Crime, terrorists, Trump airport. 120+ new Florida laws start July 1

• Over 120 new laws will take effect in Florida on July 1, impacting various sectors.
• Changes include harsher penalties for child abuse, new rules for public unions, and protections for pet buyers.
• The state will also see an extended "President Donald J. Trump Highway" and a renamed "President Donald J. Trump-Palm Beach International Airport."

There are more than 120 new Florida laws going into effect on Wednesday, July 1.

Penalties for child abuse and domestic violence will get harsher, the state will be able to designate foreign and domestic terrorist organizations, it will be much easier for teacher, nurse, and government worker unions to be shut down, affordable housing will be included under the Florida Fair Housing Act, buying dogs and cats will get more protections, and the state animal abuse database will get a lot more details.

There are also new public records exemptions for domestic and dating violence victims, more autism training to law enforcement and schools, data center regulation, a longer “President Donald J. Trump Highway" and a "President Donald J. Trump-Palm Beach International Airport," revised rules for non-profits, no more building permits for most small projects, a ban on carbon taxes, and many more.

So far, Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed only four bills:

• HB 325 - Education and Workforce Development for Inmates: Would have allowed non-violent inmates with two years or less remaining on their sentence to enroll in commercial driver license training programs,
• SB 382 - Micromobility Devices: Would have added a 10-mph speed limit for e-bikes when around pedestrians and required drivers to yield to people on foot and to make an audible noise, such as a bell or voice, when overtaking and passing them.
• HB 461 - Volunteering at Polling Locations: Would have allowed high school students who are registered or preregistered to vote to volunteer at polls and receive community service hours toward meeting high school graduation or scholarships.
• HB 4075 - Town of Davie, Broward County: Would have allowed a sign on specified agriculturally zoned property within the Town of Davie.

The 2026-2027 Florida State Budget

On June 29, DeSantis signed the $117.6 billion state budget after he vetoed almost $1.6 billion in programs and projects. Along with the budget (SB 4F), he also signed several related bills:

• SB 2506E - Fuel taxes: Redistributes more fuel sales tax revenue to the Agricultural Emergency Eradication Trust Fund, the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund, the State Game Trust Fund, and the Invasive Plant Trust Fund and away from the State Transportation Trust Fund.
• HB 5001E - General Appropriations Act: Where the budget money is coming from, along with HB 5003E to implement it.
• HB 5201E - Collective Bargaining: Directs the state employees' collective bargaining impasse to be resolved based on the new budget.
• HB 5205E - Retirement: Revises employer contribution rates for the normal costs and the unfunded actuarial liability of the Florida Retirement System.
• HB 5301E - Health Care: Makes some changes to Florida health care innovation, creates new programs, and more. See detailed listing below.
• HB 5701E - Petroleum Cleanup Programs: Removes program deductibles, copayments, and monetary caps for eligible parties, makes up the difference from the Inland Protection Trust Fund.
• HB 7031E - Taxation: Cuts more than $100 million in taxes through reductions, eliminations, exemptions, and tax holidays. See detailed listing below.

Here's what's changing.

HB 33 - Transportation Facility Designations (Charlie Kirk, Trump roads)

• What it does: Directs the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to erect suitable markers for “Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue” in Miami-Dade County and “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard” in Broward County.
• What it means for you:
  • A portion of S.R. 985/S.W. 107th Avenue between S.W. 24th Street and S.R. 90/S.W. 8th Street in Miami-Dade is now “Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue.”
  • A portion of S.R. 870/Commercial Boulevard between W Tradewinds Avenue and the eastern terminus of Commercial Boulevard in Broward County is now “President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.”

HB 35 - Traffic Offenders

• What it does: Revises the term “habitual traffic offender” to add the offense of driving without a valid license.
• What it means for you: If you are convicted of driving without a valid license thre or more times in a five-year period, you will be designated a habitual traffic offender and can be prosecuted for a third-degree felony for driving a motor vehicle.

HB 47 - Specific Medical Diagnoses in Child Protective Investigations

• What it does: Revises Florida’s DCF protective investigation procedures if a child has certain rare genetic or nutritional medical diagnoses with symptoms that can resemble physical abuse.
• What it means for you: If a parent or legal guardian of a child under investigation reports the child was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, rickets, osteogenesis imperfecta, or vitamin D deficiency, DCF can delay referring the case to law enforcement (referral is still required for valid criminal accusations). Parents and legal guardians may also request a second medical opinion and receive written reports.

SB 52 - Security Services

• What it does: Exempts volunteers who provide armed security services at churches, mosques, synagogues, or other places of worship from state private investigator and security service regulations.
• What it means for you: Easier to bring in armed volunteers, allows them to work without a license or background check.

HB 89 - Veterinary Prescriptions

• What it does: Requires licensed veterinarians to clearly inform clients of certain rights.
• What it means for you: Vets must tell you:
  • That you have the right to receive a written prescription for medication that can be filled at the pharmacy of your choice
  • If the veterinary clinic can fill the prescription

SB 124 - Florida Virtual Schools

• What it does: Amends Florida Virtual School statutes.
• What it means for you: The bill makes several technical changes, including:
  • Removes Florida Virtual School (FLVS) requirements to give priority to certain students
  • Requires counting all full-time and part-time FLVS students for the purposes of full-time equivalent student calculations
  • Requires certain FLVS employees to be state employees to be eligible for the Florida Retirement System
  • Allows FLVS to approve and collect supplemental revenue from an outside organization
  • Removes requirements for some FLVS reporting

HB 131 - Estate Curators

• What it does: Amends Florida's Probation Code.
• What it means for you: Changes to state law on how estates may be administered, such as curator bond requirements and when courts may appoint curators.

HB 167 - Phosphate Mining

• What it does: Establishes a defense from strict liability from lawsuits brought by the Department of Environmental Protection or others based on a natural geological substance on the site of a former phosphate mine.
• What it means for you: Defendants are protected from liability or negligence related to hazardous substances related to phosphate mining if notice has been posted and a gamma radiation survey was done.

SB 168 - Public Nuisances

• What it does: Declares any place used as a "gambling house" at least twice in a 12-month period to be a "public nuisance."
• What it means for you: It increases maximum daily fines from $250 to $500 i the nuisance activity lasts more than a year, allows foreclosure if liens go unpaid for three months and mandates foreclosure if the nuisance lasts after two years, removes the $15,000 cap on total fines, and allows counties and municipalities to pursue other remedies.

HB 177 - Conflict of Interest

• What it does: Authorizes a judge to appoint the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel (CCCRC) from a different region to represent an indigent defendant in a capital case when there is a conflict of interest, under certain conditions. If one is not available, the judge must appoint private counsel.
• What it means for you: Less conflict of interest in the court.

HB 178 - School Athletics

• What it does: Says that head coaches of sports teams may be allowed to use personal funds to support the welfare of students under the FHSAA.
• What it means for you: Coaches may provide help for students in the form of food, transportation, and recovery services, up to $15,000 per athletic team per year.

SB 182 - Education: Teacher Mentors

• What it does: Establishes the School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program to improve teacher effectiveness in public schools. Also requires students in grades 3 through 5 to learn to read and write cursive writing. The bill also specifies where the motto “In God We Trust” must be displayed, and mandates the display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in all public schools.
• What it means for you: Schools with a "D" or "F" grade can receive qualified teachers as mentors to help improve performance.

SB 192 - Patient Funds Held by Chiropractors

• What it does: Strikes out the $1,500 cap on advances a chiropractic physician may collect for examination or treatment.
• What it means for you: Chiropractic physicians will no longer be subject to Board discipline for collecting large advanced payments. Currently pending complaints of such collections will be reviewed and likely closed.

