Orange, Osceola boards rebuff Split Oak Forest defenders' last-ditch pleas
Forest advocates insist Orange County has grounds to oppose the highway, even though it sits solely in the Osceola County portion of the preserve. County lawyers say they don't.
Without a lawsuit to stop it, the Central Florida Expressway Authority seems set on its preferred route to run a 1.3-mile leg of the Osceola County Parkway through the forest. CFX already has planted stakes outlining the path, and on Monday Osceola County commissioners approved the plan.
The Orange and Osceola meetings marked the apparent, anti-climactic conclusion of one of Central Florida's biggest environmental battles in recent years, one that pitted environmentalists against state road builders and the developers whose land will be served by the project.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved the highway cut-through in a closely-watched vote almost exactly a year ago, but the Save Split Oak contingent vowed not to give up the fight.
Toll road approved to cut through Split Oak Forest
Nearly two dozen supporters of the forest turned out Tuesday to plead with Orange County to intercede.
They argued that Osceola County's deal with CFX violates the original pact signed in the 1990's by Orange and Osceola counties to buy the 1,689-acre forest, now considered vital habitat for gopher tortoises and other endangered species.
But Orange County Attorney Jeff Newton says the county has no say because CFX will use land only in Osceola.
'This board and the citizens and voters of Orange County could not vote to restrict or regulate any lands in Osceola County,' he explained to a crowd in Orange County Commission chambers. 'They don't have the jurisdiction to do so.'
Orange County owns 1,004 acres of the forest. Osceola owns the other 685.
Orange County Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad wanted the county — either through Newton's office or outside counsel — to seek an injunction to stop the project, insisting the entire forest would be harmed by the intrusion across Osceola's segment.
'It's not just about what happens on Osceola's part of the forest,' she said.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said the board has thoroughly vetted the issue through a series of meetings and agreements last year.
'I do believe Orange County has taken appropriate action to protect the portion of Split Oak that Orange County owns,' he said.
In their Monday meeting, Osceola County commissioners approved the agreement with CFX without discussion.
The 11-page document spells out Osceola's duty to release its conservation easement to the road builders.
Only a few people attended the meeting. Two held signs that read 'hands off our nature.'
'I just think this is horrible so I had to come,' said Linda Chastain, who sat in the second row of the commission chambers. 'I heard about this being on Osceola's agenda last minute so I had to rush over here.'
She attended Orange County's meeting, too, occasionally waving a multi-colored sign that read, 'PROTECT NATURE SERIOUSLY…IT'S UP TO YOU!'
But even Semrad — elected last year after promising to continue the fight — could muster little hope by the meeting's end. She listed possible legal issues the county could pursue but added, 'Or is it time for us to just say to the people, 'We've got no shot here. You've lost.' '
shudak@orlandosentinel.com
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Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Miami Herald
Florida's new ‘Boater Freedom Act' could be boon for illegal poachers, critics say
A measure prohibiting vessel searches that stem from safety inspections on the water is among a slew of laws to be enacted in Florida this week. It halts a long-running practice in which state and local marine law enforcement could stop boaters and board their vessels without probable cause. Gov. Ron DeSantis says long-standing vessel searches have 'unnecessarily created friction' between boaters and law enforcement. The governor signed the bill, which he has dubbed the Boater Freedom Act, at a May news conference in Panama City Beach. 'If you're walking down the street, law enforcement can't just go up to you and stop you and search you,' DeSantis said. 'But, yet, on the water, that really isn't the case.' Opponents of the measure say it takes away a major tool for enforcing fishing rules and deterring poachers — random cooler searches. They worry that fish populations carefully monitored by state biologists could subsequently dwindle. DeSantis and state Sen. Jay Trumbull, a Panama City Republican who sponsored the bill, have said they expect a different outcome. They predict law enforcement will be free to spend more time and resources going after the few bad actors who are boating recklessly and endangering others on the water. 'It's about trusting the vast majority of Floridians who are doing the right thing and letting law enforcement officers focus on those who are truly violating the law,' Trumbull said at the same news conference. 'We're not removing oversight. We're reinforcing fairness.' 'Bag limits are irrelevant' under law For Matt DePaolis, the environmental policy director for the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation in Southwest Florida, the new law favors boaters' rights over protection of the state's marine ecosystem. 'It's a real worry that it will be much easier to get away with poaching now, because it is very difficult to catch someone in the act,' DePaolis said. 'Having the ability to go and do a quick check seemed like an important enforcement mechanism.' The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, a state agency tasked with managing fish populations by setting catch limits and season lengths, is also responsible for upholding those rules through its law enforcement arm. The agency has endorsed DeSantis' initiative and is expected to issue guidance on the new law. Capt. Matthew DallaRosa, a supervisor for the wildlife agency's Tampa Bay area branch, said he isn't concerned that the law will impede officers' ability to enforce marine rules. 'We've always conducted regulatory inspections,' DallaRosa said. 'We've adjusted to a million changes. I don't see any significant impact.' DePaolis said he would expect the wildlife agency to reduce bag limits if biologists observe a decline in populations. 'If they feel confident that they're able to correctly manage fishery stocks even with this bill, that's great,' he said. 'But I would still be worried that this is an important tool in managing healthy fisheries and stopping poaching that is now being taken away.' Alan S. Richard, a former captain for the wildlife commission and maritime law adjunct professor at Florida State University, recalled one safety inspection he conducted in 1984. He was relieving another officer from his post when he saw a boat spot their patrol vessel and sharply turn away, cutting across the flats where it could have easily run aground. That maneuver wasn't illegal, but it was suspicious, Richard said. He stopped the boater and waited for backup to arrive. Under the deck, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found 486 pounds of cocaine. 'That just wouldn't have happened under this new law,' he said. Richard called the measure an 'abomination' and said he expects it will be repealed in a future legislative session after lawmakers realize their mistake. He was careful not to speculate on how the wildlife agency and county courts will interpret the law but said it would make officers' jobs more difficult — whether that be upholding public safety, busting drug runners or catching poachers. The law undermines the state's conservation efforts, Richard added. 'Bag limits are irrelevant if you can't stop a boat and check them,' he said. Private lawyers who defend those accused of fishing violations expect to see fewer charges filed and even fewer that stick. 'We've had clients where ... they've caught something they shouldn't,' said Ranger Jackson, a Pinellas criminal defense attorney. 'And if this law was in effect, that wouldn't have gotten off the ground.' But Jackson said fears that the law gives boaters 'carte blanche' to catch 'whatever illegal fish you want' are unfounded. 'If you're violating law, if your registration isn't up to date, if you're violating the wake zones, if you're anchored to something that you're not supposed to be, then you can still run into problems,' he said. The search law also seems to apply only to enforcement on the water. It's likely that wildlife officers would keep the power to conduct random searches on boaters returning to public boat ramps as well as those fishing from shore, Jackson said. 'There's guardrails that are in effect,' he said. Springs, seagrass threatened Environmental groups have taken issue with other parts of the law, including language that raises the bar for creating protection zones for springs that impose restrictions on speed, anchoring, mooring, beaching and grounding boats. Under previous rules, the wildlife agency must prove recreational boat use is harming a sensitive spring area to limit boating there. The law will make it so the agency must now prove there is 'significant harm' and that boating is the main cause of that damage. It has already cast a chilling effect over consideration of a protection zone at one north Florida spring after the wildlife agency pulled its proposal in the wake of the legislation. Other parts of the law preempt local governments from banning 'the sale or use' of gas-powered boats. DeSantis cited a California rule — blocked by the Senate in May — that seeks to phase out the sale of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035. DePaolis, the environmental policy director, said he's worried the law could be stretched to do away with boat engine restrictions on environmentally sensitive land like manatee zones, seagrass beds and bird rookeries. 'If you're saying now that you can't differentiate between energy sources, then it seems like you can't make a canoe or kayak or paddle or sailing-only area,' he said. 'So now it's really going to restrict the ability of recreation.' It's the vague language of the bill and its uncertain implications for fisheries and conservation that gives DePaolis pause. 'Boating is about freedom. Florida is about freedom. It's great to not have to worry about the cops breathing down your neck,' he said. 'But at the same time, our environment is a shared resource, and we have tools to manage it. Until we are managing it effectively, we need to be able to utilize those tools.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
More than 150 new Florida laws went into effect July 1. Here's the list, what each one means
More than 150 new Florida laws went into effect on July 1 following a surprisingly contentious legislative session. So far. DeSantis has vetoed 11 bills: HB 11, which would have resolved a local Miami utility rate dispute HB 181, a bill that would have required an inmate's efforts toward rehabilitation to be considered in the parole process HB 295, a waste reduction and recycling plan HB 827, a statewide study on the effects of automation and AI on employment in Florida HB 1095, which would have created a new alcohol and drug-free program for certain people on probation in Hillsborough County HB 1133, which would have prevented Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission personnel from entering hunting property without probable cause HB 1427, which would have expanded healthcare to rural communities, provided more training, established "dental therapy" as a licensed profession, an required healthcare providers to notify patients of potential higher costs when referring them to out-of-network providers HB 1445, which would have required public officials (agency heads, Board of Governors appointees and Trustees for public colleges and universities, etc.) to be Florida residents and prohibited public officials from using their official authority or influence to solicit political contributions SB 1574, which would have allowed utilities to add fees for capital investments in renewable natural gas HB 5015, a bill that could have led to changes in prescription drugs covered in the state employees' health insurance program. HB 6017, a bill that would have lifted some restrictions on medical malpractice lawsuits in the state and ended what has been called Florida's "free kill" law Here are the new Florida laws now in effect. The list does not include some regional or individual relief bills. SB 56: Geoengineering and Weather Modification Activities What it does: Prohibits geoengineering and weather modification activities Makes releasing chemicals in the atmosphere "for the express purpose of affecting the temperature, weather, climate, or intensity of sunlight" a third-degree felony with jail terms up to five years and fines up to $100,000 Requires creation of a helpline where people can report "suspected "suspected geoengineering and weather modification activities" Requires airports to make monthly reports What it means for you: Residents will be able to report chemtrails. No more rain-seeding. SB 68: Health Facilities What it does: Expands the definition of 'health facility' to include certain nonprofit organizations, allows health facilities authorities to make and execute loan agreements; to refund outstanding bonds; to refund certain debts issued and other financial powers. What it means for you: Larger pool of health facilities, empowered officials. HB 85: Hazardous Walking Conditions What it does: Revises the criteria that determine hazardous walking condition for public school students. What it means for you: Under the law, school districts provide transportation for students up to grade 6 if there are hazardous walking conditions on walkways parallel to the road to and from school, and they work with local governments to address the problem. This bill adds walkways that are along limited access facilities such as highways, freeways, ramps, etc. SB 106: Exploitation of Vulnerable Adults What it does: Simplifies the process to obtain an injunction to protect a vulnerable adult from exploitation. What it means for you: Makes it easier to stop a proposed or initiated transfer of funds or property from a vulnerable adult to someone who can't be identified. SB 108: Administrative Procedures What it does: Amends the Administrative Procedures Act (APA) to update the rulemaking priocess and mandate an agency review of existing rules What it means for you: Clarifies time limits for rules not ratified by the Legislature, when emergency rules expire, etc. SB 118: Regulation of Presidential Libraries What it does: Prohibits any local government from passing or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure concerning a presidential library or imposing any requirement or restriction on it, except as otherwise authorized by federal law. What it