House lawmakers are advancing bail bond legislation that supporters describe as an exercise in addition by subtraction, aimed at tightening accountability while simplifying Florida’s bail statutes. HB 1017, sponsored by Rep. Jessica Baker, would streamline Florida’s bail system by trimming dense statutory language, increasing oversight of bail bond agents, and clarifying how courts respond when defendants fail to appear. Baker emphasized that prosecutors cannot move cases forward without defendants present, arguing that bail statutes must meaningfully support accountability and court appearance. One major component of HB 1017 increases regulation of bail bond agents, a move the industry supports. “The bail bond industry is highly regulated, and it should be,” said Shawn Foster of Sunrise Consulting Group.