TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The future of Florida's left-lane bill remains undecided. If signed, the legislation would reserve the far-left lane on many Florida highways exclusively for passing and exiting. However, Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed reservations about putting his signature on the bill.

To date, the governor has only vetoed one bill this year, a social media ban that was eventually revised and signed into law. The left-lane legislation, HB 317, was approved nearly unanimously by lawmakers over a month ago, but it has yet to reach the governor's desk.

The proposed law would restrict the far-left lane to passing and exiting on multi-lane highways with speed limits of 65 mph or higher. Violators could face fines exceeding $150.

"I knew that bill was percolating," DeSantis stated in February. "I saw that they passed it, and I'm going to speak to our highway patrol folks."

While in Pensacola, DeSantis emphasized the importance of consulting with law enforcement and the Florida Department of Transportation to determine if the bill would genuinely improve safety and convenience. He also highlighted potential challenges in enforcement: "Is that going to radically change how [officers] do their job?"

DeSantis's team has not yet provided an update on his decision, leaving the bill's proponents cautiously optimistic. Senator Keith Perry, R-Gainesville, who sponsored the bill, acknowledges the governor's concerns but remains hopeful.

"I think some of his concern may be how do you enforce it," Perry remarked. "Well, that's true with any traffic laws."

Perry emphasized the importance of the bill to prevent illegal right-side passing and improve highway safety. A study by the Suzuki Law Firm, based in Arizona, found Florida ranks fifth nationally for lane-changing fatalities, citing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While the exact timeline for the bill reaching DeSantis's desk is unclear, once it does, he will have time to review it. If signed, the law will take effect next January, introducing new safety guidelines to Florida's highways.