2026 Sine die report

florida's legislative Session is Over. The Impact Begins.

The 2026 Legislative Session has officially concluded, and counties across Florida are now preparing for the impacts of newly passed legislation. The Florida Association of Counties’ 2026 Sine Die Report provides a comprehensive overview of the key bills, budget decisions, and policy changes that affect county governments and local communities. This serves as a central resource where county leaders, staff, and partners can quickly find summaries, analysis, and important updates from the legislative session.

PASSED BILLS

SFY26-27 Budget

Major Failed Bills

Failed Bills

LISTEN TO THE SINE DIE PODCAST EPISODE

2026 End of session webinar
The following bill summaries were generated with the assistance of AI.

Passed 2026 legislative bills

From Bill to Law: What Counties Need to Know

Major Failed Bills

Mega-Developments Could Override Local Land-Use Rules Under New “Blue Ribbon Projects” Framework 

SB 354 – Sen. Stan McClain (HB 299 – Rep. Lauren Melo) 

Creates a state framework allowing extremely large developments (15,000+ acres) to proceed under a “Blue Ribbon Plan,” potentially overriding local comprehensive plans and zoning while reserving 60% of land for conservation or similar uses. Effective July 1, 2026. 

Read more.

Ending County Local Business Taxes Across Florida 

SB 122 – Sen. Keith Truenow (HB 103 – Rep. Adam Botana) 

SB 122 repeals chapter 205, F.S., eliminating county authority to levy local business taxes and ending the local business tax receipt framework statewide. Counties could lose more than $50 million annually in revenue and would need to repeal related ordinances and administrative programs. 

Read more. 

Constitutional Term Limits Proposed for County Commissioners and School Board Members 

HJR 27 – Rep. Jeff Holocomb

HJR 27 proposes a constitutional amendment limiting county commissioners and school board members to 12 consecutive years in office. After reaching the limit, officials must wait four years before running again. The proposal would appear on the 2026 general election ballot and requires 60% voter approval to take effect. 

Read more. 

Bill Would Let Businesses Sue Over Arbitrary County Enforcement 

SB 588 – Sen. Stan McClain (HB 105 – Rep. Robert Brackett)  

SB 588 by Sen. McClain creates a new process to challenge county, municipal, and special district enforcement actions, with attorney fees, damages, and injunctions available if a court finds the action arbitrary or unreasonable. 

Read more. 

Bill Would Bar Counties and Cities from Funding Most Florida Nonprofits 

HB 605 – Rep. Kevin M. Steele 

HB 605 by Rep. Kevin M. Steele would create s. 112.3662, F.S., to prohibit political subdivisions from using public funds for most Florida nonprofits, except rural hospitals. Counties could face major limits on nonprofit partnerships, grants, and contracted service delivery.  

Read more. 

State Pushes “Starter Home” Zoning Reforms Limiting Local Development Regulations 

SB 948 – Sen. Stan McClain (HB 1143 – Rep. Danny Nix Jr.)  

CS/SB 948 establishes the “Florida Starter Homes Act,” limiting local zoning regulations on residential lots and requiring streamlined approval processes for development permits. The bill expands allowable housing density and exposes local governments to potential litigation for noncompliance. Effective July 1, 2026. 

Read more. 

Counties Required to Consolidate 911 Systems into Single Command Center 

HB 1427 – Rep. Danny Alvarez (SB 1586 – Sen. Nick DiCeglie) 

HB 1427 requires counties to consolidate emergency dispatch into a single unified 911 call center, establishes governance and funding requirements, and makes the sheriff the default operator if local governments fail to reach agreement by 2027. 

Read more.  

State Preemption on Religious Gatherings and Local Business Regulations 

SB 1444 – Sen. Jonathan Martin (HB 1227 – Rep. Vanessa Oliver)  

SB 1444 preempts regulation of religious gatherings, mutual benefit corporations, and certain home-based business standards to the state. The bill restricts local zoning and parking regulations affecting religious services, limits local regulation of certain nonprofit entities, and reduces county authority over parking standards for home-based businesses. 

Read more.

Failed bills

  • HB 0021 – Pub.Rec/Agency Employees 
  • HJR 0027 – Term Limits for BCC & DSB Members
  • HB 0037 – Removal, Storage, and Cleanup of Electric Vehicles
  • HB 0053 – Rapid Rail Transit Compact
  • SB 0092 – Employee Protections
  • HB 0097 – Transportation Concurrency
  • HB 0101 – Utility Terrain Vehicles
  • HB 0103 – Local Business Taxes
  • HB 0111 – Antisemitism Task Force
  • SB 0122 – Local Business Taxes
  • HB 0139 – Adverse Personnel Actions and Ethics Complaints
  • HB 0149 – Maximum Millage Rates for the 2027-2028 Fiscal Year
  • HB 0193 – Utilities
  • SB 0200 – Utilities
  • HJR 0201 – Elimination of Non-school Property Tax for Homesteads
  • HJR 0205 – Non-School Property Tax Elimination for 65+ Homesteads
  • HJR 0207 – Assessed Value Homestead Exemption (Non-School)
  • HJR 0209 – Insurance-Based Homestead Exemption (Non-School)
  • HJR 0211 – Accrued Save-Our-Homes Prop. Tax Benefit for Non-school Prop. Tax
  • HJR 0213 – Modification of Limitations on Property Assessment Increases
  • HB 0215 – Ad Valorem Taxation
  • HB 0217 – Land Use Regulations
  • HB 0225 – Consumer Fairness in Utility Rates
  • HB 0239 – Standards for Storm Water Systems
  • SB 0240 – Auxiliary Containers
  • SB 0258 – Public Records/Medical Examiners
  • SB 0260 – Removal, Storage, and Cleanup of Electric Vehicles
  • HB 0263 – Public Records
  • SJR 0270 – Homestead Property Exemption for Persons Age 65 or Older
  • SB 0272 – Homestead Exemption for Persons 65 and Older
  • SJR 0274 – Homestead Property Tax Benefits for Long-term Owners
  • SB 0276 – Homestead Prop. Tax Benefits for Long-Term Owners
  • SJR 0278 – Limitation on the Assessed Value of New Homestead Property
  • SB 0280 – Assessment of Homestead Property
  • SJR 0282 – Small Business Commercial Property Assessment Cap
  • HB 0283 – School Zone and Pedestrian Safety
  • SB 0284 – Assessment of Property Owned and Used by Small Businesses
  • SB 0286 – Homestead Assessment of Improvements
  • HB 0313 – Housing
  • HB 0323 – Parking on Public Property
  • SB 0324 – Transportation Concurrency
  • SB 0330 – First Responders Disability Provisions
  • HB 0347 – Adoption and Display of Flags by Governmental Entities
  • SB 0356 – Utility Terrain Vehicles
  • SB 0378 – Special Districts
  • SB 0380 – Legal Notices
  • HB 0393 – Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans
  • SB 0426 – Adoption and Display of Flags by Governmental Entities
  • SB 0446 – Large-scale County Destination Marketing Organizations
  • SB 0450 – Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans
  • SB 0454 – Tourist Development Taxes
  • HB 0455 – Protection of Historic Monuments and Memorials
  • SB 0456 – Tourist Development Tax
  • SB 0458 – Tourist Development Tax
  • SB 0460 – Special Elections
  • HB 0479 – Land and Water Management
  • SB 0496 – Protection of Historic Monuments and Memorials
  • SB 0498 – School Zone and Pedestrian Safety
  • SB 0508 – Landscape Irrigation
  • HB 0519 – Golf Cart Crossings
  • HB 0521 – Fines for Violations Detected by Traffic Infraction Detectors
  • SB 0526 – Construction Regulations
  • HB 0539 – Code Inspector Body Cameras
  • HB 0543 – Transportation
  • HB 0545 – Watercraft Restrictions Based on Energy Source
  • SJR 0550 – Prohibition on Levying Ad Valorem Taxes on Tangible Personal Prop.
  • SB 0552 – Prohibition on Levying Ad Valorem Taxes on Tangible Personal Prop.
  • SB 0558 – Standards for Stormwater Systems
  • HB 0575 – Auxiliary Containers
  • SB 0588 – Local Government Enforcement Actions
  • HB 0597 – Special Elections
  • SB 0602 – Watercraft Restrictions Based on Energy Source
  • HB 0605 – Prohibited Uses of Public Funds by Political Subdivisions
  • HB 0607 – Industries and Professional Activities
  • HB 0611 – Landscape Irrigation
  • HB 0617 – Assessment of Property Used for Residential Purposes
  • HB 0629 – Regulation of Auxiliary Containers
