Legislative Reporter
We see a Florida where our communities, economies, and environments all thrive.
The opening week of Florida’s 2026 legislative session set the tone for a politically charged 60-day stretch. Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address on Jan. 13, using the occasion to highlight his administration’s accomplishments over the past seven years. The governor also outlined a proactive agenda for 2026 focused on eliminating property taxes for homestead residences, establishing an AI Bill of Rights to regulate the use of artificial intelligence, and continuing educational reform efforts. The address unfolded against a backdrop of visible tension between the governor and the legislature, particularly the House. This political dynamic may shape the session dynamics as much as policy.
Legislative activity began at a rapid pace, with lawmakers immediately taking up high profile issues ranging from gun laws and immigration verification to medical malpractice and school vouchers. Early in the week, both chambers prepared to advance major bills, including the Senate’s Rural Renaissance initiative aimed at boosting funding for rural communities and improving infrastructure, healthcare access, and schools. Meanwhile, the House moved forward on proposals to lower the rifle purchase age to 18, raise sovereign immunity caps, and expand EVerify requirements for businesses. With next week’s agendas already full, the rapid pace shows no signs of slowing.
Opening Day of Session
Florida’s 2026 Regular Legislative Session began on Tuesday, Jan. 13, with the House and Senate presiding officers sharing their priorities for the next 60 days and a joint session to receive Governor Ron DeSantis’s final State of the State address.
President Ben Albritton (R-Wauchula) began his opening remarks by saying that “collaboration and communication are the driving forces” of the Senate and that “thoughtful deliberations” must continue to ensure we “understand the outcomes and consequences of the decisions we make.” The President said the Senate will continue evaluating state spending, reducing state debt, cutting taxes, and saving for the future. He announced a renewed commitment to his Rural Renaissance initiative, noting that the Trump Administration may use it as a national model. Albritton noted that “affordability” is on Floridians’ minds, but the legislature’s ability to affect the costs of goods and services during a 60-day session is limited.
In his opening comments, House Speaker Danny Perez (R-Miami) said his goals remain unchanged from last session – standing firm on principle, insisting on the House’s independence, and that the chamber “stands ready to work with anyone who is willing to put the needs of our state first.” Perez listed “affordability and insurance; taxes and the economy; prescription drug prices and the rising cost of public benefits,” as priorities but did not provide details. Instead, the Speaker said the work before the House is to “… ensure Florida stays at the center of our planet’s race for the stars, and that our infrastructure keeps pace with our growth.”
Governor DeSantis outlined his administration’s accomplishments over the past seven years, including stabilizing the property insurance market and lowering auto rates, record funding for Everglades restoration, addressing illegal immigration, and ensuring universal school choice. Further, the governor called on lawmakers to approve a constitutional amendment for the November 2026 ballot that would provide property tax relief to Floridians, a message he has emphasized since the summer.
He also signaled his support for several measures introduced by legislators, including the Senate President’s Rural Renaissance initiative, limits on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in local governments, strengthened illegal immigration enforcement, and expansion of 2nd Amendment rights. The governor shared his concerns about artificial intelligence (AI), noting that while it has useful applications, advances must be developed in a “moral and ethical” manner. In particular, he expressed concern that Floridians will “foot the bill” for the cost of data centers without policy changes. Governor DeSantis State of the State Video
The Legislative Session is scheduled to conclude on Friday, March 13, 2026
Priority Bill Action (Alphabetically)
Click here to download a full priority list Bill Tracking Report
Beach Management – SB 636 by Sen. Tom Leek (R-St. Augustine) and 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)
SB 636 passed the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 13 by a vote of 8-0.
Blue Ribbon Projects – CS/HB 299 by Rep. Lauren Melo (R-Naples) and CS/SB 354 by Sen. Stan McClain (ROcala) 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. Any land not set aside as a reserve area may be used as a “development area,” which consists of lands to be developed for residential, commercial, industrial, or other uses. The bills provide administrative approval by local governments with limited review, automatic approval under specified timeframes, and an appeal process through the Department of Commerce for denied or contested projects. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Updated House Staff Analysis / Updated Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 354 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 13 by a vote of 7-1. The Senate adopted two amendments to clarify that reserve areas may be used for the DACS Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, which would create permanent land conservation easements, and that the conservation easements must be provided by the developer without charge.
