A bill that would greatly restrict the staging of protests at funerals has passed through the first of several hurdles in the state Senate committee process, and spokesmen for Florida's Catholics and Southern Baptists tell Sunshine State News they support the principles contained in it.

The Florida House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on Wednesday unanimously approved two bills, one that broadens the scope of existing state laws which prohibit adults from hosting parties where alcohol is given to minors, and another which effectively prohibits citizens from protesting at funerals.

The Sunshine States premier tax watchdog group published 25 recommendations Thursday which it says, if implemented, would save the states taxpayers over $1 billion. The proposals include the collection of an Internet sales tax and the return of state lands to the private sector.

The Florida Supreme Court has upheld the Florida Legislatures controversial pension reforms of 2011, saying they do not violate public employees contract rights, do not constitute an unlawful act of eminent domain, and do not violate employees rights to collectively bargain.

The 14-member Florida House Criminal Justice Subcommittee approved, by a unanimous vote Wednesday morning, a bill that revises the 2011 "Massage Practice Act," in an effort to combat human trafficking. Its sponsors are optimistic it will pick up similar traction in the Senate.

Sen. Joe Negron, R-Palm City, scored his first 2013 legislative victory Tuesday morning when his proposed legislation restricting the use of drones by state and local law enforcement agencies was approved by a unanimous vote of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.