means for you: President Donald Trump, and presumably any other president going forward, may build his presidential library without any local government regulations or oversight. SB 130: Compensation of Victims of Wrongful Incarceration What it does: Amends the Victims of Wrongful Incarceration Compensation Act to remove the bar to compensation for a petitioner who has been convicted of a violent felony or multiple nonviolent felonies before or during their wrongful conviction and incarceration. Extends the filing deadline for a petition from 90 days to within two years after the person's conviction is vacated and criminal charges dismissed, if that happens on or after July 1, 2025 Retroactively allows a person to file to be determined a wrongfully incarcerated person eligible for compensation by July 1, 2027, under specified circumstances Blocks a deceased person's heirs, successors, or assigns from filing a petition on the deceased person's behalf What it means for you: Eliminates Florida's "clean hands" rule, repeals an obstruction for wrongfully accused or convicted people from compensation for time behind bars if they have more than one nonviolent felony. Florida was the only state with such a rule. SB 168: Mental Health (Brian Murphy Act) What it does: Establishes a model process for local governments to divert mentally ill inmates from jail to treatment. Named the Tristan Murphy Act after a 37-year-old inmate with schizophrenia who killed himself with a chainsaw in 2021 while on a prison work detail. Also: Provides law enforcement officers with crisis intervention team training Establish the Florida Behavioral Health Care Data Repository to collect and analyze existing statewide data related to behavioral health care in the state What it means for you: Inmates with a mental illness, intellectual disability, or autism must be evaluated and provided services in a community setting instead of incarceration, when feasible. New bills signed: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bills to boost substance abuse, mental health SB 180: Emergencies What it does: Makes a variety of changes to the preparation and response activities of state and local government when emergencies impact the state: Allows the Department of Environmental Protection to waive or reduce the beach management project match requirements for counties impacted by erosion caused by Hurricane Debby, Hurricane Helene, or Hurricane Milton, allows certain agricultural equipment rendered unusable to be assessed at salvage value Requires the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) to prioritize shelterretrofit funding for projects in counties with shelter deficits and certain publicly ownedprojects Allows Florida National Guard servicemembers to provide medical care to military personneland civilians during emergencies Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to annually provide information on the specialneeds registry to their special needs clients and caregivers Revises the FDEM emergency expenditure auditing and reporting requirements, revises requirements for agencies and their emergency coordination officers to coordinate with the FDEM Renames the Natural Hazards Interagency Workgroup as the 'Natural Hazards Risks and Mitigation Interagency Coordinating Group,' substantially revises the duties of the group. Specifies administerial requirements for the FDEM related to federal funds, including specifically the FEMA Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds Makes changes to FDEM reporting and notifications Creates requirements for county and municipal post-storm permitting and operations Amends the evacuation time for the Florida Keys area of critical state concern Prohibits the adoption of local lookback ordinances and voids existing lookback ordinances Revises authorizations and requirements related to storm-generated debris Prohibits counties and municipalities listed in the federal disaster declaration for HurricaneDebby, Hurricane Helene, or Hurricane Milton from adopting moratoriums or morerestrictive or burdensome amendments or procedures to their comprehensive plans or landdevelopment regulations concerning review, approval, or issuance of a site plan,development permit, or development order before August 1, 2024 What it means for you: Streamlined state emergency response coordination, National Guard may provide medical care HB 209: State Parks Preservation Act What it does: Mandates that Department of Environmental Protection focus park management on passive traditional, conservation-based recreational activities that leaves the land mostly undisturbed. It also allows for low-impact cabins and campsites to be built with state approval. What it means for you: It prevents development to commercialize Florida's 175 state parks with golf courses, luxury lodges and pickleball and tennis courts. HB 211: Farm Products What it does: Redefines "farm product" to include plants and plant products, whether they're edible or not What it means for you: It prevents local governments from passing rules or regulations regarding a farm's collection, storage, processing, and distribution of farm products on agricultural land. HB 248: Student participation in Interscholastic and Intrascholastic Extracurricular Sports What it does: Allows any home-schooled student to participate in an interscholastic athletic team at any public school in the school district in which the student resides Allows qualified private school students to participate in an interscholastic public school athletic team if the private school does not offer that sport Adds reporting requirements. What it means for you: The bill expands the options for home-schooled and private school students to play on interscholastic or intrascholastic athletics at Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) member schools. HB 255: Aggravated Animal Cruelty (Dexter's Law) What it does: Requires the state to create and maintain a public database of people who have been found or pleaded guilty to cruelty to animals; adds a multiplier for aggravated animal cruelty for sentencing purposes. What it means for you: Services that offer pet adoption will be able to screen applicants to avoid handing over animals to someone guilty of animal cruelty, violators will get harsher sentences. HB 259: Special Observances (Fentanyl Awareness Day) What it does: Designates Aug. 21 as "Fentanyl Awareness and Education Day." What it means for you: The Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families, local governments, public schools, and other agencies are encouraged to sponsor events to promote awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and potential overdoses. SB 262: Trusts What it does: Amends the Florida Trust Code to clarify existing law about trust decanting (pouring trust assets into a new trust). What it means for you: Aligns the Florida Trust Code with the Florida Probate Code, clarifies who can create or fund a second trust to make distributions to beneficiaries, who can bring actions on behalf of a beneficiary and other specifics. SB 268: Public Records/Congressional Members and Public Officers What it does: Adds public records exemptions for identifying information including partial home addresses and phone numbers of members of Congress, public officers, their spouses and immediate family members, including adult children. Also exempts info about minor children such as birthdates and school or daycare locations. What it means for you: Adds the same public records protections to government officials as first responders have now. HB 279: False Reporting What it does: The law already considers "swatting" (making false emergency calls) to be a first-degree misdemeanor. This bill also makes it a crime to get someone else to do it for you. If the swatting call results in severe injury it becomes a third-degree felony, if someone dies as a result it's a second-degree felony. Convicted swatters will also have to pay restitution. What it means for you: If convicted of swatting or you plead guilty, you will have to pay restitution to the victims as well as all expenses incurred by the agencies that responded and the costs of prosecution and investigation. SB 282: Warranty Associations What it does: Allows certain large service warranty associations to skip securing contractual liability insurance, establishing unearned premium reserves, and complying with premium writing ratios. What it means for you: The companies behind motor vehicle service agreement companies, home warranty associations, service warranties and more may avoid having to maintain premium reserves if they secure contractual liability coverage to cover 100% of the amount. HB 289: Boating Safety (Lucy's Law) What it does: Increases penalties for reckless boating and mandates boating education. What it means for you: Reckless operation that does not result in an accident would be bumped up from first to second-degree misdemeanor Reckless operation that results in an accident that causes damage to the property or person of another would be a first-degree misdemeanor Reckless operation that results in an accident that causes serious bodily injury would be a third-degree felony Boaters who leave the scene of an accident without giving all possible aid to all persons involved and notifying law enforcement will be penalized as follows: Property damage becomes a second-degree misdemeanor Injury to a person other than serious bodily injury becomes a third-degree felony Serious bodily injury becomes a second-degree felony Death of another person or unborn child becomes a first-degree felony A person who willfully kills another person must be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term 66 of imprisonment of 4 years A person who knowingly provides false information regarding a boating incident resulting in these damages commits a second-degree misdemeanor A person convicted of BYU manslaughter must be sentenced to a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 4 years A person convicted of boating under the influence will get their motor vehicle driver's license suspended A person convicted of a noncriminal boating infraction must receive mandatory boating education All Florida boaters must have mandatory boating education unless the boater was born before Jan. 1, 1988, has been a Florida resident for at least 5 consecutive years, and has documentation they have completed approved boating safety certification Boating safety: Lucy's Law, other bills would stiffen reckless boating penalties. What is HB 289? HB 296: Middle High School and High School Start Times What it does: Allows a school district to comply with new requirements for later school start times by providing a report listing start times for all schools in the district, documentation of district plans to implement new times, the impact of those changes, and any unintended consequences. What it means for you: Florida changed school start times as of July 1, 2026, to no earlier than 8 a.m. for middle schools and no earlier than 8:30 a.m. for high schools. This allows districts to postpone that deadline while it provides the state with feedback on the costs and benefits. HB 307: Bonuses for Employees of Property Appraisers What it does: Allows county property appraisers to offer hiring or retention bonuses, if approved by the Department of Revenue. What it means for you: Possibly a bonus, if you're applying or working for a county property appraiser. SB 316: Limited Liability Companies What it does: Amends the Florida Revised Limited Liability Company Act to allow for the creation of a protected series limited liability company (LLC) under Florida law. What it means for you: Recognizes protected series LLLCs (umbrella LLCs that cover a series of assets without having to form an LLC for each one) in Florida for the first time without requiring paperwork for each series, allows protected series LLC formation in Florida. HB 322: Property Rights What it does: Creates a nonjudicial way for a commercial property owner or authorized agent to ask the county sheriff to remove an unauthorized person from the property. Also expands the definitions of trespassing and fraudulent sale or lease of property to include commercial property. What it means for you: Aligns the commercial property owner procedures regarding unauthorized people with how it already works for personal property owners. HB 348: Ethics (Stolen Valor) What it does: Adds a "Stolen Valor" section to Florida's ethics laws, prohibits candidates, elected public officers, appointed public officers, and public employees from knowingly lying about military service. Also allows the attorney general to garnish wages for unpaid fines for violations. What it means for you: No more politicians bragging about military service they did not perform or wearing medals they did not earn. HB 351: Dangerous Excessive Speeding What it does: Creates a criminal offense called "dangerous excessive speeding," defined as exceeding the speed limit by 50 mph or more or recklessly driving faster than 100 mph. What it means for you: First-time offenders would see penalties of up to 30 days in jail or a fine of $500 or both, while a second and subsequent offense could mean up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine. Speeders caught too often could lose their license for up to a year. SB 356: Holocaust Remembrance Day What it does: Establishes Jan. 27 as 'Holocaust Remembrance Day' What it means for you: Requires the governor to annual proclaim the day; allows the day to be observed in public schools (with instruction on the harmful impacts of the Holocaust and anti-Semitism as well as the positive impacts of the Jewish community on humanity), the Capitol, and elsewhere as designated. HB 383: Purchase and Possession of Firearms by Law Enforcement Officers, Correctional Officers, Correctional Probation Officers, and Servicemembers What it does: Adds correctional probation officers to the list of correctional and law enforcement officers allowed to carry concealed firearms off-duty, exempts law enforcement officers, correctional officers and service members from the mandatory three-day waiting period for buying a firearm. What it means for you: Brings law enforcement and corrections officers in line with rules for people with concealed weapons licenses. SB 384: Annexing State-owned Lands What it does: Requires a municipality wanting to annex state-owned lands to notify the legislative delegates of that county by email or writing. What it means for you: Advertising a public hearing for an ordinance to annex land is no longer enough. SB 388: Trust Funds for Wildlife Management What it does: Makes changes to two of the 13 trust funds the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) use: Specifies that the Grants and Donations Trust Fund must be used for grant and donor agreement activities regardless of the source of funding Authorizes