The bill marks a reset rather than a clean break. Florida lawmakers floated broader crypto investment proposals in 2025, but those measures were withdrawn after facing resistance over scope and risk. The new framework narrows the focus and reflects a growing preference among Republican lawmakers for treating bitcoin as a reserve-style asset rather than a speculative trade.
Senate Bill 896, sponsored by state Sen. Don Gaetz (R), is currently being considered for advancement within multiple committees in the Florida Senate. The bill would allow certain employees, faculty, and students to openly carry their personal firearms on campus grounds. The bill would make it a felony to discharge a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school during school hours or when an activity at a school is taking place. The legislation would also authorize colleges and universities "to participate in the school guardian program."
"This bill is a direct attack on LGBTQ visibility and a textbook example of government overreach and censorship," said the Senior Political Director of Equality Florida, Joe Saunders, in a statement. "The Pride flag is a symbol of safety, inclusion, and community for millions of Floridians. [...] These bills prevent local cities and counties from using flags to recognize their own communities or make them welcoming to residents and tourists."
