SB 712 Florida Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Construction Regulations

Summary

Construction Regulations; Requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt minimum standards for the installation of synthetic turf on specified properties; requiring that, for certain contracts entered into on or after a specified date, local governmental entities approve or deny certain price quotes and provide notice to contractors within a specified timeframe; prohibiting the state or political subdivisions that contract for public works projects from penalizing or rewarding bidders for performing larger or smaller volumes of construction work for the state or political subdivisions when scoring or evaluating certain bids; requiring that elevator car interiors have at least one support rail that meets certain specifications, etc.

Issues: ✓ Environment

Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 4, 2025 Last action Apr 30, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 712 c2 → S 712 c3 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill version was updated from Committee Substitute 2 to Committee Substitute 3, primarily adding new sections on disciplinary proceedings for building code inspectors and architects who fail to meet insurance requirements, expanding the list of statutes that reference these provisions, and clarifying the effective date. The substantive policy content regarding synthetic turf, change orders, public works bidding, elevator safety, and building code exemptions remains largely unchanged.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include new disciplinary provisions for building code administrators, inspectors, engineers, and architects who perform inspection services without meeting specified insurance requirements, and to clarify fee refunding requirements for local governments.

ENFORCEMENT

New sections added to establish disciplinary proceedings against building code administrators, inspectors, engineers, and registered architects who perform building code inspection services without satisfying specified insurance requirements.

REQUIREMENT

New provisions added requiring local governments to refund certain fees when reduced services are provided by building officials, and clarifying how excess funds from building code enforcement fees must be used.

Section 553.791 was expanded to include additional details about automated or software-based plans review systems for single-trade inspections and clarified permit issuance timelines.

Section 125.572 was updated to specify that synthetic turf standards apply to single-family residential properties of 1 acre or less in size.

DEFINITION

Section 218.755 was clarified to specify that the 35-day approval/denial timeline applies to contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2025.

S 712 c1 → S 712 c2 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill was amended from a committee substitute to a committee substitute version 2, expanding its scope to include additional construction regulations beyond synthetic turf. The changes add provisions for elevator accessibility requirements, elevator support rail specifications, pool wet deck area definitions, and expanded definitions for pool contractors. It also adds new requirements for private inspection providers, automated plans review systems, and fee refunding mechanisms for local building officials.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from primarily synthetic turf regulation and change order processing to include elevator accessibility, pool contractor definitions, private inspection providers, automated plans review systems, and fee refunding for reduced local building official services.

REQUIREMENT

Added Section 2 creating s. 218.755, F.S., which requires local governmental entities to approve or deny price quotes for change orders within 35 days, with automatic approval if no notice is provided.

Added Section 3 amending s. 255.0992, F.S., to prohibit penalizing or rewarding bidders based on volume of construction work when scoring public works bids.

Added Section 4 amending s. 399.035, F.S., to require elevator car interiors to have at least one support rail meeting specific specifications.

Added Section 6 amending s. 489.113, F.S., to prohibit general or building contractors from being required to subcontract structural swimming pool or pool wet deck area work.

Added Section 8 amending s. 553.73, F.S., to require the Florida Building Commission to amend the Florida Building Code to recognize tall mass timber as an allowable material for construction types IV-A, IV-B, IV-C, and IV-HT by January 1, 2026.

Added Section 10 amending s. 553.791, F.S., to authorize private providers to use automated or software-based plans review systems for single-trade plans reviews and allow inspections to be performed virtually.

Added Section 25 amending s. 553.80, F.S., to establish fee refunding mechanisms for local governments when they provide reduced services under the alternative plans review and inspection process.

DEFINITION

Added Section 5 amending s. 489.105, F.S., to add definitions for 'pool wet deck area' and revise definitions for commercial pool/spa contractors, residential pool/spa contractors, and swimming pool/spa servicing contractors.

Added Section 7 amending s. 489.505, F.S., to revise the definition of 'certified alarm system contractor'.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 21, 2025

How they voted

23–0

Passed · 2 other

Total votes 25

Apr 21, 2025

D Democratic5

5 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican19

17 Yea 2

89% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Apr 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Apr 21, 2025

Senate · Passed

Senate Vote: pass (23-0-2)

senate

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Rules, 04/21/25, 2:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Apr 17, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Apr 15, 2025

Upper · Passed

CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; YEAS 12 NAYS 0

upper

Apr 10, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, 04/15/25, 12:30 pm, 412 Knott Building

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government

upper

Apr 2, 2025

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Mar 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 03/31/25, 4:00 pm, 37 Senate Building

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

upper

Feb 25, 2025

Committee

Referred to Community Affairs; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Rules

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors