Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis receives 37 bills. Here’s when they could take effect (2024)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received another batch of 37 bills from the Legislature, covering a range of subjects like left-lane camping, new license plates, and antisemitism.

If approved, many of these bills would take effect on July 1. For a full list of laws going into effect next month, click here.

According to the Legislative analyses, each of the newly received bills is as follows:

HB 21 — Dozier School for Boys

House Bill 21 aims to create a compensation program for victims of the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys.

That reform school opened in Marianna back in 1900, and it was used to house children as young as 5 years old who were committed for various offenses, ranging from truancy to murder. In addition, the school housed orphaned children when necessary.

But abuse allegations began as early as 1903, with reports of children being chained in irons, whipped, severely beaten, sexually abused, tortured and even killed. Some of these accounts alleged that staff forced the boys to fight one another for their entertainment.

In 1955, the Florida School for Boys at Okeechobee opened up to address overcrowding at the Dozier School. Some staff members from the Dozier School were also transferred over.

Eventually, a federal investigation uncovered “harmful practices” at the Dozier School, and it was closed in 2011 (though state official cited budget constraints). The Okeechobee School was later closed in 2020.

However, over 400 men sent to either of these schools in the mid-1900s have come forward about their experiences in recent years, calling themselves the “White House Boys” after a white structure at the Dozier School where many boys were reportedly beaten.

In addition, researchers from the University of South Florida recently discovered human remains at 55 unmarked graves on the Dozier School’s property. Some of these remains had signs of gunshot wounds or blunt force trauma, and at least one set of remains belonged to a child listed as missing in the school’s records.

As a result, this bill would establish the Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program to compensate anyone confined in these schools between 1940 and 1975 who suffered abuse by staff members.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 23 — Public Records (Dozier School for Boys)

House Bill 23 aims to protect the personal information of those applying under the Dozier School for Boys and Okeechobee School Victim Compensation Program.

Under this bill, that information would be exempt from public records. However, the exemption would be repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 unless reenacted by the Legislature, per the Open Government Sunset Review Act.

If approved, the bill would take effect at the same time as HB 21.

HB 91 — Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway

House Bill 91 aims to designate portions of State Road A1A as the “Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.”

Under this bill, the highway designation would stretch through Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River, Brevard, Volusia, Flagler, St. Johns, Duval, and Nassau counties. In addition, the FDOT would be required to set up markers by Aug. 30.

If approved, the bill would take effect upon being signed.

HB 133 — Barber Criminal History

House Bill 133 aims to amend state statutes regarding criminal history reviews of people applying to be licensed as a barber or a cosmetologist.

Under this bill, the timeframe that state officials would have to deny such a license based on a criminal conviction would be reduced from five years to three years.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 165 — Beach Waters

House Bill 165 aims to require — rather than simply allow — the FDOH to adopt rules and issue health advisories related to problems with water quality at beaches or public bathing places.

In addition, the FDOH would have to close these places down if they fail to meet water quality standards, so as to protect public health.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 187 — Antisemitism

House Bill 187 aims to define the term “antisemitism” under state law.

While the term “anti-Semitism” already exists under Florida statutes, HB 187 would define “antisemitism” as follows:

“...A certain perception of Jewish individuals which may be expressed as hatred toward such individuals. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish and non-Jewish individuals and their property toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”

House Bill 187

Examples of “antisemitism” under this bill include calling for the deaths of or stereotyping Jewish people. It also includes examples like Holocaust denial.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 317 — Left-Lane Highway Camping

House Bill 317 aims to ban left-wing camping while driving on the highway.

Under this bill, drivers on a roadway with at least two lanes and a speed limit of at least 65 mph may only use the furthermost left-hand lane when passing another vehicle, preparing to exit, or when directed by a traffic control device.

Those who violate this law would face fines of up to $158.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2025.

HB 321 — Releasing Balloons

House Bill 321 aims to prevent Florida residents from releasing balloons into the atmosphere.

