This year, the Florida House of Representatives agreed to a rule change that expands the number of bills that a state representative is permitted to file from six to seven. With this extra bill slot, State Rep. Matt Willhite (D- District 86) decided to give this bill slot to a local high school student. After collecting submissions, Willhite decided to support a bill by Ethan Douglas from Wellington High School.
“I recognize that young people are the future of our country. When I was provided this seventh bill slot, I thought it would be a great way to engage young adults and help start building the bridge to our next generation of leaders,” Willhite said. “This bill idea came from a student in my district. HB437 will require a minor operating or riding on a motorized vehicle to wear certain footwear.”
Willhite hopes the bill will lead to fewer preventable injuries.
“As a first responder, I’ve seen the awful injuries that can happen even in a low-speed accident in something like a golf cart or motorcycle,” he said. “If this bill becomes law, it will help protect young people from lifelong scars or disability due to improper footwear.”
