Rep. Jon Albert

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.

Air-conditioning and Mechanical Contractors; Revises definitions of terms "class A air-conditioning contractor" & "mechanical contractor" to include additional services that such contractors may perform.

Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification; Provides legislative findings & intent regarding golf course best management practices certification; provides for type two transfer of Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification program in DEP to DACS.

Ad Valorem Taxation; Revises Save-Our-Homes portability benefits available to married persons establishing joint homestead; prohibits increase in prior year’s adopted millage rate from going into effect unless approved by specified vote; authorizes DOR to adopt emergency rules; provides for future expiration.

Manufacturing; Revises duties of Department of Commerce; establishes Chief Manufacturing Officer among senior leadership of department for specified purpose; provides that Chief Manufacturing Officer is appointed by and serves at pleasure of Secretary of Commerce; provides duties of Chief Manufacturing Officer; requires all state and local governmental entities to assist Chief Manufacturing Officer within certain constraints; creates Florida Manufacturers' Workforce Development Grant Program within department; provides that grant program is under direction of Chief Manufacturing Officer in consultation with National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization in this state; provides purpose for grant program; requires department, in coordination with National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization in this state, to review submitted applications and to select specified projects; provides that department has sole discretion in final grant awards; requires department, in coordination with National Institute of Standards & Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization in this state, to establish and publish ranking metrics for reviewing and awarding grants; provides guidelines for such metrics; requires that priority be given to projects that meet certain criteria.

Official Actions of Local Governments; Prohibits counties & municipalities, respectively, from funding or promoting or taking official action as it relates to diversity, equity, & inclusion; prohibits counties & municipalities, respectively, from expending funds for diversity, equity, & inclusion offices or for diversity, equity, & inclusion officers; prohibits counties & municipalities, respectively, from providing or authorizing funds to be used to promote diversity, equity, & inclusion initiatives; authorizes cause of action against counties & municipalities, respectively; requires potential recipients of county or municipal contracts or grants to make certain certification to county or municipality before being awarded such contract or grant.

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.

Landlord Obligations and Construction Contracting; Requires landlords to provide & maintain specified cooling equipment for tenants; requires landlord to repair or replace such cooling equipment within specified timeframe; provides construction; provides exceptions; provides applicability; revises definitions of terms "class A air-conditioning contractor" & "mechanical contractor" to include additional services that such contractors may perform.

City of Auburndale, Polk County; Transfers real property from Board of Trustees of Internal Improvement Trust Fund to City Commission of City of Auburndale; provides requirements for use & sale or disposition of real property; requires conveyance of real property by specified date.

Out-of-network Providers; Requires health care practitioner to notify patient in writing upon referring patient to certain providers; provides requirements for such notice; requires certain health insurers to apply payments for services provided by nonpreferred providers toward insureds' deductibles & out-of-pocket maximums if specified conditions are met.