Dane Eagle

Dane Eagle (born May 22, 1983) is an American politician from Florida. A Republican, Eagle has been the executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity since September 2020. Previously, he served eight years in the Florida House of Representatives, representing Cape Coral in Lee County from 2012 until his appointment as head of DEO. Eagle was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination in Florida's 19th congressional district in the 2020 election.

Dane Eagle
Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
Assumed office
September 14, 2020
GovernorRon DeSantis
Preceded byKen Lawson
Majority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives
In office
November 19, 2018 – September 11, 2020
Preceded byRay Rodrigues
Succeeded byMichael J. Grant
Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 77th district
In office
November 6, 2012 – September 11, 2020
Preceded byRedistricted
Succeeded byMike Giallombardo
Personal details
Born (1983-05-22) May 22, 1983
Cape Coral, Florida, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Florida (BA)

Florida House of Representatives

In 2012, following the reconfiguration of Florida House districts, Eagle opted to run in the newly created 77th District, based in Cape Coral. He racked up endorsements from local career politicians such as former Lieutenant Governor Jeff Kottkamp, State Senator Michael S. Bennett, State Representatives Gary Aubuchon, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and the National Rifle Association.[1] In the Republican primary, Eagle faced former City Councilman Chris Berardi, whom he was able to defeat in a landslide, winning 71% of the vote to Berardi's 29%. Advancing to the general election, he faced Arvella Clare, the Democratic nominee. Ultimately, Clare did not prove to be a major obstacle to Eagle, and he defeated her easily, winning his first term in the legislature with 62% of the vote.

In 2014, Eagle advanced through a four-way Republican primary with 64% of the vote. In the general election, he defeated write-in candidate Jeremy A. Wood with 99% of the vote. In 2016, Eagle ran unopposed through both the Republican primary and the general election, winning his third term in the State House of Representatives.[2]

In 2018 he faced a general election against Democratic candidate Alanis Garcia, the first openly trans candidate for State Representative in Florida. He won the election for his last term with a 63% victory. [3]

Drug Free Public Officers Act

Dane Eagle sponsored House Bill 1435, titled "Drug Free Public Officers Act" which would require public officers and elected officials to take drug tests. Anyone refusing to take the test would have to resign.[4]

CS/HB 485 – Sexual Offenses Against Students by Authority Figures (2014)

Connected to the “Stop Harassing Underage Teens Act,” this bill provides reclassification of specified sexual offenses committed against students by authority figures if a school or other institution. It provides severity ranking for the offenses, as well. [5]

CS/HB 59 – Offenses against Unborn Children (2014)

The focus of this bill is creating a new, separate offense for criminal conduct causing injuries to or the death of an unborn child. This comes into action when it is provided that a separate offense resulting from injuries to an unborn child occurred, not just the death of the unborn child as provided under current law in some circumstances. In addition to this, the bill expands the class of unborn children who may be crime victims to include unborn children at any stage of fetal development, not just those unborn children who have reached the point of viability.[6]

CS/CS/CS/HB 439 – Mental Health Services in the Criminal Justice System (2016)

The primary focus of this legislation is to expand the availability and increase awareness of the importance of mental health services, though it has been criticized for not properly reforming hospitalization programs. This bill expands eligibility for military veterans and other service member court programs. It authorized the creation of treatment-based mental health court programs, which were already in existence. The bill is also responsible for creating the Forensic Hospital Diversion Pilot Program and gave authorization to courts to order certain offenders on probation or community control to post-adjudicatory mental health programs.

[7]

CS/CS/HB 1411 – Termination of Pregnancies (2016)

Protecting the rights of unborn children and fetuses is the main focus of this action. This bill revised the requirements for disposal of fetal remains, as well as the criminal punishment for failure to properly dispose of fetal remains properly. It mandated that the Agency for Health Care Administration were to develop and enforce rules relating to license inspections and investigations of certain clinics while requiring certain organizations that provide abortion referral services or abortion counseling services to register with the agency, pay a specified fee, and include certain information in advertisements.[8]

CS/CS/HB 545 – Human Trafficking (2016)

