TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Nearly 30 new laws officially took effect on October 1, covering everything from mental illness to leaving pets behind in hurricanes, with one of them catching the attention of drivers.

House Bill 113, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, increases the penalties for individuals who are fleeing and eluding law enforcement officers trying to pull them over.

Bill sponsor of the new law, State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin (R-Belleview), said previous penalties didn’t go far enough.
“Many of you may remember that last year we bowed our heads in a moment of silence for state Trooper Zachary Fink,” Chamberlin said on the House floor.

Trooper Fink died in a crash during a high-speed chase in St. Lucie County in 2024, inspiring lawmakers to take a hard look at possible solutions to these incidents.

And while Democrats inside the statehouse agree that high speed chases are a major issue across the state, there are some concerns they have with the bill language. Like what about those fearful of their safety? Will they be penalized for slowly finding a place to pull over?

“But if they don’t feel safe in a certain area to be pulled over, and they drive down to be in brighter lights with more people, will this bill still allow the possibility for them to get a felony?” said State Rep. Angela Nixon, (D-Jacksonville).

Bill sponsor Rep. Chamberlin stressed that the law is only after “high speeders.”

Democrats still proposed a possible solution lawmakers could consider down the road.
“If they put their blinker lights on, that should give clear determination to law enforcement following them that they are attempting to find a safe and reasonable place to pull over and stop,” said State Rep. Kevin Chambliss (D-Homestead).

However, that idea didn’t make the final cut.
For those who choose to recklessly drive or flee at high speeds, you could be facing anywhere from a third to first degree felony, punishable by fines and or even prison time depending on the case.