Becker’s State Lobbying Update – Week 4: February 2nd-6th, 2026
As the Florida Legislature finishes their week four work, next week signifies what should be the halfway point to the Regular Session. Preliminary budgets from subcommittees were expected to be released this week, but due to some delays, it appears that the release will occur no earlier than week five. Week four included a brief floor Session by the Senate and a late afternoon floor Session by the House on Thursday as committees continue to meet throughout the day as agendas are getting long and some subcommittees MAY be done meeting, and the rest may finish next week. Below is an update on several bills that have been heard and approved in week four.
Construction
SB 526 – Commercial Construction Projects by Senator Grall
HB 405 – Commercial Construction Projects by Griffitts Jr.
SB 526 by Senator Grall strengthens contractor protections, standardizes commercial building permits, and limits certain local regulations for commercial projects. This bill would require local enforcement agencies to lower permit fees, require specific floodproofing standards for new nonresidential buildings located within flood zones, and add mitigation products to required statewide product approvals. SB 526 passed the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee by a vote of 9-0 and now moves to the Rules Committee.
Education
SB 1690 – Early Childhood Education by Senator Calatayud
SB 1690 by Senator Calatayud streamlines child care regulation by establishing the Florida Endowment for Early Learning, revising insurance, and disclosure requirements. Additionally, this bill expands licensure exemptions while still requiring local health, sanitation, and safety compliance. SB 1690 passed the Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee by a vote of 4-0 and now moves to the Education Pre-K – 12 Committee.
Housing
HB 657 – Community Associations by Representative Porras
HB 657 by Representative Porras updates the dispute resolution process within community associations, imposes new Home Owner Associations conflict of interest procedures, and establishes a new termination framework for Home Owner Associations. Additionally, this bill eliminates presuit mediation and requires arbitration for certain disputes, requires a two-thirds owner vote to amend governing documents, and mandates a written disclosure for directors with financial conflicts. This bill authorizes a formal court-monitored Home Owners Association termination plan and creates a community association court program for enforcement and dispute resolution. HB 657 passed the Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee by a vote of 14-1 and now moves to the Budget Committee.
Local Government
SB 1134 – Official Actions of Local Governments by Senator Yarborough
HB 1001 – Official Actions of Local Governments by Representative Black
SB 1134 by Senator Yarborough prohibits counties and municipalities from funding, promoting, or taking official actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Additionally, this bill prevents public funds from supporting DEI offices and establishes violations by officials as misconduct. SB 1134 passed the Community Affairs Committee by a vote of 6-2 and now moves to the Judiciary Committee.
Taxes
HB 103 – Local Business Taxes by Representative Botana
HB 103 by Representative Botana eliminates local business taxes. The bill preserves existing authority of counties that currently impose a business tax on merchants based on gross receipts, as well as counties that impose an additional county business tax under current law, to continue doing so. HB 103 passed the State Affairs Committee by a vote of 18-4.
Technology
HB 635 – Cybersecurity Standards and Liability by Representative Giallombardo
SB 692 – Cybersecurity Standards by Senator Leek
HB 635 by Representative Giallombardo provides liability protections for local governments against cybersecurity incidents if they comply with certain cybersecurity standards, implement disaster recovery plans, and implement multi-factor authentication. Under this bill, local governments cannot enforce cybersecurity standards inconsistent with those of the Florida Digital Service, and agents must update their cybersecurity programs within one year of any revisions to relevant laws to maintain liability protection. HB 635 passed the Civil Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 14-1 and now heads to the State Affairs Committee.
