Florida House passes bill mandating ex-felons pay criminal fees before they can vote

The Florida House approved legislation along party lines Wednesday to restore voting rights to convicted felons, except murderers and felony sex offenders.

The Republican-dominated House voted 71-45 to implement a constitutional amendment approved by voters last November. The main issue was whether legislation is needed at all, and whether the bill sets up unnecessary hurdles for ex-felons such as requiring that all fines and restitution be paid.

Opponents of the bill say those requirements would bar many former felons and violate the spirit of the constitutional amendment....