Legislative Reporter
We see a Florida where our communities, economies, and environments all thrive.
Friday, Feb. 13, 2026
The legislative session reached its halfway mark this week as the Senate held the final meetings of its policy committees and House committee and subcommittee agendas remained packed with bills. House subcommittee meetings are expected to conclude next week. Most importantly, this week was the point in session when the number of bills “in play” narrows. These deadlines are established in both Senate and House rules and represent standard operating procedure.
The budget process, however, has been anything but standard operating procedure. The initial rollout of the Senate and House budget proposals diverged from traditional practice. A longtime Florida Press Corps reporter sums up the dynamic on X:
@Fineout: So... in a fashion that is nowhere near the normal routine... Senate withholds releasing budget, then delays it till next week bc of House. Then the House without ever discussing recommendations in public puts out its entire budget. This Session is... interesting...
With only four weeks remaining in the legislative session, capitol observers hope these early bumps in the budget process will not lead to missing the Sine Die deadline of March 13.
Below is an update on the bills APA Florida is tracking this session. The full monitoring bill tracking list and priority bill tracking.
Priority Bill Action (Alphabetically)
Affordable Housing – CS/HB 1389 by Rep. Mike Redondo (R-Miami) and SB 1548 by Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) make a variety of changes regarding the Live Local Act, passed during the 2023 Regular Session The bills provide that the preemptions of the Live Local Act permitting the development of affordable housing apply on any property owned by a county, municipality, or school district, provide that a local government may not utilize other dimensional means such as setbacks to constructively restrict the height of an authorized project, provide that farming and farm operations are excluded from the definitions of commercial, industrial, or mixed-use zoning, permit the utilization of the Live Local Act in the vicinity of airports when approved by the airport’s governing body, and clarify language around the prohibition against discriminating against affordable housing development in land use decisions by a local government, and waives sovereign immunity in cases based on such discrimination. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
HB 1389 passed the House Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee on Feb. 11 by a vote of 15-0.
Agricultural Enclaves –
CS/CS/SB 686 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and HB 691 by Rep. Adam Botana (R-Bonita Springs) revise the definition of “agricultural enclave” and create an expedited public hearing process. If the local government does not approve or deny certification as an agricultural enclave within 90 days, the parcel is automatically approved. Upon certification, property owners may submit development plans for single-family residential housing consistent with the land use requirements of adjacent parcels. If the certified agricultural enclave is adjacent to an interstate highway, the parcel may be developed for commercial, industrial, or single-family residential purposes if one or more adjacent parcels or an adjacent development permits the same density or intensity as the proposed development. The bills deem development plans approved under a new certification process a conforming use, regardless of local comprehensive plans or zoning, and prohibit enactment or enforcement of burdensome regulations specifically targeting agricultural enclaves. The bills provide that the agricultural enclave process does not apply to the Wekiva Study Area, the Everglades, Areas of Critical State Concern, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, or military installations or ranges. The amendments made by this act expire Jan. 1, 2028. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Analysis / House Analysis)
SB 686 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 11-0.
Beach Management – SB 636 by Sen. Tom Leek (R-St. Augustine) and CS/HB 1297 by Rep. Greco (R-Palm Coast) requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to review data for repeated repair efforts when designating critically eroded beaches, requires automatic designation as critically eroded for beaches if local governments have a dedicated financial plan that ensures the preservation of funding, authorizes DEP to require coastal local governments to develop local strategic beach management plans, and accounts for the new local management plans in the comprehensive long-term beach management plan. The bill also expands areas of critical state concern to include certain low-elevation sections inland of dunes and beaches repeatedly prone to seawater breaches. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 636 passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Feb. 12 (18-0). The bill now goes to the Senate Floor. HB 1297 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 12-0.
Blue Ribbon Projects – CS/HB 299 by Rep. Lauren Melo (R-Naples) and CS/SB 354 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) create a statutory framework for designating and approving large-scale blue ribbon projects (BRPs) that preserve critical land resources while allowing compact, mixed-use development. To qualify as a BRP a proposed development project must contain at least 10,000 acres of contiguous land owned by, or by entities owned or controlled by, the same person, and at least 60 percent of the land must be set aside as “reserve area,” which consists of lands used for environmental conservation, parks and recreation, productive agriculture and silviculture, utility sites, reservoirs and lakes, or other similar types of open space. Reserve areas may not include golf courses or data centers. Any land not set aside as reserve area may be used as “development area,” which consists of lands to be developed for residential, commercial, industrial, or other uses. The bills provide administrative approval by the Department of Commerce and local governments with limited review, automatic approval under specified timeframes, and an administrative hearing appeal process through the Department of Commerce for denied or contested projects. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 354 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development on Feb. 12 by a vote of 8-4. The Senate adopted an amendment that made several changes to the bill and included recommendations from APA Florida. The amendment is a step in the right direction, and we continue to work closely with the sponsor and stakeholders on additional changes and clarifications.
Growth Management – CS/SB 548 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and CS/CS/HB 1139 by Rep. Richard Gentry (R-DeBary) create a new definition for “plan-base methodology” and “extraordinary circumstances.” The bills provide that the demonstratedneed study required to show extraordinary circumstances justifying an impact fee rate increase must specify the standards used to support the existence of such extraordinary circumstances and be accompanied by a declaration of the method and timeframe by which the impact fee increase will increase capacity The bills restrict use of data older than 4 years and prohibit local governments and school districts from exceeding 100% total impact fee rate increases in a 4-year period. Entitles prevailing residents and business owners who challenge local government or special district impact fees to reasonable attorney fees and costs. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
HB 1139 passed the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 10 (25-0). The bill now goes to the House Floor.
Infill Redevelopment – CS/HB 979 by Rep. David Borrero (R-Doral) and CS/SB 1434 by Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) create the Infill Redevelopment Act which preempt certain local land development regulations and oversight of qualifying parcels. A parcel qualifies if it consists of at least five acres, is located in a county with a population of more than 1.475 million as of the most recent decennial census and with at least 15 municipalities, and any portion of the parcel is environmentally impacted, which for purposes of the bill means contaminants or pollutants have been detected on the land above certain thresholds in a phase II study or the land has been designated a brownfield area under state law. The bills allow qualifying parcels to be developed for residential uses up to either the average density of all applicable zoning districts within the same jurisdiction, or 25 dwelling units per acre, whichever is lower. The bills include additional requirements for qualifying parcels that have recreational facilities on them (such as golf courses or recreational areas adjacent to single family homes on all sides) and provide a framework for the sale of such properties to adjacent property owners if they wish to preserve their recreational use. The bills require development projects that meet the requirements to be approved administratively and preempt local laws, ordinance, or regulations that restrict, prohibit, or otherwise limit the development of a qualifying parcel in accordance with the bill. The bill takes effects upon becoming law. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 1434 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 11-0.
Land Use Regulations – HB 217 by Rep. Shane Abbott (R-DeFuniak Springs) and SB 218 by Sen. Don Gaetz (RPensacola) amend s. 28 of chapter 2025-190, Laws of Florida, (SB 180). The bills define the term “impacted local government” to include counties and their municipalities that received both individual and public assistance in federal disaster declarations for Hurricanes Debby, Helene, or Milton. As a result, 13 counties and the municipalities within them would not be subject to the restrictions. The bills apply retroactively to Aug 1, 2024. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 218 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 10-0.
Local Government Land Development Regulations and Orders – CS/SB 948 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and CS/HB 1143 by Rep. Danny Nix (R-Port Charlotte) create the “Florida Starter Homes Act,” which limit the ability of local governments to restrict the development of dwellings containing four or fewer dwelling units. If a lot on residential real property is connected to a public water and sewer system, a local government must follow certain restrictions on development regulations, including height and density minimums, parking and lot size maximums, and the ability to develop up to a quadruplex on single-family lots. Local governments must allow the placement of off-site constructed residential dwellings according to the same standards that apply to site-built homes and adopt a process for lot splits. The bills introduce a new framework for the application for and approval of development applications, including development permits, orders, and plats. The bills do not prohibit the ability of a condominium association, a homeowners' association, or a cooperative from adopting or approving governing documents, or a property owner from establishing deed restrictions, that provide more restrictive terms than the Florida Starter Homes Act if the adoption, approval, or establishment of such documents or deed restrictions is voluntary and not imposed by a local government. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
HB 1143 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 14-2.
