Week 5 of the 2026 Legislative Session has concluded. Both chambers released their initial budget proposals, marking the beginning of what will likely be ongoing negotiations for the remainder of Session. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services legislative package drew significant attention this week, while much of the priority legislation AIF is tracking was not heard in committee. Data center legislation and broader development policy remain key focus areas as lawmakers head into next week.
SB 290 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
On Tuesday, February 10, SB 290 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was heard by the Senate Rules Committee and was reported favorably after being amended. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill enhances Florida’s approach on regulating the agriculture industry. The bill creates the Farmers Feeding Florida Program to ensure native, local ingredients are broadly available around the state. The bill also preempts local governments from passing ordinances that prohibit or restrict gas powered equipment used on lawns or agriculture lands.
Even though SB 290 was passed by the Rules Committee, it was heavily amended to ensure the agricultural product disparagement language was left out of the final bill. This language would have allowed agricultural companies to defend their products in court against individuals who deliberately spread false information. AIF opposed the amendment to remove this language.
SB 290 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.
AIF supports promoting Florida’s agricultural community and protecting those who choose to work on agriculture lands from unfair local ordinances that can change business practices and make working lands unaffordable.
HB 1139 – Impact Fees
On Tuesday, February 10, HB 1139 by Representative Richard Gentry (R-DeBary) was heard by the House State Affairs Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill creates clear requirements for local governments who impose impact fee increases under extraordinary circumstances. Specifically, the bill mandates local governments specifically justify each increase through a plan-based method. The bill also creates clear statutes for companies that litigate against local government impact fee increases or those who recover overpaid fees.
HB 1139 will now go to the House Floor for consideration.
AIF supports legislation that creates clear and reasonable pathways for landowners to develop their land responsibly. Ensuring local governments are using collected impact fees correctly is important in lowering home costs and creating housing throughout the state.
HB 105 - Local Government Enforcement Actions
On Tuesday, February 10, HB 105 by Representative Robert Brackett (R-Vero Beach) was heard by the House Judiciary Committee and reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill creates the Local Government Regulatory Accountability Act which will prevent local governments from certain inconsistent policies regarding development. The bill also establishes a formal review period for parties who want to request a reconsideration of enforcement actions when applying for certain permits or enforcement actions. The legislation also includes whistleblower protections for employees who report improper enforcement and preempts local laws that conflict with these standards.
HB 105 will now go to the House Floor for consideration
AIF supports laws that make it faster and easier to receive permits so homes can continue to be built across Florida. With housing costs rising, building more homes can help increase supply and keep prices affordable for families.
SB 686 - Agricultural Enclaves
On Tuesday, February 10, SB 686 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill significantly expands and clarifies Florida’s agricultural enclave framework by creating a faster, more predictable pathway for certain agriculturally used parcels surrounded by development to transition to residential use, while limiting local government discretion. The bill allows qualifying landowners to seek certification as an agricultural enclave, imposes firm timelines on local governments to act, and provides automatic approval if deadlines are missed, along with judicial review if an application is denied.
SB 686 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.
AIF supports responsible growth by allowing limited, well-planned development on land surrounded by existing infrastructure to help ease the housing shortage in Florida.
SB 1434 - Infill Redevelopment
On Tuesday, February 10, SB 1434 by Senator Calatayud (R-Miami) was heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
This bill allows environmentally impacted land in dense urban counties to be used by streamlining redevelopment and removing local regulatory barriers that restrict housing supply. The legislation preempts restrictive zoning rules, limits local interference, and creates uniform development standards.
SB 1434 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.
AIF supports laws that make it faster and easier to receive permits so homes can continue to be built across Florida. With housing costs rising, building more homes can help increase supply and keep prices affordable for families.
HB 405 - Commercial Construction Projects
On Wednesday, February 11, HB 405 by Representative Griff Griffitts (R-Panama City) was heard on the House Floor and was temporarily postponed. AIF supports this legislation.
The bill makes reforms to Florida’s home construction process by regulating Florida’s permitting process and mitigating delays by local governments. The bill preempts certain building design elements that are purely aesthetic without any functional purposes. The bill will standardize construction processes and make it easier for responsible developers to build on the land they own.
HB 405 will stay on the House Floor for consideration.
AIF supports legislation that encourages responsible development and limits local government’s ability to deter development via permits and fees. Responsible development is key to assisting in mitigating the affordability issues in Florida.
SB 806 – Consumers’ Right to Repair Certain Equipment
On Wednesday, February 11, SB 806 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was heard on the Senate Floor and passed. AIF opposes this legislation.
SB 806 establishes new guidelines to mandate manufacturers share documentation, tools, and parts to device owners and independent repair providers to use on devices. The bill creates the Agriculture Equipment Fair Repair Act which mandates certain repair and manufacturing information be available to independent providers and owners. The bill prohibits original equipment manufacturers from excluding some security related functions.
SB 806 will now go to the House for consideration.
In its current form, AIF opposes SB 806 as it would allow intellectual property that is developed and owned by manufacturers, to be readily available for distribution by entities that are not associated with the manufacturer. These reforms could result in higher repair costs for products ranging from smartphones to heavy machinery.
HB 951 – One-Cent Piece
On Wednesday, February 11, HB 951 by Representative Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) was heard by the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
This bill clarifies the rounding rules for cash change in the future after the Federal Government stopped production of the penny. Depending on the change owed, the business may round up or down to avoid using a penny.
HB 951 will now go to the House Commerce Committee for consideration.
AIF supports clarifying language in Florida Statutes for the business community to follow while dispensing cash change. As the penny becomes less common, making sure the state has clear and concise procedures will become increasingly important.
SB 1074 – One-Cent Piece
On Thursday, February 12, SB 1074 by Senator Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola) was heard by the Senate Finance and Tax Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
This bill clarifies the rounding rules for cash change in the future after the Federal Government stopped production of the penny. Depending on the change owed, the business may round up or down to avoid using a penny.
SB 1074 will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
AIF supports clarifying language in Florida Statutes for the business community to follow while dispensing cash change. As the penny becomes less common, making sure the state has clear and concise procedures will become increasingly important.
HB 339 - Advertisement of a Harmful Vaccine
On Wednesday, February 11, HB 339by Representative Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay) was heard by the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in opposition of this legislation.
The bill would create a new personal injury cause of action targeting vaccine manufacturers that advertise in Florida, subjecting them to strict liability regardless of whether a vaccine is defective. Existing federal law already limits manufacturer liability and provides compensation programs for injuries associated with most vaccines. For the limited number of vaccines not covered by these programs, individuals who allege injury currently retain the right to bring a direct lawsuit against the manufacturer in court.
HB 339 will now go to the House Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee for consideration.
AIF opposes any legislation that allows for frivolous lawsuits to be filed against companies, especially when there are already federal laws and regulations in place. Frivolous lawsuits continue to drive up healthcare costs for Floridians.
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