Confederate-related holidays would be stricken from Florida’s official calendar of legal holidays if a bill proposed for consideration by the 2022 legislature becomes law.
Filed on Sept. 17 by Senate Minority Leader Sen. Lauren Book (D-Plantation) SB250 would amend current state law to remove the birthdays of Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis and the observance of Confederate Memorial Day from Florida’s official state calendar.
The measure would also eliminate any “provision relating to the mutilation of, or disrespect for, Confederate flags or replicas,” but would not prevent the use of any flag, or other insignia of Florida or of the Confederate States for decorative or patriotic purposes.
Neither Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby) nor Rep. Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill) was available for comment.
If passed, SB 250 would become law on July 1, 2022.
The Florida Legislature reconvenes on Jan. 11, 2022.
