This Wednesday (2/ 21/2024) is the Senate Floor Vote for HB 87 and SB 632, "Taking of Bears." If it passes, it will go to Governor DeSantis. He will have a choice to VETO the bill or sign it into law.

We need everyone to contact the Senators listed below and Governor DeSantis before Wednesday. Ask Governor DeSantis to VETO SB 632 and HB 87, "Taking of Bears," if it passes. 

Our lawmakers need to hear from you and know the facts about this bill and that the people who voted for them do not support this horrible piece of legislation.

They need to know this is not a “these people care more about bears than humans issue.” We believe in the right to self-defense and the defense of loved ones (including pets) against any threat. But, this bill promotes a false narrative that we don't already have a right to self-defense or the defense of our loved ones, and that is not true. A right to self-defense already exists. 

The sponsors of these bills could have created a bill that focused on bear-wise education, proven non-lethal methods, promoted coexistence, and fostered an understanding of bears instead of a fear of them. They could have offered funding for bear-resistant trashcans in communities with bear-human conflicts and assisted the FWC by backing their efforts to protect humans and bears. They could have increased penalties and fines for those who do not do their part to secure and remove attractants. Instead, they have wasted time with bills they claim protect people and allow them to act in self-defense, but, as we all know, we already have a right to self-defense. In addition, they now provide people who want to kill Florida's black bears a means to do so without consequence. 

Our lawmakers have disregarded the will of the people, undermined the FWC's constitutional authority, and used fear-mongering and hypotheticals to villainize a species that has never killed anyone in the State of Florida. 

The comments on this petition make it apparent that both Republicans and Democrats oppose this legislation. Both hunters and non-hunters oppose this legislation. Wildlife biologists and true conservationists are appalled by these bills. They recognize the importance of wildlife agencies such as the FWC and know bad actors benefit from laws like this. It's time for lawmakers to listen to the majority and not the minority of people who want to kill Florida's black bears with impunity. 

We ask that you contact the Senators who have voted against this bill in the past, thank them, and encourage them to speak on the facts and science during the debate. 

Senator Tina Scott Polsky
Email: polsky.tina.web@flsenate.gov
Phone: (850) 487-5030

Senator Linda Stewart
Stewart.Linda@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5017

Senator Lori Berman
Berman.Lori@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5026

Senator Ileana Garcia
Garcia.Ileana@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5036

Senator Geraldine F. 'Geri' Thompson
Thompson.Geraldine@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5015

Senator. Rosalind Osgood
Osgood.Rosalind@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5032

Senator Victor Torres
Torres.Victor@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5025

Senator Shevrin D. "Shev" Jones
jones.shevrin@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5034

Here is the contact information for the remaining Senators. Please copy and paste it into the BCC section of your email and send it to all of them at once.
albritton.ben@flsenate.gov
avila.bryan@flsenate.gov
baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov
book.lauren@flsenate.gov
boyd.jim@flsenate.gov
bradley.jennifer@flsenate.gov
brodeur.jason@flsenate.gov
broxson.doug@flsenate.gov
burgess.danny@flsenate.gov
burton.colleen@flsenate.gov
calatayud.alexis@flsenate.gov
collins.jay@flsenate.gov
davis.tracie@flsenate.gov
diceglie.nick@flsenate.gov
grall.erin@flsenate.gov
gruters.joe@flsenate.gov
harrell.gayle@flsenate.gov
hooper.ed@flsenate.gov
hutson.travis@flsenate.gov
ingoglia.blaise@flsenate.gov
martin.jonathan@flsenate.gov
mayfield.debbie@flsenate.gov
passidomo.kathleen@flsenate.gov
perry.keith@flsenate.gov
pizzo.jason@flsenate.gov
powell.bobby@flsenate.gov
rodriguez.anamaria@flsenate.gov
rouson.darryl@flsenate.gov
simon.corey@flsenate.gov
trumbull.jay@flsenate.gov
wright.tom@flsenate.gov
yarborough.clay@flsenate.gov

Contact Governor DeSantis and respectfully ask him to VETO HB 87 and SB 632 "Taking of Bears" if it passes. 
Phone: (850) 717-9337
Email: GovernorRon.Desantis@eog.myflorida.com

Please send your thoughts and this petition to your local news outlets and media to raise awareness. 

We appreciate all of you speaking up and advocating for Florida's black bears.