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What is scheduled as the last week of the regularly scheduled legislative session, will most likely not be the last week. Whether the session will extend to facilitate adoption of the budget, or whether a special session will be called for the purpose of the budget adoption remains unknown, but it is doubtful that the budget will be adopted by March 13 sine die. Debate has become heated on many issues, including the bills on Official Actions of Local Government relative to DEI. This issue took up the majority of the House session on March 10, and at times the speakers of the House issued caution to bill proponents and opponents to maintain their decorum. Discussion on this issue will continue in the coming months as local government make their way through interpreting broad statements in the bill and how those restrictions will impact existing events and activities.
We continue to monitor the property tax reform bills. We encourage you to stay abreast of any conversation on this issue as it will directly impact parks and recreation services at the local level.
Below is a list of bills we have identified on your behalf. This listing will be regularly updated, and will include any action that you, your agency, your city/county may wish to consider taking. We encourage you to review the bills below, including reading the text of the proposals which can be found by clicking on the links for each bill. As proposals make their way through their first committees and have Committee Substitutes filed. we will provide you the link to the Committee Substitute in the tables which show progress on each of the individual bills. As always, we suggest that you analyze the language and conduct your own assessment of how the language may impact any local policies, procedures, or practices that you may have within your agency/city/county.
As always we encourage you to bookmark this page and review it on a regular basis as things happen quickly during session.
FRPA contracts for additional legislative representation. We are currently working with Ramba Consulting Group who assists in monitoring legislation, crafting amendments, and all things legislative. Weekly reports are received at the FRPA Executive Office, and we are sharing those reports here so you can stay abreast of not only action on bills we are following, but also general information about the political climate during session.
Ramba Report - November 7, 2025
Ramba Report - December 5, 2025
Ramba Report - December 12, 2025
Ramba Report - January 16, 2026
Ramba Report - January 23, 2026
Ramba Report - January 30, 2026
Ramba Report - February 6, 2026
Ramba Report - February 13, 2026
Ramba Report - February 20, 2026
Ramba Report - February 27, 2026
Ramba Report - March 6, 2026
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PROPERTY TAX REFORM
Due to the large volume of legislative proposals relative to Property Tax Reform, we have created a dedicated page for this subject. The page will have legislative proposals (in the same format as the bill listings below), as well as helpful resources you can utilize for informing your constituents.
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ADOPTION AND DISPLAY OF FLAGS BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES
SB 426 by Senator Yarborough
HB 347 by Representative Borrero
Prohibiting a governmental entity from displaying, placing, or causing to be placed certain flags on real property; providing a penalty; specifying flags a governmental entity may display on such property; prohibiting a local government from adopting certain ordinances or regulations relating to the flag of the local government, etc.
Status of SB 426
| 11/07/2025 |
Filed |
| 12/01/2025 |
Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Community Affairs; Rules Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
Status of HB 347
| 11/05/2025 |
Filed |
| 11/12/2025 |
Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee; Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; and State Affairs Committee
|
| 01/13/2026 |
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
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ASSESSMENTS LEVIED ON RECREATIONAL VEHICLE PARKS
SB 118 by Senator Truenow
HB 39 by Representative Nix
Providing that certain special assessments on recreational vehicle parks levied by counties, municipalities, and special districts, respectively, may not be levied against a certain portion of a recreational vehicle parking space or campsite; requiring counties, municipalities, and special districts, respectively, to consider a recreational vehicle park’s occupancy rates for a certain purpose, etc.
FRPA Position: Monitor only
Status of SB 118
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Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading; Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26
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| 02/26/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Read 3rd time; CS passed; Immediately certified
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In House Messages
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| 03/09/2026 |
HOUSE: Bill referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026); 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
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| 03/10/2026 |
HOUSE: Read 2nd time; Amendment 652343 adopted; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; CS/CS passed as amended
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In returning messages to the Senate
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Status of HB 39
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ATHLETIC COACH BACKGROUND SCREENING
SB 1168 by Senator Grall
HB 1069 by Representative Trabulsy
Provides that independent sanctioning authority is deemed to be a qualified entity for purpose of participating in Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse; authorizes person who has not undergone certain background screening to act as athletic coach if he or she is under direct supervision of athletic coach who meets certain background screening requirements.
