Anti-photography law gone mad!!!

[safetymom]

http://www.consumertraveler.com/col..._campaign=Feed:+tripso+(Consumertraveler.com)

I hope they don't pass a law like that in FL.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Wow!

 

[mom2rtk]

Sort of sounds to me like there's some farmers in Fl doing something they shouldn't be doing............... and they didn't want anyone catching it on camera.

 

[My2Girls66]

Sort of sounds to me like there's some farmers in Fl doing something they shouldn't be doing............... and they didn't want anyone catching it on camera.

They are probably trying to stop people from documenting farm animal abuse and/or illegal workers. Last Feb. for the first time I actually drove from Naples to Orlando through the middle of the state and couldn't believe how many 'Beef, its whats for dinner' signs I saw on farms I had no desire to photograph the homes of the poor beasts that will end up on someones table eventually but if we weren't on our way to Disney, and of course in a rush, the orange groves would have been cool to photograph

 

[ssanders79]

Well, considering I live in District 12 here in Tampa, I send him an email. I've never been inclined to contact a representative at any level, but this hit a nerve.

I will share any reply.

 

[Anewman]

IMO this is an example of a POORLY written law, I dont really care about the intent.

Private property is just that, the PROPOSED(key word) law now states "enters onto a farm" as in private property.

Owning a camera does not give me permission to walk onto someones property to take pictures. Take all the pictures you want, but do it from public property.

 

[Jessica527]

ouch

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

There are many bills that are submitted for political reasons. I have no inside information on this particular bill, but this could be such a case. The Senator needs the votes from the farmers, so he submits a bill that he knows is unconstitutional. It would never pass muster, but he can go back to his constituency with a positive spin saying he is on their side and tried, blaming others for its failure to pass! That way he gets their votes because he is on their side!! Happens all the time, but most of the time you don't hear about it.

 

[Gdad]

Trespassing is already a first degree felony. If the revised bill (which the author mentioned but didn't post a link to) passes then trespassing on a farm and taking pictures will be a first dregree felony for the trespassing plus a first degree misdemeanor for the pictures. I don't see the big deal.

This committee substitute makes it a first degree misdemeanor for anyone, other than an employee or agent of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services acting pursuant to s. 570.15, F.S., or a law enforcement officer conducting a lawful inspection or investigation, to enter onto a farm or other property where legal agricultural operations are being conducted and produce audio or video records without the written consent of the owner or an authorized representative of the owner. This committee substitute defines “audio or video records” as “any audio or video recording, regardless of the recording medium or format, including but not limited to, photographs, audio or videotapes, cd’s, dvd’s, or streaming media, whether stored on film stock, hard disks, solid state storage, or any electrical, magnetic, or optical form of data storage” and this committee substitute defines “farm” as “any tract of land cultivated for the purpose of agricultural production, the raising and breeding of domestic animals, or the storage of a commodity.”

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bil...ills/1200-1299/1246/Analysis/2011s1246.ag.PDF