Conservation Lands – CS/HB 441 by Rep. Kim Kendall (R-St. Johns) and CS/SB 546 by Sen. Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne) mandate the Division of State Lands (DSL) 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. (Updated House Staff Analysis / Updated Senate Staff Analysis)
HB 411 passed the House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee on Jan. 13 by a vote of 16-0. The committee adopted one technical amendment.
SB 546 passed the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 13 by a vote of 7-0. The committee adopted one technical amendment.
Housing – 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) in single-family residential zones. The ordinance may regulate the permitting, construction, and use of an ADU, such as renting for less than one month, subject to certain exceptions, including parking requirements. 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 authorize a landlord to accept a reusable tenant screening report, prohibit screening fees, 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 Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development on Jan. 14 by a vote of 13-0. The committee adopted an amendment that defines “by-right” and clarifies that the local government ordinance allows ADUs by right in any area zoned for single-family residential use. The amendment also prohibits local government ordinances that impose discretionary review or hearing standards and removes the reusable tenant portion.
Land and Water Management – CS/HB 479 by Rep. Randy Maggard (R-Zephyrhills) and SB 718 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) prohibit counties and municipalities from adopting laws, regulations, rules, or policies relating to water quality, water quantity, pollution control, pollutant discharge prevention or removal, and wetlands, and preempts regulation in these areas to the state. The bills require the withholding of state funds from noncompliant local governments and the repeal of land management review teams. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Updated House Staff Analysis)
HB 479 passed the House Natural Resources and Disasters Subcommittee on Jan. 13 by a vote of 115. The committee adopted a proposed committee substitute which removes provisions preempting regulation of water quality, water quantity, pollution control, pollutant discharge prevention and removal, and wetlands, to the state. The PCS narrows the bill to only prohibit a county or municipality from regulating adjacent development outside a wetland buffer if that buffer is a minimum width of 15 feet from the wetland and an average width of 25 feet from a wetland.
Land Use and Development Regulations – CS/SB 208 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and HB 399 by Rep. David Borrero (R-Doral) revise various provisions of law relating to compatibility, infill residential development, and building design regulations. The bills redefine the definition of “compatibility” to specify that the term does not require identical development, and that all residential land uses are compatible if they fall within the same residential land use category in the local government’s comprehensive plan. The bills prohibit local regulations from denying or delaying residential projects based on compatibility concerns if the project adjoins existing residential development in the same land use category. The bills also define “infill residential development” as parcels up to 100 acres meeting specified proximity and size requirements and provide for administrative approval of infill residential development applications without public hearing if certain standards are met. Lastly, the bills provide that regulations related to building design elements may not be applied to development within planned unit developments or master planned communities based on local ordinance or resolution that was not adopted as part of the approval documents for the planned unit development or master planned community. The proposed effective date is Jan. 1, 2027. (Updated Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 208 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Jan. 12 by a vote of 10-0. The committee adopted a delete all amendment that replaced the original bill with one that facilitates residential development by making the development permit and development order application process less costly. The bill revises the process for local governments to deny applications due to a lack of compatibility by requiring them to issue specific and objective reasons for such denials.
Land Use Regulations for Local Governments Affected by Natural Disasters – SB 840 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (RSt. Petersburg) revises Sections 18 and 28 of SB 180. Pertaining to Section 18, the bill narrows the definition of “impacted local government” from counties located within 100 miles of a hurricane’s track to those within 50 miles and requires inclusion in a federal major disaster declaration. The bill clarifies that for one year after a hurricane makes landfall in an impacted local government may not enforce a moratorium that prevents or delays the repair or
reconstruction of an existing improvement damaged by such hurricane but carves out moratorium imposed to address stormwater and sewer systems The bill adds exceptions if a comprehensive plan amendment is needed to comply with state or federal law or a federal floodplain management standard. Clarifies that damage must require a permit to trigger limitations and that an impacted local government may require documentation that the property was damaged by a hurricane. The bill removes the ability to file suits and clarifies that the section does not restrict local government from adopting or enforcing building code or local technical amendments. The bill revises the sunset date of Section 28 to June 30, 2026, instead of June 30, 2028. (Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 840 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 13 by a vote of 8-0.