NOTE: FRPA has been working diligently through our contractual lobbying firm to ensure these bills uphold existing law that every athletic coach must be Level 2 screened. CS/HB 1069 now has the language that upholds our position, and passed the floor vote of the House on March 3, 2026. SB 1168 moved through its last committee assignment with amendments that make the language suitable for FRPA's concerns.
Status of SB 1168
| 03/04/2026 |
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading; Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/09/26; CS/CS by Fiscal Policy read 1st time |
| 03/09/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Substituted CS/CS/HB 1069; Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/HB 1069 |
CS/CS/HB 1069
| 01/06/2026 |
Filed |
| |
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026); 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2) |
| 03/03/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Amendment adopted to align with SB 1168; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; CS/CS Passed House |
| 03/04/2026 |
In SENATE Messages; Referred to Rules; Received |
| 03/09/2026 |
In HOUSE Messages; CS/CS Enrolled |
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BEACH MANAGEMENT
SB 636 by Senator Leek
HB 1297 by Representative Greco
Requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to review certain data when designating certain beaches as critically eroded and in need of restoration and nourishment; requiring that certain beaches, whose local government preserved funds for a certain purpose and which possess specified features, be designated as critically eroded; revising the list of areas that may receive designation as an area of critical state concern, etc.
Status of SB 636
| 11/20/2025 |
Filed |
| 12/09/2025 |
Referred to Environment and Natural Resources; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Fiscal Policy Committees
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| |
Bill Analysis posted
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| 01/13/2026 |
Favorable by Environment and Natural Resources Committee
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| 02/04/2026 |
On Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government Agenda-- 3:45 pm, 412 Knott Building
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| |
Bill Analysis #2 posted
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Bill Analysis #3 posted
|
| |
Strike All Amendment filed by Senator Garcia
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| 02/04/2026 |
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment and General Government Agenda - CS Filed
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| 02/06/2026 |
Bill Analysis #4 posted
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| 02/12/2026 |
Favorable by Fiscal Policy Committee - Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
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Bill Analysis #5 posted
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| 02/13/2026 |
Bill Analysis #6 posted
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Status of HB 1297
| 01/08/2026 |
Filed |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
| 01/15/2026 |
Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee; Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Referred to State Affairs Committee; Now in Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee |
| 02/02/2026 |
Added to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee agenda |
|
Bill Analysis posted |
| 02/03/2026 |
Amendment filed by Representative Greco |
| 02/04/2026 |
Favorable with CS by Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee - CS Filed
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1) |
|
Bill Analysis posted |
| 02/06/2026 |
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Referred to State Affairs Committee |
| 02/12/2026 |
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee |
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CARRYING A HANDGUN, WEAPON, OR FIREARM
HB 321 by Representative Hunschofsky
SB 406 by Senator Polsky
Prohibits person from carrying weapon or firearm into certain locations; provides criminal penalty.
Status of HB 321
| 11/04/2025 |
Filed |
| 11/12/2025 |
Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; and Judiciary Committee |
| 01/13/2026 |
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
Status of HS 406
| 11/05/2025 |
Filed |
| 11/17/2025 |
Referred to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Rules Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
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DROWNING PREVENTION EDUCATION
SB 606 by Senator Smith
HB 503 by Representatives Eskamani ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Campbell ; Harris
Requiring the Department of Health to develop educational materials on drowning prevention safety measures and safe bathing practices for specified purposes; providing requirements for such materials; requiring hospitals, birth centers, and home birth providers to provide the educational materials to new parents and caregivers as part of their postpartum education and care, etc.
Status of SB 606
| 02/16/2026 |
CS/CS Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
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| 02/17/2026 |
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/19/26
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| 02/18/2026 |
CS/CS by Fiscal Policy read 1st time
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| 02/19/2026 |
Retained on Calendar
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Status of HB 503
| 02/25/2026 |
Bill released to House Calendar; Added to Second Reading Calendar
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| 02/26/2026 |
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/4/2026)
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| 03/04/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; CS passed
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In messages to SENATE
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ELECTRIC BICYCLES, SCOOTERS, MOTORCYCLES
HB 243 by Representatives Benarroch ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Blanco ; Cobb ; Gossett-Seidman ; Spencer ; Tant
SB 382 by Senator Truenow
Requires certain crash reports to include certain information; requires state to maintain certain statistics; prohibits person from operating class 3 electric bicycle without certain license; provides requirements for such operation; prohibits certain persons from operating certain motorcycles; revises requirements for certain learner's driver license education course; requires minimum number of questions in test bank for Class E driver license to cover safe electric bicycle & motorized scooter operation; provides various penalties.
