summary
Introduced
11/13/2025
11/13/2025
In Committee
12/01/2025
12/01/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to protection of historic monuments and memorials; providing a short title; creating s. 267.201, F.S.; defining terms; providing legislative intent and findings; preempting all removal, damage to, or destruction of historic Florida monuments and memorials; providing that any existing or future ordinance, regulation, or rule to the contrary, and certain actions by elected or appointed local government officials, are void; prohibiting local governments from enacting or enforcing specified ordinances, regulations, or rules; providing that local governments and elected or appointed local government officials who violate the preemption are liable; requiring the court to declare certain ordinances, regulations, or rules invalid and issue permanent injunctions against the local government; providing that it is no defense that a local government was acting in good faith or upon the advice of counsel; providing civil penalties for certain officials who engage in certain actions; prohibiting the use of public funds to defend or reimburse unlawful conduct of certain persons; authorizing specified persons and organizations to file suit against specified entities for declaratory or injunctive relief and actual damages; requiring the court to award prevailing plaintiffs specified fees and damages; providing for standing to bring civil actions; providing that a local government is liable in certain instances; requiring the state to restore or relocate a monument or memorial in certain circumstances within a specified timeframe; requiring the Department of State to withhold certain funding from a local government until a certain reimbursement is made; prohibiting the local government from retroactively receiving such funding; authorizing a local government to temporarily remove and relocate a monument or memorial in certain instances provided certain requirements are met; authorizing the Division of Historical Resources of the Department of State to request certain recommendations from the Florida Historical Commission and the Department of Veterans’ Affairs; requiring the division to make a written record of its decision; prohibiting the division from requiring local governments to expend funds unrelated to specified circumstances; authorizing the department to adopt rules; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes the "Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act" which creates a comprehensive state-level framework for preserving and protecting historic monuments and memorials in Florida. The legislation preempts local governments from removing, damaging, or destroying any historic monument or memorial that has been displayed for at least 25 years, defining such monuments as permanent statues, markers, plaques, flags, or displays dedicated to significant persons or events in state history. The bill imposes strict penalties on local governments and officials who attempt to remove such monuments, including potential civil fines up to $1,000, mandatory court injunctions, and the possibility of being sued by interested parties such as groups involved in the monument's creation or maintenance. If a local government removes a monument, they are required to restore it to its original location within three years, and the state may withhold arts and cultural preservation funding until the monument is restored. The law allows temporary removal only for military necessity or infrastructure projects, with specific requirements for notification, relocation, and eventual return to a site of similar prominence. The legislation is intended to ensure the preservation of Florida's historical monuments and memorials, with the stated goal of protecting an accurate and factual history for current and future generations.
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Introduced (on 01/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/496 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/496/BillText/Filed/HTML |
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