HB 199 - Veterans Affairs

• What it does: Repeals the requirement for the state attorney to place defendants into a veterans treatment court program.
• What it means for you: Defendants may be placed in the program by the court, and allows the court discretion to place them in a postadjudicatory VTC program if the defendant is eligible and the felony was nonviolent.

SB 212 - Sexual Offenders and Sexual Predators

• What it does: Updates the existing restrictions for sexual offenders or predators from living within 1,000-foot radius of a public swimming pool, along with the existing prohibitions against living near a school, child care facility, park, or playground. Also prohibits offenders on probation or conditional release from working or volunteering at a public pool and clarifies under what conditions they may be on school grounds.
• What it means for you: Sexual offenders may no longer:
  • Loiter or prowl within 500 feet of places where children congregate, increased from 300 feet
  • Knowingly contact a child at any public park, playground, or public swimming pool, or face arrest without a warrant
  • Go on school grounds without approval, or face arrest without a warrant

HB 245 - Child Pornography

• What it does: Replaces the term "child pornography" with “child sexual abuse material” throughout state statutes.
• What it means for you: Helps emphasize that sexual material involving children is not an entertainment category but the evidence of a crime.

HB 249 - State Flagship

• What it does: Replaces the current state flagship, the schooner Western Union, with the S.S. American Victory.
• What it means for you: The Western Union, the previous flagship, was constructed in 1939 and was retired after 35 years to become a charter boat. In 2007, it was donated to a preservation society to restore it, but by 2024 it was falling apart. The S.S. American Victory was launched in 1945, operated in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, and was mothballed for 30 years before being restored as a museum.

HB 253 - Veterans Dental Care Grant Program

• What it does: Expands eligibility for the Veterans Dental Care Grant Program in the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
• What it means for you: Veterans with incomes of up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Previously, the FDVA had limited eligibility to veterans with incomes of up to 300% of the federal poverty level.

HB 271 - Bail Bonds

• What it does: Subjects foreign and alien bail bond insurers doing business in Florida to the same reporting requirements as domestic bail bond insurers
• What it means for you: The bill tightens reporting for out-of-state bail bond insurers to match what insurers in Florida already have to do.

HB 273 - Special District Funding

• What it does: Adds special districts serving rural communities to agencies permitted to pay invoices as long as contracted performance was completed.
• What it means for you: Agreements providing state or federal financial assistance to special districts located in a rural community or rural area of opportunity, or that provide water and wastewater services in such areas, must include provisions for those districts to pay invoices.

HB 277 - Domestic Violence

• What it does: Increases penalties for domestic violence:
  • Enhances penalties if the suspect has already been convicted of domestic violence before
  • Adds threatening to kill or injure a family pet and the existing order to the list of factors that judges may consider when determining whether to grant a domestic violence injunction
• What it means for you: Also increases the funding amount for relocation assistance claims for victims of domestic violence from $1,500 to $2,500 for a single claim, and bumps the lifetime maximum from $3,000 to $5,000.

SB 288 - Electric Cooperatives

• What it does: Revises a state statute that blocks electrical cooperatives from prohibiting any types or fuel sources of energy production or the use of any appliance that uses the types of fuel sources they provide.
• What it means for you: Electric investor-owned utilities, municipal electric utilities, and rural electric cooperatives that sell electricity at retail are exempt from this restriction.

SB 290 - FDACS

• What it does: Makes sweeping changes to state law related to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
• What it means for you:
  • Local governments may not ban gas-powered landscape equipment
  • Anyone receiving unauthorized help on a CDL exam may face criminal penalties

SB 296 - Domestic Violence

• What it does: Requires the Division of Telecommunications to investigate the feasibility of a domestic and dating violence 911 alert system.
• What it means for you: Potentially a future domestic and dating violence 911 alert system.

SB 298 - Public Records / Victims of Domestic and Dating Violence

• What it does: Expands public record exemptions for victims of domestic violence who participate in the state's confidentiality program.
• What it means for you: Victims of dating violence are now included. Their names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, voting registration, and voting records will be exempt from public records requests.

SB 302 - Coastal Resiliency

• What it does: Allows minimum dredging or filling in the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve for the restoration and enhancement of natural systems and allows structures within aquatic preserves if they are built for nature-based solutions to improve coastal resiliency, such as living seawalls, shoreline and vegetation planting, seagrass planting, wave attenuation devices, etc.
• What it means for you: The bill requires the Department of Environmental Protection to develop nature-based methods to address coastal resiliency, erosion control, sea level rise, and storm surge.

SB 340 - Human Trafficking

• What it does: Requires graduates of professional and practical nursing programs to complete a two-hour course on human trafficking to be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
• What it means for you: Nurses will be more aware of trafficking and what to look for.

HB 355 - Patient Protection

• What it does: Requires the AHCA to establish minimum standards for pediatric patient care in hospital emergency departments and requires all hospitals with emergency departments to develop and implement policies and procedures for pediatric patient care in the department.
• What it means for you: Improved pediatric care in hospital emergency departments.

HB 359 - Search Warrants

• What it does: Revises deadlines for law enforcement to return search warrants to the issuing court, allows a judge to authorize remote requests for search warrants, expands the circumstances for which a judge can issue a search warrant to recover a deceased body, and authorizes a law enforcement agency to get a search warrant to use a drone to search an area or areas where evidence that a crime was committed might reasonably be found.
• What it means for you: Search warrants must be returned within:
  • 10 days, not including the date of issuance, or
  • 20 days if the search warrant is issued to an out-of-state provider for electronic communications data.
  • 30 days if the search warrant is issued to search for and seize specimens for DNA analysis or entry into the DNA database.
  • 365 days if the search warrant is issued to search for and seize a computer, computer system, or electronic device (electronic device), and any data or information contained in such an electronic device.

SB 386 - Farm Equipment

• What it does: Sets up a process for consumers and manufacturers to remedy defective farm equipment.
• What it means for you: Buyers may report defective farm equipment to the manufacturer during the warranty period or the one-year period after the original delivery date. Manufacturers are required to replace or refund any defective farm equipment.

SB 394 - Reinsurance Managers

• What it does: Exempts an underwriting manager who manages assumed facultative risks for a reinsurer for certain licensing requirements, if their reinsurance business is less than 10 percent of their assumed annual gross written premium.
• What it means for you: The move could streamline some risk evaluation for insurers, which could lead to lower premiums for customers or higher insurance company profits or both.

SB 418 - Law Enforcement and Autism (Blue Envelope Program)

• What it does: Creates the “Blue Envelope Program” to improve communication between autistic people and law enforcement officers during motor-vehicle-related interactions.
• What it means for you: Blue envelopes (for documents such as driver licenses, registration, and proof of insurance) or cards will be available for people with autism to let officers immediately identify them before any issuers escalate. The bill also calls for expanded training in recognizing symptoms, interview techniques, locating missing individuals, recognizing potential abusive or coercive situations, de-escalation tragedies, de-escalations strageties, and more.

SB 422 - Airport Broadcasts

• What it does: Prohibits airports from using information derived from automatic dependent surveillance broadcast (ADS-B) systems emitted from certain aircraft as a means of collecting fees from owners.
• What it means for you: No automated fees for aircraft under a certain size for departures or landings.

