2025 Legislative Session: Numerous Measures Proposed by Lawmakers

TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers convened at the Florida Capitol for the regular legislative session on March 4. Numerous bills have been introduced this session touching on varying issues from firearms, environment, education, taxes, local government structure, and term limits, among other topics.

Proposed bills have to make their way through the legislative process, including initial readings, committee reviews, and floor votes before going before the governor to be signed into law.

Here are just some of the bills up for consideration:

Changes to Ballot Petition Process

HB 1205 would make significant changes to Florida’s citizen-led constitutional amendment process. Critics of the proposed measure argue that such a bill would make it more challenging for citizens to use their constitutional right to take action on issues when legislators decline to do so. Proponents say the measure will add needed reforms that would enhance integrity and accountability and curtail fraud within the citizen-initiative process.

Provisions of the bill include prohibiting sponsors from sponsoring more than one amendment at a time, requiring sponsors to register as political committees, and mandating a $1 million bond. Sponsors must also submit affirmations regarding the criminal background and citizenship status of signature collectors. 

The measure also proposes mandatory training for petition circulators, updates procedures for signature verification, and imposes stricter penalties for violations, including classifying violations of the Florida Election Code related to petition activities as racketeering.

In addition, provisions would require a financial information statement for initiatives and summaries of these statements to be issued to election supervisors for distribution at polling places and online publication. The measure would also allow voters to revoke their signatures and would require supervisors of elections to verify signatures within specified timeframes.

The bill was sponsored by Fort Myers Republican Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka.

Local Government Impact Fees

HB 665 would amend various sections of Florida Statutes related to local government impact fees and development permits. The measure would prohibit a county from requiring an applicant to take certain actions as a condition of processing a development permit or order. The measure would also introduce a definition of "extraordinary circumstances," which pertains to population estimates and growth in relation to impact fees.

The provisions would mandate that a demonstrated-need study for increasing impact fees must include specific information about projects that will benefit from the increase and how they relate to the extraordinary circumstances.

Furthermore, the bill provides requirements for local governments to justify any increase in impact fees beyond established limitations, including completing a demonstrated-need study within the last 12 months and holding public workshops to discuss the “extraordinary circumstances.”

In 2021, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law HB 337 which prevents local governments from increasing impact fees more than once every four years and limits increases to 50%, but allows local governments to exceed those limits by providing a study showing need due to “extraordinary circumstances.”

The bill was introduced by Pasco County Republican Rep. Kevin Steele.

Former Phosphate Mining Lands: Legal Protections

SB 832 would provide certain legal defense for phosphate companies concerning “strict liability.” It would add a new defense for liability claims against former phosphate mine sites, stipulating that a cause of action can only arise if the condition is not a natural geological substance of the mine, provided that a notice has been recorded and the Department of Health has conducted a radiation survey.

Its provisions would allow the current landowner of such a site to record notice identifying their property as a former mine site. The bill would also mandate the Department of Health to conduct gamma radiation surveys upon request from landowners of former mine sites and would establish requirements for plaintiffs bringing legal actions to include a certified radiation survey with their complaints.

The measure was sponsored by Tampa Bay Republican Rep. Danny Burgess.

Property Tax Homestead Exemption

SB 1018 proposes an increase of the homestead tax exemption amount from $25,000 to $75,000 for all levies, except for assessments for special benefits. The measure would also remove the additional exemption of up to $25,000 for assessed valuations greater than $50,000 for all levies other than school district levies.

The provisions would apply to the assessed valuation of the residence and contiguous real property and clarify exemptions are to be applied before other homestead exemptions to ensure the lowest taxable value.

Proponents of the bill say such a measure will provide needed tax relief to Florida property owners. Still, if enacted, the measure could decrease local revenue, negatively impacting public services such as education, public works, and first responders like law enforcement and fire.

As of Friday, the bill had not completed its first reading. If the measure were to be approved by the legislature, it would require an amendment to the constitution to be enacted. Such an amendment would require voter approval during a general or special election.

Spring Hill Republican Senator Blaise Ingoglia introduced the bill.

Property Tax Elimination Study

SB 852 is another bill introduced this session related to property tax. The bill was submitted by Fort Myers Republican Senator Jonathan Martin.

If the measure were to pass, it would require a study to be conducted to examine the elimination of property taxes and how to make up the difference in uncollected revenue through sales tax increases and budget cuts.

The elimination of property taxes would require a constitutional amendment passed by voters.

Firearm Age Limits

HB 759 will reduce the state’s age limit for purchasing a long gun firearm from 21 to 18. The measure would roll back age restriction regulations signed into law by former Republican Gov. Rick Scott following the 2018 Parkland High School shooting.

The measure passed the Criminal Justice Subcommittee and will now go before the Judiciary Committee.

Proponents of the measure argue that 18 to 20-year-olds in Florida can vote, join the military, enter into contracts, marry, and be charged as adults within the justice system and that restricting the right to purchase firearms for those otherwise considered “adults” under the law is unconstitutional.

Opponents of the measure say that the measure that lowered the age following Parkland has likely saved lives.

The Parkland High School attacker was a 19-year-old who purchased the AR-15 rifle used in the assault from a gun store roughly a year before the shooting. Seventeen students and staff were killed in the incident.