Status of HB 243
Status of CS/SB 382
| 02/23/2026 |
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/25/26 |
| 02/25/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Amendment(s) adopted (324266); Read 3rd time; CS passed as amended; Immediately certified |
| |
In Messages to House |
| 03/05/2026 |
HOUSE: Bill referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026); 1st Reading (Engrossed 1) |
| 03/09/2026 |
HOUSE: Read 2nd time; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; CS passed |
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ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS MADE TO UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT
HB 967 by Representative Buchanan
SB 1612 by Senator DiCeglie
Requires units of local government to accept certain forms of payments; requires such local governments accept payments online.
Status of HB 967 / SB 1612
| 01/28/2026 |
Bill referred to House Calendar; Added to Second Reading Calendar |
| 01/30/2026 |
Bill added to Special Order Calendar for 2/4/2026 |
| 02/04/2026 |
Read 2nd time. Read 3rd time - CS passed - In Messages to Senate
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| 02/10/2026 |
SENATE - Received |
| 02/25/2026 |
SENATE Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading |
| 03/03/2026 |
SENATE Placed on Special Order Calendar 03/06/2026 |
| 03/06/2026 |
SENATE Read 2nd time; Substitute CS/HB 967; Laid on Table - refer to CS/HB 967; |
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SENATE Read 3rd time; CS/HB 967 Passed; Sent to House in messages |
| |
Ordered enrolled |
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GOLF COURSES
SB 544 by Senator Truenow
HB 495 by Representative Albert
Creating the “Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification Act”; providing legislative findings and intent regarding golf course best management practices certification; providing for a type two transfer of the Golf Course Best Management Practices Certification program in the Department of Environmental Protection to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, etc.
Status of SB 544
| 11/18/2025 |
Filed |
| 12/09/2025 |
Referred to Environment and Natural Resources; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Fiscal Policy Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
On Environment and Natural Resources Committee Agenda - 1:30 pm, 110 Senate Building - Amendment Filed |
| 01/13/2026 |
CS by Environment and Natural Resources |
| 01/14/2026 |
CS by Environment and Natural Resources read 1st time |
Status of HB 495
| 11/19/2025 |
Filed |
| 11/24/2025 |
Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee; Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee; Referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee; Referred to Commerce Committee |
| 01/13/2026 |
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
| 1/26/2026 |
Favorable by Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee - Bill Analysis posted - CS Filed |
| 1/30/2026 |
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1) |
| 02/02/2026 |
Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee; Referred to Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee; Referred to Commerce Committee |
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LOCAL GOVERNMENT SPENDING
SB 1566 by Senator DiCeglie
HB 1329 by Representative Benarroch
Citing this act as the “Local Government Financial Transparency and Accountability Act”; revising the timeframe during which tentative budgets, and the length of time for which final budgets, must be posted on county websites; revising the timeframe during which a public hearing for an amendment to a county budget must be advertised; prohibiting a local government from expending public funds for the purpose of diversity, equity, and inclusion; requiring the Chief Financial Officer to conduct a specified evaluation, etc.