SB 425 - Historic Cemeteries

• What it does: Requires local governments to approve applications to rezone excess vacant land purchased by recorded historic African-American cemeteries to fund their long-time upkeep, consistent with adjacent land uses.
• What it means for you: More freedom for African-American cemetery managers to control vacant land.

SB 428 - Drowning Prevention

• What it does: Amends the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program to raise the age limit and include children between 1 and 7 years of age.
• What it means for you: Access to free swimming lessons for more children.

SB 436 - Felony Battery

• What it does: Adds “resisting an officer with violence" to the list of prior offenses that allow for misdemeanor battery to be upgraded to a third-degree felony.
• What it means for you: If you have a prior conviction of resisting an officer with violence, any more battery charges could be increased to a third-degree felony.

HB 441 - Conservation Lands

• What it does: Requires a water management district to publish a public notice at least 30 days before considering selling conservation lands.
• What it means for you: More transparency in conservation land sales, including a stated reason why the lands are no longer needed for conservation purposes.

HB 445 - Dangerous Crimes (Missy's Law)

• What it does: Adds certain computer pornography and child exploitation offenses to Florida's list of dangerous crimes.
• What it means for you: Anyone arrested for these offenses may be detained before trial and/or may not be granted nonmonetary pretrial release at a first appearance, subject to court decision. The court is also required to remand a person to custody immediately without the possibility of release on bond if they plead guilty, no contest, or are found guilty.

HB 453 - High School Diploma Requirements

• What it does: Changes requirements for standard high school diplomas.
• What it means for you:
  • Students with disabilities may substitute one school year of participation in the Special Olympics for the P.E. requirement
  • Two years of marching band will satisfy both the one-credit requirement in P.E. and the one-credit requirement in performing arts.

SB 474 - Military Affairs

• What it does: Revises and clarifies state laws pertaining to military service leave for public employees.
• What it means for you:
  • Expands eligibility for certain military service leave to include public officials who are members of the U.S. Coast Guard or Florida State Guard.
  • Limits those servicemembers' eligibility to 30 days' pay for federal military service to those with service of 90 consecutive days or more on a single order.
  • Expands the eligibility requirements for financial assistance from the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Program.

HB 477 - Drug Paraphernalia

• What it does: Revises the definition of "drug paraphernalia" to exclude certain narcotic-drug-testing products.
• What it means for you: Excludes testing equipment used solely to determine whether a controlled substance contains xylazine from the legal definition of “drug paraphernalia."

SB 484 - Data Centers

• What it does: Adds more regulations for large-scale data centers and certain other large electricity users.
• What it means for you:
  • They may not pass the cost of service, including electricity, to residential and small business customers.
  • They may not use non-disclosure agreements restricting public information about potential development.
  • Local governments keep control over planning and land development for large-load customers, and local water management districts or the Department of Environmental Protection may require large-scale data centers to use some portion of reclaimed water for approval.
  • Public electric utilities are prohibited from knowingly providing service to large facilities owned or controlled by foreign countries of concern.

HB 491 - Faith-based Content in Batterers' Intervention Programs

• What it does: Allows court-ordered batterers’ intervention programs for domestic violence perpetrators to offer faith-based activities.
• What it means for you: More service options for the program. The bill specifies that such services would be voluntary and not mandatory.

SB 504 - Body Cameras

• What it does: Requires government agencies whose code inspectors wear body cameras to create policies regarding proper use and storage of the cameras and their data.
• What it means for you: More transparency and accountability for code inspectors.

SB 506 - Public Records

• What it does: Creates a public records exemption for code inspectors’ body camera recordings in certain situations.
• What it means for you: Recordings are not subject to pubic records requests if they are made:
  • Inside a private residence
  • Inside a facility that offers health care, mental health care, or social services
  • In a place that a reasonable person would expect to be private

SB 538 - Extracurricular Activities

• What it does: Revises student eligibility and participation requirements for interscholasticand intrascholastic extracurricular activities, including athletics, and makes it easier to pay coaches more.
• What it means for you:
  • "Eligible student" is defined as students from home education, charter, private, Florida Virtual School, alternative, and traditional public schools.
  • Students who wish to participate in a sport that their current school does not currently offer may participate in that sport in another school in their district.
  • Districts may use funds raised from high school booster clubs for activities to pay the coaches of those activities to supplement their district stipends.
  • School districts may classify athletic coaches and activity sponsors of extracurricular activities as administrative personnel, with higher potential salary negotiations.

HB 561 — Educator Preparation and Certification

• What it does: Makes it easier for teachers with expired licenses to begin teaching again.
• What it means for you:
  • Teachers who apply for reinstatement won't have to retake subject area tests.
  • The Department of Education must issue a temporary certificate so teachers can return to the classroom while earning any required college credits or inservice points.
  • The newly created Florida Center for Teaching Excellence must offer free professional classes to certified educators seeking to renew or reinstate their certificate.

HB 565 — Persons With Disabilities

• What it does:
  • Requires the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to recognize Tatton-Brown-Rahman syndrome as a qualifying condition for APD services.
  • Requires all employees of APD-licensed adult day training and residential facilities, not just managers, to undergo a level 2 background screening.
• What it means for you: Potential additional services for people with the genetic disorder TBRS.

HB 569 — Forensic Client Services

• What it does: Authorizes the Agency for Persons with Disabilities to house non-forensic clients and forensic clients within the same wards in secure APD state treatment facilities.
• What it means for you: The ADP will no longer have to house clients who are criminal defendants needing restoration of competency to stand trial and clients who were criminal defendants but whose charges have been dismissed separately.

SB 578 — Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative

• What it does: Requires the Department of Elder Affairs to contract for the development of a statewide Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Initiative.
• What it means for you: More support and access to resources for Florida residents affected by Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.

SB 584 — Commercial Driving Schools

• What it does: Allows county tax collectors to work with the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to enforce statutory provisions related to commercial driving schools.
• What it means for you: County tax collectors will be able to crack down on commercial driving schools using fraudulent or deceitful practices or undermining the driver license issuance process.

SB 590 — Statute of Limitations for Violations Involving Required Reports Concerning Children

• What it does: Pauses the statute of limitations for prosecuting someone who willfully fails to make a mandatory report of known or suspected child abandonment, neglect, or sexual abuse until a law enforcement agency or other governmental agency is made aware of the violation.
• What it means for you: Fewer cases dropped because the mandatory reporter of known or suspected child abuse did not file a report.

SB 594 - Local Housing Assistance Plans

• What it does: Requires a county’s or municipality’s local housing assistance plan to include a strategy for providing program funds to mobile home owners, including lot rental assistance.
• What it means for you: Lot rental assistance is considered home ownership activity for purposes of allocating program funds, while rehabilitation and emergency repairs for mobile homes is considered construction, rehabilitation, or emergency repair of affordable, eligible housing. Local governments may use funds from their local housing distribution for lot rental assistance for mobile home owners, not to exceed 6 months’ rent.

SB 598 - Funeral Services

• What it does: Makes several updates to the state statute regulating funeral and cemetery services.
• What it means for you:
  • Licensees are prohibited from contracting to be the sole provider of funeral services for any firm providing medical or end-of-life care to the public.
  • Licensees may dispose of human remains left in the lawful possession for at least 90 days if the legal next of kin fails to direct their disposition.

HB 625 — Justice Administrative Commission

• What it does: Increases the number of the Justice Administrative Commission, which provides services to offices of the state attorney, public defender, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel, and the Statewide Guardian ad Litem Office, from four to seven.
• What it means for you: The JAC will receive an additional state attorney, a criminal defense attorney, and a judge or senior judge currently serving on a court.

