[Jack Davis of Miami is congratulated by Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday after the signing of a law that allows restaurants to donate leftover food to the homeless. Times photo | Scott Keeler]

Think lawmakers in Tallahassee don't hear your ideas? Don't tell that to 11-year-old Jack Davis.

Davis watched today as Gov. Charlie Crist signed into law a bill that would allow restaurants to donate leftover food to homeless shelters. Davis, a 6th-grader at Ransom Everglades Middle School in Miami, came up with the idea after learning that restaurant owners throw out leftover food because they could be held liable if the food makes someone sick. Davis wanted a bill that would eliminate the liability, and he managed to find sponsors in the House and Senate.

How did he do that? "It was through a bunch of connections," Davis told reporters.

He said he started with Miami trial attorney Steve Marino. Davis'
father, Jeffrey, a personal injury attorney, said he's "indescribably"
proud of his son. Tampa Sen. Arthenia Joyner amended the bill so it
would be named after young Davis. "This will be good for kids to know
their ideas can become laws," she said.