This legislation includes human trafficking as predicate offense for felony murder, as well as prohibits permanently branding, or directing permanent branding, of victim of human trafficking. It requires DOH to suspend license of massage therapist or massage establishment for specified violations in conjunction with establishment and provides that licensed massage therapist may not receive new or renewal license if applicant is convicted of certain prostitution offenses in conjunction with massage establishment. Important aspects of the bill include that it provides that minors may not be charged with specified prostitution offenses, and it requires person convicted of specified racketeering offenses to register as sexual predator or sexual offender.[9]

HB 1239 – School Bus Safety (2017)

Also known as the Cameron Mayhew Act, this bill is intended to increase penalties for motorists who fail to stop for a school bus. It establishes a fine of $1,500 for a person who fails to stop for a school bus and results in serious bodily harm or death of another person. In addition, it adds additional points to an individual's driving record for passing a stopped school bus, even if there are no resulting bodily injury or harm to another person.[10]

CS/HB 83 – Offenses by Aliens Unlawfully Present in the United States (2017)

This bill reclassifies offenses if they are committed by illegal aliens and specifies the enhancement of sentencing and gain-time eligibility for such individuals.[11]

HJR 7001 – Supermajority Vote for State Taxes or Fees (2018)

This proposed amendment to the State Constitution prohibits a state tax or fee from being imposed or raised except through legislation approved by two-thirds of each house of legislature. It also requires that a state tax or fee be submitted as an individual bill, limited to only a singe subject. This proposal was passed by the people of Florida during the 2018 general election.[12]

CS/HB 9 – Federal Immigration Enforcement (2018)

This bill prohibited sanctuary policies, required state and local governmental agencies to comply with and support enforcement of federal immigration law, and required repeal of existing sanctuary policies.[13]

HB 39 – Weapons and Firearms (2018)

This bill removed statements of applicability relating to certain violations of carrying concealed weapon or firearm; reduced penalties applicable to person licensed to carry concealed weapon or firearm for first or second violation of specified provisions relating to openly carrying weapons; provided that person licensed to carry concealed weapon or firearm does not violate certain provisions if firearm is temporarily & openly displayed.[14]

HB 6005 – Licenses to Carry Concealed Weapons or Firearms (2017)

Removes provision prohibiting concealed carry licensees from openly carrying handgun or carrying concealed weapon or firearm into college or university facility.[15]

HB 6001 – Concealed Weapons and Firearms (2017)

Revised areas of an airport where person is prohibited from openly carrying handgun or from carrying concealed weapon or firearm.[16]

CS/CS/CS/HB 163 – Weapons and Firearms (2016)

Provided that certain persons and public entities that infringe on specified rights of an individual may be subject to liability under specified provisions and have no immunity; provided that an employer may direct an employee regarding weapons; specified that a law enforcement officer may arrest a person for the unlicensed carrying of a concealed weapon only upon reasonable suspicion or probable cause that such a violation is being committed; provided that certain legislators may carry a concealed weapon or firearm in meetings of the Legislature, etc.[17]

CS/CS/HB 493 – Carrying a Concealed Weapon or Concealed Firearm (2015)

Provided exemption from criminal penalties for carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm while in act of evacuating pursuant to mandatory evacuation order during declared state of emergency.[18]

2020 U.S. House bid

Eagle announced his bid for the Republican nomination for Florida's 19th congressional district in the 2020 U.S. House elections following news that incumbent Representative Francis Rooney would be retiring at the end of his term.[19][20] He lost the Republican primary in August 2020, coming in second place to fellow State Representative Byron Donalds, 22.6 to 21.9%.[21]

Department of Economic Opportunity

On September 2, 2020, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that he would appoint Eagle to head the state Department of Economic Opportunity.[22] Eagle resigned from the House of Representatives effective September 11 and began as head of DEO on September 14.[23][24]

Awards and Recognitions[25]
  • Americans for Prosperity, Champion of Economic Freedom, 2016, 2013–2014, “A” on Legislative Report Card, 2015
  • Florida Apartment Association, Legislator of the Year, 2016
  • Florida Tax Collectors Association, Taxpayer Advocate of the Year, 2016
  • Florida Family Action, Champion of the Family, 2015-2016
  • Liberty First Network, Champion of Liberty, 2015-2016
  • American Conservative Union, Award for Conservative Excellence, 2014–2016, Defender of Liberty, 2013
  • Florida Health Care Association, “A” on Legislative Report Card, 2014-2016
  • Florida Chamber of Commerce, Honor Roll, 2013-2016
  • Florida Gulf Coast University, Legislative Appreciation Award, 2013-2016
  • Foundation for Florida's Future, “A” on Legislative Report Card, 2013-2016
  • Florida Association for Intergovernmental Relations, Legislative Appreciation Award, 2015
  • Florida Association of Counties, County Champion Award, 2015
  • Florida League of Cities, Legislative Appreciation Award, 2015
  • Florida Homebuilders Association, Champion of Housing, 2014-2015