Other Bill Action of Interest (Alphabetically)
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – CS/CS/SB 290 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) and 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 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 proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Updated Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 290 passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Jan. 14 by a vote of 17-3.
School Zone and Pedestrian Safety – HB 283 by Rep. Jose Alvarez (R-Kissimmee) and SB 498 by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-Doral) require design and construction plans for crosswalks in school zones or on public roads exceeding 35 mph to include specified traffic control devices. The bills permit use of Pedestrian Hybrid Beacons, Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, Flashing Beacons, and In-Roadway Warning Lights to enhance visibility and safety. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (House Staff Analysis)
HB 283 passed the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee on Jan. 14 by a vote of 12-4.
Stormwater Treatment – CS/SB 848 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) and HB 1457 by Karen Gonzalez Pittman (R-Tampa) defines “compensating stormwater treatment” and “total land area,” clarifies compliance conditions, authorizes compensating stormwater treatment as a form of mitigation for water quality impacts, provides the transfer of legal responsibility for regulatory compliance to enhancement credit generators, and allows third parties to generate and sell water quality enhancement credits, including on public lands, but mandates cessation of activities if deemed contrary to the public interest. The proposed effective date Is July 1, 2026. (Updated Senate Staff Analysis)
SB 848 passed the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee on Jan. 13 by a vote of 70. The committee adopted a delete all amendment that replaced the original bill with one that allows entities to apply for a provisional water quality enhancement area (WQEA) permit pending the adoption of WQEA rules by DEP and requires DEP and water management districts to allow the use of WQEA enhancement credits generated under such provisional permits.
Bill Tracking List
New Priority Bills (Alphabetically) These bills have yet to be assigned to committees. Click here to download a full priority list Bill Tracking Report
Affordable Housing – HB 1389 by Rep. Mike Redondo (R-Miami) and SB 1548 by Sen. Alexis Calatayud (RMiami) are another set of Live Local bills. The bills require counties and municipalities to allow multifamily or mixed-use residential projects on property owned by a county, municipality, or school district if at least 40 percent of the units are affordable for at least 30 years. The bills prohibit local governments from restricting building heights and from imposing more stringent setbacks or stepbacks for these developments beyond what is already allowed. The bills clarify that farms and related farm operations are not treated as commercial or industrial uses, permit certain developments near airports, prohibit discrimination based on housing finance sources, and waive sovereign immunity for state entities in legal actions involving discriminatory housing practices. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Data Centers – 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 to develop tariffs to protect ratepayers, and requires hearings and stringent requirements for large-scale data center water use permits. 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.
Hyperscale Data Centers – HB 1007 by Rep. Griff Griffitts (R-Panama City) establishes statewide restrictions and requirements for siting, constructing, and operating hyperscale data centers, prohibiting them in certain land categories and barring any public economic incentives. The bill defines “hyperscale data center” and requires plan amendments related to hyperscale data centers to follow the state-coordinated review process and excludes them from the small-scale amendment process. The bill prohibits utilities from collecting certain impact fees from customers for hyperscale data center projects and requires special hearings and notifications for water-use permit applications tied to hyperscale data centers. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Infill Development – HB 979 by Rep. David Borrero (R-Doral) and SB 1434 by Sen. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) create the Infill Redevelopment Act to allow higher residential density and intensity on environmentally impacted parcels of at least 5 acres in counties with over 1.475 million people and at least 10 municipalities, excluding designated agricultural land, public parks, land outside urban growth boundaries, and land near military installations. The bills require local governments to approve qualifying parcels at the highest adjacent residential densities and intensities or, if no adjacent residential zoning exists, permit development of single-family homes or townhouses under specified standards. The bills mandate administrative approval and void any local laws, ordinances, or regulations that impose stricter standards or procedures. The bill takes effect upon becoming law.
