UPDATE: Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB1, or the “anti-riot” bill, into law Monday morning at a press conference in Polk County.

“If you riot, loot, harm others, particularly law enforcement, you’re going to jail,” said DeSantis. “We’re not going to end up like Portland.”

HB1 allows local police to challenge budgets, opens cities to liability for poor riot control, and creates or strengthens penalties against those it deems rioters.

“The state of Florida takes public safety very seriously,” said DeSantis, and tackles the assertion that there should be a movement to defund law enforcement.

“This bill prevents local government from being able to defund law enforcement,” DeSantis said. “If local governments tell police to stand down and a building is destroyed, the local government would be responsible for the damage.”

This bill also protects all monuments in Florida.

“We’re not going to let the mob win the day with [tearing down monuments],” said DeSantis.

“There should be no doubt the moment I sign this bill into law,” DeSantis said. “The state of Florida stands with law enforcement.”

With his signature, HB1 takes effect immediately.

DeSantis is also working on issuing $1,000 bonus checks to law enforcement for working through COVID.

Original story:

Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the “anti-riot” bill the Florida Senate passed on Thursday.

HB1 allows local police to challenge budgets, opens cities to liability for poor riot control and creates or strengthens penalties against those it deems rioters.

Democrats were staunchly opposed to the bill, worried that the broad language will chill peaceful protest.

The GOP majority meanwhile calls HB1 a law and order measure.

DeSantis said he looks forward to signing the bill.

“This legislation strikes the appropriate balance of safeguarding every Floridian’s constitutional right to peacefully assemble while ensuring that those who hide behind peaceful protest to cause violence in our communities will be punished,” DeSantis said in a statement.

With his signature, HB1 takes effect immediately.