Legislative Reporter We see a Florida where our communities, economies, and environments all thrive.
The second week of the legislative session featured a full slate of committee meetings as lawmakers advanced bills and refined priorities ahead of the heavier floor-action weeks to come. These early weeks of activity are a critical checkpoint in the legislative process, allowing proposals to be shaped and reshaped based on initial feedback before moving into more public-facing stages and full floor votes. The shortened week resulted in packed legislative schedules, crowded committee hearings, and a busy Capitol, as dozens of organizations convened to advocate on behalf of their members. Below is an update on the bills APA Florida is tracking this session. The full tracking list of priority bills is here and bills we are monitoring is here Priority Bill Action (Alphabetically) 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 amendments made by this act expire Jan. 1, 2028. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2026. (Senate Staff Analysis) SB 636 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 20 by a vote of 8-0. Growth Management – CS/SB 548 by Sen. Stan McClain (R-Ocala) and 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 four years and prohibit local governments and school districts from exceeding 100 percent total impact fee rate increases in a 4year 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) SB 548 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee on Jan. 20 by a vote of 8-0. 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. (Senate Staff Analysis) SB 484 passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee on Jan. 20 by a vote of 8-0.