Senate Bill SB 632 - Taking of Bears will be heard in the Senate Environmental & Natural Resources Committee on January 10th at 10:30 am.
Senate Bill 632 (SB 632) - Taking of Bears enables a person to kill a Florida Black Bear because they "feel" threatened and opens the door for people to claim self-defense in instances where bears are not a threat. It overrides the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) authority to investigate crimes committed against this protected species (black bears) if the person claims they felt threatened.
We encourage you to attend the scheduled hearing and speak in opposition to Senate Bill 632 - Taking of Bears. Our legislators must hear from you by Tuesday if you cannot attend in person. Email the Senators before the meeting day and ask them to vote NO on SB 632 - Taking of Bears. Use the name of the bill as the subject title in your email. Be sure to include the number of the bill and “Taking of Bears.” Examples: "I OPPOSE SB 632 - Taking of Bears" or "Vote NO to SB 632 - Taking of Bears."
Please include the link to our petition in your email to show that people care about Florida’s black bears, and please sign and share our petition if you have not done so already.
Petition link: https://www.change.org/p/help-protect-florida-black-bears
Location: 400 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399. Room# 301.
Committee on Environment and Natural Resources
Chair: Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez
Email: rodriguez.anamaria.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5040
Vice Chair: Senator Gayle Harrel
Email: Harrell.Gayle.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5031
Senator Jonathan Martin
Email: martin.jonathan.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5033
Senator Debbie Mayfield
Email: mayfield.debbie.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5019
Senator Tina Scott Polsky
Email: polsky.tina.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5030
Senator Linda Stewart
Email: stewart.linda.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5017
Senator Tom A. Wright
Email: wright.tom.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5008
Thank you for taking action!