According to the bill, people would not be allowed to intentionally release — or cause someone else to release — a balloon “inflated with a gas that is lighter than air.”

A few exceptions to the rule are as follows:

• If a balloon is released on behalf of a government agency for scientific or meteorological purposes

• Hot-air balloons if they’re recovered after launching

• Balloons released indoors

• The person who releases the balloon is 6 years old or younger

Under the bill, violations would be treated as littering and could be penalized under state law.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 389 — Highway Designations

House Bill 389 aims to create 17 designations for various transportation facilities across the state at the following locations:

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 403 — New License Plates

House Bill 403 aims to introduce new specialty license plates for Florida drivers.

Some of these new license plates — at an annual use fee of $25 — include:

• Margaritaville

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• Clearwater Marine Aquarium

• The Villages

• Recycle Florida

• Universal Orlando

For a full list of license plates introduced under this bill, click here.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 473 — Cybersecurity Liability

House Bill 473 relates to cybersecurity training standards in the state.

Current law requires local governments to implement such standards, and HB 473 would clear compliant local governments of liability in the case of a “cybersecurity incident.”

This liability exemption would also apply to third-party firms that store personal data if their standards align with state and federal regulations.

However, this bill would not establish a private cause of action, nor would its provisions apply to existing lawsuits.

If approved, the bill would take effect upon being signed.

HB 479 — Alternative Mobility

House Bill 479 aims to define “mobility fee” and “mobility plan” for the state’s Community Planning Act.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 619 — Sovereign Immunity

House Bill 619 aims to amend state statutes regarding sovereign immunity, which bars lawsuits against the state with certain exceptions.

Under this bill, that immunity would be expanded to professional firms and employees that are contracted with the FDOT.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 725 — Veterans’ Long-Term Care

House Bill 725 aims to expand the eligibility for residency at a state veteran’s home to include the veteran’s spouse or the surviving spouse of a qualified veteran.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 799 — Easem*nts

House Bill 799 aims to allow property owners to create an easem*nt in their property, even in areas where the owner owns all of the affected property.

If approved, the bill would take effect upon being signed.

HB 821 — Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District

House Bill 821 involves the Melbourne-Tillman Water Control District, a special district in Brevard County.

This bill would increase the maximum stormwater management user fee that the district may charge.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 885 — Biomarker Testing

House Bill 885 aims to require coverage under the state group insurance plan and Medicaid for biomarker testing.

This method allows physicians to diagnose or treat a patient’s disease or condition by examining biological factors like genes, proteins or other bodily substances.

Under the bill, the Medicaid program would be required to implement the added coverage by Oct. 1, and it would be applicable to the state group insurance policies starting on Jan. 1, 2025.

The bill was signed on Tuesday and takes effect on July 1. — except for the Medicaid provisions, which will take effect on Oct. 1.

HB 1063 — Chiropractic Medicine

House Bill 1063 aims to require the Board of Chiropractic Medicine to establish new requirements regarding chiropractic medicine.

Specifically, the board would have to set minimum practice standards and education requirements for chiropractic physicians to perform dry needling — a technique used to alleviate pain and increase a patient’s range of motion.

If approved, the bill would take effect upon being signed.

HB 1109 — Security at Jewish Schools

House Bill 1109 aims to fund Jewish schools and preschools in the state for security hardening.

Under this bill, those funds could be used to buy and install security cameras, perimeter lighting, fencing, shatter-resistant glass windows, and security personnel.

These purchases must be based on a risk assessment performed by law enforcement or a private security company.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 1241 — Probation Violations

House Bill 1241 aims to amend state statutes regarding probation violations.

Under this bill, the following changes would be implemented:

• Requires a court to modify — rather than revoke — probation if the subject meets certain conditions and has less than two previous probation violations

• Limits the jail sentence a court may impose for a “low-risk violation” to 90 days for the first time, and 120 days for the second time

• Requires a court to hold a hearing on a low-risk violation within 30 days after the subject’s arrest

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 1329 — Veterans

House Bill 1329 aims to create the Major John Leroy Haynes Florida Veterans’ History Program within the Department of State’s Division of Arts and Culture.