Other Bill Action of Interest (Alphabetically)
Advanced Air Mobility – CS/CS/HB 1093 by Rep. Leonard Spencer (D-Winter Garden) and CS/SB 1362 by Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) authorize FDOT to provide funding for vertiports, provide sovereign immunity protections for operators of vertiports collocated with public airports, provide state preemption over specified aspects of vertiport regulation and operations, including electric aircraft charging stations, direct FDOT to adopt a model vertiport siting code, and establish vertiport demonstration corridors by FDOT. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026 (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 1093 was temporarily postponed by the House Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee on Feb. 10.
Affordable Housing – SB 962 by Senator Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and CS/HB 837 by Representative Demi Busatta (R-Coral Gables) provide that for the purposes of the Live Local Act, passed during the 2023 Regular Session, farms or farm operations, including the packaging and sale of those products raised on the premises, are excluded from the definitions of commercial, industrial, or mixed use zoning which would require the local government to approve certain affordable housing developments. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
HB 837 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 13-3.
Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption – SB 1520 by Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) updates the requirement for a taxing authority’s findings to reference annual housing reports published by the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies for each of the previous 3 years instead of only the most recently published report. Allows the owner of a property in a multifamily project that received a final site plan approval within 1 year before a taxing authority’s opt-out ordinance or resolution to apply for and continue receiving the exemption after meeting all other requirements. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1520 passed the Senate Finance and Tax Committee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 6-0.
Areas of Critical State Concern – CS/HB 755 by Rep. Jim Mooney (R-Key Largo) and CS/SB 934 by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-Doral) exempt projects under a 99-year ground lease with Habitat for Humanity from payment and performance bond requirements and extend through fiscal year 2035–2036 the allocation of at least $5 million annually from
Florida Forever for purchasing land in the Florida Keys Area of Critical State Concern. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026 (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 934 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 8-0.
Building Permits and Inspections – CS/HB 803 by Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) and CS/SB 1234 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) amend provisions related to the Florida Building Code, local building permit requirements, and requirements for private providers of Building Code and plans review services. The bills provide that building permits for single-family dwellings expire one year after the latter of the issuance of the permit or the effective date of the next edition of the Building Code, but local governments can extend. The bills exempt temporary residential hurricane and flood protection walls or barriers meeting certain requirements, exempt permits for work valued at $7,500 or less on a single-family dwelling’s lot with exceptions, provide that permits may not be required for retaining walls on single-family or two-family dwellings or townhouses, and require response to permit applications for work valued less than $15,000 in five days. The bills deem building permits approved for construction or renovation of single-family dwellings subject to a state of emergency within the previous 24 months and require issuance of permits for such projects within two days. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1234 passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 8-0.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services –
CS/CS/CS/SB 290 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) and CS/HB 433 by Rep. Danny Alvarez (R-Riverview) make a number of changes to laws related to DACS, including requiring the Acquisition and Restoration Council to determine whether any lands surplused by a local governmental entity are suitable for bona fide agricultural purposes, and prohibiting local governments from transferring future development rights for such lands. The bills require Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to determine whether any state-owned conservation lands are suitable for bona fide agricultural purposes, and to retain a rural-lands-protection easement for all such lands. The House bill adds definitions for “ecologically significant parcel” and “low-density municipality” and requires applications for development on an ecologically significant parcel to have an attestation that the development will not exceed a maximum density of 1 residential unit per 20 acres. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 290 passed the Senate Rules Committee on Feb. 10(24-0). The bill now goes to the Senate Floor.
Department of Commerce – HB 741 by Rep. Michael Owen (R-Apollo Beach) and SB 998 by Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) make a number of changes to laws related to the Department of Commerce, including exempting federal agencies from the requirement to revert land when land is conveyed for a military installation buffer even if the specific military mission or function of the land has changed, removing the requirement for a federal enterprise community designation and allowing the governor to designate certain unincorporated rural areas with economic distress factors, repealing the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program Act and renaming the program to the Community Development Block Grant Program, and designating the Department as the state administering agency with rulemaking authority. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
HB 741 passed the House Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 15-0.
Department of Environmental Protection – CS/CS/HB 1417 by Rep. Chip LaMarca (R-Lighthouse Point) and CS/SB 1510 by Sen. Ralph Massullo (R-Inverness) revise several provisions of law related to the Department of Environmental Protection. The bills eliminate the Environmental Regulation Commission, revise onsite sewage treatment and disposal requirements, revise basin management action plans, including providing a 60-day waiting period before an approved BMAP is effective, require DEP to develop Best Management Practices for the construction of a solar facility, grant DEP exclusive authority to execute coastal resiliency projects through publicprivate partnerships, extend the due date for annual operating permits for major sources of air pollution, and ratify rules relating to the Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Priority Springs Minimum Flows and Levels and recovery strategies. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 1417 passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee on Feb. 12 (12-2.)
Homestead Exemptions – SB 110 by Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) and CS/HB 227 by Rep. Patt Maney (R-Fort Walton Beach) clarify that an individual who holds a 98-year or longer residential lease is still eligible for the homestead tax exemption on the property even if the lease terminates upon their death. The bill takes effect upon becoming law. (Senate Staff Analysis) / House Staff Analysis)
HB 227 passed the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 24-0.
Local Government Enforcement Actions –
CS/CS/HB 105 by Rep. Robert Brackett (R-Vero Beach) and SB 588 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) prohibit local governments from initiating or threatening enforcement actions deemed arbitrary or unreasonable by a court and not authorized by an ordinance, define “enforcement action,” and establish procedures, legal remedies, and whistle-blower protections in response to a prohibited action. The proposed effective date is Oct. 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis)
HB 105 passed the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10 (17-0). The bill now goes to the House Floor.
Local Government Spending –
CS/HB 1329 by Rep. Yvette Benarroch (R-Naples) and CS/ SB 1566 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) require county and municipal budgets to be posted on the local government’s website, require counties and municipalities to conduct an annual budget cutting exercise identifying specific reductions and post the results of the exercise on the local government’s website, revise the length of time for which each county, municipality, or special district must post certain budget information on its website, and require counties to provide public notice of a hearing on a proposed budget amendment at least seven days before the hearing. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026 (House Staff Analysis) / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 1329 passed the House State Administration Budget Subcommittee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 11-0. SB 1566 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 7-1.
Net-zero Policies – HB 1217 by Rep. John Snyder (R-Palm City) and CS/SB 1628 by Sen. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah Gardens) create a new statute to block governmental entities from adopting or requiring net-zero policies or goals. The bills prohibit government expenditure, taxes, or fees to support, implement, or advance net-zero policies, prohibit any form of cap-and-trade or carbon emissions trading programs, and require annual affidavits from governmental entities to attest compliance with these prohibitions. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
HB 1217 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 11-4.
Official Actions of Local Governments – CS/HB 1001 by Rep. Dean Black (R-Jacksonville) and CS/SB 1134 by Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) prohibit counties and municipalities from taking specific actions relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The prohibitions include funding, promoting, or taking any official action, such as the adoption or enforcement of ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs, and policies after June 30, 2027, related to DEI. The bills also prohibit spending any funds, regardless of source, for DEI offices and officers. The bills do allow a county or municipality to authorize or permit, in a content-neutral manner, civic and community events so long as certain requirements are met. The bills require a potential recipient of a county or municipal contract or grant to certify that he or she will not use county or municipal funds for DEI materials. The bills provide penalties and the ability to bring an action in circuit court against counties or municipalities who violate the bill. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2027. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 1001 passed the House Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee on Feb. 11 by a vote of 12-4.
SB 1134 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 8-3.