the FWC to use proceeds from the Nongame Wildlife Trust Fund for law enforcement purposes. Allows the FWC to enter into voluntary agreements with related agencies and private landowners to coordinate nongame programs. What it means for you: A fund used to document nongame population trends, establish conservation programs for them and provide for public education may also be used for law enforcement. HB 393: My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program What it does: Amends the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program: Limits grant funding to improvements that will result in a mitigation credit, discount, or other rate differential for the building or structure to which the improvement is made. Lowers approval requirements from all unit owners to 75 percent of unit owners who reside in the affected structure. Updates eligible improvements to allow for replacement of the roof covering. Prohibits a condo from applying for an inspection or a grant if an association has not complied with SIRS and Milestone Inspection requirements. Restricts eligibility to buildings that are three or more stories in height and contain at least two single-family dwellings. What it means for you: No longer need a unanimous vote from all unit owners to seek a grant, roofs covered, but grants restricted to taller condos with more immediate needs that are in compliance with inspection regulations. HB 421: Peer Support for First Responders What it does: Redefines "first responder" in Florida statutes to include "involved in investigating a crime scene or collecting or processing evidence." What it means for you: People working a crime scene may receive the same support from first responder peers for trauma, with confidentiality protection, as other first responders. HB 429: Motor Vehicle Manufacturers and Franchised Motor Vehicle Dealers (Florida Dealership Act) What it does: Protects motor vehicle dealers from retaliation from licensees if the dealership says the licensee violated the motor vehicle franchise law What it means for you: This puts the burden of proof on the licensee to prove that a request to discontinue, cancel, not renew, modify, or replace a franchise agreement is fair. HB 443 — Education What it does: Allows high-performing charter schools to create their own codes of conduct or adapt them from other schools Defines what lab schools can spend discretionary funds on Allows certain charter schools to enroll more students than their charter specifies Prevents the landlord of a charter school or anyone closely connected with them from being on the governing board Allows virtual students to participate in an interscholastic athletic team in the school district where they live, and more. What it means for you: Charter schools are more empowered. Virtual students can play on school sports teams. HB 447: Disability History and Awareness Instruction (Evin B. Hartsell Act) What it does: Requires that disability history and awareness instruction during the first two weeks of October include specified materials. What it means for you: During a two-week period: Students in kindergarten through grade 3 must be taught about bullying (including what to do if they are being bullied or see it happen) and physical disabilities Students in grades 4 through 6 must be taught about autism spectrum disorder Students in grades 7 through 9 must be taught about hearing impairments Students in grades 10 through 12 must receive information on different types of learning and intellectual disabilities. SB 472: Education in Correctional Facilities for Professional Licensure What it does: Requires the Department of Corrections to coordinate with relevant professional boards to ensure that inmates who successfully complete classes required for a license in those professions receive credit toward them What it means for you: Inmates working toward career and technical education licenses will get credit for their work. SB 480: Nonprofit Agricultural Organization Medical Benefit Plans What it does: Allows nonprofit agricultural organizations to offer medical benefit plans and specifies that such plans are not insurance for purposes of the Florida Insurance Code. What it means for you: Individuals and families will have access to non-insurance products, medical benefit plans, through membership in a nonprofit agricultural organization. SB 492: Mitigation Banks What it does: Provides a standardized schedule for releasing mitigation credits — used in environmental and preservation projects where a credit represents the wetland ecological value equivalent to the complete restoration of 1 acre — and removes the requirement for credit release schedules to be determined on a case-by-case basis. What it means for you: Faster approval of environmental and preservation projects by public agencies or private entities. HB 513: Electronic Transmittal of Court Orders What it does: Requires a clerk of court to electronically submit certain documents — largely dealing with involuntary examinations and requests and documentation for risk protection orders —within six hours of their issuance to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. What this means for you: Faster turnaround time for documents when time may be a factor. HB 515: Uniform Commercial Code (Cryptocurrencies) What it does: Adds a cryptocurrency chapter to Florida statutes and provides rules for commercial transactions involving virtual currencies, distributed ledger technologies, artificial intelligence, and other technological developments. What it means for you: The bill establishes a baseline framework allowing creditors to secure liens against digital assets owned by debtors. HB 531: Public Education of Background Screening Requirements What it does: Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to create a public webpage that provides a central source for care provider background screening education, regulations and awareness by Jan. 1, 2026, and requires all agencies required by law to use the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse to prominently link to the page. What it means for you: Information on mandatory background screenings for state health care agencies will be easier to find. SB 538: State Courts System What it does: Makes the following changes to the state courts system: Allows a circuit court duty judge (a judge responsible for handling urgent matters outside of regular court hours) to hold and conduct hearings in places other than their chambers Repeals the $1,500 per day limit on fees paid to a court-appointed arbitrator Allows a judge to authenticate documents containing written statements under oath made by others without using a personal or court seal. Allows the clerks to request specified reimbursements through the Justice Administrative Commission (JAC) rather than through the Office of the State Courts Administrator (OSCA). What it means for you: Slightly streamlined legal process, potentially larger fees owed to arbitrators. HB 547: Medical Debt What it does: Allows hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to sell a patient's debt without 30 days' notice under certain circumstances. What it means for you: The exception only applies if both the facility and the debt buyer agree in writing that the debt will not be subject to interest, fees, or other extraordinary collection actions. HB 549: Gulf of America (Schools) What it does: Requires the former Gulf of Mexico to be changed to "Gulf of America" in any geographical material in state agencies and in instructional materials or library media adopted or acquired in Florida schools after July 1. What it means to you: Your old schoolbooks are about to be dated. HB 551: Fire Prevention What it does: Allows projects to replace an existing fire alarm panel with the same make and model under a simplified building permit Requires enforcement agencies to issue permits within two business days for such applications Requires inspections within three business days of requests Defines deadlines for contractor documentation Requires local governments that miss deadlines to refund permit fees 10% for every business day. What it means for you: Contractors replacing a fire alarm panel with the same product may start work immediately after they've submitted a completed simplified building permit application. HB 575: The Designation of the Gulf of Mexico What it does: Replaces Gulf of Mexico with "Gulf of America" in Florida statutes. What it means to you: 53 different mentions will be updated, including all descriptions of boundary lines for Florida counties bordering the Gulf, references to tourist development taxes, coastal construction regulations, property rights regulations, beach management, the definition of "coastal barrier islands." tax regulations for oil drilling and more. SB 578: Wine Containers What it does: Allows the sale of wine in any container holding 5.16 gallons. What it means for you: Current law only allows for the sale of wine in reusable containers holding 5.16 gallons.. SB 582: Unlawful Demolition of Historical Buildings and Structures What it does: Authorizes a code enforcement board or special magistrate to impose increased fines forthe knowing and willful demolition of a structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. What it means for you: Fines may not exceed $250 per day for a first violation for a county or municipality with a population of less than 50,000, or up to $500 per day for a repeat violation. If the damage is irreparable or irreversible, a fine up to $5,000 may be imposed. For counties or municipalities with larger populations, those numbers go to $1,000, $5,000 and $15,000. SB 584: Young Adult Housing Support What it does: Expands housing access and support services for students who are current or former foster youth or experiencing homelessness. Requires Florida College System (FCS) institutions and state universities to prioritize the placement of eligible homeless students in campus housing and work-study opportunities Requires the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to identify barriers to housing for homeless and former foster youth and provide recommendations by Dec. 1, 2026 What it means for you: Homeless children and youths may have more opportunities for higher education. HB 593: Dangerous Dogs (Pam Rock Act) What it does: Named in honor of a 62-year-old Putnam County mail carrier who was mauled to death by five dogs when her truck broke down in a rural area in 2022, this bill: Requires dogs declared dangerous — breed-neutral, defined as dogs that have "aggressively bitten, attacked, or inflicted severe injury on a human being" or "chased or approached a person in a menacing fashion in a public area (if sworn to and investigated)" — to be microchipped and spayed or neutered Requires owners to obtain at least $100,000 of liability insurance. Defines when animal control must euthanize the dog. Requires owners to keep dangerous dogs secured. What it means for you: Dogs that have been declared dangerous must be labeled as such as adoption facilities. Owners of dogs they knew were potentially dangerous may face fines up to $1,000 and/or up to one year in jail if the dog attacks and causes severe injury to, or death of, a human. Also makes resisting or obstructing an animal control officer from enforcing the law a first-degree misdemeanor, and intentionally removing a microchip from a dangerous dog a third-degree felony, punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment up to 5 years. HB 597: Diabetes Management in Schools What it does: Changes diabetes management to allow Florida school districts to acquire, maintain, store and administer a supply of undesignated glucagon. Allows districts to buy it from wholesale distributors and request monetary donations or grants to do so, or accept donations of new, unexpired and manufacturer-sealed glucagon. What it means for you: Students with diabetes experiencing a hypoglycemic emergency can be treated much more quickly even if they didn't have their own medications at the school. A district or public school may also get a prescription for glucagon from a county health department or authorized healthcare practitioner. SB 606: Public Lodging and Public Food Service Establishments What it does: Amends the procedure for removal of non-paying guests from a public lodging or food establishment to require written notice to the guest first by email, text message or print Allows law enforcement to arrest any non-paying guest who stays after being asked to leave Requires restaurants to explicitly notify diners of any operations charges and their purposes on their website, app and menus Requires restaurants to create separate lines on receipts for gratuities, operations charges and sales taxes. If there are automatic gratuities, they must be separately stated on the receipt. What it means for you: More clarity on surprise charges when you eat out. Easier for establishments to remove non-paying guests. HB 669: Israeli Bonds What it does: Prohibits a local government's investment policy from requiring a minimum bond rating for investing in bonds issued by the Israeli government. What it means for you: Local governments may invest surplus funds, but there is a list of authorized investments. This adds "Rated or unrated bonds, notes, or instruments backed by the full faith and credit of the government of Israel" to the list. SB 612: Unlawful Distribution of Controlled Substances Resulting in Death What it does: Makes it a second-degree felony for anyone under the age of 18 who distributes certain controlled substances, including cocaine, opiates, meth, fentanyl and more that results in the death of the user. What it means for you: If you sell or give someone one of these substances and they die from it, you can be charged with third-degree murder, punishable by imprisonment for up to 15 years and/or a fine of up to $10,000. HB 615: Electronic Delivery of Notices Between Landlords and Tenants What it does: Allows landlords and tenants to send any required notices by email if agreed upon in writing, with the understanding that either party can revoke or change their email addresses at any time. What it means for you: Adds more options for landlord-tenant communication. HB 633: Behavioral Health Managing Entities What it does: Requires behavioral health managing entities (MEs) reporting to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to use a specific electronic format to ease in operations and analysis. Requires DCF to audit specific topics for each ME contract and submit the findings to the state by Dec. 1, 2025. Specifies performance measures for client outcomes that MEs must track and report. What it means for you: Accountability for behavioral health managing entities providing mental health services for uninsured people. HB 647: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Services What it does: Allows advanced practice registered nurses, under a written protocol with a licensed physician, to file a certificate of death or fetal death or note corrected information on a permanent certificate of death or fetal death. What it means for you: It allows certain registered nurses providing hospice care to file or correct death certificates while acting within an established protocol with a licensed physician. HB 653: Aggravating Factors for Capital Felonies What it does: Expands the list of aggravating factors a jury can consider when deciding whether or not to recommend death in a capital felony case. What it means for you: When considering if a capital felony deserves the death penalty, the jury may now include the fact that it was committed against a head of state, such as the United States president or a state governor, as an aggravating factor in their deliberations. SB 678: Pawnbroker Transaction Forms What it does: Requires pawnbroker transaction forms to be in print and digital form, rather than just print. What it means for you: You may get digital copies of your pawn ticket in addition to or instead of a print copy, may cut down on overhead for pawn shops, may improve law enforcement reporting. HB 681: Apprenticeship and Preapprenticeship Program Funding What it does: Requires the Department of Education to develop standards, policies and a model contract for apprenticeship and preapprenticeship programs, changes the deadline for the DOE annual apprenticeship report so the DOE can include info on program partner responsibilities and costs. What it means for you: Consistency and transparency on responsibilities and total amount of funding in negotiations between schools and registered apprenticeship partners. HB 683 Construction Regulations What it does: Makes new rules about state construction standards, including: Requiring the state to create standards for installing synthetic turf in residential areas Adds deadlines for local governments to approve or deny construction change orders Prohibits governmental bias for or against certain construction bidders Exempts equipment from the Florida Building Code if it's at a spaceport that is used for space launch vehicles, payloads or spacecraft Prohibits local building departments from requiring copies of contracts and other documents to apply for or receive a building permit Specifies that only one interior support rail in an elevator must be continuous and at least 42 inches long, rather than all of them, and more. What it means for you: Local governments can't impose rules on artificial turf stricter than the state's. The paperwork for construction or changes may move faster. Elevators may have fewer continuous support rails. SB 700: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (The Florida Farm Bill) What it does: This 111-page omnibus bill makes several changes to laws related to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, including but not limited to: Revises the definition of 'water quality additive' to prohibit additives that don't meet the definition, such as fluoride. Prohibits local governments from inhibiting the construction or installation of housing for legally verified agricultural workers on land classified as agricultural land and operated as a farm. Housing must still meet federal, state and local building standards, and the bill includes specifics. Property owners must maintain records of all permits for migrant labor camps or residential migrant housing for at least three years. Requires the department to standardize reporting for property owners with housing sites for workers. Creates a process for the state to adopt rules preventing the sale of plant-based products 'mislabeled' as milk, meat, poultry or eggs of at least 11 of 14 states pass similar legislation. Revises the definition of 'electric utility' with regard to land acquisition and ownership, allows electric utilities to sell or transfer agricultural land to a private owner. Bans drone use on agricultural lands and state wildlife management lands, or private property or sport shooting and training ranges without permission of the owner, makes recording drone video there a first-degree misdemeanor. Allows the department to adapt rules concerning best management practices regarding agricultural pollutant sources for certain parcels Allows the department to regulate placement, design and operation of electric vehicle charging stations. Allows pest control certificate examinations to be taken remotely through a third-party vendor. Increases the funds counties, municipalities or districts may receive per year (up to 3 years) for any new mosquito or similar control programs from $50,000 to $75,000. Prohibits transportation, importation, selling or giving away spores or mycelium capable of producing mushrooms or other material which will contain a controlled substance, including psilocybin or psilocyn. Prohibits local governments from restricting any Future Farmers of America or 4-H activities at public educational facilities or auxiliary facilities, including animal or equipment storage. Prohibits financial institutions from discriminating in their services against an agriculture producer based, in whole or in part, upon an ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factor. Revises rules on suspension or reinstatement of concealed carry licenses, cuts the screening review period in half, to 45 days Revises what constitutes "mail theft" (now includes the theft or unauthorized reproduction of a mail depository key or lock) and the penalties for violations Creates the Honest Service Registry, listing charitable organizations that have attests they do not solicit or accept money or services from or use messaging or content influenced by "a foreign source of concern." Creates the Florida Retail Fuel Transfer Switch Modernization Grant Program to provide grants for the purpose of installation and equipment costs related to installing or modernizing transfer switch infrastructure at retail fuel facilities. Creates the Silviculture Emergency Recovery Program to administer a grant program to assist timber landowners whose timber land was damaged as a result of a declared emergency. Changes the Viticulture Advisory Council to the Florida Wine Advisory Council. What it means for you: No more fluoride in the water, more housing for farm workers, no more magic mushrooms, more restrictions for local governments, a wide variety of changes for farmers. HB 711: Spectrum Alert What it does: Creates a new statewide alert, the Spectrum Alert, for missing children with autism spectrum disorder, calls for training programs. appropriates $190,000 to implement the new alert in the current alert systems. What it means for you: Law enforcement will be trained on how to interact with autistic children in crisis and how to respond effectively. HB 733 — Brownfields What it does: Makes changes to the Brownfields Program, a program that incentivizes local governments and individuals with tax credits, state loan guarantees and more if they volunteer to clean up and redevelop properties with "actual or perceived environmental contamination," called "brownfield sites." Changes include streamlining the process to get approval from the EPA; removing job creation requirements if the development is for affordable housing, recreational areas, conservation areas or parks; and allowing larger brownfield sites to be subdivided to aid in rehabilitation. What it means for you: For developers, it will be easier to get approval to have a polluted site designated as a brownfield site eligible for incentives. HB 735 — Water Access Facilities What it does: Allows marine manufacturers to participate in the Clean Marina Program and receive a 10% discount on the annual lease fee under certain circumstances. Also adds maintenance for publicly owned parking for boat-hauling vehicles and trailers to the list of projects eligible for state grants. What it means for you: Not much unless you're a marine manufacturer, but it may mean more publicly owned trailer parking. SB 738: Child Care and Early Learning Providers What it does: Directs the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to create minimum standards for licensing childcare facilities, revises or removes several requirements: Directs the DCF to codify classification levels for violations relating to the health and safety of a child. Allows childcare personnel with delayed background screenings to work on a 45-day provisional-hire status while waiting for results (the individual must remain under direct supervision when in contact with children until cleared) Expands training requirements relating to the introductory course childcare personnel musttake and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training Limits periodic health examinations to just childcare facility drivers, instead of the current requirement for all childcare personnel Removes: The requirement for facilities to provide parents with pagers or beepers duringdrop-in childcare The requirement for childcare facilities to provide parents with information aboutthe influenza virus and the dangers of a distracted adult leaving a child in a vehicle The requirement for childcare facilities to develop a program to assist in preventingand avoiding physical and mental abuse The requirement for the DCF to develop standards for specialized childcarefacilities for the care of mildly ill children Allows child care facilities, family day care homes, and large family child care homes to receive abbreviated inspections, upon meeting certain conditions Exempts preschools from special assessments levied by municipalities Provides an exemption from licensing, except for the screening of personnel, for a childcare facility that solely provides childcare to certain eligible children Exempts from licensure childcare facilities and family day care homes certified as a childcare facility by the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Coast Guard What it means for you: Streamlined licensing for childcare facilities, more analysis of health and safety violations, fewer requirements for parental education, potential for people who have not yet passed a background check to work in childcare. HB 751: Law Enforcement, Correctional, and Correctional Probation Officer Benefits What it does: Expands employer-paid health insurance benefits to cover law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers who are catastrophically injured during an official training exercise or in the line of duty. What it means for you: Requires public employers to pay the full premium of health insurance coverage for law enforcement, correctional, and correctional probation officers who sustain a catastrophic injury during an official training exercise. Current eligibility is only for qualifying injuries that occur as a result of the officer's response to fresh pursuit, an emergency, or an unlawful act committed by another. SB 768: Foreign Countries of Concern What it does: Requires health care providers, if they wish to stay licensed, to ensure that a person or entity that possesses a direct controlling interest in the health care provider does not directly hold an interest in an entity that has a business relationship with a foreign country of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, the "Venezuelan regime of Nicolas Maduro," and Syria. May also include companies that boycott Israel or have prohibited operations in Cuba, Iran, Sudan, or Syria. What it means for you: Potentially fewer licensed health care providers. SB 784: Platting What it does: Requires local governments to review and approve plat and replat submittals administratively through a designated authority, and provides parameters on the administrative review process What it means for you: Responsibility for approving platting (subdividing lots into smaller lots) is taken from local governments and assigned to an administrative authority they choose. HB 791: Surrendered Infants What it does: Allows infant safety devices to be installed at hospitals, emergency medical services stations or fire stations staffed 24/7 to allow people to place an infant inside to safely surrender them. What it means for you: Parents who wish to surrender their infant children, defined in the bill as babies approximately 30s old or younger, to do so anonymously or without human interaction by placing them in a temperature controlled "baby box" in an outside wall of the above-mentioned facilities which automatically alerts people inside. SB 796: General Permits for Distributed Wastewater Treatment Systems What it does: Grants a general permit for the replacement of existing onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems with distributed wastewater treatment systems (DWTSs), as long as monthly reporting, annual inspections, recordkeeping, and biosolids management happen. What it means for you: Streamlined process to replace septic systems with DWTSs. HB 797: Veteran and Spouse Nursing Home Beds What it does: Allows licensed skilled nursing facilities located on the campus of a nonprofit retirement community that exclusively provides housing for veterans and their spouses to designate or alter the designation of certain beds as veteran and spouse nursing beds. What it means for you: This adds exemptions to the certificate of need (CON) process so that it is not required to designate veteran and spouse beds if they meet specific criteria. HB 809: School Social Workers What it does: Exempts school social workers from certain educator certification requirements. What it means for you: School social workers will no longer need to meet mastery of "general and subject area knowledge" requirements, only the state licensing. SB 830: Disposition of Migrant Vessels What it does: Defines a "migrant vessel" and prohibits a person, firm, or corporation from leaving any migrant vessel on state waters. Authorizes the use of state funding and federal disaster funds to pay for removal. What it means for you: Migrant vessels must be removed within five days after a law enforcement officer posts a notice on it or law enforcement may remove and dispose of it. HB 847: Expedited DNA Testing Grant Program What it does: Creates the Expedited DNA Testing Grant Program in the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to award grants to law enforcement agencies for the processing of evidentiary items for DNA testing. What it means for you: Law enforcement agencies can get funding to test evidence for DNA. HB 867: Indemnification and Insurance Obligations of Commuter Rail Transportation Providers (Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act) What it does: Allows state and local government who have agreements with Brightline to operate commuter rail service on the Coastal Link corridor to take on a percentage of any indemnification and insurance obligations. What it means for you: The Coastal Link Commuter Rail Service Act creates a framework to address lawsuits by establishing how much liability may be assigned to each agency in a variety of situations. SB 878: Probation for Misdemeanor Offenses What it does: Allows a court to sentence a person found guilty of any misdemeanor to a term of probation of up to one year if a controlled substance, a controlled substance analog, or a chemical substance was a significant factor in the commission of the crime. What it means for you: Committing a misdemeanor where controlled substances were involved could mean longer probation. SB 892: Florida State University Election Law Center What it does: Establishes Florida State University Election Law Center within the Florida State University College of Law to conduct nonpartisan research, provide training, and serve as a resource on election law issues. The bill also defines "election law." What it means for you: According to the bill, the new Law Center will collaborate with election officials, legislators, and scholars to improve election administration, voting rights, and election integrity. It also offers student scholarships, externships, and research fellowships to support careers in election law HB 897: Timeshare Plan Management What it does: Exempts community association managers (CAMs) and CAM firms from certain conflicts of interest if the manager manages a timeshare plan. Requires reporting, but exempts them from certain liability for monetary damages. What it means for you: CAMS can mange timeshare plans. HB 901: Court-Appointed Psychologists What it does: Changes requirements for parents or guardians to file administrative complaints against a court-appointed psychologist in a family law case. What it means for you: Before a complaint can be filed, the parent or guardian must first move the court to disqualify the psychologist and replace them. HB 903: Corrections, Execution Methods What it does: Allows any form of execution, provided it was "not deemed unconstitutional," if electrocution or lethal injection is found to be unconstitutional or lethal injection drugs become unavailable. Also: Makes sweeping changes in inmate lawsuits, mandatory minimum prison time, how inmates diagnosed with mental illness are treated and involuntary placement and treatment Allows the governor and cabinet to directly appoint commissioners to the Florida Commission on Offender Review committee, which no longer has a requirement to include representation of minorities. What it means for you: Nitrogen gas may be added as a viable execution method, but firing squads and hanging are not ruled out Inmates now have a one-year statute of limitations for petitions and tort actions they file Additional requirements are added to certain federal civil actions filed by prisoners Wardens may petition to compel an inmate to submit to emergency surgical intervention under certain circumstances, corrections personnel may install and use tracking devices. HB 907: Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases What it does: Codifies the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases (Institute) within the Florida State University College of Medicine as a statewide resource for research and clinical care related to pediatric rare diseases. Also: Requires the Institute to establish and administer the Sunshine Genetics Pilot Program (pilot program) for 5 years, offering opt-in newborn genetic screening, to include whole genome sequencing, with parental consent Establishes the Sunshine Genetics Consortium (Consortium) to facilitate collaboration among researchers, geneticists, and physicians from Florida's state universities and children's hospitals What it means for you: More research in rare chldhood diseases. HB 913: Condominium and Cooperative Associations What it does: Massive bill provides relief for condo owners and associations from financial burdens added by previous condo inspection law. Among many other things, it: Provides immediate relief from the sudden cost burden of fee assessments by extending the reserve study requirement for one year and allowing for a 2 year pause in reserve fund contributions to prioritize funding critical repairs identified in a milestone inspection. Increases the replacement cost of repairs required to be reserved and considered in the Structural Integrity Reserve Study (SIRS) from $10,000 to $25,000 (to be adjusted annually for inflation) to prioritize more critical repairs. Changes the requirement for mandatory structural inspections to apply to buildings that are three habitable stories or more, rather than just three stories or more, adds four-family dwellings Allows condo association members to vote to create special assessments or secure a line of credit or a loan to fund the maintenance reserves required by law Requires full disclosure of potential conflicts of interest and mandates competitive bidding for contracts to make repairs Adds more process and financial transparency What it means for you: Hopefully, lower COA fees and some breathing room to get mandatory inspections done and reserve funds filled. HB 915: Advertisements for Representation Services What it does: Prohibits notary publics from using terms like 'notario público' in their advertising if they are not authorized to represent someone in immigration issues and requires anyone offering immigration services who are not permitted to practice law to state so on the main website of their business. What it means for you: More honest advertising and fewer scams, potentially more difficulties for immigrants to get help. HB 929: Firefighter Health and Safety What it does: Makes changes to Florida Firefighters' Occupational Safety and Health Act to limit the length of regular shifts to address burnout and fatique and adds occupational diseases, adds mental health and suicide prevention to required health care and support best practices, requires the purchase of firefighting gear that doesn't contain chemical hazards or toxic substances What it means for you: Normally scheduled shifts for firefighters may not exceed 42 hours per work week. Firefighters may seek help, training and support for mental health issues and suicide prevention. SB 940: Third-party Reservation Platforms (Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act) What it does: Prohibits third-party reservation platforms from offering reservations for a restaurant without having a contract or agreement with the restaurant first. What it means for you: No more fake reservations, a civil penalty of up to $1,000 per violation for the third-party platforms. SB 944: Insurance Overpayment Claims Submitted to Psychologists What it does: Reduces the timeframe for a health insurer or health maintenance organization (HMO) to submit claims for overpayment to a licensed psychologist from 30 months down to 12 months. What it means for you: Licensed psychologists may keep more money and more of them may participate in insurer or HMO networks, health care providers will need to pay more attention. Gies into effect July 1 but applies to claims for services starting on or after Jan. 1, 2026. SB 948: Flood Disclosures What it does: Requires residential landlords, mobile park owners and condo developers to give prospective tenants information about flood risks and past flooding of the property. Also expands the information that must be provided. What it means for you: When you enter talks to rent, or buy into a condo, you must be told about potential flood risks and any flood damage that has already occurred, along with whether the seller has received any assistance from any source (not just federal) for flood damage to the property. SB 954: Certified Recovery Residences What it does: Requires local governments to establish streamline procedures to review and approval of certified recovery residences —also called "sober houses," alcohol- and drug-free living environments for people in recovery — including a process for requesting reasonable accommodations from land use regulations that would prohibit them. What it means for you: Easier process for communities to create recovery residences. SB 958: Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection Program What it does: Requires the Department of Education to work with schools to develop information about Type 1 diabetes and put it on its website by Sept. 29, 2025. What it means for you: Annual notifications to parents and guardians of VPK, kindergarten and first-grade students about the materials. HB 961: Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles What it does: Makes certain changes to the DHSMV, including: Prohibiting and penalizing unauthorized people from selling DMV or tax collector appointments Authorizing tax collectors to deliver certain documents by mail or make them available at their office Revising requirements governing disabled parking permits, creating a lifetime disabled parking permit for persons who are permanently disabled due to amputation or dismemberment Moves deadline for transitioning driver license issuance services to tax collectors from 2015 to 2027 Requiring certain driver applicants who cheat on their driver license exams to retake them Authorizing tax collectors to process specified transactions using the DHSMV's online license and registration portal and offer licensees certain charitable donation options Requiring the revocation of a restricted driving privilege if the person violates the conditions Designating the week of April 14 as 'Move Over Awareness Week' What it means for you: No more scam DMV appointments, lifetime disabled parking permits, changes to who can offer certain DMV services. HB 987 Transportation Facility Designations What it does: Requires FDOT to erect suitable markers for 20 different bridge names. What it means for you: Local bridges named to honor veterans, law enforcement officers or specific people will get official markers. SB 994 Driver License Education Requirements What it does: Requires applicants for driver licenses 18 years old and older to also complete a driver education course along with the existing traffic law and substance abuse education course. What it means for you: If you apply for a driver license and you're 18 and over, you have another course to take. HB 999: Legal Tender What it does: Established a framework to recognize certain gold and silver coin as legal tender in Florida. What it means for you: If the store or individual accepts it, you can pay in gold or silver. HB 1053: Department of Law Enforcement What it does: Renames the Crimes Against Children Criminal Profiling Program to the Child Exploitation and Crimes Against Children Program, changes the makeup and reporting requirements of the Domestic Security Oversight Council, increases the maximum annual disbursements for a retired police dog's veterinary care to $5,000, up from $1,500 per dog, removes the option for law enforcement agencies providing protective services from requesting expenses from the Victim and Witness Protection Review Committee. What it means for you: The bill expands the scope of the child exploitation program "to align with current operations." Former handlers or adopters of retired police dogs who participate in the Care for Retired Police Dogs Program. SB 1070: Electrocardiograms for Student Athletes (Second Chance Act) What it does: Adds electrocardiograms to mandatory medical evaluations for student athletes: Beginning in 2026-2027 school year, high school students participating in interscholastic athletic competition or trying out for a team must complete at least one ECG screening that meets standards established by the FHSAA's Sports Medicine Advisory Committee Requires the FHSAA to prohibit student athletes from participating if they receive an abnormal ECG report Allows an ECG completed up to two years prior to the 2026–2027 school year to satisfy the requirement Allows medical practitioners with out-of-state licenses to evaluate students Parents/guardians may get exceptions if they object in writing due to religious beliefs or of a board-certified physician certifies the student for a medical exception Exempts students from the requirement if they live in school districts that fail to obtain a public or private partnership to provide ECG screening for less than $50 per student Establishes that if a student is exempted from an ECG, the school district is not liable for cardiac-related injuries or death from interscholastic athletic participation What it means for you: More medical screening for student athletes. HB 1089: Newborn Screenings What it does: Requires newborns to be screened for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, starting Jan. 1, 2027. What it means for you: Your child born in 2027 or later will be checked for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe type that mostly affects boys and generally doesn't show up until around age four but then progresses rapidly. HB 1091: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Care What it does: Makes the following changes to Florida's mental health and substance use service programs: Puts oversight of Florida's 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline) call centers under the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Authorizes a designated receiving facility to retain a patient, who was transferred to the facility after being medically cleared of an emergency medical condition, for the remainder of the 72-hour involuntary examination period if the patient continues to meet the criteria for involuntary examination Requires a patient to be represented at a hearing for continued involuntary services by a public defender of the circuit in which the patient is receiving services, unless the patient is otherwise represented or is ineligible Expands the training requirements for court-appointed forensic evaluators, requiring annual training and coverage of specified topics Requires clinical psychologists to have three years of clinical experience to perform certain duties Authorizes DCF to issue licenses to medication-assisted treatment providers without conducting an annual needs assessment What it means for you: Public defenders won't have to travel for a patient out of their area, procedures for retaining and evaluating patients is clarified. HB 1099: Arrest and Detention of Individuals with Significant Medical Conditions What it does: Specifies that a law enforcement officer may use their discretion when determining whether to make an immediate arrest of a person who has a significant medical condition. What it means for you: An officer may decide if an offender with a significant medical condition (defined in Florida statutes as a patient or resident of a hospital, nursing home facility, or assisted living facility) is an active threat to themselves or others, including in offenses committed against an elderly person or disabled adult. SB 1102: School Readiness Program What it does: Expands the criteria for