The bill would expand the employment outreach services of Veterans Florida, as well as exempt certain disabled veterans from having to pay fees related to hunting and fishing licenses.

In addition, this bill would require middle- and high-school students to be taught about the history and importance of Veterans’ Day and Memorial Day.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

HB 1347 — Consumer Finance Loans

House Bill 1347 aims to amend state statutes regarding the Florida Consumer Finance Act.

Lenders in the state are prohibited from making consumer finance loans unless authorized under the Act, though licensed lenders can make certain types of loans so long as they align with the state’s guidelines (a tiered interest rate structure).

This bill would prohibit the operation of a lending branch that makes such loans without first obtaining a license.

In addition, the bill would increase the maximum interest rate and principal amount in the tiered interest rate structure as follows:

• 36% per year — Applied to the first $10,000 of the principal amount

• 30% per year — Applied to the amount of the principal above $10,000 and below $20,000

• 24% per year — Applied to the amount of the principal above $20,000 and below $25,000

With these new calculations, the maximum interest rate allowed on the following loan amounts would be:

SB 62 — Residency Status for Tuition Purposes

Senate Bill 62 would prevent people from losing their residency status for tuition purposes due to incarceration in a state or federal correctional facility.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 280 — Vacation Rentals

Senate Bill 280 aims to revise the state’s regulation of vacation rentals.

While current law prohibits local governments from prohibiting vacation rentals, this prohibition doesn’t apply to any local ordinances that were adopted on or before June 1, 2011.

As such, this bill would allow these local governments to change such ordinances made on or prior to June 1, 2011 to changes these ordinances to be less restrictive. However, this doesn’t impact ordinances in areas of critical state concern.

The bill would also set more limits on how local governments can regulate vacation rentals, such as the timeframes before relevant fines can be issued, registration programs, and the regulation of advertising platforms related to vacation rentals.

Under this bill, state officials would be allowed to issue temporary licenses to permit owners to operate their vacation rentals while the license application is pending. This rule would kick in on Jan. 1, 2025.

In addition, advertising platforms would have to verify the validity of vacation rental license numbers and remove listings that fail to display a valid number. This rule would kick in on July 1, 2026.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1 — except as otherwise noted.

SB 494 — Graduate Program Admissions

Senate Bill 494 would require colleges to waive the GRE and GMAT for servicemembers.

This also applies to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, the Florida National Guard, or the U.S. Reserve Forces and were discharged or released under any condition other than dishonorable.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 674 — U.S.-Produced Iron and Steel

Senate Bill 674 aims to require that iron or steel products used in public works projects be produced in the U.S.

This requirement is waived under the following conditions:

• The iron or steel products that are required for the project aren’t produced in the U.S. in sufficient qualities, aren’t reasonably available, or aren’t of satisfactory quality.

• The use of these products will increase the total cost of the project by more than 20%.

• Compliance with this requirement is inconsistent with the public interest.

Foreign-made iron or steel materials would be allowed for minimal use in these projects if they’re ancillary to the primary product and the cost of the materials is no more than 0.10% of the contract cost (or $2,500 — whichever is greater).

These provisions also don’t apply to contracts under the FDOT.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 736 — Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Senate Bill 736 aims to make several changes regarding the programs under the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Specifically, these changes include:

• Allowing the DHSMV to issue reduced-dimension license plates for trailers

• Providing that disabled veterans who qualify for a free “DV” license plate may choose a military or specialty license plate that he/she qualifies for in lieu of the “DV” plate

• Removing the requirement to provide written, notarized requests for the purchase of a temporary tag

• Authorizing permanent motor vehicle registration decals for rental trucks that weigh under 15,000 pounds

• Clarifying that no additional fees can be charged by the DHSMV or tax collector for the reissuance of a certificate of title that becomes lost in transit

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 770 — Property Improvements

Senate Bill 770 aims to amend the Property Assessed Clean Energy program, which lets property owners make certain improvements to real property using annual non-ad valorem tax assessments.