Protection
of Historic Monuments and Memorials – HB 455 by Rep. Dean Black (R-Jacksonville) and SB 496 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) establish the Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act to protect monuments and memorials that are at least 25 years old and located on public property. The bills preempt local governments from enacting or enforcing ordinances or rules affecting the removal, damage, or destruction of these monuments and memorials, rendering any such regulations void, and provide enforcement mechanisms. The bill takes effect upon becoming law. (House Analysis)
HB 455 passed the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Feb. 11 by a vote of 12-5.
Private School Facilities – CS/HB 833 by Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Hollywood) and SB 1264 by Rep. Alexis Calatayud (RMiami) provide that private schools enrolling 150 students or fewer may operate in commercial or mixed-use zoning districts within a county or municipality without rezoning or obtaining a special exception or land use change. The bills provide that the private school would not be required to comply with any additional mitigation requirements, conditions, performance standards, ordinances, rules, codes, or policies. The bills permit these schools to operate in existing assembly, day care, mercantile, or business occupancies if they meet Florida Fire Prevention Code requirements for educational occupancies. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1264 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 8-0.
Public Meetings –
CS/CS/SB 332 by Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Fleming Island) and CS/CS/HB 655 by Rep. Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) create a public meetings exemption to allow a state or local agency to meet privately with its attorney to review a claim made against the government pursuant to the Bert J. Harris, Jr., Property Rights Protection Act. The bills create a public records exemption for the transcript, recordings, minutes, and records generated during an exempt portion of such meeting. Once the claim is resolved or has expired, the records of the meeting will be open to the public. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 332 passed the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee on Feb. 11 by a vote of 8-0.
HB 655 passed the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10 (16-0). The bill now goes to the House Floor.
Public Records –
CS/HB 437 by Rep. Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola) and SB 770 by Sen. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) revise the definition of “actual cost of duplication”, require custodians of public records to acknowledge and respond in good faith within 3 business days and bar fees if they fail to do so, eliminate fees for remote electronic access and prohibit charges for requests taking under 30 minutes. The bills prohibit charging of actual cost of duplication of records when the record has been previously disclosed under another public records request made to that agency, require agencies to offer electronic payment options, and expand penalty provisions to treat violations of public-records access laws. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis)
HB 437 passed the House Judiciary Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 16-0.
Regulation of Chickees – HB 929 by Rep. Nan Cobb and SB 1020 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) prohibit local governments from restricting the construction of chickees by a Miccosukee or Seminole tribal member. The bills prohibit local regulations of chickees that exceed federal floodplain management regulations, exempt chickees from the Florida Fire Prevention Code if they are built at least 20 feet from another structure or feature approved fire-proofing measures, redefine “chickee” to allow certain materials, nonwood fasteners, and optional electrical or plumbing features with a building permit, and establish penalties for non-tribal individuals who construct a chickee to evade the Florida Building Code. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 929 passed the House Commerce Committee on Feb. 10 (23-0). The bill now goes to the House Floor.
Stormwater Treatment – CS/SB 848 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) and CS/HB 1457 by Karen Gonzalez Pittman (RTampa) provide that the use of a water quality enhancement area (WQEA) credit transfers the legal responsibility for complying with applicable regulatory water quality treatment requirements from the purchaser and user of such credit to the generator of such credit. The bills authorize environmental resource permit (ERP) applicants to use compensating stormwater treatment as a mitigation measure when existing ambient water quality prevents compliance with water quality standards. The bills allow entities to apply for provisional WQEA permits pending the DEP adoption of WQEA rules. DEP and water management districts must allow the use of WQEA enhancement credits generated under such provisional permits, provided applicable statutory requirements are met. The proposed effective date Is July 1, 2026. (Senate Analysis / House Analysis)
SB 848 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 8-0.
HB 1457 passed the House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 15-1.
