Legislative Reporter
We see a Florida where our communities, economies, and environments all thrive.
The legislature completed Week 4 of the nine-week legislative session, moving closer to completing the substantive committee meeting process and, perhaps, beginning to shift focus toward each chamber’s respective budget. As the session approaches the halfway point, pressure is mounting for lawmakers to advance their bills through “the process.” Committee chairs signaled the likelihood of their final committee meetings occurring very soon, meaning many bills that have not been heard by an initial committee may not make it to the finish line. Week 4 was also rumored to be the week initial budget proposals were released, but that was not the case. Instead, some light bickering between the House and Senate led to a delay, drawing speculation that it won’t be a seamless budget negotiation process in the final half of the session.
New this year at the Florida Planning Summit, APA Florida launched a Legislative Day at the Capitol, giving members the opportunity to directly engage in the legislative process. On Jan. 29, following a legislative session update and interactive training on effective communication with elected officials, members headed to the Capitol to put those skills into action. Nearly 30 members participated in the legislative track, meeting with 22 legislators from across the state. A smaller group also met with staff from the Governor’s Office and representatives from the Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Commerce.
During their meetings, members highlighted APA Florida’s role as a trusted planning resource and shared APA Florida’s legislative priorities. Discussions included support for SB 840, the SB 180 fix bill, as well as concerns with SB 354/HB 299 (Blue Ribbon Projects) and SB 948/HB 1143 (the “Florida Starter Homes Act”). Conversations emphasized the need for additional planning input and guardrails in both proposals.
Overall, the Legislative Day was a productive and successful effort, strengthening APA Florida’s relationships within both the legislative and executive branches and elevating the voice of planning at the Capitol.
Below is an update on the bills APA Florida is tracking this session. The full tracking list is here Priority bills here
Priority Bill Action (Alphabetically)
Affordable Housing – 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)
SB 1548 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 8-0.
Agricultural Enclaves – 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 requiring local governments to certify a parcel as an agricultural enclave as defined in s.163.3164, if one or more adjacent parcels or an adjacent development permits the same density as, or higher density than, the proposed development If the local government
does not approve or deny certification as an agricultural enclave within 90 days, the parcel is automatically approved. 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 Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
HB 691 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 13-0 and the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 16-0.
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 Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government on Feb. 4 by a vote of 11-0.
HB 1297 passed the House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee on Feb. 4 by a vote of 16-0.
Conservation Lands – CS/HB 441 by Rep. Kim Kendall (R-St. Johns) and CS/SB 546 by Sen. Debbie Mayfield (RMelbourne) mandate the Division of State Lands to publicly post a list of conservation lands proposed for sale and the rationale for selling them at least 30 days before the board of trustees meets. The bills require that any parcels proposed for exchange are appraised under specific criteria and that the Division of State Lands publish details about all parcels involved, along with any conservation easements to be retained, at least 30 days before the Acquisition and Restoration Council meets. The bills require water management districts to post, at least 30 days in advance, information on proposed conservation land sales or exchanges. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 441 passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 14-0 and the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 3 (23-0 vote). The bill now goes to the House Floor.
SB 546 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government on Feb. 4 by a vote of 11-0.
Data Centers – CS/SB 484 by Sen. Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah Gardens) and HB 1517 by Rep. Dotie Joseph (D-North Miami) are similarly related to Data Centers. SB 484 prohibits agencies from entering into nondisclosure agreements that restrict public disclosure of data center development information, maintains local government authority over comprehensive planning and land development regulations for large load customers, requires the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) to develop tariffs to protect ratepayers, and requires hearings and stringent requirements for large-scale data center water use permits. The bill provides that the tariffs the PSC creates prevent a public utility from providing electric service to a foreign entity large load customers and gives the PSC until March 2027 to adopt rules. HB 1517 requires applications for data centers to include energy, water, waste, and emissions disclosures, and requires public posting and compliance obligations for data centers. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 484 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 8-0.
Growth Management – CS/SB 548 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and 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 demonstrated-need 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 percent total impact fee rate increases in a four-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 Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 12-0 and the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 16-0.
