Becker’s State Lobbying Update: Week 8, April 21 – 25, 2025
Hot Topics
“50-Day Drill Down”
Tuesday, April 22, marked the 50th day of the 60-day legislative session, with 10 more days to go before the legislature adjourns sine die. At this point, any legislation that has not been heard in at least one Senate committee will likely not become law. Per the Senate Rules, no Senate committee, except for the Rules committee, can meet after the 50th day, although exceptions can be made at the discretion of the Senate president.
As we continue to move forward, the main concern is the budget, as the House’s proposed budget is $4.4 billion smaller than the Senate’s $117.4 billion plan, and the chambers have broadly different approaches to tax cut plans. On top of financial differences, there is a slight contention between the House and the Governor’s office over agency spending and other issues.
As of Tuesday, April 22, there are 575 bills remaining in play, meaning they have made it through the committee process and have been placed on the calendars for floor consideration. There are a total of 803 general bills that have not yet been heard in any committee.
“Budget”
On Friday, April 25, after intense conversations in the two chambers, the Speaker of the House pledged that both Chambers will continue to move forward and work to get the budget ironed out and done on time. Chair McClure also spoke on the House floor and gave members a quick update on how the House has presented an offer to the Senate, saying that they expect to receive an offer later that evening. In the end, the goal of both chambers is to get into a good posture to have a budget conference.
“Senate Leadership”
On Thursday, April 24, Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo announced on the Senate floor that he resigned as Senate Democratic Leader and changed his party affiliation from Democrat to NPA. Later that day, the Senate Democratic caucus elected Senator Lori Berman to lead the caucus for the remaining 8 days of this legislative session and the rest of Senator Pizzo’s term.
“Governor’s Activity”
On Tuesday, April 22, Governor DeSantis was presented with the following 8 bills:
HB 157 Service of Process by Representative Redondo expands the hours for registered agents and updates procedures for serving process, including new approaches for substituted service, to streamline and clarify service of process requirements. If approved by the Governor, this bill is effective upon becoming law.
HB 1173 Florida Trust Code by Representative Duggan specifies the Florida Attorney General’s exclusive authority to represent certain charitable interests in trusts administered in Florida. If approved by the Governor, the bill is effective upon becoming law.
HB 597 Diabetes Management in Schools by Representative Smith authorizes public schools to acquire, store, and administer undesignated glucagon to assist diabetic students in emergencies and clarifies liability protections for involved parties. If approved by the Governor, this bill is effective July 1, 2025.
HB 615 Electronic Delivery of Notices Between Landlords and Tenants by Representative Esposito authorizes landlords and tenants to use electronic delivery for notices if both parties agree and provide valid email addresses. If approved by the Governor, the bill is effective on July 1, 2025.
HB 791 Surrendered Infants by Representative Cobb authorizes certain facilities to install and maintain infant safety devices, redefines the term “infant,” and clarifies custody, anonymity, and parental rights for surrendered infants. If approved by the Governor, the bill is effective on July 1, 2025.
HB 1195 Fentanyl Testing by Representative Harris and Bankson establishes Gage’s Law requiring hospitals to include a fentanyl test whenever a urine drug test is conducted for suspected overdose and confirm any positive results. If approved by the Governor, this bill is effective July 1, 2025.
HB 479, Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Only Damage to Vehicle or Property, by Representative Daley, authorizes courts to order drivers convicted of leaving the scene of a crash to pay restitution for property damage they have caused or contributed to. If approved by the Governor, this bill is effective October 1, 2025.
HB 7003 A review under the Open Government Sunset Review Act/Financial Technology Sandbox Applications by the House Government Operations Subcommittee and Representative Sapp removes the scheduled repeal of an existing public records exemption for Financial Technology Sandbox information. If approved by the Governor, the bill is effective on October 1, 2025.
The Governor has until Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to act on these bills.
Education
Education
HB 1267 by Representative Busatta revamps governance, accountability, and residency qualifications for Florida’s higher education boards by limiting terms for State Board of Education members and chairs and Florida College System institution and state university boards of trustees and chairs. The bill will also mandate comprehensive financial disclosure for Board of Governors citizen members beginning January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the bill will streamline reading and mathematics deficiency interventions for K-8 students by expanding the early warning systems and requires immediate, more intensive interventions for students. The bill also allows district school boards to develop affordable housing and educational villages on district-owned real property, exempting it from certain building requirements and mandating municipality approval of multifamily projects. Lastly, the bill creates the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators (RIPE) Program to provide loan repayment awards for teachers and administrators who work in designated rural areas. On April 23, the House considered the bill after being placed on the Special Order Calendar. After its second read, the proposed amendments that were presented failed. After the bill’s third read, it was passed favorably with a vote of 86 Yeas and 27 Nays. The bill has since been received by the Senate and referred to the Rules Committee. Its Senate companion bill, SB 1708 by Senator Calatayud, has also been placed on the Senate calendar but has yet to be considered.
Nursing Education Programs
HB 919 by Representative Overdorf revised application requirements for nursing education program approval to be approved by the Board of Nursing, including the adoption of standardized evaluation and admission criteria, a comprehensive exit exam, and a remediation program. The bill strengthens board authority over noncompliant programs and enhances accountability measures to improve graduate passage rates. The bill revises existing accountability measures by reducing the number of years an approved nursing education program can fail to meet statutory requirements before being placed on probation from two years to one year. The bill also reduces the length of time a program can spend on probation from up to three years to two years. The bill also removes the Board of Nursing’s authority to extend the deadline to obtain accreditation for professional nursing education programs. On April 23, the bill was read three times, but the reading and a vote of 112 Yeas and 1 Nay. The Senate has since received the bill and has been referred to the Fiscal Policy Committee. Its Senate companion, SB 526 by Senator Harrell, has also been referred to the Senate Fiscal Policy and has yet to be considered.
Local Administration
Municipal Water and Sewer Utility Rates
SB 202 by Senator Jones requires municipalities to charge the same rates, fees, and charges on water and sewer services as it does to consumers in its own boundaries. The provisions of the bill are limited only to counties specified in s. 125.011(1), F.S. These counties are ones that have adopted a home rule charter, by resolution of its board of county commissioners per a provision of the State Constitution. Monroe, Hillsborough, and Miami-Dade counties are the only counties that could adopt a home rule charter under this provision, and, to date, only Miami-Dade has done so. The bill was heard twice; however, it was subsequently substituted for its House companion, HB 11, by Representative Robinson. The bill was “Laid on Table” and referred to HB 11. HB 11 has been withdrawn from Rules and was placed on the calendar. On its second reading, the bill was substituted for SB 202. An amendment was adopted that allows municipalities to charge consumers outside the municipal boundaries the same rates as those inside, with an optional surcharge not exceeding 25%, except as detailed in the new subsection (2). The new subsection (2) mandates that if a municipality provides services to customers in another municipality and owns a treatment facility there, it must charge the same rates as it does to consumers within its borders, applicable solely within specified counties. After its third read, the bill passed favorably with a vote: 36 Yeas and 2 Nays. The bill has been returned to House messages.
Community Redevelopment Agencies
SB 1242 by Senator McClain amends community development agency regulations, outlining termination guidelines and prohibiting new formations after a specified date. The bill mandates the termination of existing community redevelopment agencies by September 30, 2045, or the expiration date specified in the agency’s charter, whichever is earlier. The bill prohibits community redevelopment agencies from initiating new projects or issuing new debt starting October 1, 2025. The bill will allow agencies with outstanding bonds as of July 1, 2025, to continue operating until the bonds mature, with the provision that they cannot extend maturity dates. Lastly, the bill restricts the creation of new community redevelopment agencies after July 1, 2025, while permitting agencies established before this date to continue operations as outlined. The bill was considered by the Senate Rules Committee on April 21 and received a favorable vote of 22 Yeas and 0 Nays. The bill has now been placed on the calendar for a second reading.
Its House companion, HB 991 by Representative Giallombardo, was scheduled to be heard in the House Commerce Committee on April 15 but was temporarily postponed. On April 21, a proposed committee bill was filed that included language from SB by Senator Simon 110 Rural Communities. At 561 pages in length, the bill promotes the development of communities and economic growth in Florida by promoting the advancement and growth of rural communities and removing regulatory barriers for businesses and professionals. HB 991 was rescheduled for House Commerce and favorably passed with a vote of 13 Yeas and 8 Nays. On Friday, April 25, the bill was read for a second time and substituted for SB 110, where it was laid on the table. Three amendments were filed, two failed, and one was adopted. The bill was read a third time and favorably passed with a vote of 69 Yeas and 42 Nays.
Utility Service Relocations
HB 1137 by Representative Shoaf prohibits local governments, agencies, and cooperatives from restricting or prohibiting certain fuel sources and appliances. The bill expands existing law to also prohibit boards, agencies, commissions, and authorities at the local level from restricting or banning certain energy sources or appliances. Additionally, it proclaims that it avoids any prior local actions that attempted to limit or prohibit specified energy sources and appliances. Furthermore, the bill adds a new statute prohibiting cooperatives from enacting bylaws or policies restricting or banning such energy sources and appliances. HB 1137 also restricts the Florida Building Commission from adopting provisions that would prohibit or mandate the installation of materials to support energy sources unless specifically required for safe appliance operation. Lastly, the bill prevents the State Fire Marshal from adopting any code provisions that prohibit or mandate the installation of materials supporting multiple energy sources, with certain exceptions for emergency or standby power systems. On Wednesday, April 23, the bill was read three times by the House after being placed on the Special-Order Calendar and received a favorable vote of 109 Yeas and 5 Nays. The bill has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee. Its Senate companion, SB 1002 by Senator Truenow, temporarily postponed its second reading on April 16 by the Senate. After being retained on the calendar, it has now been scheduled for Monday, April 28, 2025.
Local Options Taxes
SB 1664 by Senator Trumbull requires certain local option taxes to be periodically renewed or reenacted through ordinances approved by referendum, establishes expiration date requirements, clarifies bond obligation provisions, and outlines new referendum procedures. On April 22, this bill favorably passed with 11 Yeas and 6 Nays. It has now been placed on the calendar for a second reading. Its House companion, HB 1221 by Representative Miller, was heard in its final committee, House State Affairs, on April 22, where it favorably passed with a vote of 14 Yeas and 12 Nays. On Friday, April 25, it was read a second time on the House floor where two amendments were adopted. On the third reading, it favorably passed off the House floor with a vote of 62 Yeas and 45 Nays. The bill was received in Senate Messages and referred to Appropriations.
Taxes
HB 7033 by Ways & Communities and Representative Duggan revises tourist development tax provisions, reduces and adjusts multiple state and local taxes, and modifies local government procedures and property tax rules. For sales tax, the bill reduces Florida’s state sales tax rates by 0.75%. The bill also changes Tourist Development Taxes from limited use to general revenue, which must be used to offset county property taxes beginning in 2026. The bill also requires the dissolution of existing tourist development councils and imposes new county tourism promotion agency requirements. The bill changes how local governments levy non-ad valorem special assessments on recreational vehicle parks and requires consideration of occupancy rates. Lastly, the bill repeals the ability for cities to opt out of the “missing middle” property tax exemption created by the Live Local Act. The “missing middle” tax exemption is available to properties with more than 70 units that are considered affordable by the provisions of the Live Local Act. On Tuesday, April 22, 2025, the House Budget Committee heard the bill, where members questioned the proposed shift in tourist development taxes (TDT). On Friday, April 25, 2025, HB 7033 was read a second time, where three amendments failed, and two amendments were adopted. The bill favorably passed on third reading with a vote of 78 Yeas and 29 Nays. The bill is now in Senate Messages where it was received and referred to Appropriations.
