Disaster Response Legislation Signed in Florida

Gov. Charlie Crist ceremonially signed two bills Wednesday to provide aid to Floridians preparing for and recovering from natural disasters.

Senate Bill 2482 – relating to tax administration provides $1.2 million in tax relief to residents whose homes were destroyed by the tornadoes of December 25, 2006, and February 2, 2007, as well as to the victims of the 2004 hurricanes.

In addition, the bill makes vacant land, owned by tax-exempt organizations and prepared to be used as a house of worship, exempt from property taxes.

House Bill 449 increases the penalty for burglaries and thefts committed during a declared state of emergency.

The legislation applies to situations where criminals take advantage of power outages or a reduction of police presence to prey upon victims of a disaster. In addition, the penalties are increased for theft from an emergency vehicle. Criminals arrested under this law may not be released until they appear before a judge.

Source: Office of the Governor of Florida