Recreational harvest of red grouper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, excluding Monroe County, will close on July 1 and remain closed through December 31, 2024. This closure follows an executive order issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) during the May Commission meeting. The measure aims to prevent overfishing and ensure future fishing opportunities. The closure aligns with similar restrictions in Gulf federal waters.

Earlier this week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program announced that the first pink-tagged bass of the season was caught and released by an angler fishing in Lake Rochelle.

The recreational harvest of snowy grouper and red porgy in state waters of the Atlantic will close on July 1, with the last day of harvest for both species being June 30. Recreational harvest of snowy grouper will also close in all state waters of Monroe County. Harvest will reopen for both snowy grouper and red porgy in Atlantic state waters on May 1, 2025.

The 2024 recreational bay scallop season, spanning from Franklin County through northwestern Taylor County (including Carrabelle, Lanark, and St. Marks) as well as portions of Levy County and all of Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River, and Homosassa), opens on July 1 and will remain open until September 24.

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Five Bills

Last night, Governor DeSantis signed HB 91/SB 84, designating A1A as Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway. Senator Lauren Book, sponsor of this legislation, provided the following statement:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced a judicial appointment to the Third District Court of Appeal on June 28, 2024.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Dr. Alberto Tano to the Florida International University Board of Trustees.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Carlos Diaz-Rosillo, Orlando Gutierrez-Boronat, and Ismare Monreal to the Institute for Freedom in the Americas Board of Directors.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the following bill:

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office of Statewide Prosecution announced the shutdown of a fentanyl trafficking ring. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 64 individuals involved in the trafficking organization, and Attorney General Moody’s Statewide Prosecutors are charging nine of the defendants with felony counts of Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO), conspiracy to commit RICO, and fentanyl trafficking among other charges. The group, led by Hector Torres, Miguel Castro-Rivera, and Luis...

The Florida Chamber Foundation's latest report reveals that Florida continues to experience significant net income migration, with over $36.05 billion moving into the state annually. Despite this being $3 billion less than last year, driven by an increase in outbound migration rather than a decrease in inbound migration, Florida remains the leading destination for income migration in the United States. This figure is approximately 3.5 times that of Texas, which ranks second.

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA), a prominent hospitality trade association in the state, issued a statement following Governor Ron DeSantis' veto of SB 280. The bill was designed to establish fairness between hotels and unregulated short-term rentals across Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointment of Thomas Hobbs and Brian McElfatrick to the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Office of Inspector General (OIG) Internal Investigations Section is undergoing an assessment to retain accreditation by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation (CFA). The assessment, required every three years, will review the OIG’s compliance with approximately 49 standards.

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has reaffirmed its commitment to ending the criminalization of homelessness following a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the following bill:

WINTER HAVEN, Fla.—Today, First Lady Casey DeSantis awarded $1,000 bonus checks to all Hope Navigators through the Hope Florida Fund. Additionally, six Navigators received $2,500 bonus checks for their outstanding performance in assisting people in need. The total amount awarded exceeded $175,000.

Tipping might seem like a simple exchange—a thank you for good service with a few extra dollars. However, beneath the surface lies a complex economy that impacts everyone in a restaurant, from operators to dishwashers. Understanding how tipping affects each role can reveal its significant impact on employee retention.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody, along with a coalition of 20 state attorneys general, is urging the United States Senate to pass the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act (ICC Act). The legislation, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on a bipartisan basis, aims to deter the International Criminal Court from asserting unlawful authority.