Veteran Benefit Payments to Minor Clients ; Requires DCF to receive, deposit, & conserve certain benefit payments for certain minor clients; provides requirements for such funds; prohibits DCF from using such funds for certain purposes.
Military Affairs; Revises authorization to be granted leave of absence for military service to include Coast Guard; clarifies provision relating to leaves of absence for all state officers & employees for reserve or guard training; authorizes local governments to provide additional leave of absence for officers & employees for reserve or guard training; specifies that authorization for leave of absence for public officials & state employees to perform active military service for specified timeframe is based on single order; removes DMA positions from compulsory participation in SMS Class; provides that participation in such class for all other members employed within DMA is separately governed by specified provision; revises eligibility for Soldiers & Airmen Assistance Program to include traditional drilling guardsmen on state active duty or specified federal duty & their eligible beneficiaries demonstrating valid financial need; requires requests for assistance to be reviewed, processed, & approved by Florida National Guard Foundation's board of directors; requires requests for assistance to be reviewed & evaluated based on specified criteria; requires board to annually review bylaws that govern such program; requires board to provide report to DMA to be approved by Adjutant General.
Domestic Animals; Requires FDLE to post on its website specified information relating to individuals convicted of specified animal cruelty offenses; requires clerk of each court & county detention facility to provide FDLE with such information; requires pet dealers to disclose financing terms before sale of animals & provide copies of specified medical records to consumers; revises provisions relating to purchase, exchange, & return of animals; authorizes certain actions for contestation of veterinary expenses or demands of pet dealer for refund or exchange; provides for award of punitive damages; provides that certain violations constitute unfair method of competition or unfair or deceptive act or practice & subject to penalties; requires DBPR to post on its website certain best management practices & information related to selection of breeders, purchase of animals, & animal cruelty.
Extracurricular Activities; Revises provisions relating to extracurricular activities & student athletics; revises provisions relating to classification of K-12 administrative personnel.
Firefighter Cancer Benefits; Requires former employer to provide death benefits to certain beneficiaries for specified time period; provides finding & declaration of important state interest.
Electric Bicycles; Provides requirements for operation of electric bicycles; provides penalties; creates Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force adjunct to DHSMV & provides requirements therefor; requires certain reports to Governor & Legislature by specified dates.
Controlled Substances; Excepts from list of Schedule I controlled substances certain xylazine animal drug products approved by United States Food & Drug Administration & used for certain purposes; provides criminal penalties & requires mandatory minimum term of imprisonment if person sells, manufactures, or delivers or possesses with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver xylazine; creates offense of trafficking in xylazine; provides criminal penalties & requires mandatory minimum term of imprisonment & fines based on quantity of controlled substance involved in offense.
Maddy summaryHB 85 revises Florida's Swimming Lesson Voucher Program to limit eligibility to children aged 1 through 4 years (previously 1-7 years), while maintaining the income requirement of 200% of the federal poverty level and residency in Florida. The bill updates the statute to specify that children seeking vouchers must be between 1 and 4 years old, directly affecting families with young children who meet income and residency criteria. Key provisions include clarifying the age range for voucher recipients and preserving the program’s goal of increasing water safety through free swimming lessons. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter the existing income or application processes.
OGSR/Persons Provided Public Emergency Shelter; Removes scheduled repeal of exemption from public record requirements for address & telephone number of persons provided public emergency shelter.
Maddy summaryThis ceremonial resolution designates June 24, 2026, as "Florida Day of Women in Diplomacy" to honor Florida women who have served in diplomatic roles, including historical figures like Ruth Bryan Owen. It does not create new laws, funding, or requirements; it solely recognizes the contributions of women in diplomacy through a symbolic date designation. The resolution cites international observances and Florida's legacy in diplomatic leadership but has no direct impact on specific individuals or policies.