Status of SB 1566
Status of CS/CS/HB 1329
| 02/26/2026 |
Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee; CS/CS Filed; Referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/4/2026)
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2) |
| 02/27/2026 |
Amendment Filed |
| 03/04/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Amendment 863021 adopted; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; CS/CS passed as amended |
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In messages to SENATE |
| 03/04/2026 |
HOUSE: In Messages; Referred to Rules; Received |
| 03/06/2026 |
Withdrawn from Rules; Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading; Substituted for CS/CS/CS/SB 1566; Read 2nd time; Amendment(s) adopted (399106); Read 3rd time; CS passed |
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In Messages |
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NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS FOR IMPROVING COASTAL RESILIENCE
SB 302 by Senator Garcia
HB 1035 by Representative Mooney
Nature-based Solutions for Improving Coastal Resilience; Requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules and guidelines for nature-based solutions for improving coastal resilience; requiring the department, in consultation with the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services of the Department of Financial Services, to conduct a statewide feasibility study regarding the value of nature-based solutions being used for a specified purpose, etc. APPROPRIATION: $250,000
Status of CS/CS/SB 302
| 02/17/2026 |
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/19/26 |
| 02/19/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Read 3rd time; CS/CS passed as amendment; Immediately certified. In Messages to House
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| 03/05/2026 |
HOUSE: Bill referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026); 1st Reading (Engrossed 1) |
| |
Bill referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026) |
| 03/09/2026 |
HOUSE: Read 2nd time; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; CS/CS/SB 302 |
Status of HB 1035
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OFFICIAL ACTIONS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
SB 1134 by Senator Yarbrough
HB 1001 by Representative Black
Prohibiting counties and municipalities, respectively, from funding or promoting or taking official action as it relates to diversity, equity, and inclusion; providing that certain ordinances, resolutions, rules, regulations, programs, and policies are void; providing that a county commissioner, a member of the governing body of a municipality, or any other county or municipal official acting in an official capacity who violates certain provisions commits misfeasance or malfeasance in office, etc.
Status of SB 1134
| 02/19/2026 |
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading; CS/CS by Rules read 1st time
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| 03/02/2026 |
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/04/26
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| 03/04/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Amendment(s) adopted (648678); Read 3rd time; CS/CS passed as amended
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| 03/05/2026 |
In Messages to HOUSE
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| 03/09/2026 |
HOUSE: Bill referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026); 1st Reading (Engrossed 1)
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| 03/10/2026 |
HOUSE: Read 2nd time; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; CS/CS passed; YEAS 77, NAYS 37
|
Status of HB 1001
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ONE-CENT PIECE
HB 951 by Representative McFarland
SB 1074 by Senator Gaetz
Authorizes dealers to round to nearest nickel in certain circumstances; provides procedures for such rounding; requires tax due on rounded transactions to be calculated on price before rounding; provides that rounding to nearest nickel is not deceptive & unfair trade practice in certain circumstances.
Note: There are difference in these two bills, one allows, and one requires. Read language carefully to assess impact on your operations.
Status of HB 951
Status of SB 1074
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Bill Analysis #6 posted |
| 02/23/2026 |
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/25/26 |
| 02/26/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Read 3rd time; CS passed; Immediately certified; in HOUSE Messages |
| 03/09/2026 |
HOUSE: Bill referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026); 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1) |
| 03/10/2026 |
HOUSE: Read 2nd time; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; CS passed |
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PARKING ON PUBLIC PROPERTY
SB 910 by Senator Mayfield
HB 323 by Representative Steele
Defining the terms “public property” and “publicly owned buildings or facilities”; requiring local governments to refund owners of vehicles who pay fees to park on specified public property in certain circumstances; prohibiting certain vehicles from being towed or issued a traffic citation for a specified time period after being parked on specified public property; prohibiting local governments from allowing private business entities or enterprises to use specified public property for private parking purposes for a fee; providing construction, etc.
Status of SB 910
| 12/15/2025 |
Filed |
| 01/05/2026 |
Referred to Transportation; Community Affairs; Rules Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
Status of HB 323
| 11/4/2025 |
Filed |
| 11/12/2025 |
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Referred to State Affairs Committee |
| 01/13/2026 |
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
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PROTECTION OF HISTORIC MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS
SB 496 by Senator McClain
HB 455 by Representative Jacques
Citing this act as the “Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act”; preempting all removal, damage to, or destruction of historic Florida monuments and memorials; providing that any existing or future ordinance, regulation, or rule to the contrary, and certain actions by elected or appointed local government officials, are void; providing civil penalties for certain officials who engage in certain actions; authorizing a local government to temporarily remove and relocate a monument or memorial in certain instances provided certain requirements are met, etc.
