Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has announced he will no longer enforce 80 state laws he says are based on race and are unconstitutional. The decision follows a review of statutes that Uthmeier’s office claims have no legal basis. 'The answer is no,' Uthmeier said during a press conference in Tallahassee, referring to questions about whether these laws should remain on the books. The list includes laws from the 19th and 20th centuries that Uthmeier’s office says were never properly updated or repealed. The AG’s office released a detailed list of the 80 laws, which range from restrictions on Black citizens’ voting rights to outdated provisions related to racial segregation. Some of the laws date back to the Jim Crow era and were never removed after the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Uthmeier emphasized that his office will not defend these laws in court. 'These laws are relics of a bygone era,' he said. 'They have no place in modern Florida.' The move has sparked debate among lawmakers and legal experts. State Senator Kay Ribeiro, a Republican from Palm Coast, called the decision 'a dangerous overreach.' Other lawmakers have praised Uthmeier for taking a stand against discriminatory policies. The AG’s office said it will work with the Florida Legislature to address the issue through legislation rather than litigation. Uthmeier’s announcement comes amid growing national attention on racial justice issues. His office said the review of laws began in 2021 and involved input from civil rights organizations. The 80 laws will be phased out over the next two years, with some already being challenged in court. 'This is about fairness,' Uthmeier said. 'Everyone in Florida deserves equal treatment under the law.'