Becker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 6, April 7 – 11, 2025
Hot Topics
“Governor receives Six Bills”
On Friday, April 11, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis was presented with the following six bills:
HB 421 – Peer Support for First Responders by Representative Maggard adds law enforcement agency support personnel who are involved in investigating a crime scene or collecting or processing evidence to the definition of a “first responder.” This change makes such support personnel eligible for peer support for first responders and provides confidentiality to communications made by such support personnel while participating in peer support.
HB 513 – Electronic Transmittal of Court Orders by Representative Gentry requires clerks of court to electronically transmit specified petitions, notices of hearings, summons and orders within a specified timeframe. This would include orders for involuntary examination under the Baker Act, summons on respondents in petitions for involuntary services under the Marchman Act, and risk protection orders.
HB 549 – Gulf of America by Representative Porras requires state agencies to update geographic materials to reflect the new federal designation of the “Gulf of Mexico” as the “Gulf of America.” Moreover, public school and charter school instructional materials and library media center collections adopted or acquired on or after July 1, 2025, must reflect the new federal designation.
HB 575 – The Designation of the Gulf of Mexico by Representatives Sirois and Weinberger will align the Florida Statutes with the federal designation of the “Gulf of America” by replacing references to the “Gulf of Mexico” with “Gulf of America.”
HB 655 – Pet Insurance and Wellness Programs by Representative Tuck creates necessary regulatory statutes to facilitate the production of pet insurance policies for sale within the state, encompassing various aspects such as defining pet insurance and establishing disclosure requirements. The bill also expands the definition of property insurance to include coverage for pets, covering accidents and illness explicitly.
HB 1313 – Trust Funds by Representative Mooney re-creates the Resilient Florida Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and repeals the scheduled termination of the trust fund.
The Governor has until Friday, April 18, 2025, to act on these bills.
“Suits Against the Government”
House Bill 301 by Representative McFarland was heard in its final committee stop, the House Judiciary, on Tuesday, April 9, 2025. After much debate, the bill favorably passed with a vote of 19 Yeas and 3 Nays. Members posed concerned as to whether the new limits struck a fair balance between compensating victims and protecting local governments from increased costs. Originally, the bill increased the existing caps on the recovery of awards against a governmental entity. For a claim that accrues between October 1, 2025, and September 30, 2030, the cap is increased to $1,000,000 per person from $200,000 and the cap for multiple claims or judgments arising out of the same incident is increased to $3,000,000 from $300,000. Through a committee substitute, the sovereign immunity caps were amended to reflect that for incidents that accrued after October 1, 2025, to $500,000 per person and $1,000,000 per incident. In addition, the sovereign immunity caps for an incident which accrues after October 1, 2030, were also amended to $600,000 per person and $1,100,000 per incident. HB 301 has now been placed on the House Special Order Calendar for a second reading on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Its Senate Companion, SB 1570 by Senator DiCeglie, has been referred to three committees and has yet to be considered.
“Senate Tax Package”
On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the Senate Committee on Finance and Tax proposed SPB 7034, which contains the Senate’s tax relief proposal for this session. Senate President Albritton shared that the proposal will permanently eliminate the sales tax on clothing and shoes up to $75 which aligns with the Governor’s office and the House proposal for offering major tax cuts. The Senate proposal would also call for a study on the possibility of reducing or eliminating property taxes for homestead property. Lastly, the proposal will renew in-demand, highly utilized tax holidays such as back-to-school and disaster preparedness.
Education
Construction and Facilities
House Bill 569 by Representative Kendall establishes policies and guidelines regarding construction and facilities impacting charter schools, local government ordinances, and developer contributions. The bill revises several provisions concerning the land use and construction requirements for charter schools, defining that charter schools are public facilities for the purposes of concurrency. The bill prohibits local governments from imposing additional building restrictions, requiring certain land use changes, or imposing/enforcing a vehicular stacking ordinance with the effect of limiting school enrollment. Furthermore, the bill allows for a developer to receive a fee credit for education impact fees for making certain contributions subject to a contract with the school district or a charter school. On April 8, 2025, HB 569 passed its last committee stop, the House State Affairs, with a favorable vote of 16 Yeas and 6 Nays. On April 10, 2025, the bill was placed on the Special-Order Calendar to be heard on the House floor on Wednesday, April 16, 2025. Its Senate companion, SB 1188 by Senator McClain, favorably passed the Senate Transportation Committee with a vote of 6 Yeas and 3 Nays on April 1, 2025. The bill is now waiting to be considered by the Senate Rules Committee.
Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys
Senate Bill 364 by Senator Osgood amends legislation to relocate the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys from the Department of Legal Affairs to Florida Memorial University. The bill also shifts administrative responsibilities, including staffing support and expense reimbursements, from the Department of Legal Affairs and the Office of the Attorney General to Florida Memorial University. The bill structures the council to include 19 members with diverse governmental and non-governmental backgrounds, appointed for four-year terms, with provisions for staggered initial terms. It mandates that the council conduct a comprehensive study on various socio-economic issues affecting Black men and boys and recommend corrective measures. It also grants the council authority to request data and assistance from state agencies, receive public and private funding, and establish local councils. Additionally, the bill designates the authority to approve the council’s meeting times from the Attorney General to the president of Florida Memorial University. On April 10, 2025, the bill was favorably passed with a unanimous vote of 7 Yeas and 0 Nays after being presented by Senator Osgood, with no debate. Its House Companion, HB 1051 by Representative Aristide, also favorably passed with a unanimous vote of 17 Yeas on March 27, 2025, following a committee substitute. Originally referred to the Pre-K-12 Budget Subcommittee, the bill’s reference was later removed and replaced with its remaining committee reference, the Education and Employment Committee, where the bill currently resides and awaits consideration.
EASE Grant Changes
Leaders from Florida’s private colleges and universities are raising concerns regarding the proposed modifications to the state’s Effective Access to Student Education (EASE) program, which offers annual grants of $3,500 to undergraduates attending private institutions. On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the Florida House voted on its proposed budget, HB 5001, where student eligibility for EASE funding would be tied to new performance metrics, including total cost of attendance, graduation rates, and student retention. These changes could impact more than 21,000 students at half of the state’s thirty (30) private colleges said Bob Boyd, president of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida. The proposed metrics for FY 25-6 eligibility determination are as follows: Access Rate – 30%; Affordability Rate – $6,183; Graduate Rate – 54%; Retention Rate – 67%; Employment Rate – 50%. On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, the Senate also passed their proposed budget, SB 2500, that does not include the proposed metrics. Budget negotiations between the House and the Senate will begin in the next couple of weeks. A final budget agreement must be reached by April 29, 2025, to adhere to the constitutionally mandated 72-hour “cooling off” period if the Legislature is to end its session on time on Friday, May 2, 2025.
Local Administration
Utility Relocation
HB 703 by Representative Robinson modifies the process under which utility owners must relocate facilities located in a public right-of-way. The bill requires utility owners, within 30 days after written notice from a public right-of-way authority, to submit a “reasonable” schedule for relocation of their facilities. The bill mandates extending the time allowed for utility owners to begin relocation work from 30 days to 60 days. The bill also calls for the relocation of utilities used to provide broadband Internet, cable, and video service; shifting cost responsibility from the utility owner to the right-of-way authority that requires such relocation. On April 7, 2025, the bill was considered by the Commerce Committee and favorably passed with a vote of 23 Yeas and 1 Nay. As there is no third committee stop, the bill has been placed on the House Calendar for a second reading. Its Senate Companion, SB 818 by Senator McClain, passed its second committee stop with a favorable vote of 8 Yeas and 1 Nay on April 1, 2025. It is now scheduled to be heard in its final committee stop, Senate Rules, on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Real Property and Land Use Development
HB 943 by Representative V. Lopez aims to revise current law relating to the Live Local Act by ensuring housing affordability for essential workers and young professionals. The legislation removes unnecessary barriers to affordable housing development, streamlines approval processes, and modernizes land use policies to promote sustainable growth. The bill revises the requirements to receive a property tax exemption for certain affordable housing. It also makes it unlawful to discriminate in land use decisions based on a development or proposed development being affordable housing. Lastly the bill requires the district school boards to adopt best practices for surplus land programs. On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, it was heard in its second committee, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, where it favorably passed with a vote of 13 Yeas and 3 Nays. The committee proposed some additional changes creating the Committee Substitute #2. The bill is now in its final committee stop, the Commerce committee, and has yet to be considered. Its Senate Companion, SB 1730 by Senator Calatayud, favorably passed its committees of reference and has now been placed on the Special-Order Calendar for Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
Recovery Responses
HB 1163 by Representative Owens revises the requirements for licensure of recovery residences which are safe places for individuals to live seeking sobriety. The bill would require local governments to treat those recovery residences as a non-transient residential use of land under local zoning ordinances and it would prohibit local governments from regulating the duration or frequency of use of those certified recovery residences in a multifamily structure. On Wednesday, April 9, 2025, HB 1163 was heard in its second committee, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, where it favorably passed with a vote of 11 Yeas and 4 Nays. It is now in its final committee, the House Health & Human Services, and has yet to be considered. Its Senate Companion, SB 954 by Senator Gruters, is scheduled to be heard in its second committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services on Tuesday, April 15, 2025.
Community Affairs
Florida Museum of Black History
Senate Bill 466 by Representative Leek works to establish the Florida Museum of Black History Board of Directors to oversee the museum’s commission, construction, operation, and administration. The bill recognizes the Florida Museum of Black History Task Force for selecting St. Johns County as the museum site. The bill enforces that established Board of Directors will consist of members appointed by the Governor, the Senate President, and the Speaker of the House by July 31, 2025. Such board members will be prohibited from holding state or local elective office. The bill requires vacancies on the board to be filled in the same manner as initial appointments. Additionally, the bill obligates the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners to provide administrative support and staffing until the project planning is complete. On April 1, 205, the bill favorably passed its last committee stop, the Senate Rules Committee, with a unanimous vote of 25 Yeas and 0 Nays. Subsequently, on April 9, 2025, the bill was read three times and considered by the Senate. The bill was then immediately certified and sent to the House where it is now in Messages. Its House Companion, HB 659 by Representative Michael, has been referred to three committees and has yet to be considered.