DUI arrest

On April 21, 2014, Eagle was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence in Tallahassee, FL, following a series of events that included speeding, reckless driving and running a red light. He was also noted to have bloodshot eyes, was staggering and smelling of alcohol. Eagle claimed that the smell of alcohol coming from his vehicle was the result of having people who were drunk in his car earlier in the night and refused to submit to a field sobriety evaluation. Following his arrest, he refused to take a breath test.[26]

The News-Press, which had endorsed him in his 2012 campaign, drew parallels between Eagle's arrest and disgraced former United States Congressman Trey Radel's arrest for cocaine use, noting that Eagle "has disappointed his constituency and embarrassed himself," and questioning why he refused to exonerate himself with a breath test, if he was correct about the fact that he had not been drinking. [27]

References
  1. Derby, Kevin (July 25, 2012). "HD 77: Former Charlie Crist Hand Dane Eagle Has Financial Edge". Sunshine State News. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  2. "Florida Department of State - Election Results". results.elections.myflorida.com. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  3. https://ballotpedia.org/Florida_House_of_Representatives_District_77
  4. wctv.com, Mar 05, 2014, New House Bill Would Require Drug Tests For Public Officers By: Bailey Myers,
  5. "CS/HB 485 (2014) - Sexual Offenses Against Students by Authority Figures | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  6. "CS/HB 59 (2014) - Offenses Against Unborn Children | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  7. "CS/CS/CS/HB 439 (2016) - Mental Health Services in the Criminal Justice System | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  8. "CS/CS/HB 1411 (2016) - Termination of Pregnancies | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  9. "CS/CS/HB 545 (2016) - Human Trafficking | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  10. "HB 1239 (2017) - School Bus Safety | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  11. "CS/HB 83 (2017) - Offenses by Aliens Unlawfully Present in the United States | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2019-11-07.
  12. "HJR 7001 (2018) - Supermajority Vote for State Taxes or Fees | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  13. "CS/HB 9 (2018) - Federal Immigration Enforcement | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  14. "HB 39 (2018) - Weapons and Firearms | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  15. "HB 6005 (2017) - Licenses to Carry Concealed Weapons or Firearms | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  16. "HB 6001 (2017) - Concealed Weapons and Firearms | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  17. "CS/CS/CS/HB 163 (2016) - Weapons and Firearms | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  18. "CS/CS/HB 493 (2015) - Carrying a Concealed Weapon or Concealed Firearm | Florida House of Representatives". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  19. Ogles, Jacob (February 1, 2020). "Dane Eagle soars with $422K in contributions for congressional bid". Fla Pol. Retrieved May 3, 2020.
  20. Manjarres, Javier (November 7, 2019). "Dane Eagle announces congressional run in FL CD 19". The Floridian. Retrieved May 4, 2020.
  21. Florida Division of Elections. "August 18, 2020 Primary Election".
  22. Downey, Renzo (2020-09-02). "Dane Eagle will take over embattled DEO as next Executive Director". Florida Politics. Retrieved 2020-09-06.
  23. Rohrer, Gray (2020-09-02). "DeSantis taps GOP lawmaker to lead embattled unemployment compensation agency". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 2020-09-13.
  24. https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/details.aspx?MemberId=4573
  25. "Dane Eagle - 2018 - 2020 ( Speaker Oliva )". www.myfloridahouse.gov. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
  26. Van Sickler, Michael (April 22, 2014). "Dane Eagle arrested for DUI". Miami Herald. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
  27. "Instant Editorial: Eagle's DUI arrest seems representative of our leaders lately". The News-Press. April 22, 2014. Retrieved May 9, 2014.
Florida House of Representatives
Preceded by
Denise Grimsley		 Member of the Florida House of Representatives
from the 77th district
2012–2020		 Succeeded by
Mike Giallombardo
Preceded by
Ray Rodrigues		 Majority Leader of the Florida House of Representatives
2018–2020		 Succeeded by
Michael J. Grant


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