Rick Scott Signs Nearly 100 Bills Into Law

Gov. Rick Scott signed nearly 100 bills into law on Friday. The bills dealt with a variety of subjects from flood insurance to banning the sale of e-cigarettes to minors.

SB 542, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, wouldmake it easier for private companies to sell flood insurance in the state.Scott also signed a bill to tighten restrictions on charities to prevent fraud, an issue which was a top priority for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam.

One of the more controversial bills Scott signed was HB 1047, which would extend Florida's current law banning most abortions in the third trimester of pregnancy by requiring physicians to conduct tests to see if the embryo is viable prior to performing any abortion. The bill, which will take effect July 1, wouldkeep an exception if a mother's life is at risk or to prevent irreversible physical impairment of a mother's major bodily functions.

In addition to these bills, the governor also signed legislation which will move Florida's legislative session to January in 2016.