Housing – CS/CS/SB 48 by Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola) and CS/HB 313 by Rep. Danny Nix (R-Port Charlotte) require local governments, by Dec. 1, 2026, to adopt ordinances allowing accessory dwelling units (ADUs) without requiring a public hearing, a variance, a conditional use permit, special exception, or other discretionary action other than a determination that a site plan conforms with applicable zoning regulations, in any area zoned for single-family residential use. The ordinance may regulate the permitting, construction, and use of an ADU, including prohibiting ADU rentals for less than one month, but there are exceptions to the ordinances, including parking requirements or a requirement that the owner reside in the primary dwelling unit. The bills clarify that an owner of a property with an ADU may not be denied a homestead exemption based on renting the ADU to another person, but that the ADU must be assessed separately according to its use. The bills allow certain land donated to a local government for affordable housing to be used to provide affordable housing to military families and direct the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to evaluate the efficacy of using mezzanine finance and the use of tiny homes to meet affordable housing needs. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis, House Staff Analysis)
SB 48 passed the Senate Rules Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 22-0 and passed the Senate Floor on Feb. 4 by a vote of 38-0. The bill is now in House Messages.
Infill Redevelopment – CS/HB 979 by Rep. David Borrero (R-Doral) and 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 10 (15 in the HB) municipalities, and any portion of the parcel is “environmentally impacted.” The bills allow qualifying parcels to be developed for residential uses to the highest density and intensity allowed in any adjacent zoning district within the same jurisdiction. If no adjacent zoning district allows for residential development, the bills provide that a local government must allow single-family homes and townhouses on the parcel and are prohibited from restricting certain land use characteristics beyond specified limits. The bills require development projects that meet the requirements to be approved administratively and preempt local laws, ordinance, or regulations that apply, or have the effect of applying, a more restrictive or burdensome requirement or procedure for the development of a qualified parcel. The bill takes effects upon becoming law. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 1434 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 8-0.
HB 979 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 12-2.
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 Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 8-0.
Land Use and Development Regulations – CS/SB 208 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and CS/CS/HB 399 by Rep. David Borrero (R-Doral) require application fees for development permits and orders to reasonably related to the costs associated with reviewing and processing the application and prohibits fees based on a percentage of project costs. The bills require local government comprehensive plans and land development regulations to include factors for assessing compatibility of allowable residential uses and establishes requirements for examining an application for development for compatibility. The bills prohibit local governments from denying an application on compatibility grounds unless the denial includes written findings identifying areas of incompatibility and concluding that proposed mitigation measures are inadequate and no feasible mitigation measures exist. The House adopted an amendment requiring that amendments to the future land use element of the comprehensive plan must be adopted by majority vote of the members present, notwithstanding any county charter, and requires a study on the elimination of the Urban Development Boundary in
HB 399 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 10-3 and the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 11-4.
Local Government Land Development Regulations and Orders – CS/SB 948 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and HB 1143 by Rep. Danny Nix (R-Port Charlotte) create the “Florida Starter Homes Act,” which prohibits local governments from adopting land development regulations that govern lots on residential real property unless such adoption is the least restrictive means of furthering a compelling governmental interest. 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, including those split into up to 8 lots. The bills introduce a new framework for the application for and approval of development applications, including development permits, orders, and plats. The framework includes strict timelines and penalties, and results in administrative approval on all residential development without input. The bill creates a cause of action and waives sovereign immunity for local governments. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis.)
SB 948 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 7-1.
Local Land Planning and Development – CS/HB 927 by Rep. Judson Sapp (R-Palatka) and SB 1138 by Sen. Ralph Massullo (R-Inverness) require each county and municipality to create a program for private contractors to conduct preapplication reviews of plans, permits, or plats submitted as part of compliance with a local government’s land development regulations. After completing a pre-application review on work in their respective field, a qualified contractor completes an affidavit that the work is in compliance with the local government’s requirements, which is then reviewed by the local government. The bill requires each local government to establish a registry of qualified contractors and provides requirements for those contractors. Planners certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners are included in the list of qualified contractors The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
HB 927 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 13-1.
Transportation Infrastructure Land Development Regulations – HB 1183 by Rep. Lindsay Cross (D-St. Petersburg) and CS/SB 1342 by Sen. Darryl Rouson (D-St. Petersburg) require each county, municipality, and special district to establish Tier 1 and Tier 2 transit-oriented development (TOD) zones by Dec. 1, 2026. The bills require mixed-use zoning in these areas, prohibit local governments from imposing restrictive building height caps, floor area ratios, setback requirements, open space requirements, and minimum parking requirements below specified thresholds, and prevent reduction or elimination of a TOD zone after establishment. The bills create a private cause of action for property owners and housing organizations to challenge local regulations that violate these requirements. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1342 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 8-0.
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 passed the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 14-1 and the House Ways and Means Committee on Feb. 2 by a vote of 18-0.
SB 1362 passed the Senate Transportation Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 9-0.
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)
SB 962 passed the Senate Agriculture Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 4-0.
