call the “voter suppression” bill.

— Ron DeSantis got what he wanted this year: the voting bill, the crackdown on protesters, and a bill to punish social media for de-platforming Donald Trump. To Democrats like Rep. Bobby DuBose, this is the session where Florida issues took a back seat while Republicans focused on national politics.

— One of the more despicable things the Legislature did this year was to abolish the Lawton Chiles Endowment fund. We can only wonder what the late Governor would have to say about that slap in the face.

— Today on Sunrise, an audio tribute to the man we called Walkin' Lawton … in his own words.

— And finally, a Florida Man is facing a $30,000 fine — for an overgrown lawn.

Lawmakers are set to approve their new budget, but they'll be back in a couple of weeks for a Special Session on gambling, so don't pop the cork on the end-of-Session Champagne just yet.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A bill setting new standards for law enforcement officers is on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis. It's their response to the Black Lives Matter movement and the murder of George Floyd; members of the black caucus say this is only the beginning.

— LGBTQ advocates are heartbroken over what they see as a betrayal in the Legislature. They believed a bill banning transgender kids from high school and college athletics was dead, but it wasn't. The bill is on its way to the Governor for signature.

— The ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center are asking DeSantis to veto the transgender bill. And a group called “Food and Water Watch” is asking him to veto three bills that preempt the authority of cities and counties to set their own energy policies.

— One of the heroes of Florida's fight against COVID-19 is stepping down. Jared Moskowitz has led the Division of Emergency Management since DeSantis became Governor. He's a graduate of Stoneman Douglas High; Moskowitz says the Parkland massacre convinced him that government can make a difference.

— Moskowitz gives an exit interview to Sunrise.

— And finally, a Florida Man is accused of smuggling drugs into the Pinellas County jail inside his artificial leg.

The bill banning transgender athletes is alive again. But now, lawmakers removed the part about inspecting genitals.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The House passes a bill banning vaccine passports, saying private businesses cannot ask customers to prove they've been vaccinated against COVID-19.

— The House has also approved a bill making it harder to vote by mail, and a bill that punishes local governments that try to do something about gun violence.

— The House also passed a bill making it illegal for social media platforms to ban users who spread lies and misinformation on their platforms.

— Yeah … it was that kind of day in the Florida Legislature.

— And finally, a Florida Man is accused of carjacking his own vehicle.

The House is ready to vote on final passage of a bill to change the way Floridians vote by mail. Democrats offered 18 amendments to the elections bill. None passed.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— A bill that allows concealed carry of guns at churches that share space with a school is on its way to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

— Another bill exempts presidential search committees at state colleges and universities from the Sunshine Law flames out in the Senate. The bill had support from most Senators, but it was one vote short of the two-thirds margin required to pass an exemption to the open records law.

— After being indicted by the statewide grand jury, the Broward County School Superintendent Robert Runcie vows on video he will beat the perjury charge. Several hours after a video dropped, Runcie announced he's resigning — but not because of the indictment.

— Otter Cat is back in the Legislature, but now with a fancier name — jaguarundi.

— And finally, a Florida Woman says teachers vaccinated for COVID-19 can't work at her school anymore because it messes with a student's menstrual cycles. Spoiler alert: it’s a hoax.

The House approved a bill to try to weed out the bad apples of law enforcement. Backers of the bill hope it can improve relations between police and communities of color.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The policing bill passed the House unanimously … which absolutely no one would have predicted at the start of Session.

— A bill to expand and merge Florida's private school voucher programs is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis after final passage in the Senate. This vote was NOT unanimous. They'll have a lot more money to spend once the Governor signs the voucher bill.

— After boasting that Florida had the best election in the country last year, the Senate approves a controversial election reform bill. The bill passed on a party-line vote.

— The Senate also approves a controversial bill punishing social media platforms for banning Donald Trump and censoring hate speech.