eligibility for children with special needs served in the School Readiness (SR) program and provides specific accountability and training criteria for SR providers to be eligible to receive the special needs differential allocation. What it means for you: The current law prioritizes children in certain disadvantaged conditions. This bill adds children who require additional accommodations beyond those required by the Americans with Disabilities Act, but requires them to be validated by a health care professional, a licensed mental health professional or an educational psychologist, and requires an IEP and an IFSP to determine the child's eligibility for accommodations. HB 1103: Services for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities What it does: Expands the Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Pilot Program, adds analysis and reporting requirements for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). Establishes the Statewide Family Care Council to coordinate with existing Local Family Care Councils. What it means for you: Anyone eligible to participate in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program must choose to enroll in it, no automatic enrollments. HB 1105: Education What it does: This education omnibus bill covers a lot of ground, with many of the measures affecting charter schools. Among other things, it: Adds restrictions on wireless communication devices for students Requires a test program in six school districts for banning phones in high schools from bell to bell Allows students in marching bands to get physical education or performing arts credit Requires the Department of Education to develop integrated courses that allow students to earn credit in both career education courses and required classes for high school graduation Expands eligibility to the Bright Futures Scholarship Program Allows a majority of parents or guardians to decide to convert a public school to a charter one without input from the school teachers or administrators Allows municipalities to apply to convert existing public schools into job engine charter schools Requiring school districts to share discretionary surtax revenue with charter schools Allows some private schools to build new facilities without seeking rezoning Moves the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Legal Affairs to Florida Memorial University Authorizes a law enforcement officer to arrest a person without a warrant when there is probable cause to believe that the person has trespassed upon school grounds or facilities What it means for you: Students in elementary and middle schools are prohibited from phone or tablet use from bell to bell and at school functions. High school students may not use phones or tablets in class unless directly requested by a teacher, in a designated area. A majority of parents may decide to convert a school into a charter school, without teacher or administrator input. HB 1123: Sewer Collection Systems What it does: Authorizes municipalities to use revenues from the municipality's central sewage system for expansion of the central sewage system. What it means for you: More funding for construction or expansion of a central sewage system. HB 1137: Utility Service Restrictions (Fuel Sources) What it does: Prevents every aspect of local government from restricting or prohibiting any energy sources used by utility companies, prevents local governments, cooperatives or building codes from prohibiting or restricting any appliances based on what fuel or energy source they use. What it means for you: Your gas grill will never be banned. May also restrict initiatives that encourage electric motors or gas-powered ones. HB 1143: Permits for Drilling, Exploration, and Extraction of Oil and Gas Resources What it does: Requires the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to balance natural resource protection measures with potential harm when determining if a natural resource will be adequately protected in case of accident or a blowout from oil or gas drilling or exploration activities when granting a permit in areas within one mile inland from the shoreline of the coast or other bodies of water. Prohibits drilling, exploration, or production of oil, gas, or other petroleum products in counties designated as rural areas of opportunity if the proposed site is within 10 miles of a national estuarine research reserve What it means for you: More ecological protection from oil or gas drilling near the shoreline. HB 1145: Workforce Education What it does: Expressly authorizes charter schools to receive funds under the Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program, requires school districts and Florida College System institutions to expand money-back guarantee programs to cover six workforce education programs instead of the current three. What it means for you: More money for charter schools, more emphasis on workforce programs. SB 1156: Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program What it does: Amends laws relating to the Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children (HHAMFC) program: Specifies HHAMFC training required Increases the Medicaid utilization cap from eight hours per day to 12 hours per day, establishes that the $25 per hour Medicaid reimbursement rate is a minimum rate Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to seek federal approval to allow providers to receive reimbursement under the program and to disregard the income earned by a HHAMFC from the program when calculating eligibility for Medicaid Requires more reporting on HHAMFC cases and on "adverse incidents" under the care of a HHAMFC What it means for you: Training for family caregivers for medically fragile children who receive Medicare reimbursement under the HHAMFC program changes, becomes more tailored to child's needs. Also increases transparency and reporting, and requires "adverse incidents" involving death, brain or spinal damage, permanent disfigurement and similar injuries to be reported within 48 hours. HB 1195: Fentanyl Testing (Gage's Law) What it does: Requires urine testing for fentanyl if patient is treated for possible drug overdose or poisoning. What it means for you: The results of the test will be retained as part of the patient's medical record. SB 1202: Benefits for Firefighters Injured During Training Exercises What it does: Makes a firefighter, their spouse, and their dependent children eligible for family health insurance premium payments if they are totally and permanently disabled during an official training exercise. What it means for you: More coverage for injured firefighters. SB 1286: Harming or Neglecting Children What it does: Amends the definition of harm and neglect of a child in Florida law to allow independent, unsupervised activities for sufficiently mature children, expands definition of neglect to include caregivers who fail to provide a child with necessary physical and mental health services. What it means for you: It will no longer be considered "harm" or "neglect" when a child is subjected to danger if the caregiver did not know and could not have known. Failure to get your child necessary medical help will be considered neglect. HB 1237: Human Trafficking What it does: Requires the state to identify a free training curriculum on human trafficking awareness by Dec. 1, 2025. What it means for you: All public school employees who have contact with students must receive training on human trafficking awareness. HB 1255: Education What it does: Makes more changes to the school system. Changes the definition of 'economically disadvantaged' for families seeking School Readiness services to use 'state median income' instead of 'federal poverty level' Requires that school districts get parental consent before using corporal punishment Adds more support for math instruction Establishes new screening requirements for certain private schools Expands authority to buy emergency opioid overdose drugs and protects school employees from liability for administering them Makes several other clarifications. What it means for you: It may become harder to qualify for School Readiness services, and no one can hit your kid without your advance permission. HB 1299: Department of Health What it does: Makes a variety of changes to the Department of Health: Expands the Patient's Bill of Rights and Responsibilities to prohibit discrimination for vaccination status Requires more reporting from medical marijuana treatment centers for attempted theft or loss Prevents the repeal of the definition of 'messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine" Defines "owners," "managers" and "employees" in medical marijuana treatment centers and marijuana testing facilities and clarifies applications and requirements for licensure Expands list of schools eligible for medical faculty certificates Allows licensed physician assistants to get temporary certificates in Florida for practice in areas of critical need Makes certain dental and dental hygiene students eligible for sovereign immunity What it means for you: You may not be discriminated against by a health care provider or facility based solely on your vaccination status and must receive "impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations." HB 1313: Trust Funds/Re-creation/Resilient Florida Trust Fund/DEP What it does: Restores the Resilient Florida Trust Fund inside the Department of Environmental Protection. All newly created trust funds end by four years after they're created, unless they are re-created. What it means for you: Funding can continue for the Resilient Florida Grant Program and the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Rise Resilience Plan. HB 1353: Home Health Care Services What it does: Provides flexibility for home health agencies in determining how to distribute duties among their personnel. What it means for you: Home health agency administrators may manage up to five agencies with the same controlling interest, regardless of where they are. It also allows contracted staff, instead of only direct employees, to perform initial admission visits, service evaluation visits, and discharge visits. HB 1359: Feasibility Study Relating to Statewide Pawn Data Database What it does: Requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to study the feasibility of creating a statewide pawn database for law enforcement agencies. What it means for you: If the database is judged worthwhile, it would connect data about sales and purchases at secondhand dealers in the state from all the agencies collecting it HB 1371: Law Enforcement Officers and Other Personnel What it does: Makes several changes related to law enforcement officers and other personnel, including: Authorizing a first responder with an amputation to continue to serve as a first responder if they meet specified requirements without accommodation Creating the Florida Medal of Valor (awarded only to a first responder or related personnel who goes above and beyond the call of duty to save the life of an individual) and the Florida Blue/Red Heart Medal (awarded to a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, correctional probation officer, or firefighter who is injured in the line of duty) Prohibiting the use of vehicle kill switches, except in specified circumstances Requiring a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 25 years if a person is convicted of committing attempted first-degree murder of specified justice system personnel Encouraging a pro-prosecution policy if a person is arrested for making a false report of a crime Prohibiting a person from depriving specified officers of digital recording devices, such as bodycams, or restraints, such as handcuffs; prohibiting a person from rendering such officers' weapons, radios, digital recording devices, or restraints useless or otherwise preventing the officer from defending themself or from summoning assistance Increasing the time frame that a search warrant issued for a computer, computer system, or electronic device in the possession of a law enforcement agency must be returned to the court from 10 days to 45 days Revising reporting and review requirements in missing persons cases. Creating the Critical Infrastructure Mapping Grant Program, with funds designated to map critical infrastructure, public gathering places, places of worship, and any other location which may require an emergency response. Revising provisions related to the blood testing of arrestees and specifying procedures for reporting the results of such blood tests to first reponders and other employees What it means for you: Increased penalties for attempted first degree murder of law enforcement and justice system members, preventing an officer from recording restraining others or from defending themselves is a third-degree felony, qualified first-responders with amputations may still serve. SB 1374: School District Reporting Requirements What it does: Improves reporting and accountability for teacher arrests or misconduct: Requires district school boards to adopt a policy for the temporary removal of teachers from the classroom within 24 hours of an arrest for a felony or misdemeanor offense when notified by law enforcement or by self-reporting Expands law enforcement notification requirements to include additional disqualifyingoffenses Expands self-reporting requirements to include more offenses and requires instructional and administrative personnel to report an arrest within 48 hours Clarifies that self-reports are not admissions of guilt and cannot be used against the employee in any civil, criminal, administrative, or judicial proceeding. What it means for you: Faster removal of teachers who have been arrested. SB 1388: Vessels (The Boater Freedom Act) What it does: Makes changes to Florida boating laws: Bans law enforcement from boarding or stopping a vessel without probable cause Requires the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to create a 'Florida Freedom Boater' safety inspection decal Creates 'Watercraft Energy Source Freedom Act,' which prohibits any state or local agency from restricting the use or sale of a watercraft based on the energy source used to power the watercraft Clean Marine Manufacturers get a discount and waiver on certain leases Authorizes funding for construction and maintenance of parking for boat-hauling vehicles and trailers Provides that the FWC may establish springs protection zones to prevent significant harm to springs, spring groups, and spring runs Prohibits the FWC from issuing a fishing license to any commercial fishing vessel owned by any alien power What it means for you: No more safety or marine sanitation equipment inspections, no measures to promote electric vehicles over gas or diesel-powered, more parking. SB 1402: Students Enrolled in Dropout Retrieval Programs What it does: Requires all dropout retrieval programs that help students who have