  • HB 0635 – Cybersecurity Standards and Liability
  • SB 0636 – Beach Management
  • SB 0650 – Local Business Taxes
  • SB 0652 – Mobile Homes
  • HB 0653 – Electric Vehicle Charging Taxation
  • HB 0669 – Public Mooring Fields
  • HB 0673 – Release of Conservation Easements
  • HB 0675 – Affordable Housing
  • SB 0680 – Electric Vehicle Charging Taxation
  • SB 0692 – Cybersecurity Standards and Liability
  • HB 0693 – Health & Human Services
  • HB 0699 – Design Professional Contracts
  • HB 0713 – Locations of Sheriffs’ Offices
  • SB 0718 – Water Management
  • HB 0739 – Disability Provisions for First Responders.
  • SB 0750 – Alternative Plans Review and Building Inspection
  • HB 0751 – Infrastructure and Resiliency
  • SB 0752 – Taxation of First-time Buyers
  • SB 0756 – Affordable Housing
  • HB 0759 – Court Fees
  • SB 0766 – Waste Management
  • SB 0770 – Public Records
  • HJR 0787 – County and School District Ad Valorem Taxing Authority
  • HB 0789 – Ad Valorem Tax Levies
  • HB 0791 – Tax/Sales Taxes
  • HJR 0793 – Assessment of Inherited Homestead Property
  • HB 0795 – Transfer of Homestead Property by Inheritance
  • SB 0798 – Locations of Sheriffs’ Offices
  • HB 0799 – Ad Valorem Tax Revenue in Fiscally Constrained Counties
  • SB 0804 – Electric Vehicle Registration Fees
  • HB 0819 – Medical Examiners’ Duties
  • HB 0827 – Disclosure of Estimated Ad Valorem Taxes
  • HB 0833 – Private School Facilities
  • SB 0842 – Local Government Official Salaries
  • HB 0853 – Mobile Home Park Regulations
  • HB 0855 – Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
  • SB 0856 – Disclosure of Estimated Ad Valorem Taxes
  • HB 0865 – Local Regulation of Drinking Straws and Stirrers
  • SB 0888 – Professional Services Contracts
  • HJR 0903 – Assessed Value of Non-homestead Property
  • HB 0911 – Florida Building Code Construction Requirements
  • SB 0912 – Battery Collection and Recovery
  • SB 0932 – Ad Valorem Tax Revenue in Fiscally Constrained Counties
  • SB 0938 – Conservation Easements
  • SB 0940 – Municipal Water and Sewer Utility Rates, Fees, and Charges
  • SB 0948 – Local Government Land Development Regulations and Orders
  • HB 0957 – Deferred and Unpaid Taxes
  • SB 0958 – Local Regulation of Drinking Straws and Stirrers
  • SB 0968 – Home Backup Power Systems
  • HB 0981 – Tributaries of St. Johns River
  • HB 1009 – Gov. Agency Publication of Ads and Public Notices
  • HB 1011 – Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Fees
  • SB 1018 – Deferred Compensation Plans for Public Employees
  • HB 1033 – Procedures for Discharging Persons to Avoid Homelessness
  • SB 1042 – Public Waters
  • HB 1049 – Building Permit Requirements
  • SB 1058 – Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
  • HB 1065 – Public Employee Housing Benefits
  • SB 1066 – Tributaries of the St. Johns River
  • HB 1067 – Battery Collection and Disposal
  • SB 1072 – Antisemitism Task Force
  • HB 1075 – Utilities
  • HB 1077 – Funding for Body Cameras
  • SB 1080 – Transportation
  • HB 1089 – Waste Facilities
  • HB 1095 – Clerks, Comptrollers & SOE Salaries
  • SB 1102 – Funding for Body Cameras
  • HB 1109 – Services During a State of Emergency
  • SB 1118 – Public Records/Data Centers
  • HB 1125 – Local Government Salaries and Benefits
  • HB 1129 – First Responders
  • HB 1131 – Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Nonprofit Homes for the Aged
  • SB 1132 – Procedures for Discharging Persons to Avoid Homelessness
  • HB 0139 – Adverse Personnel Actions and Ethics Complains
  • HB 1143 – Local Government Land Development Regulations and Orders
  • SB 1164 – Gambling
  • HB 1165 – Certified Recovery Residences
  • HB 1167 – Advanced Wastewater Treatment
  • HB 1177 – Spaceport Operations and Space Florida
  • HB 1173 – Boating-restricted Areas
  • HB 1183 – Transportation Infrastructure Land Development Regulations
