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Senate rules committee advances 'Officer Jason Rayner Act' after divided testimony
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Summary
The Rules Committee voted 18–3 to report CS for SB 156 favorably, advancing a bill that would add manslaughter of an on‑duty officer to offenses carrying mandatory life, while opponents warned the measure removes a legal guardrail limiting officers' use of force.
The Senate Rules Committee reported CS for SB 156 favorably after a session of testimony that split supporters and criminal defense advocates.
Senator Leake, the bill sponsor, described the measure as a response to the 2021 killing of Daytona Beach police officer Jason Rayner and said the bill would clarify who should decide fault during police encounters and ensure the law reflects the seriousness of intentionally killing an officer. "We just gotta bring closure and do this for the Rayner family," Leake said in closing (sponsor remarks in committee).
Michael Chambliss, who identified himself as overseeing government relations for the city of Daytona Beach, urged support “on behalf of the city of Daytona Beach and in memory of Officer Jason Rayner,” saying the bill — known in testimony as the "Officer Jason Rayner Act" — honors officers who face life‑threatening risks on duty.
Aaron Waite, president‑elect of the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, said he agreed with the bill’s goal to reduce violent confrontations but criticized two features. Waite said lines 42–45 of the bill delete a current subsection that, in his view, functions as a guardrail prohibiting officers from using force they know to be unlawful. "Deleting it does nothing to honor Officer Rayner and risks sending the wrong message," Waite said. He also warned the bill removes discretion by making every manslaughter of an officer punishable by mandatory life in prison, erasing the statutory distinction between manslaughter (unintended deaths) and murder (intentional killings): "Automatic life, no discretion, no consideration of circumstances," he said.
Sponsor Leake and other supporters said existing defenses remain for defendants and that contested questions about lawfulness of an arrest should be resolved in court rather than on the street. The bill text cited an amendment to s. 776.051 of the Florida Statutes in committee explanation.
After debate, the committee called the roll. According to the transcript roll call, the committee voted to report CS for SB 156 favorably by a recorded 18–3 vote. (The transcript shows Senator Davis, Senator Pizzo and Vice Chair Jones recorded as voting no.)
What’s next: CS for SB 156 now moves from the Rules Committee to the Senate calendar for further consideration.
Sources and provenance: Committee explanation and testimony (committee presentation and public comment), roll‑call announcement as recorded in the committee transcript.
