A Senate panel threw its support behind a bill that would loosen mandatory minimum sentencing laws for some drug-trafficking offenses, a proposed change that ran into opposition from law enforcement officials.

While advocates called the proposal a "modest step" toward sentencing reform, a representative of the Florida Police Chiefs Association raised concerns about the bill not being tough enough.

The proposal, sponsored by Senate budget chief Rob Bradley, would allow judges to consider shorter sentences for drug-trafficking defendants who meet certain criteria. However, the measure would not affect drug-trafficking offenses that carry a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison.