summary
Introduced
01/08/2026
01/08/2026
In Committee
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
An act relating to preemption to the state; creating ss. 125.595, 166.0499, and 189.09, F.S.; providing legislative findings and intent; providing for preemption of all matters relating to the regulation of religious services and gatherings; prohibiting counties, municipalities, and special districts, respectively, from substantially burdening the free exercise of religion by adopting or enforcing certain ordinances, regulations, resolutions, rules, or other policies; requiring that religious services and gatherings, and parking relating to the attendance of such services and gatherings, be allowed on specified property; providing construction; providing that certain ordinances, regulations, resolutions, rules, and policies adopted or enforced by counties, municipalities, and special districts are void and unenforceable; amending s. 553.79, F.S.; prohibiting a local enforcement agency from denying the issuance of a certificate of occupancy to an owner of residential or commercial property based on noncompliance with Florida-friendly landscaping ordinances in certain circumstances; prohibiting a local enforcement agency from denying the issuance of a building permit for the alteration, modification, or repair of a single-family residential structure in certain circumstances; prohibiting a local enforcement agency from requiring a building permit for the construction of playground equipment or a fence on certain property; creating s. 559.954, F.S.; defining the terms "local government" and "mutual benefit corporation"; providing the regulation of mutual benefit corporations is preempted to the state; prohibiting local governments from adopting or enforcing certain ordinances, regulations, resolutions, rules, charter provisions, or other policies or from taking any action to license or otherwise regulate mutual benefit corporations in a specified manner; providing certain ordinances, regulations, resolutions, rules, charter provisions, or other policies are void and unenforceable; providing a civil cause of action; waiving sovereign immunity in accordance with specified laws; amending s. 559.955, F.S.; revising the criteria for a business to be considered a home-based business as it relates to local government regulation of parking; providing an effective date.
AI Summary
This bill establishes state preemption over several areas currently regulated by local governments, aiming to ensure uniform statewide rules and protect fundamental rights. Specifically, it prevents counties, municipalities, and special districts from substantially burdening the free exercise of religion by restricting religious services, gatherings, or related parking, meaning these activities must be allowed in areas zoned for residential or commercial use. The bill also prohibits local governments from denying certificates of occupancy or building permits for certain residential property repairs or alterations after a natural disaster, and it exempts the construction of playground equipment, fences, and landscape irrigation systems from requiring a building permit, with exceptions for electrical work. Furthermore, it clarifies that the regulation of mutual benefit corporations, defined as private clubs with a defined membership that operate facilities for their members and are not open to the public, is preempted to the state, preventing local governments from imposing different regulations on them compared to other businesses. Finally, the bill revises criteria for home-based businesses regarding parking regulations, allowing local governments to have less stringent rules for parking vehicles or heavy equipment on larger residential properties.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee (on 01/15/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1227 |
| BillText | https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1227/BillText/Filed/PDF |
Loading...