Gift Certificates; Revises definition of term "gift certificate"; removes provisions authorizing expiration of gift certificates under specified circumstances.
Auxiliary Containers; Defines "auxiliary container" and "single-use"; removes obsolete provisions; preempting regulation of auxiliary containers to state; provides exceptions; requires DEP to develop uniform ordinance for use and disposition of single-use, nonrecyclable auxiliary containers; provides requirements for development of such ordinance; requires that sale or distribution of single-use plastic auxiliary containers on lands managed by Division of Recreation & Parks of DEP be eliminated to greatest extent possible; prohibits use, sale, or distribution of certain single-use auxiliary containers on such lands; requires department to develop and make available on its website statewide Marine Debris Reduction Plan; provides requirements for such plan; removes s. 500.90, F.S., relating to regulation of polystyrene products preempted to DACS.
Maddy summaryHB 409 requires all Florida K-12 public school districts to observe Veterans' Day as an official school holiday, directly affecting school calendars and operations. The bill amends Florida Statutes to mandate that school boards designate Veterans' Day - listed in Section 110.117(1)(f) - as a holiday, replacing current discretionary observance. This policy change ensures consistent recognition of Veterans' Day across all public schools, with implementation required by July 1, 2026. The law does not alter the holiday's date or create new requirements beyond standard school holiday designation.
Dependent Children; Requires DCF & each community-based care lead agency to coordinate with certain organizations & meet quarterly for specified purpose; authorizes such meeting to be in person or via teleconference or other electronic means; requires such meetings to have formal agenda; requires department & each community-based care lead agency to make certain information available on their respective websites; requires, beginning in specified year, department & each community-based care lead agency to publish on their respective websites biannual report containing specified information.
Managed Care Plans; Revises Medicaid managed care contract requirements to prohibit managed care plans from reviewing certain prior authorization claims for medical necessity; requires that managed care plans provide coverage for durable medical equipment & complex rehabilitation technology from qualified provider, from within provider network, of enrollee's choosing; requires AHCA to adopt certain rules.
Community Association Management; Requires community association managers & community association firms to obtain specified amount of insurance; provides for revocation of community association manager's license; barring community association manager from being licensed; requires certain community associations to contract with community association management firm; requires community association firm to possess all applicable licenses; provides that association board members, officers, & directors have duty to ensure such community association firm or community association manager is properly licensed; provides that timeshare management firms & licensed individuals employed by timeshare management firms are only subject to certain licensing & disciplinary requirements; provides that timeshare management firms & licensed individuals employed by timeshare management firms are only subject to certain licensing & disciplinary requirements unless certain provisions expressly apply; provides that certain other accommodations managed by timeshare management firm or licensed individual are governed under specified provisions of law; provides for priority of application in case of conflict.
Leave for Living Organ Donation; Defines "living organ donor"; requires state agencies to grant administrative leave, not to exceed specified number of days, to allow employee to serve as living organ donor; specifies that such leave is in addition to other leave authorized by law; defines "employer" and "living organ donor"; requires certain employers to grant unpaid leave of absence to allow employee to serve as living organ donor; specifies length of such leave of absence; authorizes employers to grant paid or unpaid leave for period longer than required period of time; provides effective date.
Transportation; Revises & provides provisions relating to increasing minimum perception-reaction time for steady yellow signals, seaports, speed detection systems in school zones, automated license plate recognition systems, private school bus contractors, school bus infraction detection systems, lowering maximum speed limits, flashing beacons, school zones, radar & LiDAR units, disabled parking permits, golf carts, prevention of excessive or unusual noise, motor vehicle registration, license plate frames or decorative border devices, digital driver licenses & electronic credentialing system, digital imaged licenses, use of data by identity verification service providers, direct payments to subcontractors, metropolitan planning organizations, & takeover agreements; provides various penalties.
Housing; Requires, rather than authorizing, local governments to adopt, by specified date, ordinance to allow accessory dwelling units in certain areas; requires that such ordinances apply prospectively; prohibits inclusion of certain requirements or prohibitions in such ordinances; removes requirement that application for building permit to construct accessory dwelling unit include certain affidavit; revises accessory dwelling units that apply toward satisfying certain component of local government's comprehensive plan; prohibits denial of homestead exemption for certain portions of property on specified basis; requires that rented accessory dwelling unit be assessed separately from homestead property & taxed according to its use; authorizes local government to provide density bonus incentive to landowners who make certain real property donations to assist in provision of affordable housing for military families; requires OPPAGA to evaluate efficacy of using mezzanine finance & potential of tiny homes for specified purposes; requires office to consult with certain entities; requires office to submit certain report to Legislature by specified date.
Maddy summaryHB 103 repeals Florida's existing Chapter 205, which governed local business taxes, while creating new authority for municipalities to continue imposing their own business taxes measured by gross receipts. It specifically allows cities or counties that already levy such taxes to maintain them, revise the definition of "merchant" for tax purposes, but prohibits any changes to the tax rate. The bill affects local governments (not businesses directly) that currently impose business taxes, ensuring continuity for existing tax structures. Amendments to other statutes (like towing service rules) adjust references to reflect this repeal and new authority.
