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Watch your language. This is the message metal detectorists sent Florida state Senator Alan Hays.
Back in November, Sen. Hays, R-Umatilla, of central Florida’s District 20 filed a bill to address practices related to the unearthing of artifacts. What he didn’t realize was that metal detectorists fell under his far-reaching umbrella bill known as Senate Bill 868.
“The language was so broad that they could have put an end to metal detecting in Florida,” said Cooper City Commissioner John Sims.
An avid metal detectorist for 30 years, Sims, along with a large portion of the metal detecting community, put up a fight that proved successful — this time around.
Though SB 868 got detectorists stirring, most members of the community did not realize there is already a law in place that covers detecting practices. The proposed bill would have only broadened current legislation. Current law prohibits “archaeological field investigations on, or removing or attempting to remove, or deface, destroy, or otherwise alter any archaeological site or specimen located upon any land owned or controlled by the state or within the boundaries of a designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone.”
Articles and Information - Miners decry Florida metal detecting bill
Back in November, Sen. Hays, R-Umatilla, of central Florida’s District 20 filed a bill to address practices related to the unearthing of artifacts. What he didn’t realize was that metal detectorists fell under his far-reaching umbrella bill known as Senate Bill 868.
“The language was so broad that they could have put an end to metal detecting in Florida,” said Cooper City Commissioner John Sims.
An avid metal detectorist for 30 years, Sims, along with a large portion of the metal detecting community, put up a fight that proved successful — this time around.
Though SB 868 got detectorists stirring, most members of the community did not realize there is already a law in place that covers detecting practices. The proposed bill would have only broadened current legislation. Current law prohibits “archaeological field investigations on, or removing or attempting to remove, or deface, destroy, or otherwise alter any archaeological site or specimen located upon any land owned or controlled by the state or within the boundaries of a designated state archaeological landmark or landmark zone.”
Articles and Information - Miners decry Florida metal detecting bill