SB 628 — Transportation Facility Designations (Trump Highway, Bowden Airport)

• What it does: Renames 16 roadways and stretches of highway and an airport after politicians, prominent local businesspeople and entrepreneurs, and a rock guitarist.
• What it means for you: Some of the notable changes include:
  • Expanding the section of SR-80 that was named the “President Donald J. Trump Highway" in 2025 to include all 124 miles of State Road 80 from State Road A1A in Palm Beach County to U.S. 41 in Lee County.
  • Tallahassee International Airport will become the “Bobby Bowden-Tallahassee International Airport.”
  • U.S. 41 between North Creek and Blackburn Point Road in Sarasota County will become "Dickey Betts Memorial Highway" in honor of one of the founding members of the Allman Brothers.

HB 655 — Public Records for Property Rights Claims Attorney Meetings

• What it does: Creates a public meeting exemption allowing state and local agencies to meet privately with their attorneys during the 90-day notice period specified in the Bert Harris Act, under certain conditions.
• What it means for you: Any transcripts, recordings, minutes, and records generated during an exempt portion of such a meeting are exempt from public record requirements until the claim is settled or the statute of limitations ends, unless there is further litigation.

SB 656 — Florida Internet Crimes Against Children TaskForce Funding Program Act

• What it does: Renames the “Online Sting Operations Grant Program” for local law enforcement to the “Internet Crimes Against Children Grant Program.”
• What it means for you: Allows grants for local law enforcement agencies to cover expenses relating to the fight against online child exploitation and Internet crimes against children.

HB 679 — Trademark Registration

• What it does: Requires the Florida Department of State to use the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s schedule of classes of goods and services as the state’s classification for trademark purposes, rather than the general classes for trademarks for goods and services set in statute.
• What it means for you: Trademark applications may be easier. The state must also establish a website for Floridians to apply for a trademark.

SB 686 — Agricultural Enclaves

• What it does: Amends agricultural lands and practices regulations on agricultural enclaves, or pockets of agricultural land that are mostly surrounded by development.
• What it means for you: Enclave owners will be able to submit development plans for single-family housing.

HB 697 — Drug Prices and Coverage

• What it does: Regulates relationships between pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and pharmacies. Also appropriates about $31 million to cover deficits in the Ryan White Part B AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) through June 30, 2026.
• What it means for you:
  • It will be illegal for a PBM to force a pharmacy to take a loss when dispensing a drug or to reimburse a nonaffiliated pharmacy less than an affiliated pharmacy.
  • PBMs must allow in-network pharmacies to submit consolidated appeals comprised of multiple adjudicated claims featuring identical drugs, day supplies, and dates of service.

HB 753 — School Counselors

• What it does: Exempts applicants for school counselor positions from the mastery of general knowledge, professional preparation, and education competence requirements that classroom teachers must pass for certification.
• What it means for you: Prospective counselors must still have a master’s degree or higher in school counseling, or general counseling with school experience, as well as requisite field work, and individual school districts may still require the exempted qualifications.

SB 772 — Limited Licenses for Portable Electronics or Eyewear Insurance

• What it does: Expands Florida’s limited-license portable electronics insurance agent license to also cover eyewear insurance.
• What it means for you: More insurance options. The bill specifically includes smart glasses as well as prescription and nonprescription glasses and sunglasses.

HB 797 - Nonprofit Organizations (Florida Nonprofit Corporation Act)

• What it does: This sweeping bill overhauls the law governing not-for-profit corporations in Florida by aligning governance, member rights and restructuring mechanics with the American Bar Association’s Model Nonprofit Corporation Act, used by 37 other states.
• What it means for you: Terms are defined, structures for derivative actions are established, conflicts of interest are defined, board and member governance mechanics are updated, membership interests can be transferred or sold, merger rules are expanded, clarity is provided for nonprofits moving into Florida and for for-profit companies to convert to nonprofits, and other changes.

SB 800 — Engineering Violations

• What it does: Creates an escalating fine schedule for subsequent violations of practicing engineering without a license.
• What it means for you: The escalating fees are:
  • $10,000 for a second violation
  • $15,000 for a third violation
  • $20,000 for a fourth violation
  • $25,000 for a fifth and subsequent violation

HB 803 — Building Permits and Inspections

• What it does:  Changes the approval process for building permits for commercial and residential developments by eliminating permits for small projects, strengthening private inspections, and reducing the power of local government for permits and inspections.
  • Exempts certain single-family dwelling construction work valued under $7,500 from building permit requirements (big projects may not be divided to get under the threshold). Also exempts temporary residential hurricane and flood protection walls.
  • Limits local building department oversight and discretion.
  • Reduces the time a local government has to approve, approve with conditions, or deny a building permit application to 5 days if the work is less than $15,000.
  • Limits local government regulation of glazing requirements on commercial buildings.
  • Expands the role and autonomy of private providers.
  • Prohibits HOAs from requiring a building permit as a prerequisite for their architectural review of an owner’s proposed improvements.
  • Mandates that certain building permits expire one year after issuance or on the effective date of the next edition of the Florida Building Code, whichever is later.
  • Requires the Florida Building Commission to develop standardized residential and commercial permit applications for statewide use by July 1, 2027.
• What it means for you:
  • No permits needed for many small jobs, but your neighbor may throw up a fence or shed, and it will be up to you to make sure it's not encroaching on your property. Local governments may require a permit for any electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work.
  • Less money for local government code enforcement.
  • A fee owner or contractor may choose to use a private provider at any time, without previous limitations.
  • If a private provider has cleared a project, local building officials may not review it except to the extent necessary to determine compliance with local codes, floodplain regulations, ordinances, etc.

SB 816 — Diabetes Research

• What it does: Codifies the University of Florida Diabetes Institute as a statewide resource for diabetes research, prevention, treatment, and education.
• What it means for you: The institute may administer statewide pilot programs, maintain and share deidentified data for research purposes, and convene a statewide diabetes research and care consortium to coordinate research, share expertise, and support collaborative initiatives.

SB 820 — Problem-Solving Court Reports

• What it does: Specifies additional data that must be presented in the annual problem-solving court reports prepared by the Office of the State Courts Administrator.
• What it means for you: Requires data reporting for early childhood court and veterans treatment court programs, and amends reporting requirements for mental health and drug courts.

SB 824 — School District Unimproved Real Property

• What it does: Requires each school district to submit an annual inventory of unimproved real property owned as of June 30 each year.
• What it means for you: The Department of Education will get an annual report of all property without any vertical improvements, such as buildings, permanent structures, or constructed facilities, with recommendations on how to best use the land.

SB 844 — Sickle Cell Disease Care Management and Treatment Continuing Education

• What it does: Requires that the standard continuing education course on prescribing controlled substances include information regarding the treatment of pain for patients with sickle cell disease.
• What it means for you: More education on pain management for practitioners registered with the DEA who are authorized to prescribe controlled substances.

SB 848 — Stormwater Treatment

• What it does: Authorizes environmental resource permit (ERP) applicants to use compensating stormwater treatment as a mitigation measure when existing ambient water quality prevents compliance with water quality standards, among other things.
• What it means for you:
  • Applicants for regional stormwater management systems must provide documentation of adequate financial responsibility and a graphic depicting the drainage area served by the system.
  • Regional stormwater systems and WQEAs operated by non-local governmental entities may not provide stormwater treatment, achieve net improvement of water quality, or convey enhancement credits for proposed port activities that cause or contribute to stormwater pollution at certain seaports.
  • The Department of Environmental Protection must adopt water quality enhancement area (WQEA) rules by Oct. 1, 2026.