Local Government Land Development Regulations and Orders – 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 imposing certain lot size, setback, and density restrictions if public water or sewer connections are available. The bills require local governments to adopt new, uniform application procedures for development permits and orders with strict time limits, after which applications are deemed approved. The bills allow lots to front or abut shared spaces instead of public rights-ofway and restrict mandatory parking requirements, such as near public transit stops. The bills also limit local government regulations on historic property lot splits, with exceptions for buildings individually listed or contributing into certain historic registers, and provide a cause of action for real property owners and housing associations if local governments adopt regulations violating the new law. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Local Land Planning and Development – HB 927 by Rep. Judson Sapp (R-Palatka) and SB 1138 by Sen. Ralph Massullo (R-Inverness) establish the Local Land Planning and Development Program to encourage local governments to contract with private providers for reviewing applications, plans, and plats. The bills require the land development regulation commission to develop a model ordinance with minimum and prohibited criteria for private provider employment and require local governments to enact or update ordinances to expedite building permits. The bills preempt to state any local ordinance or requirement that conflicts with this framework, ensuring uniform contracting and permitting standards. Planners certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners are included in the list of “private providers.” The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Transportation Infrastructure Land Development Regulations – HB 1183 by Rep. Lindsay Cross (D-St. Petersburg) and 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 and rural livable urban village (LUV) areas 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 and waive sovereign immunity for local governments. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
New Priority Monitoring Bills (Alphabetically)
Click here to download a full Bill Tracking list for the bills we are monitoring
Advanced Air Mobility – HB 1093 by Rep. Leonard Spencer (D-Winter Garden) and SB 1362 by Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) expand advanced air mobility in Florida by exempting certain electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft from sales tax, create liability protections for vertiport operators, revise the definition of airport infrastructure to include vertiport pads, safety zones, and associated charging systems, and allow state funding for vertiport projects when federal funds are unavailable or insufficient. The bills require the Florida Department of Transportation to develop vertiport siting codes and demonstration corridors, and preempt the regulation of vertiport design, operations, aviation safety, and electric aircraft charging stations to the state while preserving limited local authority for zoning and noise compatibility. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Building Permits and Inspections – 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 single-family 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.
Department of Environmental Protection – HB 1417 by Rep. Chip LaMarca (R-Lighthouse Point) and 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 revise inspection fees for fertilizers containing Class AA biosolids. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Department of Financial Services – HB 1303 by Rep. Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay) and SB 1572 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) formally establish the Florida Agency for Fiscal Oversight within the Department of Financial Services to identify unnecessary spending and conduct audits of local governments that propose new or increased taxes. The bills authorize administrative fines and withholding of certain state funds from local governments that fail to provide requested fiscal information, enhance whistleblower protections, require local governments submit yearly Local Government Efficiency Reports, and require counties to track and post contract information. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Florida Building Code Construction Requirements – HB 911 by Rep. Jim Mooney (R-Key Largo) and SB 1218 by Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez (R-Doral) extend the impact resistance requirements of the Florida Building Code to the entire building envelope, including exterior walls, roof, outside doors, and glazing, and require the use wind-resistant materials designed to withstand wind speeds of 160 miles per hour. The bills apply these requirements to multistory residential occupancies with sleeping units (R-1 and R-2), new residences within five miles of the coastal mean highwater line, new residences in high-velocity hurricane zones, buildings designated or used as hurricane shelters and rebuilt structures meeting these criteria. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Florida State Parks Day – SB 1214 by Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) designates Feb. 4, 2026, as Florida State Parks Day to celebrate the economic, recreational, and environmental value of Florida’s state park system. The resolution acknowledges the role of Florida Forever in expanding and enhancing Florida’s state parks for conservation and recreation.
Local Government Spending – HB 1329 by Rep. Yvette Benarroch (R-Naples) and SB 1566 by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-St. Petersburg) extend the time periods for posting tentative and final budgets on county and municipal websites and require these budgets to be accessible in searchable, downloadable, and interactive formats. The bills create a new prohibition on local government expenditures, contracts, and trainings related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, with annual certification of compliance to the Chief Financial Officer and potential administrative fines for violations. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Net-zero Policies – HB 1217 by Rep. John Snyder (R-Palm City) and 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.
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.
Private School Facilities – HB 833 by Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Hollywood) and SB 1264 by Rep. Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) consider private schools with a capacity of 150 students or fewer as permitted uses in nonresidential zoning districts without requiring rezoning, special exceptions, or land use changes. 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.
Public Records – 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, expand penalty provisions to treat violations of public-records access laws, and specify that new or substantially amended public records exemptions automatically repeal after 5 years, and again after 10 years upon reenactment, unless reenacted by the legislature. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
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, non-wood 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.
Release of Conservation Easements – 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. The bill excludes conservation easements within residential developments and proprietary easements held by a water management district. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Transportation – SB 1220 by Sen. Ralph Massullo (R-Inverness) and 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, allow more flexibility in the construction materials for state trail networks, and authorize the Governor to enter a compact forming the Southern Rail Commission with neighboring states to study interstate rapid rail feasibility. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026.
Tributaries of St. Johns River – HB 981 by Rep. Wyman Duggan (R-Jacksonville) and SB 1066 by Sen. Jason Brodeur (R-Lake Mary) requires 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 instructs 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.
Other New Legislation of Interest (Alphabetically)
Ad Valorem Tax Revenue in Fiscally Constrained Counties – HB 799 by Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R-Sebring) and SB 932 by Sen. McClain (R-Ocala) direct the legislature to appropriate funds beginning in the 2027-28 fiscal year to offset lost ad valorem tax revenue in fiscally constrained counties caused by a new constitutional amendment. The bills require distribution of appropriated funds based on each county’s proportion of the overall revenue reduction and mandates an annual application with supporting documentation of estimated losses.
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 three 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 one year before a taxing authority’s opt-out ordinance or resolution to apply for and continue receiving the exemption after meeting all other requirements.
Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemptions – SB 1350 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) expands eligibility for affordable housing property tax exemptions. The bill defines “LURA” (land use restriction agreement) requiring a minimum 3-year term and use for income-restricted housing, shortens “newly constructed” from improvements completed within five years to within two years, and lowers the minimum size of a qualifying multifamily project from 70 to 50 units and revises the eligibility requirements for units rented to households up to 120 percent of area median income. The bills allow a 75 percent exemption on certain units for households in the 80 percent -120 percent AMI range, and a full exemption on units for households below 80 percent AMI, when subject to a LURA.
Cattle Grazing on State Land – HB 1421 by Rep. Jon Albert (R-Winter Haven) and SB 1658 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) 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.
Community Development District Recall Elections – HB 1051 by Rep. Jose Alvarez (D-Kissimmee) and SB 1180 by Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) create a new recall process for community development district board members, including petition requirements, grounds for removal, and election procedures.
Housing – HB 1493 by Rep. Dotie Joseph (D-North Miami) and SB 1726 by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) remove existing prohibitions on local rent control, establish community land bank programs, create an Affordable Housing Construction Loan Program, expand consumer advocacy powers in insurance rate filings, restrict large-scale investor purchases of single-family homes, and prohibit coordinated rent pricing among landlords.
Military Installations and Ranges – HB 1141 by Rep. Jim Mooney (R-Key Largo) expands legislative findings to emphasize the need for local governments, state agencies, and military installations and ranges to coordinate on land use planning and proposed developments. The bill broadens the scope of military installations subject to local government notifications and requires that any state or local entity that approves development in designated military zones consult with the state land planning agency.
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.
Tourist Development Tax Uses – SB 976 by Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) authorizes the use of tourist development tax revenues to fund certain commuter rail service operations.
Bills on the Agenda Next Week
Senate Regulated Industries – Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 9:30 am
• SB 484 – Data Centers by Sen. Avila
Senate Judiciary Committee – Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 9:30 am
• SB 840 – Land Use Regulations for Local Governments Affected by Natural Disasters by Sen. DiCeglie
Senate Community Affairs – Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 1 pm
• SB 548 – Growth Management by Sen. McClain
• SB 686 – Agricultural Enclaves by Sen. McClain
House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee – Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 9:30 am
• HB 103 – Local Business Taxes by Rep. Botana
• HB 1051 – Community Development District Recall Elections by Rep. Alvarez
House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee – Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 10 am
• HB 803 – Building Permits and Inspections by Rep. Trabulsy
• HB 929 – Local Regulation of Chickees by Rep. Cobb
House Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee – Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 1 pm
• HB 755 – Areas of Critical State Concern by Rep. Mooney
• HB 981 – Tributaries of St. Johns River by Rep. Duggan
House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee – Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 3:30 pm
• HB 335 – Spaceport Operations by Rep. Kendall
If you would like a bill added to the tracking list let us know.