NAC Advisory
Florida Legislation
February 7, 2008

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                     NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
                             ADVISORY
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                   http://www.naturistaction.org
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DATE:    February 7, 2007
SUBJECT: Florida Legislation 
TO:      All naturists and other concerned individuals

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) wishes to make you aware of an important situation involving legislation in the state of Florida.

Freshman state legislator William Snyder (R-Martin County) has introduced House Bill 801 in the Florida House of Representatives. The bill proposes troubling changes to portions of state law that are of direct concern to naturists.

IMPORTANT: NAC IS NOT CALLING FOR YOUR ACTION AT THIS TIME

Individual naturists, clubs and groups can be a tremendous asset in dealing with legislation. However, conditions are NOT PRESENTLY APPROPRIATE for making contact with lawmakers on this matter. Please wait.

NAC believes you should be advised and informed, but this is a case in which premature action could be damaging. Watch for further NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this topic.

DISCUSSION

Section 800.03 of the Florida Statutes addresses the exposure or exhibition of sexual organs in a public place. Based on the existing wording of the law, 800.03 has been held by Florida Courts to make such exposure illegal only when it is done in a lewd manner.

House Bill 801 proposes changes to the wording of 800.03 that could jeopardize the protection for naturists afforded by current judicial rulings. Moreover, the bill seeks to add increased penalties under 800.03 in certain locations and during certain times of day. Nudity within 1,000 feet of a "state, county, or municipal park" or "a public beach" would be an automatic felony at any time. The legislation poses an obvious and severe threat to naturists at clothing-optional Florida beaches like Haulover, which is a public beach located within a county park. Other Florida sites would be at similar risk.

HISTORY

Rep. Snyder proposed similar legislation last year. His House Bill 269 drew a number of Senate companion bills. NAC opposed those bills, working behind the scenes, and then at the proper moment, calling for grass roots action. Your gratifying response to NAC's Action Alert last year was a major factor in the outright defeat of ALL of the anti-naturist bills we opposed in the Florida legislature. NAC thanks you!

In addition to reintroducing the threatening language from his 2007 bill, Rep. Snyder has incorporated elements from other failed anti-naturist legislation and from a committee substitute for his own failed bill from last year. Specifically, HB 801 seeks the authorization for warrantless arrests where "[t]here is probable cause to believe that the person has unlawfully exhibited his or her sexual organs in public in violation of s. 800.03." The troubling implications for naturists are obvious.

The concept of warrantless arrests for 800.03 was lifted from legislation proposed last year by Senator Bill Posey (R-Rockledge). NAC vigorously opposed Sen. Posey's bill, SB 1800, and it was among those that died in committee last year.

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

Because we carefully monitor all legislation, the Naturist Action Committee identified this bill and began addressing it within just a few hours of the moment it was filed. NAC is working closely on this matter with local naturists and with representatives of Florida naturist clubs and groups.

By telephone and through written correspondence, NAC board member Morley Schloss has reinitiated a dialog on this issue with the office of Rep. Snyder and with the legislative committee to which the bill will be assigned.

The Florida legislature has not yet begun its regular 2008 session. The legislature officially convenes on March 4. However, measures are allowed to be filed early, an action that often places them higher on the list for legislative committee consideration.

NAC and its allies are taking House Bill 801 very seriously and are focusing on the most effective and efficient ways to protect the interests of naturists. As is frequently the case, there are further things to be done behind the scenes, and that's exactly what's happening at this point.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is an informational advisory only. The Naturist Action Committee is specifically asking that you do NOT take action at this time.

NAC anticipates an upcoming appropriate time and circumstance for contacts with lawmakers on this issue, but that time is NOT RIGHT NOW. Please watch for further NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this topic.

MORE INFORMATION

You can access additional information on the Web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

   www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts, Advisories and Updates." Under Current Advisories, you'll find the text of this NAC Advisory, along with links to the complete text of House Bill 801, existing Florida law, pertinent legal cases and archived details from last year's spate of anti-naturist legislation in Florida.

PLEASE HELP NAC HELP LOCAL NATURISTS

The Naturist Action Committee exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. As the nonprofit volunteer political adjunct to The Naturist Society, NAC is a vigorous force at work on behalf of naturists.

The Naturist Action Committee relies entirely on your voluntary support. Please donate generously with a check to:

    NAC
    PO Box 132
    Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or use your credit card to make a direct donation online through NAC's Web site:
    www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

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Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton       - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Morley Schloss     - morleynaturist@hotmail.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick  - naturist@sunclad.com
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