Status of SB 496
| 11/13/2025 |
Filed |
| 12/01/2025 |
Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Community Affairs; Rules Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
Status of HB 455
| 11/18/2025 |
Filed |
| 11/24/2025 |
Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee; Referred to Judiciary Committee; Referred to State Affairs Committee |
| 01/13/2026 |
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
| 02/11/2026 |
Favorable by Government Operations Subcommittee - Bill Analysis posted
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| 02/17/2026 |
Favorable by Judiciary Committee agenda - Bill Analysis #2 posted |
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PUBLIC WATERS
HB 669 by Representative Gossett-Siedman
SB 1042 by Senator Rodriguez
Prohibits local governments & special districts from applying for permit to establish or maintain public mooring field; requires DOH to adopt & enforce certain rules; provides minimum requirements for such rules; requires counties, municipalities, special districts, & state to issue within specified timeframe health advisories; removes preemption to state of certain health advisories; requires counties, municipalities, special districts, & state to provide DEP & local affiliates of national television networks certain notification within specified timeframe; requires counties, municipalities, special districts, & state to close certain beach waters & public bathing places; requires closure to remain in effect for specified amount of time; requires counties, municipalities, special districts, & certain owners to provide specified entities certain notification; requires DOH, in coordination with DEP & FWCC, to adopt by rule health advisory sign for specified purpose; provides requirements for such sign; requires counties, municipalities, special districts, & DEP to post & maintain health advisory signs; specifies where health advisory signs must be posted & for how long.
Status of HB 669
| 12/05/2025 |
Filed |
| 12/16/2025 |
Referred to Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee; Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Referred to Budget Committee; Referred to State Affairs Committee |
| 01/13/2026 |
1st Reading |
| 02/12/2026 |
Favorable by Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee - CS Filed - Bill Analysis posted |
| 02/13/2026 |
First Reading (Committee Substitute 1) |
| 02/16/2026 |
Referred to State Affairs Committee |
Status of SB 1042
| 12.30/2025 |
Filed |
| 01/07/2026 |
Referred to Health Policy; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Rules |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
|
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SEXUAL OFFENDERS AND SEXUAL PREDATORS
SB 212 by Senator McClain
CS/HB 45 by Representatives Plakon; Baker; Barnaby
Revises definitions of terms "public swimming pool" & "public pool"; defines "public bathing place"; revises residency restrictions for persons convicted of certain sexual offenses; revises requirements for search of sexual predator or sexual offender registration information by state agency or governmental subdivision before appointing or employing person to work; revises special conditions for certain sexual offenders subject to conditional release supervision; revises standard conditions of probation or community control for certain sexual offenders.
FRPA Position: Support
Status of SB 212
| 02/19/2026 |
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading; CS/CS/CS by Rules read 1st time |
| 02/23/2026 |
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26 |
| 02/26/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Amendment(s) adopted; Read 3rd time; CS/CS/CS passed as amendment; Immediately certified |
| |
In HOUSE Messages |
| 03/10/2026 |
Bill referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/11/2026); 1st Reading (Engrossed 1) |
Status of CS/HB 45
| 02/24/2026 |
Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee; CS Filed; 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2) |
| 02/25/2026 |
Bill referred to House Calendar; Added to Second Reading Calendar |
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SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES
SB 986 by Senator Gruters
HB 389 by Representative Tendrich
Revises legislative intent; defines "public place"; revises definition of terms "smoking" & "vape" or "vaping"; prohibits smoking in public places in this state, with exceptions; provides applicability; revises requirements for customs smoking rooms to prohibit smoking & vaping of marijuana products at any time.
Status of SB 986
| 12/19/2025 |
Filed |
| 01/07/2026 |
Referred to Regulated Industries; Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government; Rules Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
| 01/20/2026 |
Favorable by Regulated Industries Committee |
|
Bill Analysis posted |
Status of HB 389
| 11/06/2025 |
Filed |
| 11/18/2025 |
Referred to Health & Human Services Committee; Referred to State Affairs Committee; Referred to Commerce Committee; Now in Health & Human Services Committee |
| 01/13/2026 |
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
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SUITS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT
HB 145 by Representative McFarland
SB 1366 by Senators Brodeur and Rouson
Suits Against the Government; Increases statutory limits on liability for tort claims against state & its agencies & subdivisions; authorizes subdivision of state to settle claim in excess of statutory limit without legislative action regardless of insurance coverage limits; prohibits insurance policy from conditioning benefits on enactment of claim bill; specifies that limitations in effect on date claim accrues apply to that claim; revises period within which certain claims must be presented; revises exceptions relating to instituting tort claims against state or agencies or subdivisions; revises period after which failure of certain entities to make final disposition of claim shall be deemed final denial of claim for certain purposes; revises statute of limitations for tort claims against state or agencies or subdivisions & exceptions thereto.
