House panel advances bill protecting historic monuments despite concern over Confederate statues

Latest attempt to ban removal of historic monuments passes FL House committee

Jacksonville activist Wells Todd spoke out against the proposal in Tallahassee on Feb. 17, 2026. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix).During the past 11 years, more than 30 Confederate monuments have been removed by local Florida governments after their communities demanded that they do so. The Florida Legislature also got in the act, voting in 2016 to remove a statue of Confederate General Edmund Kirby Smith that represented Florida in the U.…

House panel advances bill protecting historic monuments despite concern over Confederate statues

A bill that would protect historic monuments and memorials in Florida from being removed got approval from the House Judiciary Committee. The “Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act” (HB 455) drew sharp debate by Democratic Committee members, as many said the measure was designed to protect monuments that intimidate minorities in Florida. The bill’s sponsor, Jacksonville Republican Rep. Dean Black, said his intent is the opposit…

Monument Proposal Moves Ahead In House

The Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee voted 14-5 along party lines Tuesday in support of a proposal (HB 455) that prevents local governments from passing their own rules on removing historic monuments or memorials.