FL S1444

Bill

FL S1444

Preemption to the State

Introduced
01/08/2026

In Committee
01/16/2026

Crossed Over

Passed

Dead
03/13/2026

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, respectively, 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 structure 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, fences, or landscape irrigation systems on certain parcels; prohibiting a local enforcement agency from requiring a building permit to perform certain work; creating s. 559.954, F.S.; defining the terms “local government” and “mutual benefit corporation”; providing that the regulation of mutual benefit corporations is preempted to the state; prohibiting local governments from enacting 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 that certain ordinances, regulations, resolutions, rules, charter provisions, and 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, titled "Preemption to the State," aims to shift regulatory authority from local governments (counties, municipalities, and special districts) to the state in several key areas. Firstly, it preempts to the state all matters concerning the regulation of religious services and gatherings, meaning local governments cannot enact or enforce ordinances that substantially burden the free exercise of religion, including restrictions on attending services or parking related to them, with exceptions for building, fire, safety, and health standards, and prohibiting public nuisances. Secondly, it modifies rules for local enforcement agencies regarding building permits and certificates of occupancy, preventing denial based on noncompliance with Florida-friendly landscaping ordinances after a natural disaster, and easing permit requirements for certain residential repairs, playground equipment, fences, and landscape irrigation systems, as well as for work valued under $7,500 on single-family residential properties, with exceptions for electrical, plumbing, and structural work. Thirdly, it preempts the regulation of "mutual benefit corporations" (defined as private clubs with a defined membership structure operating for their members' benefit and not open to the general public) to the state, prohibiting local governments from regulating them differently than other businesses, including restrictions on events, access, internal governance, or operational rules, and providing a civil cause of action for violations. Finally, it revises criteria for home-based businesses concerning parking regulations, preventing local governments from regulating parking of vehicles or trucks on residential parcels larger than 2 acres, and parking of trailers or heavy equipment on residential parcels larger than 5 acres.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Jonathan Martin (R)*,

Last Action

Died in Judiciary (on 03/13/2026)

Official Document

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1444

(5 Companion Bills)

Version:

Document Type	Source Location
State Bill Page	https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1444
Analysis - Community Affairs (Post-Meeting)	https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1444/Analyses/2026s01444.ca.PDF
Analysis - Community Affairs (Pre-Meeting)	https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1444/Analyses/2026s01444.pre.ca.PDF
BillText	https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1444/BillText/Filed/HTML

Bill	Bill Name	Last Action	Type
H0803	Building Permits and Inspections	Ordered engrossed, then enrolled	Similar To
H1049	Building Permit Requirements	Died in State Affairs Committee	Similar To
H1227	Preemption to the State	Died in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee	Same As
S0968	Home Backup Power Systems	Died in Regulated Industries	Similar To
S1234	Building Permits and Inspections	Laid on Table, refer to CS/CS/HB 803	Similar To

Bill > S1444

summary

Introduced Session

Bill Summary

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Official Document

bill text

bill summary

bill summary

bill summary