TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis received another batch of 10 bills on Thursday, covering issues like public record exemptions and state rule changes.
He has until June 14 to act on these bills.
Recommended Videos
According to the Legislative Analyses, these bills would do the following:
HB 103 — Attorney Public Records
House Bill 103 aims to create public record exemptions for local government attorneys, including county and city attorneys.
Under this bill, the following information about such attorneys would be exempt from public record requirements:
- Home addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Dates of birth
- Photographs
- Names of spouses and children
- Names and location of schools/daycares attended by attorney’s children
However, these exemptions don’t apply to local government attorneys who are running for public office. In addition, these exemptions would be automatically repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 thanks to the Open Government Sunset Review Act unless reenacted by lawmakers.
If signed, this bill would go into effect on July 1.
HB 379 — State Contract Public Records
House Bill 379 aims to create a public record exemption for prospective bidders on state projects.
Under current state law, to prequalify for bidding on a Florida Department of Transportation construction project, contractors must be able to prove their financial health.
HB 379 would exempt the financial information necessary to verify a prospective bidder’s financial adequacy from public disclosure.
However, this exemption would be automatically repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 thanks to the Open Government Sunset Review Act unless reenacted by lawmakers.
If signed, this bill would go into effect on July 1.
HB 521 — Distribution of Marital Assets
House Bill 521 aims to amend state statutes regarding the distribution of marital assets during a divorce.
Specifically, the bill clarifies the circumstances that justify an interim partial distribution, providing a list of factors that courts can use to determine whether interim partial distribution should be used.
HB 521 would also require that interspousal gifts of real property be made in writing, and the bill would recognize that enterprise goodwill in a business should also be distributed as a marital asset.
If signed, this bill would go into effect on July 1.
HB 741 — Hillsboro Beach
House Bill 741 aims to create an exception to Florida’s Beverage Law.
Specifically, the bill would let the Department of Business and Professional Regulation issue a special alcoholic beverage license to any residential condominium in Hillsboro Beach on the following conditions:
- No fewer than 50 condo units in a single building or multiple buildings under the control and operation of the same association of condo owners
- Is owned by or rented to nontransients
- Is licensed as a food service establishment under state law
Under this bill, these licenses could only be issued to whichever entity is managing the food and beverage operations of the condominium, though sales under this license may only go to residents or guests for consumption on the premises during the hours when food is sold.
If signed, this bill would go into effect immediately.
HB 923 — Wills and Estates
House Bill 923 aims to amend state statutes regarding probate records — those involved in gathering and distributing a dead person’s assets.
This bill would expand the types of probate records that a clerk must file, including orders determining beneficiaries.
In addition, the bill would make certain clarifications to state law to reduce the risk of unintended forfeitures of community property rights.
If signed, this bill would go into effect immediately.
HB 983 — Clerk Public Records
House Bill 983 aims to amend state statutes regarding public records exemptions for public officials.
Under this bill, an exemption would be created for clerks of circuit courts, deputy clerks of circuit courts, clerk personnel, and their families. The exempted information includes the following:
- Home addresses
- Telephone numbers
- Dates of birth
- Photographs
- Names of spouses and children
- Names and location of schools/daycares attended by clerk’s children
These exemptions would be automatically repealed on Oct. 2, 2029 thanks to the Open Government Sunset Review Act unless reenacted by lawmakers.
If signed, this bill would go into effect on July 1.
HB 1267 — Economic Self-Sufficiency
House Bill 1267 aims to revise certain parts of the TANF, SNAP, and School Readiness programs.
The bill would create case management as a transitional benefit for families getting off of Temporary Cash Assistance. It would also let participation in adult general education exam prep count toward certain TCA work requirements.
In addition, the bill would require the DCF to expand mandatory SNAP Employment and Training participation to include adults ages 18-59 without children in the home.
Beyond that, the bill seeks to create the School Readiness Plus Program, which gives money to families who no longer qualify for school readiness program funding.
If signed, this bill would take effect on July 1.
SB 702 — Attorney Fees
Senate Bill 702 aims to require courts to award reasonable attorney fees to prevailing defendants during certain civil cases.
Specifically, the bill involves civil cases about property rights — such as title disputes, boundary disputes, and easement disputes — where improvements made by a defendant property owner primarily complied with regulatory approvals issued by a political subdivision of the state.
If signed, this bill would go into effect immediately.
SB 984 — Judgment Liens
Senate Bill 984 aims to amend legislation passed last year regarding judgment liens.
These changes include the following:
- Clarifying that a judgment lien in payment intangibles and accounts only applies to property interests that are located in the state.
- Allows filing of a corrective judgment lien certificate
- Provide that the Uniform Commercial Code lien priority law prevails over the lien priority of the statute on judgments
- Allow an account debtor to pay a judgment creditor instead of paying the judgment debtor through a settlement agreement between the judgment creditor and the judgment debtor without the need for a final order directing the payment
If signed, this bill would go into effect on July 1.
SB 1420 — Department of Commerce (DCM)
Senate Bill 1420 aims to make several changes regarding the Florida Department of Commerce.
Specifically, the bill would:
- create a Supply Chain Innovation Program within the DCM and require the department to jointly select grants with the FDOT.
- specify that an HOA’s proposed revived declaration of covenants and articles of incorporation and bylaws must be submitted to the DCM within 60 days of obtaining valid written consent from the majority of affected parcel owners (or within 60 days after the documents are approved by the owners by vote at a meeting).
- require the DCM to establish a direct-support organization and rename the Florida Defense Support Task Force.
- provide that if a local government doesn’t hold a second public hearing and adopt a comprehensive plan amendment within 180 days after the DCM provides comments, the amendment is considered withdrawn.
If signed, this bill would go into effect on July 1.
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: