MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) — A handful of new Florida laws going into effect July 1 will impact lives right here in Marion County from how we care for animals to how we support our first responders.
For Marion County Commission Chair Kathy Bryant, one piece of legislation is personal.
“Marion County is proud to have played a role in this crucial legislation,” Bryant said of Senate Bill 1202, which ensures health insurance for firefighters who are permanently disabled during official training exercises. “Our firefighters deserve this protection, and their families deserve this peace of mind.”
Marion County Fire Chief James Banta added, “This law reinforces our unwavering support for those who put their lives on the line to protect our communities.”
The bill covers not only the firefighters themselves but also their spouses and children, acknowledging that the risks they face often begin long before the emergency call.
Here’s a look at just a few of the new laws taking effect across the state:
Cracking down on animal cruelty
- Trooper’s Law makes it a felony to leave a dog chained up and abandoned during a storm. The law is named for a dog rescued during Hurricane Milton by Florida Highway Patrol.
- Dexter’s Law increases penalties for aggravated animal cruelty, after a shelter dog was brutally killed in Pinellas County just days after being adopted.
Lilly Baron, president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Ocala and the driving force behind local ordinance Molly’s Law, welcomed the changes: “I am so glad it is finally a reality.”
Getting tougher on swatting
- HB 279 introduces felony charges for individuals who make false 911 calls that result in harm.
- Repeat offenders who abuse emergency services, even if no one is hurt, will also face felony charges.
A new take on gold and silver
- HB 999 allows Florida to recognize gold and silver as legal tender.
- If approved by lawmakers, the law will also exempt these assets from state sales tax, giving Floridians another way to guard their savings against inflation.
More freedom on the water
- The Boater Freedom Act limits random law enforcement stops and protects the right to own gas-powered boats.
- A new safety decal program aims to reduce unnecessary inspections for responsible boaters.
Fluoride and informed consent
- SB 700 prohibits local governments from adding fluoride to drinking water without clear public support, aligning with the state’s stance on medical freedom. Ocala removed fluoride from its city water system on April 30, 2025.