Affordable Housing – HB 675 by Rep. Fentrice Driskell (D-Temple Terrace) and SB 756 by Sen. Tracie Davis (DJacksonville) extend the mandated affordability period for certain rental units from 30 to 50 years to qualify for zoning variances, specify that any incentives provided by a municipality to a developer must be used for the construction of affordable housing, reduce the income threshold from 120 percent to 100 percent for tax exemptions, and exempt first-time homebuyer transactions from documentary stamp taxes. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis)
HB 675 passed the House Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee on Jan. 29, by a vote of 15-0.
Areas of Critical State Concern – CS/HB 755 by Rep. Jim Mooney (R-Key Largo) and 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)
HB 755 passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee on Feb. 4 by a vote of 14-0.
Assessment of
Property Used for Residential Purposes –
SB 434 by Sen. Tom Leek (R-St. Augustine) and HB 617 by Rep. Toby Overdorf (R-Stuart) prohibit increasing the assessed value of residential property based on improvements made to enhance wind resistance. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 434 passed the Senate Finance and Tax Committee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 8-0 and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 16-0.
Building Permits and Inspections – CS/HB 803 by Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R-Fort Pierce) and SB 1234 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) set a uniform 1-year permit expiration, or until the next Florida Building Code update, for singlefamily dwelling permits issued by counties or local governments, exempt certain residential flood or hurricane barriers and smaller retaining walls from permit requirements, prohibit local governments from requiring building permits for minor single-family home projects under $7,500, clarify that local governments must reduce permit fees when a private provider handles plan reviews or inspections and prohibits extra forms, fees, or discouraging private providers, and require local building officials to approve or deny permit applications within specified timeframes. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 803 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 14-1.
Cattle Grazing on State Land – HB 1421 by Rep. Jon Albert (R-Winter Haven) and SB 1658 by Sen. Keith Truenow (RTavares) add a new requirement that land management plans must assess the feasibility of leasing portions of state land for cattle grazing and include an explanation if no areas are deemed suitable. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis)
HB 1421 passed the House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 16-2.
Community Development District Recall Elections – CS/HB 1051 by Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimmee) and CS/SB 1180 by Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) create a new recall process for community development district board members elected by the qualified electors of the district, including petition requirements, grounds for removal, and election procedures. The Senate bill clarifies that the prohibition on local government regulation of synthetic turf does not limit a CDD’s ability to enforce deed restrictions and expands the types of developments that can qualify as a “compact, urban, mixed-use district”, promoting high density, mixed-use projects, including affordable housing, in targeted urban areas. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 1051 passed the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 16-0.
SB 1180 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 8-0 and the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Feb. 4 by a vote of 8-0.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – 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 280 was temporarily postponed by the Senate Rules Committee on Jan. 27.
HB 433 passed the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee on Feb. 4 by a vote of 14-0.
Department of Commerce – HB 741 by Rep. Michael Owen (R-Apollo Beach) and SB 998 by Sen. Clay Yarborough (RJacksonville) 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 Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 16-0.
Department of Environmental Protection – 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, expand the Acquisition and Restoration Council from 10 to 12 members, transfer oversight of the Florida Communities Trust from the department to the council, revise onsite sewage treatment and disposal requirements, update air pollution permit fees, and make updates to the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan for rural counties regarding project cost sharing. The House bill requires DEP to develop and annually updated best management practices for solar facility construction. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 1510 passed the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 7-0. HB 1417 passed the House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee on Feb. 4 by a vote of 16-0.
Electric Bicycles, Scooters, and Motorcycles – CS/HB 243 by Rep. Yvette Benarroch (R-Naples) and CS/SB 382 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) provide that a person operating an electric bicycle on certain shared pathways must adhere to certain protocols and that a person operating an electric bicycle on a sidewalk or other area designated for pedestrians may not operate the electric bicycle at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour if a pedestrian is within 50 foot of the electric bicycle. The bills create the Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force that must submit a report by Oct. 1, 2026, with recommendations to improve state law and the regulatory framework, and require e-bike crash data collection and reporting. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2027. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 243 passed the House Transportation and Economic Development Budget Subcommittee on Jan. 29 (11-0) and the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 22-0. The bill now goes to the House Floor.
SB 382 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development on Jan. 28 by a vote of 14-0 and the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 15-0. The bill now goes to the Senate Floor.
Homestead Exemptions – SB 110 by Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) and HB 227 by Rep. Patt Maney (R-Fort Walton Beach) allow leasehold interests with an original term of at least 98 years to qualify for homestead exemptions even if they terminate upon the death of the lessees. The bill takes effect upon becoming law. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 110 passed the Senate Finance and Tax Committee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 8-0 and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 16-0.
Legal Notices – CS/CS/SB 380 by Sen. Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) and CS/HB 1009 by Rep. Griff Griffitts (R-Panama City) give a municipality, the office of the clerk of the circuit court, the office of the tax collector, and water management
district more control over where it may publish advertisements and legal notices by giving them the option to publish advertisements and legal notices on their own official websites, a private website they designate, their county’s website, a private website designated by the county, or in a local newspaper. An entity referred to as an “other unit of local government or political subdivision” will still be required to publish legal notices and advertisements on a county or county designated website. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 380 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 29 by a vote of 8-0.
HB 1009 passed the Senate Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 10-3.
Local Business Taxes – SB 122 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) and CS/HB 103 by Rep. Adam Botana (R-Bonita Springs) repeal the authority for local governments to levy a local business tax. The bills allow municipalities that impose a business tax on merchants measured by gross receipts to continue to impose the tax and counties that levy an additional county business tax under current law to continue to levy such tax. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis)
HB 103 passed the House State Affairs Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 18-5.
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 Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote of 12-0.
Local Government Spending – CS/HB 1329 by Rep. Yvette Benarroch (R-Naples) and SB 1566 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (RSt. 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)
HB 1329 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 8-4.
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 Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 1628 passed the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 5-3.
HB 1217 passed the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee on Feb. 4 by a vote of 12-3.
Official Actions of Local Governments – HB 1001 by Rep. Dean Black (R-Jacksonville) and SB 1134 by Sen. Clay Yarborough (R-Jacksonville) void and prohibit any local ordinances, resolutions, or policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), prohibit the use of public funds to establish or support DEI offices or officers, and allow residents to bring actions in circuit court to enjoin or seek damages against violating counties or municipalities. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2027. (House Staff Analysis / Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 1001 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 10-5.
SB 1134 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Feb. 3 by a vote of 6-2.
Preemption to the State – HB 1227 by Rep. Vanessa Oliver (R-Punta Gorda) and SB 1444 by Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) preempt counties, municipalities, and special districts from restricting religious services or gatherings and related parking in residential or commercial areas. The bills prohibit local enforcement agencies from denying certificates of occupancy or building permits based on certain landscaping requirements or repairs needed after natural disasters, eliminate building permit requirements for playground equipment, fences, and certain low-cost projects on single-family residential property, and prevent local governments from regulating vehicle, trailer, or heavy-equipment parking on larger residential parcels. The bill takes effect upon becoming law. (Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 833 passed the House Education Administration Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 13-3.
Public Meetings – 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 the members of a local government board to meet privately to review a claim made against the government pursuant to the Bert J. Harris, Jr., Property Rights Protection Act. Once the claim is resolved, the records of the meeting, including a transcript, 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 Judiciary Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 10-0.
HB 655 passed the House Government Operations Subcommittee on Jan. 29 by a vote of 16-0.
Public Nuisances – SB 168 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) and CS/HB 481 Rep. Erika Booth (R-Orlando) expand public nuisance laws to include gambling houses, remove limitations on fines, and provide clearer penalties and foreclosure processes. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 168 passed off the Senate Floor on Jan. 29 by a vote of 35-0. The bill is now in House Messages.
HB 481 passed the House State Affairs Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 25-0. The bill is now on the House Calendar on 2nd Reading.
Rapid Rail Transit Compact – HB 53 by Rep. Yvonne Hinson (D-Gainesville) authorizes the Governor to execute a Rapid Rail Transit Compact and establishes the Southern Rail Commission as the joint agency responsible for studying feasibility and coordinating interstate passenger rail service. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis)
HB 53 passed the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee on Feb. 4 by a vote of 13-1.
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)
SB 1020 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 27 by a vote of 8-0.
HB 929 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on Feb. 5 by a vote of 14-0.
Release of Conservation Easements –
CS/HB 673 by Rep. Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) and SB 938 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) require the water management district to release the conservation easement for parcels under 15 acres bordered on three or more sides by impervious surfaces and without significant historical or cultural value, require the property owner to secure mitigation credits to offset any wetland impacts, revalue the property for ad valorem taxes, and allow development consistent with adjacent zoning upon easement release. If the property is developed, the bills specify that the property owner assumes responsibility for any requirements, including compliance with all local ordinances. The bills exclude conservation easements within residential developments and proprietary easements held by a water management district. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis)
HB 673 passed the House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee on Jan. 28 by a vote 15-2.
Special District Funding – SB 214 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and HB 273 by Rep. Chad Johnson (R-Newberry) expand invoice payment provisions for rural communities to include certain special districts and independent special districts that provide water and wastewater services within a rural area of opportunity, and broaden the definition of “rural community” to encompass those districts. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis / House Staff Analysis)
SB 214 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development on Feb. 4 by a vote of 14-0.
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