The bill would expand the range of projects that local PACE programs can finance, such as:

• Repairing/replacing/improving a roof

• Improving waste systems

• Raising structures above flood elevation

• Building/repairing a flood diversion apparatus

• Installing energy-efficient heating, cooling or ventilation systems

• Replacing/installing insulation

• Replacing/installing energy-efficient water heaters

• Improving renewable energy systems — Commercial property only

• Installing electric vehicle charging equipment — Commercial property only

• Installing efficient lighting equipment — Commercial property only

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 1078 — Public Records (Department of Financial Services)

Senate Bill 1078 aims to provide a public records exemption for cell phone numbers submitted to the Department of Financial Services as part of the application process for a two-factor authentication of login credentials.

However, the exemption would be repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 unless reenacted by the Legislature, per the Open Government Sunset Review Act.

If approved, the bill would take effect upon being signed.

SB 1082 — Worker Housing

Senate Bill 1082 aims to prevent local governments from inhibiting the construction or installation of housing for certain agricultural workers.

This bill would apply to agricultural lands so long as the housing meets certain state-defined criteria related to location and construction.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 1198 — Corporate Actions

Senate Bill 1198 aims to provide a ratification process for corporate actions that might not have been properly authorized and for shares that could be improperly issued.

This procedure is only meant to be available when there is objective evidence that a corporate action was “defectively implemented.”

The bill would only apply to the following types of firms:

• LLC

• Corporation

• Corporation not for profit

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 1582 — Florida Department of Health

Senate Bill 1582 aims to amend several provisions regarding the FDOH.

Specifically, these changes include the following:

• Creating a new position — the “Environmental Health Technician” (EHT) — and allowing the EHT to perform septic tank inspections without a four-year degree

• Creating the Andrew John Anderson Pediatric Rare Disease Grant Program to invest in researching cures for rare pediatric diseases

• Standardizing the hearing-screening requirements for newborns, infants and toddlers at hospitals, licensed birth facilities, and birth centers

• Allowing certain applicants for licensure as a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center 90 days to fix problems with an application

The bill was signed on Tuesday and takes effect on July 1.

SB 1600 — Interstate Mobility

Senate Bill 1600 aims to require officials in the DBPR to allow licensure by endorsem*nt if an applicant meets certain criteria, such as having held a valid license issued by another state for at least five years prior.

In addition, the bill would require the FDOH to issue licenses by endorsem*nt for applicants within seven days of receiving all required documents for certain health care professions.

If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.

SB 7014 — Ethics Investigations

Senate Bill 7014 aims to create timeframes for completing investigations into alleged ethics violations.

Specifically, the bill would require that a preliminary investigation begin within 30 days after receiving a sufficient complaint.

If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.

SB 7040 — Stormwater Rules

Senate Bill 7040 aims to ratify the Department of Environmental Protection’s revisions to its stormwater rules.

These revisions include preventing firms from having to undergo duplicate inspections for the same best management practices, allowing stormwater management systems if an applicant demonstrates that the designs meet performance standards, and letting redevelopment projects in areas with impaired water use alternative treatment standards.

If approved, the bill would take effect upon being signed.

SB 7072 — Cancer Research Funding

Senate Bill 7072 revises state statutes regarding the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program.

Under this bill, the program would be established to promote the provision of high-quality health care for people undergoing cancer treatments in Florida.

In addition, the bill would make other changes related to funding cancer research in the state.

The bill was signed on Tuesday and takes effect on July 1.

SB 7078 — Public Records (Cancer Research)

Senate Bill 7078 aims to create a public records exemption for proprietary business information related to the review of research grant applications under SB 7072.

However, the exemption would be repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 unless reenacted by the Legislature, per the Open Government Sunset Review Act.

The bill was signed on Tuesday and takes effect on the same date as SB 7072.

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