Should the bill become law, it would let 18 to 20-year-olds buy long guns from licensed dealers statewide, while handguns would still require buyers to be at least 21 due to federal regulation.

HB 759 is sponsored by Escambia Republican Rep. Michelle Salzman.

Guns on College Campuses

SB 814 includes a provision that would allow individuals to carry concealed firearms on university and college campuses in Florida.

The bill language says that a person “may carry a firearm on the property of any college or university, including, but not limited to, any dormitory or residence hall owned or operated by a college or university, and in any other location he or she is legally authorized to do so.”

Opponents of the measure say it would lead to less safety on college campuses and potentially increase on-campus gun violence. The bill’s sponsor has argued the measure is necessary to protect students from “on-campus Muslim terror” and other potential threats.

Similar bills have been introduced in past legislative sessions but failed to gain approval.

Melbourne Beach Republican Senator Randy Fine introduced the bill.

Required Cursive in Grade School

HB 921 would require elementary schools to include cursive writing instruction in their curriculum beginning in the second grade.

The measure passed the Student Academic Success Subcommittee on Tuesday and was moved to the Education and Employment Committee. If successful there, the bill will move to the House floor.

The bill was introduced by Palm City Republican Rep. Toby Overdorf.

Cell Phones During School Day

HB 949 would prohibit public school students from using cell phones while on campus “during the school day.”

The proposed measure would go further than a law signed by Gov. DeSantis in 2023 that prohibited the use of wireless communications “during instructional time.”

The new measure includes that with the approval of school administrators, specific locations within school buildings or campuses may be designated as areas where students may use their devices with expressed permission.

Advocates of the measure argue that cell phones have become a growing distraction on school campuses, with social media leading to higher rates of depression among children and teens, and text applications and social media providing avenues for bullying and other unhealthy behaviors.

Critics of the measure argue that students should have access to cell phones in incidents of medical emergencies or campus threats/shooting.

The Education Administration Subcommittee voted in favor of the measure on Tuesday, sending it on to the Education and Employment Committee.

The bill was sponsored by Coral Gables Republican Rep. Demi Busatta.

Local Government Salaries

HB 1581 would revise requirements for the county commissioners' salary formula using population to calculate the rate to apply to non-chartered counties and municipalities.

It would also mandate that salary increases or other compensation for members of local governing bodies be approved by a majority of voters by referendum held during a presidential election year. The cost of the referendums would be the responsibility of the respective county, municipality, or special district.

The bill’s sponsors are Sarasota Republican Rep. James Buchanan and Cape Coral Republican Rep. Mike Giallombardo.

Bills Introduced by Representatives Serving Manatee County

Republican State Rep. Bill Conerly, District 72, representing portions of south and all of eastern Manatee County, including Lakewood Ranch, has sponsored nearly a dozen bills this session.

Among them is HB 247, which relates to affordable housing and specifically accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The measure would revise the definition of “ADU” to include certain manufactured homes.

If enacted, provisions of the bill would require, rather than authorize, local governments to adopt ordinances to allow ADUs in certain areas and prohibit such ordinances from increasing parking requirements. The measure would also authorize local governments to provide density bonus incentives to landowners who assist military families in obtaining affordable housing.

Another bill introduced by Conerly is HB 4055. The measure would mandate that the Manatee County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller is responsible for providing operational management services, programming, and exhibits for the county’s historic sites. It would also authorize the clerk to fund necessary maintenance and infrastructure improvements for these museums and parks, stipulating that such funding is intended to supplement existing financial resources rather than replace them.

The bill specifies that these services will be provided unless directed otherwise by the property owner.

Republican State Rep. Michael Owen, District 70, representing portions of Manatee and Hillsborough Counties, is the sponsor of ten bills and/or resolutions introduced this legislative session.

A joint resolution by Owen, HJR 637, seeks to strengthen and clarify legislative term limits for state representatives and senators to eight years in both chambers, with a total limit of 16 years.

If the resolution were to pass, it would need to go before voters for approval at the next general elections or during an earlier special election.

Another joint resolution entered by Owen would change how school superintendents are appointed.

HJR 1263 proposes an amendment to the state constitution requiring a superintendent of schools to be elected to the position.

Owen’s has also introduced a measure requiring registration of “agents” and organizations associated with foreign nations.

HB 583 would require foreign agents and foreign-supported political organizations to register with the Division of Elections and for the division to create such registration forms. The measure would also provide rules regarding periodic updating of the registrations and provide specific penalties for violations.

Republican State Rep. William Robinson, District 71, represents a majority of western Manatee County, including Bradenton, Palmetto, and Anna Maria Island. As State Affairs Committee Chair, Robinson has sponsored just two bills this session.

One of those measures is HB 1287, which would set requirements for a district school board to adopt a policy to temporarily remove instructional personnel from the classroom under certain circumstances.

The measure would require the temporary removal of instructional personnel within 24 hours of notification that the employee had been arrested for any felony or certain misdemeanor offenses.

It would also revise the reporting requirements for law enforcement agencies, mandating them to notify school districts or other relevant educational authorities within 48 hours of an employee’s arrest for any felony or certain misdemeanor offenses as opposed to current requirements of notification for crimes related only to abuse of a minor or drug-related offenses.

The regular legislative session runs 60 days and is set to conclude on May 2.