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Senate committee advances bill making plate-obscuring devices felonies; amendment adopted
Summary
The Senate Committee on Transportation adopted an amendment and reported favorably CS for SB 44, which raises penalties related to vehicles displaying unauthorized red/blue lights and makes manufacture, sale, possession and use of license-plate‑obscuring devices a third-degree felony in some circumstances.
Senator Rodriguez introduced CS for SB 44, a bill that increases penalties for operating a vehicle with an unauthorized red or blue light visible from the front and for intentionally obscuring license plates.
The measure raises the unauthorized-light offense from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony and elevates an offense relating to applying a substance or device that interferes with license-plate readability from a noncriminal traffic infraction to a third-degree felony, as described by Senator Rodriguez.
The sponsor offered and the committee adopted an amendment (barcode 817170) that defined “license plate obscuring device,” added penalties for purchase, manufacture and possession of such devices, and created a third-degree felony when a device is used during the commission of another crime. The amendment also provided for enhanced penalties when a device is used in the commission of an underlying offense.
Senator Martin asked whether courts would sustain enforcement of stricter penalties given prior case law challenging similar statutes; Senator Martin noted he had seen cases thrown out when enforcement relied on plate‑covering statutes. Senator Rodriguez said she had not analyzed court response in detail but argued stronger penalties were needed because people obscure plates to evade tolls or law enforcement.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office (Barb Cortez) and the Florida PBA (William B. Smith) were listed on appearance forms as supporting the bill; both waived their full testimony and were recorded as supporters. Senator Marilyn (roll call) and the committee then voted to report CS for SB 44 favorably.
The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and later reported CS for SB 44 out of committee.
What happens next: The bill, as amended, advances to the next legislative stage for additional consideration by the Legislature.