withdrawn from high school to choose between a school improvement rating or a school grade; requires that each Virtual Instruction Provider (VIP) receive a school grade or school improvement rating for each district with which it contracts. What it means for you: Ranking for dropout retrieval programs. HB 1421: Improving Screening for and Treatment of Blood Clots (Emily Adkins Family Protection Act) What it does: Implements policy recommendations made by the Florida Blood Clot and Pulmonary Embolism Policy Workgroup to better identify, treat, and prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Named after Emily Elizabeth Adkins, 23, of Yulee, Florida, whose sudden death from a blood clot could have been prevented with proper screening. Requires the Department of Health to contract to create and maintain a statewide VTE registry Requires all hospitals with emergency departments to develop and implement policies and procedures for appropriate medical attention for persons at risk of forming VTEs and DVTs Requires nursing homes and assisted living facilities (ALFs) to train personnel on how to recognize signs and symptoms of VYE and DVT What it means for you: Faster, more informed response to venous thromboembolism and deep vein thrombosis. SB 1470: School Safety What it does: Seeks to strengthen school safety measures. Changes school security guard training and certification requirements to align with school guardians, requires they be trained and approved by a sheriff, requires guards in private schools meet the same requirements Requires employment and disciplinary actions for guards to be reported to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Mandates that security guards submit the results of the required psychological evaluation to the sheriff for review Allows school districts to use firearm detection dogs for school security Starts the process for the establishment of a Florida Institute of School Safety Requires the Department of Education to establish and maintain a centralized system that integrates panic alert systems and digital school maps used by public schools What it means for you: Better trained school security guards, more accountability. HB 1487: Emergency Services What it does: Revises the criteria required for a faith-based, nonprofit, volunteer ambulance service to obtain an exemption from the certificate of public convenience and necessity (COPCN) requirement, expands eligibility for a COPCN exemption to 15 counties, rather than four, and allows volunteer ambulance service with government funding to qualify for an exemption. What it means for you: Such ambulance services now have higher minimum requirements for years of experience and number of volunteer emergency medical technicians to receive the exemption. SB 1514: Anaphylaxis in Public and Charter Schools What it does: Requires schools from kindergarten through grade eight to ensure they can effectively respond to allergic reactions and anaphylaxis. What it means for you: Teachers and school personnel will be trained on preventing and responding to allergic reactions, including using an FDA-approved epinephrine delivery device. SB 1516: Aerospace Industry What it does: Establishes the International Aerospace Innovation Fund (IAIF), administered by Space Florida What it means for you: Requires IAIF to develop partnerships between Florida-based aerospace companies and international companies. HB 1525: Prearranged Transportation Services (Rideshare Drivers) What it does: Makes it a second-degree misdemeanor to impersonate a rideshare driver. Doing so while committing a felony offense is an additional third-degree felony. Also allows the Transportation Disadvantaged Trust Fund commission to contract with qualified rideshare programs to support transportation services for persons with disabilities. What it means for you: Harsher penalties for people pretending to be Uber or Lyft drivers. HB 1545: Parkinson's Disease What it does: Creates the Consortium for Parkinson's Disease Research within the University of South Florida (USF) to conduct research on the causes, mechanisms, and potential treatment for Parkinson's disease and the prevalence of Parkinson's disease in first responders. What it means for you: More research on Parkinson's disease. SB 1546: Background Screening of Athletic Coaches What it does: Extends the date for requiring a Level 2 background screening for athletic coaches from January 1, 2025, to, at the latest, July 1, 2026, allows a person who has not been background screened to be an athletic coach if they are under the direct supervision of an athletic coach who has. What it means for you: Your coach may not have passed a background screened yet. HB 1549: Financial Services What it does: Makes a series of changes to the state's financial laws, including revising requirements and regulatory provisions, amending due dates for semiannual assessments, repeals the requirement for credit unions to maintain a regular reserve, and other changes to deadlines and definitions What it means for you: Certain financial regulations have been eased. HB 1559: Vexatious Litigants What it does: Strengthens Florida's Vexatious Litigant Law by expanding it to family law matters, small claims court, and adversary probate proceedings. Also expands the definition of 'vexatious litigant" to include people representing themselves and repeatedly filing claims or motions that have been settled already, repeatedly filing motions to cause unnecessary delays, or has been found to be a vexatious litigant in other courts. What it means for you: May reduce meritless lawsuits. HB 1567: Insulin Administration by Direct Support Professionals and Relatives What it does: Allows direct-support professionals and relatives to administer insulin to developmentally disabled individuals in group home facilities. Also defines "direct support professional" and establishes requirements and provides immunity from liability. What it means for you: Direct support professionals and family members may administer sliding scale insulin therapy, and insulin or epinephrine through an insulin pen. HB 1607: Cardiac Emergencies What it does: Requires school districts to provide basic training in first aid, including CPR, once during middle school and once during high school in a physical education or health class. The instruction must allow students to practice CPR and use an automated external defibrillator (AED). Requires every public and charter school to have at least one operational AED on school grounds by July 1, 2027. Public schools must also develop a plan on how to respond to sudden cardiac arrest or other emergencies. What it means for you: First aid and CPR training for kids, better emergency cardiac response in schools. SB 1620: Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders What it does: Implements key recommendations made by Florida's Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder: Standardizes clinical mental health assessments used by providers and school mental health programs, requires use and statewide integration of the Daily Living Activities-20 functional assessment tool Promotes language in a professional medical setting to emphasize the patient as a person rather than their disability or illness Improves discharge planning from treatment facilities, requiring plans to address access to long-acting injectable medications when clinically appropriate Directs the Florida Department of Children and Families to build out specialized mobile crisis response services for seniors Mandates biennial reviews of telehealth availability, with a focus on rural and underserved areas. Supports new training programs, professional stipends, and workforce development projects across the state What it means for you: Improves mental health patient management, New bills signed: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs bills to boost substance abuse, mental health SB 1622: Beaches What it does: Allows county and city governments to recognize recreational customary use of Florida beaches above the mean high-water line without going through the courts. Also declares the mean high-water line as the ECL (erosion control line) in certain counties, bypassing existing statutory procedures. What it means for you: Protected beach access, more local control over beaches, streamlined beach restoration erosion control projects. SB 1652: Public Records/Pleading, Request for Relief, or Other Document Stricken by a Court What it does: Creates a public records exemption for certain information in a document stricken by a court in a noncriminal case. What it means for you: Material deemed immaterial, impertinent, or a sham that would defame or cause unwarranted damage to an individual's good name or reputation or jeopardize their safety and stricken by a court would be blocked from public records requests. SB 1662: Transportation What it does: Addresses a large variety of provisions relating to transportation, including: Allows certain disabled veterans to receive a special license plate embossed with 'DV' in the top left-hand corner Repeals provisions regarding high-occupancy vehicle lanes, including a related toll exemption Prohibits camping on right-of-way of the State Highway System, except on the Florida National Scenic Trail with the appropriate permit Authorizes the withholding of state transportation funds to local jurisdictions if their traffic signals are not in compliance with FDOT's system Creates the Florida Transportation Research Institute within FDOT to coordinate with certain Florida universities and aerospace industries regarding workforce development Authorizes certain space-related and commercial shipbuilding projects to receive Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development funding, prohibits state funding to a seaport near certain spaceport territory agrees to specified land use requirements Requires airports to provide FDOT with the opportunity to use airport property as a staging area during certain declared states of emergency, authorizes FDOT to fund certain infrastructure projects associated with spaceports Prohibits airports from charging new landing fees for aircraft operations related to flight training conducted by certain academic institutions Prohibits FDOT from providing funds to transportation-related entities for projects or programs that are inconsistent with the energy policy of the state Repeals FDOT's disadvantaged business enterprise program What it means for you: Disabled veteran license plates, driving in HOV lanes changed, more robust state framework for space flight development. SB 1678: Entities that Boycott Israel What it does: Expands the state prohibitions on public entities dealing with companies that boycott Israel, including: Expands the definition of a 'boycott of Israel' to include specified academic boycotts Requires that the State Board of Administration (SBA), on behalf of the public fund, divestfrom companies and other entities including educational institutions and foreign governments that engage in a boycott of Israel Requires the SBA to determine the companies and other entities that boycott Israel in whichit has an ownership interest and which should be placed on the Scrutinized Companies orOther Entities that Boycott Israel List Requires that universities of the State University System endowment and retirement fundsdivest from companies and other entities that engage in a boycott of Israel Requires applicants for the Department of State's arts and culture grants to certify that theywill comply with all relevant anti-discrimination laws and will not engage in antisemiticdiscrimination or speech in conjunction with their grant project and provides penalties for aviolation of such certification Allows companies or entities that are on the scrutinized companies or other entities list thatboycott Israel list to contract with state agencies and local governments for up to $100,000 per contract. Previously, such companies were totally barred What it means for you: Adds to Florida's restrictions on entities that boycott Israel over its actions. SB 1730 – Affordable Housing What it does: Amends the 2023 Live Local Act to clarify certain affordable housing regulations: Defines 'commercial use,' 'industrial use,' and 'mixed use" as far as zoning for affordable housing goes Clarifies that recreational uses, such as golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools, and clubhouses, are not considered commercial, industrial, or mixed-use for purposes of the Act and removes a related provision for development on recreational land Adds a new provision expressly authorizing local governments to approve affordable housing developments on parcels owned by a religious organization containing a house of public worship Prohibits local governments from requiring amendments to developments of regional impact before allowing development Prohibits local governments from requiring a certain amount of residential usage in mixed-use developments and from enforcing certain building moratoriums that would delay public housing permitting or construction Provides for height restrictions for proposed developments on parcels with historic buildings, allowing local governments to restrict the height to the highest currently allowed height within three-fourths of a mile, instead of one mile Requires local governments to reduce parking requirements Removes the bill provisions increasing the evacuation clearance time in the Florida Keys Clarifies that the Fair Housing Act prohibits local governments from discriminating in land use decisions based on a development being affordable housing What it means for you: Streamlined process for affordable public housing approval and development. SB 1768: Stem Cell Therapy What it does: Authorizes licensed physicians to perform stem cell therapies that have not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when used for orthopedic conditions, wound care, or pain management, makes it a third-degree felony to use fetal or embryonic tissue from an abortion. What it means for you: Wider range of stem cell therapies available, some may not meet FDA standards. SB 2500: Appropriations What it does: Funds the state government until June 30, 2026. What it means for you: The state budget has been agreed upon and approved. SB 2504: Collective Bargaining What it does: Resolves all mandatory collective bargaining issues at impasse for the 2025-2026 fiscal year between the State of Florida and state employees What it means for you: Clears the collective bargaining slate. SB 2506: Natural Resources What it does: Makes changes to how money from the gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is spent. Repeals the previous requirement for 96% of gambling compact revenues to be spent acquiring and managing conservation lands and invest in resiliency efforts and clean water infrastructure. Adds water control districts to the list of state agencies permitted to manage lands acquired with gaming compact funds Authorizes the acquisition of land to create additional water storage north of Lake Okeechobee Requires at least 25% of funds appropriated for the water quality grant program to go rural areas What it means for you: Potentially less money for environmental and conservation efforts, more money for other state initiatives SB 2508: Judges What it does: Adds 22 more circuit court judges and 15 more county court judges, requires an eventual reduction of the judges in the 12th district to 13. What it means for you: Potentially a reduction in the backlog of cases in the state SB 2510: Prekindergarten Through Grade 12 Education What it does: Changes appropriations for prekindergarten through grade 12 education to align with new state budget: Changes how state allocations to educational programs are calculated Removes the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) Allocation Conference and requires the Department of Education to recalculate and resubmit FEFP data to get allocations to school districts released Replaces the weighted full-time equivalent funding for certain acceleration options with a new Academic Acceleration Options Supplement as a categorical in the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) Requires Schools of Hope program funds to be maintained at $25 million or more, starting July 1, 2027 Changes definition of "persistently low-performing school" to include a school in the bottom 10% in at least two of the three years for student performance for grade 3 English Language Arts or grade 4 mathematics Removes new student eligibility for the New Worlds Scholarship Accounts program and requires accounts to be closed after one year of inactivity, rather than three Modifies the CAPE Digital Tool certificates and industry certifications and establishes the CAPE Pathways industry certifications Requires the DOE to make recommendations by July 1, 2028, on a Title I performance incentive program Authorizes the school district reading plan to include parent resources for struggling students and information about student eligibility for the New Worlds Reading Initiative What it means for you: Additional resources for charter schools operated by hope operators, potentially less funding for International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, Advanced International Certification of Education, and Dual Enrollment programs, according to SB 2514: Health and Human Services What it does: Makes changes to Health and Human Services funding decisions to align with new state budget: Allows dental and dental hygiene students with job offers from eligible public health programs or private practices to apply for the Dental Student Loan Repayment Program before starting the job Revises the Cancer Connect Collaborative's membership, establishes grant parameters andreporting requirements for the Cancer Innovation Fund, and creates a five-year ResearchIncubator to fund targeted cancer research, all under the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program Establishes the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute VisionGen Initiative to advance genetic andepigenetic research on inherited eye diseases and ocular oncology Requires the Department of Health to revoke medical marijuana registration if a patient orcaregiver is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to drug trafficking, sale or manufacture Authorizes Valerie's House Inc. to provide no-cost grief support services to bereavedchildren who have experienced the death of a parent or sibling, and their caregiver Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to enhance nursing home governancethrough resident surveys, medical director standards, safety culture reviews, and improvedhealth data exchange Strengthens nursing home oversight with new reporting, quality tracking, and a third-partycomprehensive study on national quality best practices due by December 1, 2025, adds a fine of $10,000 per report compliance violation starting Jan. 1, 2026 Establishes that a person deemed eligible for Medicaid-covered institutional care services or hospice services or who is receiving home and community-based services is presumed eligible for continuing coverage during any redetermination process unless their status changes and gives the agency a deadline of Oct. 1, 2025 to request exemption from annual redetermination for specific Medicaid-eligible disabled people Expands the Training, Education, and Clinicals in Health (TEACH) Funding Program to include certain nonprofits and provides for reimbursement of nursing students What it means for you: More cancer research, more eye disease research, more nursing home oversight, protection for some Medicaid patients to continue receiving care and payments during redetermination processes, adds penalty for medical marijuana uses convicted of a drug crime. HB 5013: State-funded Property Reinsurance Programs What it does: Reduces the amount the General Revenue Fund can reimburse eligible insurers for covered hurricane losses through the Reinsurance to Assist Policyholders (RAP) Program from $2 billion down to $900 million, repeals the Florida Optional Reinsurance Assistance (FORA) Program created for the 2023 hurricane season. What it means for you: Unused funds set aside for reimbursing insurers for 2023 hurricane damages will be reduced with remainder returned to the state's general fund HB 5017: Debt Reduction What it does: Creates a debt reduction program for the state to reduce the state's debt by accelerating the retirement of bonds prior to maturity, orders the Division of Bond Finance to prioritize Debt Reduction Program funds to reduce outstanding state bonds, calls for $250 million in annual funding What it means for you: Reduced state tax-supported debt SB 7010: A Review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act What it does: Removes the sunset date for a Department of Financial Services public records exemption. What it means for you: A temporary exemption from public records for confidential information concerning insolvent insurers that was supposed to run out on Oct. 2, 2025, is now permanent. SB 7012 – Child Welfare What it does: Addresses workforce issues in the child welfare system, creates a pilot program for treatment foster care, and enhances the data and information the state must collect and report related to commercial sexual exploitation of children What it means for you: DCF will start recruiting for Child protective Investigators, SB 7020: OGSR/Agency Cybersecurity Information (Open Government Sunset Review Act review) What it does: Extends the deadline for repealing the public record exemption for cybersecurity assessments and audits, network schematics and encryption information to Oct. 2, 2026 if disclosure would allow unauthorized access, modification or destruction to data or information or IT resources relating to security. What it means for you: Companies will not have to reveal their cybersecurity findings, efforts, or internal security. SB 7022: Retirement What it does: Increases contribution rates for employers participating in the Florida Retirement System (FRS), allows an elected officer other than a legislator to stay in office and receive their accumulated deferred optional retirement proceeds (DROP) after they reach 59½ years of age What it means for you: Higher rates for participating employers HB 7031: Taxation What it does: Makes several tax changes, including: Sales tax Repeals the business rent tax Creates a permanent back-to-school sales holiday for the month of August each year Exempts sales of certain disaster preparedness and other items and events Extends an exemption related to data centers for 10 years Authorizes certain local discretionary sales surtaxes to be reduced or repealed Allows Tourist Development Taxes to be used for infrastructure projects in certain counties and for beach lifeguards in all coastal counties Property tax Updates administrative provisions related to the value adjustment board process Creates two new affordable housing exemptions and amends three existing affordable housing provisions Provides an exemption for certain Gold Seal certified childcare centers Modifies provisions related to agricultural properties Exempts certain flight simulators Repeals the aviation fuel tax Delays the imposition of natural gas fuel taxes Doubles distributions made to certain medical centers from $30 million to $60 million annually Creates two new tax credit programs Extends a local rate freeze for communications services taxes Adopts the current Internal Revenue Code Exempts charitable trusts for corporate income tax purposes Reduces the pari-mutuel tax on cardrooms Removes a slot machine licensing fee Redirects distributions related to the horse industry and certain documentary stamp distributions Makes other conforming, administrative, and procedural updates related to state and local taxes What it means for you: Permanent back-to-school tax holiday in August, tax-free disaster preparedness shopping, no tax on business rent This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: New Florida laws go in effect July 1: Here's what they all mean for you Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Yahoo
New ICE pact could have Florida jail staff driving immigrants to Alligator Alcatraz
ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County jail staff could be directed — at county expense — to haul immigration detainees to 'Alligator Alcatraz' or other detention facilities used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement if county commissioners approve an amended pact with the agency. 'I'm gonna fight it,' said commissioner Nicole Wilson, who cast one of the board's two no votes March 26 against the original Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) with ICE to hold agency detainees from around Florida at the county jail. To date, jail staff has not been enlisted to move detainees, corrections spokesperson Tracy Zampaglione said. 'Orange County Corrections does not transport inmates, ICE does,' she said in an email. 'Orange County Corrections Department has not — nor do we transport inmates released to ICE custody.' But the one-page addendum on the commission's Tuesday agenda could change that. If adopted by the board, the codicil would authorize county correctional officers trained in ICE procedures to transport immigration detainees at the immigration agency's request. A Florida law passed earlier this year requires all jails in the state to cooperate with ICE. Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad, the other no vote on the first ICE pact, also opposed adding to jail staff's work load. 'I don't agree with requiring our correction officers to do more work than what they're paid for and to do work they may not agree with or to do the bidding of a state government that's over-reaching,' she said Wednesday. 'We have immense public pressure to do what is right.' It is not known how many other counties in Florida or elsewhere are facing similar requests. The Miami Herald reported Wednesday that Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava quietly signed a similar updated agreement with ICE in June, unbeknownst to community members. That agreement appears identical to the one being considered in Orange County, giving any correctional staff trained through the previous agreement the ability to transport detainees upon ICE's request. But Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, who signed the original agreement, so far has declined to sign the addendum, according to a memo to the county commission. The Orlando Sentinel asked Demings' spokesperson for comment but had not received a response by late Wednesday afternoon. Under Orange County's existing IGSA, the county jail serves as one of a handful of facilities across the state that houses federal inmates. That means people arrested on immigration charges beyond the county's borders – in some cases 100 miles from Orange County – are booked and housed into the jail until they can be transferred to an ICE facility. That agreement has come under fire in part because the county is only reimbursed $88 per day an inmate is held, while it costs about $145 to detain someone. The new transport clause adds a deeper wrinkle. Commissioner Wilson objected particularly to the federal government's failure to fully reimburse the county for the cost of holding ICE detainees. 'I don't understand why there's this expectation to everyone that we just goose-step right in line,' she said. She said she was concerned the county would be complicit in shipping detainees swiftly without due process to 'what are probably very inhumane conditions' at places like Alligator Alcatraz, the hastily erected detention compound for ICE detainees in the Everglades. 'And we don't know what happens to them after that,' she said. Approving the amended agreement with ICE would be a huge disservice to the county's immigrant population, Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, executive director of Apopka's Hope CommUnity Center, said. 'We are a community that was built on the vitality of immigrants and immigration,' he said. 'To see our county officials turn their backs to our community values [and] to align themselves with a deportation machine, it is not only a step in the wrong direction, it's against what we stand for as a community.' A law passed during the state legislature's special session in February requires Florida jails to cooperate with ICE, but Sousa-Lazaballet argued it does not force the county to accept the agency's new terms. Other community leaders aren't so confident. Jose Rodriguez, an Orlando Episcopalian priest, said commissioners are under pressure and face possible removal from office if they don't cooperate with state and federal authorities. 'I have elected these commissioners, I've elected to represent me and represent my voice.' Rodriguez said. 'However, if they represent the wrong voice, they'll get removed from office.' He cited previous threats from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier to remove city council members and commissioners from their appointed roles if they don't comply with ICE. Most recently, Uthmeier posted a letter to X where he said he would remove Key West city commissioners from office if they didn't reinstate their voided agreement with ICE. Commissioners voted to re-implement the agreement on Tuesday. Instead, Rodriguez calls on Orange County's commissioners to go down 'kicking and screaming,' by letting their community know what they really think of the agreement — even if ultimately they must approve it. 'I think the most powerful thing that each commissioner could do is speak their mind about how they're being forced — if they feel like they're being forced,' he said. 'They better put an asterisk on that.' -------------