  • SB 1184 – Homestead Assessment Limitation Transfer
  • SB 1188 – Municipal Water and Sewer Utility Rates
  • HB 1189 – Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Affirmative Action
  • HB 1193 – Residential Living Arrangements
  • SB 1196 – Waste Facilities
  • SB 1200 – Regulation of Public Swimming Pools and Bathing Places
  • SB 1208 – Sovereign Immunity of County Constitutional Officers in Tort Actions
  • SJR 1210 – Transfer of Homestead Property by Inheritance
  • SB 1212 – Transfer of Homestead Property by Inheritance
  • HB 1233 – Transportation
  • SB 1218 – Building Requirements of Certain Structures
  • HB 1227 – Preemption to the State
  • SB 1238 – Residential Living Arrangements
  • HB 1251 – Expenditure of Public Funds by Local Governments
  • SB 1254 – Rapid Rail Transit Compact
  • HB 1257 – Tax/Documentary Stamp Tax to Fund Down Payment Assistance
  • HB 1259 – Trust Funds/Creation/First-time Homebuyer Assis. Program Trust Fund
  • SB 1260– Services During a State of Emergency
  • SB 1274 – Transportation
  • HJR 1275 – Prohibition on Levying Ad Valorem Taxes on Tangible Personal Prop.
  • HB 1277 – Prohibition on Levying Ad Valorem Taxes on Tangible Personal Prop.
  • SB 1286 – First Responders
  • HB 1289 – Special Risk Class
  • SB 1290 – Recovery Residence Accountability and Protection Act
  • HB 1297 – Beach Management
  • HB 1303 – Department of Financial Services
  • SB 1304 – Special Risk Class
  • SB 1310 – Railroad Crossing Safety
  • HB 1317 – Protection of the Eastern Gulf Test and Training Range
  • SB 1320 – Tax Referenda
  • HB 1323 – Railroad Crossing Safety
  • SB 1342 – Transportation Infrastructure Land Development Regulations
  • SB 1350 – Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemptions
  • SB 1356 – Handling of Animals
  • HB 1365 – Right Turns at Inter. Using Traffic Infraction Detectors
  • SB 1386 – Blue-Green Algae Task Force Implementation
  • SB 1392 – Right Turns at Inter. Using Traffic Infraction Detectors
  • HB 1395 – Artificial Intelligence
  • SJR 1406 – Constitutional Amendment Approval Threshold
  • HJR 1411 – Assessment of Property with Decreasing Just Valuation
  • HB 1413 – Assessment of Property with Decreasing Just Valuation
  • SB 1420 – Local Utility Revenues
  • HB 1427 – Public Safety
  • SB 1430 – Ad Valorem Tax Exemption for Nonprofit Homes for the Aged
  • SB 1432 – Public Employee Housing Benefits
  • HB 1439 – Tax Referendums
  • SB 1444 – Preemption to the State
  • HB 1461 – Advanced Nuclear Reactors
  • SB 1468 – Advanced Wastewater Treatment
  • HB 1495 – Workforce Notice Requirements
  • SB 1512 – Space Florida
  • SB 1520 – Affordable Housing Property Tax Exemption
  • SB 1528 – Transferring Years of Creditable Service
  • HB 1545 – Homestead Tax Exemptions
  • SB 1572 – Department of Financial Services
  • SB 1584 – Senate Confirmation & Emergency Extension Approval
  • SB 1586 – Public Safety
  • SB 1598 – Elections
  • SB 1608 – Assessment of Property with Decreasing Just Valuation
  • SJR 1610 – Assessment of Property with Decreasing Just Valuation
  • SB 1628 – Net-zero Policies by Governmental Entities
  • SB 1642 – Gender Identity Employment Practices
  • SB 1662 – Prohibited Preferences
  • SB 1696 – Advanced Nuclear Reactors
  • SB 1698 – Employer Notice Requirements
  • HB 6005 – Special Districts
  • HB 6007 – Tourist Development Taxes
  • HB 6027 – Homestead Assessment Limitation Transfer
  • SB 1696 – Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Presented by the Florida Association of Counties, this initiative helps Floridians understand what’s at stake when it comes to local decision-making, public services, and the everyday systems that keep our communities strong. It’s about protecting what works, preserving what matters, and ensuring Florida remains a place where freedom and local decision-making go hand in hand.