HB 851 — Professional Learning for Instructional and School Administrative Personnel

• What it does: Requires each school district to provide at least one annual autism-specific professional learning opportunity for instructional personnel and school-based administrators.
• What it means for you: Training for teachers and school administrators on supporting students with autism spectrum disorder across all levels of need, including academic instruction, behavioral supports, communication strategies, and inclusive practices.

HB 867 — Dry Needling by Occupational Therapists

• What it does: Allows occupational therapists to perform dry needling (also known as intramuscular stimulation or acupuncture), the act of inserting thin, sharp needles through a patient’s skin to treat underlying myofascial trigger points. Also establishes minimum experience, education, and training requirements.
• What it means for you: Trained occupational therapists may perform acupuncture as part of the patient’s documented plan of care, with the consent of the patient.

HB 883 — Protected Cell Captive Insurance Companies

• What it does: Authorizes sponsors to apply to the Office of Insurance Regulation (“OIR”) to form a protected cell captive insurance company, under certain conditions.
• What it means for you: Captive insurance is a specialized form of self-insurance allowing a business to create its own insurance company to manage unique or complex risks. A protected cell captive insurance company is a single legal insurance entity that allows legally separated companies to effectively receive the benefits of the captive insurance model without the costs of the full setup of a standalone captive insurance company. Essentially, it means less or managed risk for insurance companies, which could make the state more attractive to them.

HB 905 — Foreign Influence (Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act)

• What it does: Limits foreign influence by foreign countries of concern (FCOCs), such as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba, and designated foreign terrorist organizations (which the state now has the power to declare, see HB 1471).
• What it means for you:
  • Public officers and employees must repay double the value of anything they received from a FCOC or designated terrorist organization
  • Sister city agreements and postsecondary linkage institute partnerships with FCOC, such as the Florida–China Linkage Institute at the University of West Florida, the University of South Florida, and Eastern Florida State College, are repealed, and future ones are prohibited.
  • Charitable organizations are prohibited from accepting contributions from designated foreign terrorist organizations.
  • No preplanned adoption agreements or gestational surrogacy contracts if a party is a citizen or resident of a FCOC.
  • Business tax receipts of an individual or business doing business with Cuba in violation of federal law may be revoked.

HB 913 — Inmate Services

• What it does: Requires money in the Contractor-Operated Institutions Welfare Trust Fund to be used exclusively for programs to help inmates reintegrate back into society and for environmental health upgrades at contractor-operated facilities.
• What it means for you: Less waste in contractor-operated institutions.

HB 919 — Donald Trump Airport

• What it does: Preempts to the state the power to name major commercial service airports, defined as medium or large hub airports.
• What it means for you:
  • The Palm Beach International Airport will become the "President Donald J. Trump International Airport."
  • All other major Florida airports will retain the same names for now, but will be reviewed annually.

HB 925 — Clerks of the Court

• What it does: Increases funding to the Clerks of the Court by changing percentages of fees and revenues they receive, rather than enacting any new service charges or fees.
• What it means for you: More money for Clerks of the Court, less money for a municipality's General Revenue Fund.

HB 927 — Local Land Planning and Development

• What it does: Requires counties with populations of 75,000 or more and municipalities with populations of 10,000 or more to establish a registry of contractors qualified to conduct pre-application reviews of development orders, permits, or plats by January 1, 2027.
• What it means for you: Provides you with a list of qualified contractors. Also prohibits local government from conditioning, delaying, or denying an applicant’s use of a qualified contractor or qualified contractor firm.

HB 929 — Local Government Regulation of Chickees

• What it does: Prohibits local governments from enacting an ordinance that prevents a member of the Miccosukee or Seminole tribes from constructing a chickee under certain conditions.
• What it means for you: Members of the Miccosukee or Seminole tribes may not be stopped from building chickees, open-sided wooden jhuts with thatched roofs without electrical, plumbing, or nonwood features.

HB 961 — Salvage Certificates of Title and Certificates of Destruction

• What it does: Requires that insurance companies implement secure control processes and procedures for electronic signatures on odometer disclosures related to certificates of destruction or salvage certificates of title that are acceptable to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
• What it means for you: Another step toward paperless motor vehicle transfers. A salvage certificate of title or certificate of destruction has heightened verification standards and before this, still required paper forms.

SB 984 — Firefighter Cancer Benefits

• What it does: Requires the employer of a former firefighter who dies as a result of cancer or circumstances that arise out of the treatment of cancer to make the $75,000 firefighter cancer death benefit for one year after the firefighter terminated employment, so long as they met the criteria at the time of termination of employment and were not employed as a firefighter after that date.
• What it means for you: More security for the family or beneficiary of a firefighter.

SB 1004 — Domestic Animals

• What it does: Creates several consumer protections to the sale of cats and dogs in Florida, mandates that the Florida Department of Law Enforcement include specified information about people who violate animal cruelty laws on its website.
• What it means for you:
  • Pet dealers selling dogs or cats must disclose all financing terms before a sale is finalized.
  • Customers may terminate financing agreements without penalty if the animal is later found unfit for purchase due to illness or disease, and they wish to return it. Customers may also request repayment of any vet costs to discover the illness or disease. The pet dealer is not required to refund or exchange a sick animal if the customer signed a notification indicating the animal had an identified congenital or hereditary disorder at the time of sale.
  • Pet dealers must provide written notice informing consumers of their rights under Florida law, including the ability to return or exchange a sick animal and seek reimbursement of veterinary costs
  • Pet dealers must provide veterinary medical records documenting examinations, medications, and treatments provided to the animal.
  • A 3-day waiting period between signing an agreement and taking possession of the dog or cat if the deal was financed.
  • Customers may take pet dealers to small claims court for punitive damages of at least $2,500 if they cannot agree on refund, exchange, or reimbursement.
  • Violations are enforceable under Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act
  • The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services must post specified information on its website relating to best dog breeder practices and animal cruelty laws.
  • The FDLE must post the following information to the state animal cruelty database: aliases, date of birth, race, counties of conviction, charges, case numbers, dispositions, descriptions of any identifying marks and tattoos, and a photograph taken at the time of booking.

HB 1019 — Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (Firefighting Foam)

• What it does: Phases out the use of firefighting foam that contains intentionally added perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), by July 2029.
• What it means for you:
  • July 1, 2026: AFFF banned in nonemergency instruction, training, or testing, and inventories must be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
  • July 1, 2027: AFFF may not be sold purchased, or distributed, and anyone with supplies must submit a disposal plan to DEP.
  • July 1, 2029: AFFF banned everywhere except for certain airports, certain military applications, and emergency firefighting situations.
  • Certain public entities disposing of domestic wastewater biosolids and treated effluent must submit sample for PFAS four times a year and submit the results to DEP.

SB 1022 — Children’s Initiatives

• What it does: Provides for the creation of the Bay County 32401 Children’s Initiative in Bay County, and the Pompano RYZE Children’s Initiative in Broward County.
• What it means for you: Creates a new community-based service network in a disadvantaged area of the state to improve the educational, economic, and health outcomes for residents in the area.

SB 1030 — Recovery Residences

• What it does: Changes the rules for licensure of substance abuse service providers regulated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
• What it means for you: If 5% or more of a majority ownership in a licensed entity is transferred, executives and anyone exercising operational control on behalf of the new owner must go through Level 2 background screening. The bill also prohibits the DCF from forcing existing licensed service providers with a clean record for the previous year to take clients under a probationary licensing period if they want to add new services.

