Gov. Rick Scott will sign the texting-while-driving and Everglades-funding bills today in separate South Florida ceremonies.
The Everglades measure, HB 7065, will be signed at 9:30 a.m. at the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center in West Palm Beach.
The measure provides $32 million — $12 million in general revenue funds and $20 million from the Water Management Lands Trust Fund — during the coming fiscal year to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for restoration work. Funding also is expected in future budgets through 2023.
The texting measure, SB 52, makes it illegal to read or type texts or emails while driving and is scheduled to be signed at 1 p.m. at the Alonzo and Tracy Mourning Senior High School in Miami.
The measure has exceptions for use of a GPS device or for reporting criminal behavior and allows texting while stopped, such as at a red light.