Increases statutory liability limits for tort claims against governmental entities, streamlines claim procedures, and adjusts statutes of limitation and insurance provisions while creating new exceptions for specific victims.
- Raises sovereign immunity caps in multiple phases, reaching as high as $600,000 per individual claim and $1.2 million per incident after October 1, 2031.
- Empowers local governments to settle claims in excess of these limits without further legislative action and prohibits insurers from requiring enactment of a claim bill as a condition of coverage.
- Shortens from 3 years to 18 months the timeframe for presenting tort claims to an agency and reduces the statute of limitations for negligence suits from 4 years to 2 years.
- Removes the time limit for filing claims arising from sexual battery against a minor under age 16 and updates notice requirements for certain wrongful death or medical malpractice claims.
- Amends and reenacts numerous statutory references to align with the updated liability limits and procedures.
FRPA Position: The portion of this proposal that increases the limits for tort claims is not favorable to local governments. However, the portion that reduces the statue of limitations on claims and time of claim filing does appear to be better than existing law.
Status of HB 145
| 10/10/2025 |
Filed |
| 10/21/2025 |
Referred to Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee; Budget Committee; Judiciary Committee; Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee |
| 11/05/2025 |
Bill Analysis posted |
| 11/05/2025 |
Favorable by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee |
| 12/04/2025 |
Updated Bill Analysis posted |
| 03/10/2026 |
Withdrawn from Rules; Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading; Substituted for CS/SB 1366; Read 2nd time; Amendment(s) adopted (401768); Read 3rd time; Passed as amended |
| |
In Messages to Senate |
Status of SB 1366
| 03/10/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Substitute HB 145; Laid on Table, refer to HB 145 |
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SWIMMING LESSON VOUCHER PROGRAM
HB 85 by Representative Kendall
SB 428 by Senator Yarborough
Revises age requirements for children receiving voucher through Swimming Lesson Voucher Program from 1-4, to 1-7.
FRPA Position: Support
Status of HB 85
| 03/09/2026 |
Laid on Table, refer to SB 428 |
Status of SB 428
| 02/12/2026 |
Favorable by Fiscal Policy Committee - Placed on Calendar on Second Reading - Bill Analysis #6 posted |
| 02/23/2026 |
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/25/26 - SB 428 |
| 02/25/2026 |
Read 2nd time; Amendment(s) adopted (667490, 768758); Read 3rd time; Passed as amended; Immediately certified |
| |
In HOUSE messages |
| 03/05/2026 |
HOUSE: Bill referred to House Calendar; Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026); 1st Reading (Engrossed 1) |
| 03/09/2026 |
HOUSE: Read 2nd time; Added to Third Reading Calendar; Read 3rd time; Passed |
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TOURIST DEVELOPMENT TAXES
SB 454 by Senator Smith
HB 6007 by Representative Eskamani
Deleting a provision requiring that a specified percentage of all tourist development tax revenues be used to promote and advertise tourism, etc.
Status of SB 454
| 11/12/2025 |
Filed |
| 12/01/2025 |
Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Finance and Tax; Appropriations Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
Status of HB 6007
| 11/13/2025 |
Filed |
| 11/24/2025 |
Referred to Ways & Means Committee; Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee; Referred to Commerce Committee |
| 01/13/2026 |
1st Reading (Original Filed Version) |
SB 456 by Senator Smith
Authorizing the use of proceeds from the tourist development tax to fund public safety improvements, affordable housing, and workforce housing, etc.
Status of SB 456
| 11/12/2025 |
Filed |
| 12/01/2025 |
Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Finance and Tax; Appropriations Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
SB 458 by Senator Smith
Revising the percentage of tourist development tax revenues that must be spent to promote and advertise tourism in order for any tourist development tax revenues to be used for a specified purpose, etc.
Status of SB 458
| 11/12/2025 |
Filed |
| 12/01/2025 |
Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Finance and Tax; Appropriations Committees |
| 01/13/2026 |
Introduced |
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