HB 1031 — Customer Service Callback Queues

• What it does: Establishes a pilot program to implement callback queues at the Department of Commerce, and the Department of Children and Families.
• What it means for you: No more waiting on hold, you'll be able to leave a phone number and get called back at a later time, in the order your call was received.

HB 1069 — Background Screenings

• What it does: Makes several changes to background screenings in the state, requires entities that register with the Department of Law Enforcement (DLE) to pick a user administrator to manage compliance with state laws.
• What it means for you:
  • You may not deny or fail to acknowledge arrests covered by expunged or sealed criminal records if you are screened through the Clearinghouse by a qualified entity, and the DLE must disclose any sealed criminal history records or the existence of an expunged criminal history record duing the process.
  • Independent Sanctioning Authorities (ISAs) must conduct a Level 2 background check for each current and prospective athletic coach starting July 1, 2026. An ISA may grant a disqualified person an exemption to be a coach anyway under certain conditions.
  • Applies to coaches, assistant coaches, managers, referees, or volunteer coaches for a youth athletic team.

HB 1073 — Public Education (District School Board Members’ Bill of Rights)

• What it does: Creates a District School Board Members’ Bill of Rights.
• What it means for you: Under the bill, district school board members will:
  • Be provided access to school district documents necessary to fulfill the duties required under the State Constitution and Florida
  • Be allowed to consult with the district's chief financial officer on budget information
  • Be able to request documents or information from school staff, subject to legal restrictions and administrative approval
  • Be able to publicly comment on district school board business, except for student/employee disciplinary matters or other issues prohibited by law

HB 1081 - Cybersecurity Experiential Learning

• What it does: Requires the Florida Center for Cybersecurity (Cyber Florida) at the University of South Florida (USF) to develop a Cybersecurity Experiential Learning Program and annually publish findings and recommendations for improvements.
• What it means for you: It's intended to expand experiential learning opportunities in cybersecurity for students in state universities, Florida College System institutions, and private postsecondary educational institutions.

HB 1085 — Cyber Security

• What it does: Creates the Local Government Cybersecurity Protection Program within the University of South Florida, to be administered by Cyber Florida.
• What it means for you: It is intended to help local governments to mitigate and defend against cybersecurity threats.

HB 1093 — Vertiports

• What it does: Amends Florida law to specifically include vertiports and charging systems as qualifying projects for funding under public-private partnerships between state and private entities, and authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fund all of the project costs of a public vertiport if federal funds are not available
• What it means for you: More chances for flying taxis.

HB 1103 — Local Administration of Vessel Restrictions

• What it does: Makes several changes to provisions of law concerning vessel restrictions.
• What it means for you:
  • Allows local governments to administer and enforce the law concerning vessels at-risk of becoming derelict and long-term anchoring permits.
  • Allows cities and counties to adopt an ordinance to regulate vessel speed and operation within 300 feet of a blind corner, up to a distance of 1,000 feet, if necessary to ensure safe navigation and visibility for approaching vessels.

HB 1113 — Public Records / Crime Victims

• What it does: Expands public record exemptions for victims of a crime, including law enforcement officers.
• What it means for you:
  • Expands public record exemptions for crime victims to include their name, personal identification number, and any other information that could be used to locate, intimidate, harass, or abuse a victim.
  • Also creates a public record exemption to make the portion of an exempt public record which contains the name of an officer who became a victim in the course and scope of their employment or official duties confidential and exempt for the first 72 hours after the incident, and exempt for an additional 60 days after that expires.

HB 1115 — Grants for Genetic Counseling

• What it does: Creates the Genetic Counseling Education Enhancement Grant Program to support graduate genetic counseling programs at state universities.
• What it means for you: Grants may be awarded to establish new programs or support existing programs based on performance, including student completion and first-time board certification passage rates.

HB 1121 — Aging & Disability Services

• What it does: Revises aging and disability services provided by the Department of Elder Affairs.
• What it means for you: The bill adds food and nutritional supplements as allowable uses of subsidy payments under the Home Care for the Elderly program.

HB 1159 — Sexual Offenses

• What it does: Creates new criminal offenses, revises the existing elements and criminal penalties related to various sexual offenses, and revises terminology related to child pornography.
• What it means for you:
  • Replaces the term “child pornography” with “child sexual abuse material” in Florida statutes.
  • Increases criminal penalties for use of a child in a sexual performance; possession and transmission of child porn; creation of generated child porn; possession of a child-like doll; and certain sex acts involving animals.
  • Requires adults to receive a mandatory minimum sentence for certain offenses related to using children in sexual performances and transmitting child porn.
  • Raises mandatory minimum sentences for certain repeat sex offenders.
  • Creates a life felony for the aggravated use of a child under 12 years old in a sexual performance
  • Creates a second-degree felony for transmitting generated child pornography.
  • Prohibits anyone convicted of certain sex offenses involving animals from owning or working with animals for at least five years.

HB 1175 — Safety Design Standards for Office Surgery Suites

• What it does: Requires new safety design standards for office surgical suites.
• What it means for you: Requires new codes mandating that office surgical suites are capable of providing services or treatment simultaneously for up to six patients who, due to treatment, anesthesia, or illness or injury, are unable to take action for self-preservation during an emergency without the assistance of others. The current limit is four patients.

SB 1180 - Community Development Districts

• What it does: Revises regulations affecting community development districts (CDDs) by establishing a recall process for members of the board of supervisors, clarifying local authority over synthetic turf, and redefining “compact, urban, mixed-use districts.”
• What it means for you: The bill creates a recall election process for a member of a CDD’s board of supervisors that largely mirrors existing procedures for municipalities and charter counties. It also clarifies that the prohibition on local government regulation of synthetic turf does not limit a CDD’s ability to enforce deed restrictions, and defines which type of developments can qualify for affordable housing in targeted urban areas.

HB 1201 — Student Health and Safety

• What it does: Updates statutory provisions regarding the care of students with epilepsy or seizure disorders and expands the definition of schools to include charter schools.
• What it means for you: The bill requires schools to display a poster identifying the basic steps of responding to an individual having a seizure. The bill also requires the Department of Health to include certain education and training requirements required for schools in its epilepsy education program.

HB 1217 — Prohibited Governmental Policies Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• What it does: Prohibits state and local governments from enacting or enforcing any resolution, ordinance, rule, code, or policy supporting a net zero greenhouse gas emissions policy, or working with any program or organization that tries to cap greenhouse gas emissions created in the state through policies or incentives.
• What it means for you: A statewide ban on net zero policies, carbon taxes and assessments, and emission trading programs.

HB 1219 — Waterbody Designations (Andrew "Red" Harris Spoil Island)

• What it does: Designates a mangrove island by the Intracoastal Waterway within Jupiter Sound as the “Andrew ‘Red’ Harris Spoil Island.”
• What it means for you: The island will be named after a popular Jupiter resident and insurance brokerage agency founder who was struck and killed by a boat while diving in 2014.

SB 1246 — Linking Industry to Nursing Education

• What it does: Expands the scope of the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund to address workforce shortages in health science education programs, in addition to nursing education programs.
• What it means for you: Eligibility, matching contribution authority, allowable uses of funds, grant evaluation criteria, and reporting requirements have been revised. The bill also places the Department of Education in charge of identifying health science programs eligible for participation in the LINE Fund and requires the use of workforce demand data to inform funding priorities.

HB 1279 — Education

• What it does:
  • This year's omnibus education bill allows school districts to give immediate pay incentives to high-performing teachers who teach in lower-performing schools and expands the definition of "low-performing schools" for the purposes of moving teachers around, all without collective bargaining.
  • The law also allows bonuses for districts and teachers whose students pass the new, controversial Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACTs), identical to bonuses for other advanced courses like AP, AICE, and IB.
  • Previous provisions to require 95% of incoming freshmen at state universities to be from within the state, cap enrollment of students from any one country at 5% or lose research funding, and show middle and high school students videos of developing embryos were all removed before approval.
• What it means for you:
  • "Low-performing" schools, currently defined as those with a D or F grade, would be expanded to include schools scoring worse than a C for three of the last five years or dropping into the bottom 10% of schools in math and reading for two of the last three years.
  • Teachers whose students pass the Florida Advanced Course test will receive $50 per student. Teachers in a school with a D or F grade who have at least one student pass FACT will receive an additional bonus of $500.
  • School districts will be able to remove teachers from those schools under educational "emergencies" without collective bargaining.
  • More incentive for teachers to teach Florida's controversial new advanced courses
  • Title 1 funds may be used for STEM courses and materials
  • Two years of marching band or ROTC will now satisfy both one-credit physical education and one-credit performing arts requirements. One year of a dance-related class will also satisfy either requirement.
  • Students at risk for life-threatening allergic reactions may carry and self-administer epinephrine through any FDA-approved delivery device, instead of the current restriction to only auto-injectors.
  • Metrics for full-time students in state universities seeking performance-based incentive funding will include an adjusted cohort graduation rate for students in a baccalaureate engineering degree program and access rate performance metric to measure the percentage of first-year undergraduate students receiving a Pell Grant, rather than all undergraduate students enrolled.
  • Mention of the American Bar Association in statutes governing law schools will be replaced with “a nationally recognized association” to allow for accreditation from different sources.
  • Applied algebra courses for engineering and technology, health science, business and finance, industrial pathways, and agriculture and natural resources must include content that applies to career choices.
  • Also includes a variety of changes to parental notifications, residency status for children of military families, tuition and fee exemption for homeless students, assorted licensing, private schools participating in scholarship programs, voluntary Pre-K eligibility, and more.

SB 1296 — Public Employees Relations Commission

• What it does: Reshapes certification elections by adding significant restrictions to public sector unions such as those representing teachers, doctors, nurses, city and municipal workers, and others. Public safety unions, such as those representing law enforcement or firefighters, are exempt.
• What it means for you:
  • At least 50% of union members must vote in union certification elections, and then at least 50% of the voters must agree to certify or recertify the union or it will be decertified.
  • Paid leave for union activities such as contract negotiations or grievance proceedings is limited.
  • Provides for the decertification of partisan school unions
  • Fast-tracks certain local government salary increases that require modification of a bargaining agreement.
  • Doubles the penalties for illegal strikes from $20,000 to $40,000 per day.

HB 1337 — Estates

• What it does: Amends several provisions of Florida law to reduce the necessity for court involvement or formal proceedings in the distribution of certain assets after someone dies.
• What it means for you:
  • Easier for a personal representative to gain access to the deceased's safety deposit box.
  • A personal representative may institute a proceeding to enforce their authority.
  • Increases the amounts of what Florida law considers “small estates,” such that procedures other than formal probate proceedings may be instituted to dispose of the subject property under certain conditions.

HB 1343 — Insurance Licensing Qualifications

• What it does: States that anyone who has earned a high school diploma in Florida, which included a course in insurance and personal finance, satisfies the education requirement for an insurance customer representative’s license if it's applied for within four years.
• What it means for you: Florida high schools will have such training available starting with the 2027-2028 school year.

HB 1347 — Clinical Laboratory Personnel

• What it does: Revises current requirements for performing moderate- or high-complexity laboratory testing, eliminates state-specific regulations.
• What it means for you: Potentially easier for out-of-state technologists and technicians to come here and work.

HB 1389 - Affordable Housing

• What it does: Amends the Live Local Act to change zoning and tax exemptions and puts affordable housing under the Florida Fair Housing Act.
• What it means for you:
  • Multifamily and mixed-use residential developments are allowed on property owned by a county, municipality, school district, or a religious institution, provided certain criteria are satisfied. Religious institutions already on the property may continue operating.
  • Local governments are prohibited from restricting the height of a proposed development through the use of setbacks or stepbacks.
  • Multifamily projects may apply for tax exemptions even if the local government opts out of it.
  • Affordable housing developments will be allowed near airport-impacted areas, if approved.
  • Local governments may not discriminate based on who is financing a development in land use or permitting decisions.

HB 1405 - Statewide Project for Missing Persons with Special Needs (Project Leo)

• What it does: Revives and expands the Missing Persons with Special Needs Statewide Project, known as Project Leo, which expired in 2019, appropriates $1 million for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Named after Leo Walker, a boy with autism spectrum disorder who wandered from his home in 2014 and drowned.
• What it means for you: Centers for autism and related disabilities (CARDs) at the University of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, University of South Florida, and Florida State University will provide tracking devices for persons with special needs prone to wandering, to aid in search-and-rescue efforts.

HB 1407 — Civil Actions

• What it does: Sets a time limit for how long a person has to file a discrimination lawsuit against their employer after they complain to the state. Also eliminates the requirement for registered mail for certain documents.
• What it means for you: Civil actions must be filed no later than one year after either:
  • The Florida Commission on Human Relations determines there is reasonable cause, or
  • The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission issues a Notice of Right to Sue
  • If the commission or the EEOC does not respond within 180 days, the complainant has 18 months to sue after filing

HB 1417 — Department of Environmental Protection

• What it does: Repeals the Environmental Regulation Commission, relaxes certain restrictions for environmental protection, allows public-private partnerships for coastal resiliency projects
• What it means for you:
  • Limited requirements for septic and sewage systems within the area covered by the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program, added requirement for property owners of properties of 10 acres or less to be notified of required upgrades before July 1, 2030
  • More time for major sources of air pollution in Florida to pay the annual operation license fee each year
  • Erosion and sediment control plans for new solar facilities must include stormwater best management practices
  • Local governments may partner with businesses for coastal resiliency projects and revenue sharing

HB 1443 — Parkinson’s Disease Registry

• What it does: Requires the Florida Institute for Parkinson’s Disease at the University of South Florida to set up a statewide Parkinson’s disease registry.
• What it means for you: Health care providers who diagnose a patient with Parkinson’s disease must report nationally recognized performance measures to the registry beginning on Jan. 1, 2027.

HB 1445 — Public Records (Parkinson’s Disease Registry)

• What it does: Creates a public record exemption for patient-identifying information held in the Parkinson’s disease registry set up by HB 1443.
• What it means for you: Patient confidentiality

HB 1451 - Utility Services

• What it does: Limits what a municipal water or sewer utility may charge customers outside the boundaries of the municipality, adds reporting and public meeting requirements, puts a regional utility’s authority created by the Legislature through charter amendment under state control
• What it means for you: If you live outside the boundaries of a municipality, the water or sewer utility may not charge you more than 25% pf what people inside the municipality pay unless the surcharge was in effect before March 1, 2026 (with those surcharges to be phased out by July 1, 2029). Annual reporting changes go in effect by Jan. 1, 2027..

HB 1471 — Terrorist Organizations

• What it does: Creates a process by which the state may designate groups as domestic or foreign terrorist organizations, adds criminal penalties for certain conduct, changes Florida's education laws, and allows for the administrative dissolution of a corporation designated as a terrorist organization.
• What it means for you: Under the bill:
  • Courts and tribunals are prohibited from enforcing any religious or foreign laws if they would violate a person's constitutional rights
  • Private schools participating in state scholarship programs are prohibited from being owned or funded by designated terrorist groups, terrorist supporters, or criminal gangs
  • The Florida College System is prohibited from using state funds to support programs advocating for designated terrorist organizations
  • Public colleges must report information about the current status of students who are attending on a visa if they promote terrorist organizations
  • If a student promotes a designated terrorist organization while enrolled at a public university, the student must be immediately expelled and assessed an out-of-state fee

HB 1473 — Public Records (Terrorism)

• What it does: Creates a public record exemption for the process established in HB 1471 for designating domestic and foreign terrorist organizations.
• What it means for you: The state will not have to disclose certain information about how and why an organization was designated by the state to be a terrorist organization if it would reveal information critical to state or national security.

HB 1509 — Veterinarian Licensure

• What it does: Removes the requirement for an out-of-state veterinarian license by endorsement to be held for three years before the application.
• What it means for you: The law will only require the applicant’s out-of-state license to be in "good standing."

HB 1515 — Public Records, Uterine Fibroid Research Database

• What it does: Creates a public record exemption for patient-identifying information submitted to the FDOH for inclusion in the Uterine Fibroid Research Database.
• What it means for you: Identifying information about people diagnosed with or treated for uterine fibroids will be confidential and exempt from disclosure.

SB 1602 — Veteran Housing, "Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program Act"

• What it does: Creates the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program” for Broward, Escambia, Hillsborough, and Santa Rosa counties.
• What it means for you: Landlords may hold a vacant dwelling for a veteran for up to 45 days. Landlords of veterans may also apply to receive funding from the Vacancy Relief and Risk Mitigation Trust fund to cover property loss at the dwelling unit caused by the veteran that exceeds the amount of the deposit money, up to $2,000.

SB 1614 — Florida Building Code

• What it does: Removes a current provision of the law that allows local governments to use excess funds from enforcing the Florida Building Code to build a structure that houses a local government’s code enforcement agency
• What it means for you: Local governments will need to find another way to pay to house code enforcement personnel.

SB 1690 — Child Care and Early Learning Services

• What it does: Makes some statutory changes to early childhood education and child care regulation, and directs initiatives to enhance early childhood education.
• What it means for you:
  • References to “family day care home” will be changed to “family child care home” throughout Florida Statutes.
  • Requires the Department of Children and Families and local licensing agencies to disseminate electronically certain information regarding all child care facilities to the community.
  • Removes annual requirements for family day care homes and large family child care homes to give parents information related to flu shots or leaving children in a vehicle unattended.
  • Requires child care facilities that are exempt from licensure to inform families of that in a variety of ways.
  • Prohibits cancellation of residential property insurance if the sole reason is that “large family child care” is provided there.

SB 2506E - Fuel Taxes

• What it does: Amends state statutes to redistribute the fuel sales tax.
• What it means for you: More money for the Agricultural Emergency Eradication Trust Fund, the Marine Resources Conservation Trust Fund, the State Game Trust Fund, and the Invasive Plant Trust Fund. Less money for the State Transportation Trust Fund.

HB 5301-E - Health Care

• What it does: Conforms statutes to the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, makes changes to health department programs, and establishes new programs.
• What it means for you:
  • Various changes to the Department of Health’s revolving loan program, new newborn screening testing, infant nutritional needs, and trauma centers.
  • Establishes a formula to allocate funds related to the Slots for Doctors Program.
  • Requires the re-procurement of contracts with Medicaid managed care plans every 10 years.
  • Revises provisions related to approved Behavioral Health Teaching Hospital Grant Program expenditures.
  • Requires the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) to continue a monthly reimbursement rate for Life Skills Development Level 3 and Level 4 services.
  • Increases foster care room and board rates for foster families.
  • Makes the Step into Success Workforce Education and Internship Program permanent.
  • Establishes the Foster and Family Support Grant Program.
  • Establishes the Eligibility Assistance Program within the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to provide Medicaid eligibility information, referral, and navigation services for individuals with disabilities.
  • Establishes statewide qualification standards for child welfare providers, and requires DCF to implement a standardized statewide provider contract for services.
  • Authorizes Community Based Care lead agencies to carry forward up to 8% of unexpended state funds of their annual contract amount instead of the cumulative contract total.

HB 7031 - Taxation

• What it does: Cuts more than $100 million in taxes through reductions, eliminations, exemptions, and tax holidays.
• What it means for you: Lower taxes, potentially less money for the General Revenue Fund.
  • Sales taxes:
    • No sales tax on certain propane tanks, temporary exemption on s impact-resistant windows and doors, and certain tennis matches.
    • Four-month sales tax holiday on certain hunting, fishing and camping supplies.
    • Dates adjusted on annual back to school sales tax holiday.
  • Property taxes:
    • Children’s services councils allowed to keep certain tax revenue.
    • Limits how much assessments can increase for some mobile home parks
    • Aligns portability rules with the state constitution.
    • Changes when and how people can get information and file protests.
    • Clarifies homestead protections for some U.S. government workers living outside Florida and updates which military deployments qualify for an extra homestead exemption.
    • Allows certain properties to qualify as agricultural.
    • Clarifies the voting requirement for some local governments to set taxes in their first year and how certain tax referendums can be placed on the ballot.
  • Various taxes:
    • Reduces the pari-mutuel tax on cardrooms, reduces the tax on slot machine revenue, removes a slot machine licensing fee.
    • Makes adjustments to tax credit programs.
    • Updates requirements for the disclosure of taxes by advertising platforms
    • Clarifies timing of interest accrual on refund claims.
    • Modifies the commission paid to tax collectors on voted school levies.
    • Requires certain local supporting budget documents to be posted online.
    • Redirects certain documentary stamp tax proceeds from the General Revenue fund to specified state trust funds.
    • Extends a documentary stamp tax exemption for one year.

HB 5401 — State Court System

• What it does: Terminates the Mediation and Arbitration Trust Fund within the State Courts System
• What it means for you: All current balances and revenues of the fund will be transferred to the State Courts Revenue Trust Fund after any outstanding debts are paid.

Which new 2026 Florida bills took effect already?

• HB 1D - Redistricting: Redistricted the state's congressional districts. Took effect May 4.
• SB 91 - Candidate Qualification: Requires a potential candidate for office to affirm that they have not changed their name in the year before qualification, with some exceptions. Took effect April 1.
• HB 175 - Payment Stablecoin: Creates a regulatory framework for payment stablecoin issuers, pursuant to the federal Guiding and Establishing National Innovation for U.S. Stablecoins Act. Took effect June 26.
• SB 118 - RV Park Assessments: Prohibits local governments from levying special assessments against areas over 400 square feet for each R.V. parking space or campsite. Took effect April 21.
• HB 399 - Development Regulations: Requires application fees for development permits to be reasonably related to the costs associated with processing the application and prohibits fees based on a percentage of project costs. Took effect March 27.
•  SB 1074 - One-cent Piece: Allows retailers to choose to avoid pennies by rounding down to the nearest nickel in favor of the customer or up in favor of themselves. Took effect May 11.
• HB 7000 - Public Records / Persons Provided Public Emergency Shelter: Creates a public records exemption for addresses and phone numbers of anyone providing emergency shelter during a storm or catastrophic event. Took effect April 23.
• HB 7026 - Public Records / Trade Secrets: Extends a public records exemption for trade secrets held by an agency, which are kept confidential. Took effect April 23.

C. A. Bridges is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida's service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.

(This story was updated to add new information.)