— Don't look now… Otter Cat is back. Last week it was in the Senate… now it's an issue in the House. It was fun the first few times, but Otter Cat may have worn out its welcome in The Capitol.

— And today, a homeless Florida Man is being hailed as a hero after saving the life of a driver whose SUV caught fire after a head-on crash in Escambia County.

This is supposed to be the final week of Session, and they will indeed wrap things up by the Friday deadline. But lawmakers will return next month for a one-week Special Session on gambling.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— The Special Session was announced shortly after the Governor signed a new 30-year gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe, which would serve as the state’s electronic hub for online sports betting.

— The Seminoles would also be allowed to offer craps, roulette and other Vegas-style games that are not allowed in Florida today. But there are legal issues that could spike the deal.

— After hours of debate emotional debate, the Florida House approves a bill banning what the sponsors call "disability abortions." Backers of the bill say they're trying to prevent eugenics … opponents say it IS eugenics.

— HB 1221 says any doctor who performs an abortion because the parents don't want a disabled child is committing a felony.

— And finally, a Florida Woman is on probation for DUI manslaughter who was clocked doing 111 miles per hour on I-4 in Hillsborough County.

A bill to strengthen Florida's Right to Farm law heads for the Governor’s desk after final passage in the House. The debate had its moments.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— Everyone loves their local farmers, but critics say this bill also protects Florida’s sugar farmers from legal fallout over the burning of cane fields in South Florida.

— A revamp of the state's election law hits the Senate floor, its final stop. Among other things, it bands people from handing out treats and drinks at polling places if they have any campaign stickers — but you can always BYOB.

— The Florida Supreme Court says an amendment to legalize recreational marijuana cannot go on the ballot because it misleads the voters. Glenn Burhans discusses that decision.

— The House approves a bill that would make it easier to exclude the only Democrat elected to the state cabinet.

— Don't look now, but Otter Cat has resurfaced in the Senate.

— And finally, a Florida couple invited their friends to a lavish wedding at what they thought was a vacant mansion. It was not.

Bills are passing fast and furious as the 2021 Session clock winds down.

Also, on today’s Sunrise:

— As expected, the Florida House approved a bill to expand the private school voucher program.

— Vouchers started as a way to help low-income families send their kids to private schools. Under this bill, vouchers would be available to any family with an annual income below $100,000.

— The House also passes Rep. Chip LaMarca’s bill to try to fix the state's unemployment compensation system. The vast majority of that money came from the feds, not the state. And the House bill does nothing to improve the actual unemployment benefits.

— Another bill from the House will mean free books for students who are not reading at their grade level. One more proposal could change children's lives by having health care professionals’ licenses suspended if charged with certain sex crimes.

— Sen. Lauren Book filed the bill after her family pediatrician was charged with child porn.

— The Senate also dove into an odd issue: The Otter Cat. It's not another invasive species … it was freshman hazing.

— And finally, two Florida Women: One claims to be a witch; the other was hit in the head by a turtle that crashed through her windshield on the interstate.

The House will vote on a bill to overhaul the unemployment system. It changes the system but does nothing about the stingy benefits.

Also, on today’s #Sunrise:

— The House could also vote on a bill to merge voucher programs, allowing students to attend private schools on the public dime. Opponents of the bill say what's missing is accountability.

— The Senate's version of election reform clears the Rules Committee and is headed for the floor.

— Two of the most controversial bills of the Legislative Session were removed from the agenda by their sponsors. First was the ban on transgender athletes.

— And a few hours later in the same committee, the alimony reform bill was temporarily postponed by Sen. Joe Gruters.

— Technically, the bills are NOT dead; there are procedural maneuvers that could bring them back. Nothing is really over until the Session is done.

— In Washington, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz reintroduced a bill requiring background checks to buy bullets. Jamie's Law is named in honor of one of the teenagers killed during the Parkland massacre.

— And finally, a Florida Man threatened to burn down a woman's home because she wouldn't let him move in after his grandmother kicked him out.