Jan. 24, 2025 | Legislative Reporter
The 2025 Legislative Session convenes on March 4 and is scheduled to end on May 2. This past week was a quiet one. Due to the winter storm hitting the Panhandle, interim committee meetings were canceled for the week and rescheduled for next week. Additionally, Speaker Perez extended the deadline for filing House Member bills to Jan. 29.
Earlier this month, Governor DeSantis called for a special session to be held on Jan. 27- 31. The session will focus on combating illegal immigration, condominium regulation, agricultural relief in response to natural disasters, replenishing the My Safe Florida Home program, and the citizens’ initiative petition process.
The Bill Tracking Report, as of Jan. 24, can be viewed here. Please review it to see the bills filed that APA Florida is tracking. Note that if you click on the bill number, you will be linked to more information about the bill. If you would like any bills added to this report or would like more information about a specific bill, please contact Stefanie Svisco at ssvisco@floridaplanning.org
Since the last week’s Legislative Reporter, the following bills of interest have been filed:
HB 211 (Rep. Cobb) revises the definition of “farm product” in s.163.3162, to include both edible and nonedible plants and plant products; clarifies that activities protected under bona fide farm operation include, but are not limited to, the collection, storage, processing, and distribution of farm products; and reenacts s.163.3177(7)(b), related to the definition of “rural agricultural industrial center” to incorporate these changes.
SB 298 (Sen. Wright) amends the ad valorem tax exemption requirements for nonprofit homes for the aged.
SB 310 (Sen. Sharief) amends the Historic Cemeteries Program to require that, if a historic African-American cemetery with excess vacant land sells or enters into a contract to sell such land for the express purpose of funding the cemetery’s long-term maintenance and upkeep, the local government where such cemetery is located must approve an application to change the land use designation and zoning of such land to match the most permissive land use category and zoning district adjacent to the excess property.
SB 318 (Sen. Truenow) is a Senate Joint Resolution that proposes a constitutional amendment for an ad valorem tax exemption, beginning with the 2027 tax roll, for tangible personal property, meets all of the following conditions: a) is located on property classified as agricultural land, as specified by general law; b) used in the production of agricultural products or for agritourism activities; c) is owned by the landowner or leaseholder of the agricultural land.
Legislative News
Lawmakers seek money amid belt-tightening
The News Service of Florida | Tallahassee Reports | Jan. 23
DeSantis calls Trump’s executive orders on immigration ‘a great road map’ for the state to follow Mitch Perry | Florida Phoenix | Jan. 21
DeSantis warns Florida lawmakers not to defy him on immigration: ‘It would be very, very hazardous’ Isa Dominguez and Gary Fineout | Politico | Jan. 23
$7 million will be given to military communities in Florida Florida Daily | Jan 23
Florida among states with highest grocery prices
Ed Dean | Florida Daily | Jan. 23
Farm country is feeling the impact of the rare Arctic blast RFD-TV | Jan. 23
Florida saw its largest snowfall in history Chris Bouzakis | MSNBC