HB 1561 revises the state's process for reviewing local comprehensive plan amendments, specifically creating an expedited review pathway. It directly affects local governments (cities and counties) that adopt or amend their comprehensive plans, which guide long-term land use and development. The key mechanism requires the state to complete its review of these amendments within a shorter, defined timeframe (typically 30 days), replacing the previous standard review period. This change aims to streamline the approval process for local planning changes without altering the substantive requirements of the plans themselves.
Department of Financial Services; Revises provisions relating to duties & responsibilities of & entities regulated by DFS & CFO, including compensation, payments, financial management & accounting programs, public depositories, health care providers, Special Disabilities Trust Fund, stop-work orders, funeral homes, cemeteries, boilers, insurance agents, title insurance agencies, insurers, firefighting, insurance contracts, & bail bond agents.
HB 1307 revises multiple Florida education laws affecting public schools, colleges, and state universities. It renames the "Florida Educational Equity Act" to the "Florida Educational Equality Act," requires schools to provide specific accommodations based on sex (replacing prior authorization with mandate), and establishes new Title IX investigation procedures. The bill also repeals several scholarship programs (including Minority Teacher Education Scholars and Florida Education Fund), changes Hillsborough Community College's name to Hillsborough State College, and modifies scholarship eligibility rules (e.g., disqualifying students with felony convictions from Bright Futures). These changes aim to update terminology, streamline reporting, and adjust program requirements across K-20 education.
Transportation Facility Designations; Provides honorary designations of certain transportation facilities in specified counties; directs DOT to erect suitable markers.
Community-based Care Lead Agency and Subcontractor Liability; Lowers dollar amount limit of net economic damages in tort actions brought against lead agencies & subcontractors; provides that lead agencies & subcontractors that are direct providers of foster care & related services are not liable to pay any claim or judgment that exceeds specified amount; provides that attorney may not charge, demand, receive, or collect for services rendered fees that exceed specified amount of any judgment or settlement.
Regional Planning and Economic Development; Revises provisions relating to creation of Department of Commerce & its powers & duties; establishes Office of Secure Florida within DOC; revises economic policies of state comprehensive plan to promote entrepreneurship from certain business startups; revises composition of statewide advisory board of Florida Small Business Development Center Network; creates Rural Accelerator Program within DOC; requires funds to be appropriated from Rural Infrastructure Fund; revises composition requirements of Florida Sports Foundation; revises provisions relating to convention grants program established by Florida Tourism Industry Marketing Corporation; revises provisions relating to use of statewide contracts register & who Small Business Development Center is required to coordinate with regarding such use; authorizes counties & municipalities to enter into agreements to create regional planning entities pursuant to specified law; replaces regional planning councils with DEP for purposes of hazardous waste management assessments & facilities; revises provisions relating to local health councils; revises composition of Affordable Housing Study Commission.
Pari-mutuel Wagering; Revises provisions related to pari-mutuel wagering including thoroughbred permitholders, live racing, awards, purses, handle, eligibility, transfer of funds, conversion of permits, transfers of permits, thoroughbred racing centers, & licenses.
HB 817 repeals a tax that was previously charged on the rental of real property or on license fees for using real property. This bill directly affects property owners, landlords, and businesses that collected rent or license fees, as they no longer need to pay this tax. The key mechanism is the elimination of the tax requirement, removing a financial obligation from property transactions. As a result, affected property owners will see reduced administrative and tax costs for rental or license-based activities.
HB 1107 revises eligibility requirements for Florida's Bright Futures Scholarship Program, specifically for students who earned their high school diploma from a non-Florida school. The bill removes the prior requirement that these students must have attended a Florida high school for a specified period before graduation. This directly affects out-of-state high school graduates seeking the scholarship. The policy change modifies eligibility criteria without altering scholarship amounts or other program terms.
Child Welfare; Authorizes Office of Statewide Prosecution to investigate & prosecute specified violations; revises provisions relating to false reports of abuse, abandonment, & neglect; requires DCF to enter into agreements with certain military installations for child protective investigations; authorizes law enforcement officer or authorized agent of department to take child into custody who is subject of specified court order; authorizes DCF or community-based care provider to petition court for specified order for immigrant children; provides requirements for natural persons, other entities, & the department relating to unaccompanied alien children; provides criminal penalties & civil fines; revises provisions relating to provisional certification for additional domestic violence centers; revises membership requirements for certain independent special districts; authorizes DCF to grant certain exemptions from disqualification for certain persons; requires DCF to establish fee schedule for daily room & board rates for certain children; authorizes DCF to extend certain license expiration date; provides that certain residential child-caring agencies are not subject to certain proximity requirements; provides that certain residential child-caring agencies are not required to install fire sprinklers or fire suppression system; specifies entity with jurisdiction for accepting missing child reports; authorizes law enforcement agencies to use reasonable force to take certain children into custody.
Capitol Center; Provides that Governor, Cabinet officers, & Legislature are permanent tenants of Capital Complex; prohibits certain space from being reduced or moved without express consent of tenants; provides Legislature with first right of refusal if additional vacant space becomes available; requires DMS to coordinate with & receive approval of certain tenants before planning or scheduling certain projects; requires department to consider Legislature's schedule, time constraints, & needs for projects that impact certain space; authorizes President of Senate & Speaker of House of Representatives to take certain actions in relation to certain spaces without approval by department; provides that President of Senate & Speaker of House of Representatives have direct control over utilities for certain spaces; requires department to consult with & receive approval from President of Senate or Speaker of House of Representatives, as appropriate, before including certain projects in specified report; requires department to solicit feedback on development of certain state-owned property from all permanent tenants of Capitol Center; prohibits certain parking spaces from being reduced or reassigned without express consent of Legislature; provides Legislature with first right of refusal if additional parking spaces become available.
Transportation Facility Designations/Harris Rosen Way and Geraldine Thompson Way; Providing honorary designations of certain transportation facilities in a specified county; directing the Department of Transportation to erect suitable markers, etc.