Transportation – CS/HB 543 by Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) and CS/SB 1274 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) make a number of changes to laws related to transportation, including increasing the minimum perception reaction time of all steady yellow signals, requiring certain seaports to submit annual report describing measures taken to support commercial space launch, prohibiting certain seaports from converting planned or existing land, facilities, or infrastructure that supports cargo purposes unless specified conditions are met, requiring the Department of Highway
Safety and Motor Vehicles to implement a Next-generation Traffic Signal Modernization Grant Program, providing counties and municipalities the flexibility to set lower speed limits for local streets and highways in a residence district, authorizing FDOT to fund 100 percent of the cost of certain airport projects in rural communities, and requiring FDOT to adopt rules establishing circumstances under which it may make direct payments to a first-tier subcontractor. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1274 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 10 by a vote of 8-0.
Transportation – CS/SB 1220 by Sen. Ralph Massullo (R-Inverness) and CS/HB 1233 by Rep. Griff Griffitts (R-Panama City) make several changes to Florida’s transportation systems. The bills require ports to include strategies for securing critical infrastructure resources in their strategic plans, establish a new seaport maritime industrial base program, expand personal delivery device use to certain sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and shoulders, require minimum safety criteria and human operator oversight of personal delivery devices, prohibit local governments from blocking commercial property drone delivery services or counting drone infrastructure against required parking spaces, remove FDOT’s authority to purchase promotional items for electric vehicle use but broadens authority for transportation-related economic development including advanced air mobility, allow more flexibility in the construction materials for state trail networks, authorize FDOT to require local governments to submit applications for federal transportation funding and approve local requests for federal funding for stateowned transportation facilities, and require FDOT to study the impact of alternative fuel vehicles on state transportation revenues and evaluate revenue models to address this impact The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 1220 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development on Feb. 12 by a vote of 12-0.
Tributaries of St. Johns River – CS/CS/HB 981 by Rep. Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) and CS/SB 1066 by Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hire a project lead by Aug 31, 2026, with expertise in conservation and recreation planning. The bills require the development of a project plan for Ocklawaha River restoration by July 1, 2027, and completion by Dec. 31, 2032, establish by Oct. 31, 2026, the Northeast Florida River and Springs Recreation and Economic Development Advisory Council to recommend outdoor recreation, require the department to create a grant program for river communities to implement the outdoor recreation plan by Jan. 1, 2028, and instruct the Department of Commerce to develop and implement an aligning economic development program for Marion and Putnam Counties by Jan. 1, 2028. The bill takes effect upon becoming law. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1066 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 12 by a vote of 17-1.
Water Management Districts – HB 701 by Rep. Bill Conerly (R-Lakewood Ranch) and SB 1120 by Senator Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) expand lobbying restrictions to prohibit expenditures, streamline water management district operations including requiring a quorum for water management district board meetings and an affirmative majority vote for official actions, expand reporting requirements for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, prohibit water management districts from using state funds as a local match for any state grant program, authorize water management districts to levy certain ad valorem taxes on specified property for certain purposes, require more budget transparency, and require that certain projects submitted by water management districts for the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan be ranked on separate list. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1120 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 12 (18-0). The bill now goes to the Senate Floor.
Bills on the Agenda Next Week
Note: Short committee notice period during session. House Committees notice by 5 pm two days before and Senate Committees notice by 2:30 pm three days before. *Priority bill
House Justice Budget Subcommittee – Monday, Feb. 16, at 1:30 pm
• HB 437 – Public Records by Rep. Andrade
House Budget Committee – Monday, Feb. 16, at 3:30 pm
• HB 543 – Transportation by Rep. McFarland
Senate Rules – Tuesday, Feb. 17, at Noon
• SB 110 – Homestead Exemptions by Sen. Arrington
• SB 434 – Assessment of Property Used for Residential Purposes by Sen. Leek
• SB 484 – Data Centers by Sen. Avila*
• SB 546 – Conservation Lands by Sen. Mayfield*
• SB 840 – Land Use Regulations for Local Governments Affected by Natural Disasters by Sen. DiCeglie*
• SB 848 – Stormwater Treatment by Sen. Truenow
• SB 962 – Affordable Housing by Sen. Bradley
• SB 1134 – Official Actions of Local Governments by Sen. Yarborough
House Session – Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 1 pm
• HB 441 – Conservation Lands by Rep. Kendall
• HB 243 – Electric Bicycles by Rep. Benarroch
• HB 103 – Local Business Taxes by Rep. Botana
Standards for Storm Water Systems – HB 239 by Rep. J.J. Grow (R-Inverness) and CS/SB 558 by Sen. Danny Burgess (RZephyrhills) require all newly installed storm water systems in counties and municipalities to follow Department of Transportation standards and undergo final inspections by a certified third-party engineer, superseding all local requirements. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 558 passed the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 7-1.
Transportation – CS/SB 1220 by Sen. Ralph Massullo (R-Inverness) and CS/HB 1233 by Rep. Griff Griffitts (R-Panama City) make several changes to Florida’s transportation systems. The bills require ports to include strategies for securing critical infrastructure resources in their strategic plans, establish a new seaport maritime industrial base program, expand personal delivery device use to certain sidewalks, crosswalks, bicycle lanes, and shoulders, require minimum safety criteria and human operator oversight of personal delivery devices, prohibit local governments from blocking commercial property drone delivery services or counting drone infrastructure against required parking spaces, remove FDOT’s authority to purchase promotional items for electric vehicle use but broadens authority for transportation-related economic development including advanced air mobility, allow more flexibility in the construction materials for state trail networks, authorize FDOT to require local governments to submit applications for federal transportation funding and approve local requests for federal funding for stateowned transportation facilities, and require FDOT to study the impact of alternative fuel vehicles on state transportation revenues and evaluate revenue models to address this impact. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 1220 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 9-0.
HB 1233 passed the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee on Feb. 4 by a vote of 15-0.
Tributaries of St. Johns River – CS/CS/HB 981 by Rep. Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) and CS/SB 1066 by Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) require the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hire a project lead by Aug. 31, 2026, with expertise in conservation and recreation planning. The bills require the development of a project plan for Ocklawaha River restoration by July 1, 2027, establish the Northeast Florida River and Springs Recreation and Economic Development Advisory Council to recommend outdoor recreation, require the department to create a grant program for river communities to implement the outdoor recreation plan, and instruct the Department of Commerce to develop and implement an aligning economic development program for Marion and Putnam Counties. The bill takes effect upon becoming law. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 981 passed the House Budget Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 28-0 and the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 23-0. The bill now goes to the House Floor.
SB 1066 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government on Feb. 4 by a vote of 10-1.
Water Management Districts – HB 701 by Rep. Bill Conerly (R-Lakewood Ranch) and SB 1120 by Sen. Jason Brodeur (RLake Mary) expands lobbying restrictions to prohibit expenditures, streamlines water management district operations including requiring a quorum for water management district board meetings and an affirmative majority vote for official actions, expands reporting requirements for the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan, prohibits water management districts from using state funds as a local match for any state grant program, authorizes water management districts to levy certain ad valorem taxes on specified property for certain purposes, requires more budget transparency, and requires that certain projects submitted by water management districts for the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan be ranked on separate list. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1120 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government on Feb. 4 by a vote of 11-0.
Bills on the Agenda Next Week
Note: Short committee notice period during session. House Committees notice by 5 pm two days before and Senate Committees notice by 2:30 pm three days before. *Priority bill
Senate Rules – Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 9 am
• SB 962 – Affordable Housing by Sen. Bradley
Senate Judiciary – Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 12 pm
• *SB 218 – Land Use Regulations by Sen. Gaetz
• *SB 686 – Agricultural Enclaves by Sen. McClain
• SB 1134 – Official Actions of Local Governments by Sen. Yarborough
• *SB 1434 – Infill Redevelopment by Sen. Calatayud
Senate Regulated Industries – Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 12 pm
• SB 1234 – Building Permits and Inspections by Sen. DiCeglie
Senate Transportation Committee – Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 12 pm
• SB 1274 – Transportation by Sen. DiCeglie
Senate Community Affairs Committee – Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 3 pm
• SB 848 – Stormwater Treatment by Sen. Truenow
• SB 934 – Areas of Critical State Concern by Sen. Rodriguez
• SB 1264 – Private Schools by Sen. Calatayud
• SB 1566 – Local Government Spending by Sen. DiCeglie