summary
Introduced
11/18/2025
11/18/2025
In Committee
11/24/2025
11/24/2025
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 hb455-00 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; providing such requirements; 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 comprehensive state-level protections for historic monuments and memorials in Florida. The legislation defines historic monuments as permanent statues, markers, plaques, or displays on public property that have been in place for at least 25 years, and preempts all local government actions regarding their removal, damage, or destruction. The bill gives the state exclusive authority to manage these monuments, voiding any local ordinances that might seek to alter or remove them, and provides significant legal consequences for local governments that attempt to do so. Local governments can only temporarily relocate monuments due to military necessity or infrastructure projects, and must follow strict protocols including providing notification to the state, maintaining the monument's original prominence, and placing relocation funds in escrow. The law imposes potential civil fines up to $1,000 on local officials who violate the provisions, prohibits the use of public funds to defend such actions, and allows certain groups or individuals with connections to the monuments to file lawsuits seeking injunctive relief and damages. Additionally, if a monument is improperly removed or damaged, the local government is responsible for restoration, with potential financial penalties including withholding of state arts and cultural preservation funding until the monument is restored to its original condition.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs, Justice
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Now in State Affairs Committee (on 02/17/2026)
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/2026/455 |
| Analysis - Judiciary Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/455/Analyses/h0455c.JDC.PDF |
| Analysis - Judiciary Committee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/455/Analyses/h0455b.JDC.PDF |
| Analysis - Government Operations Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/455/Analyses/h0455a.GOS.PDF |
| Analysis - Government Operations Subcommittee (Post-Meeting) | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/455/Analyses/h0455.GOS.PDF |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/455/BillText/Filed/PDF |
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