Implementing the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act

Florida Senate
-
2026

SB 2502

By
the Committee on Appropriations

576-02995-26 20262502__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act implementing the 2026-2027 General
3 Appropriations Act; providing legislative intent;
4 incorporating by reference certain calculations;
5 amending s. 1001.451, F.S.; revising the services
6 required to be provided by regional consortium service
7 organizations under certain circumstances; revising
8 the allocation that certain regional consortium
9 service organizations are eligible to receive from the
10 General Appropriations Act; requiring regional
11 consortium service organizations to submit certain
12 annual reports to the Department of Education;
13 requiring the carry forward of certain unexpended
14 funds; requiring each regional consortium service
15 organization to provide quarterly financial reports to
16 member districts; requiring member districts to
17 designate fiscal agent districts for certain purposes;
18 providing for compensation of fiscal agent districts;
19 providing for certain personnel recommendations,
20 policies, salary schedules, and job descriptions;
21 authorizing the purchase or lease of property and
22 facilities; providing for the distribution of certain
23 revenues upon dissolution of a regional consortium
24 service organization; revising authorized means of
25 revenue generation; requiring the establishment of a
26 fund balance for certain purposes; providing for the
27 future expiration and reversion of specified statutory
28 text; creating s. 1001.4511, F.S.; creating the
29 Regional Consortia Service Organization Supplemental
30 Services Program; authorizing the use of program funds
31 for specified purposes; requiring each regional
32 consortium service organization to annually report
33 certain information to the Legislature; authorizing
34 the carryforward of certain funds; creating s.
35 1009.635, F.S.; establishing the Rural Incentive for
36 Professional Educators (RIPE) Program within the
37 Department of Education for a specified purpose;
38 providing eligibility requirements for the program;
39 providing for student loan repayment assistance, up to
40 a specified amount; requiring the department to verify
41 certain participant information before disbursement of
42 an award; specifying that the program is administered
43 by the Office of Student Financial Assistance within
44 the department; requiring the State Board of Education
45 to adopt rules by a specified date; authorizing
46 certain state university boards of trustees to accept
47 a health care provider’s procurement methods and
48 construction contracts under certain circumstances;
49 authorizing the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical
50 University board of trustees to expend available
51 reserves or carryforward certain balances for a
52 specified purpose; authorizing the Agency for Health
53 Care Administration to submit a budget amendment to
54 realign Medicaid funding for specified purposes,
55 subject to certain limitations; authorizing the Agency
56 for Health Care Administration to submit a budget
57 amendment to realign funding within the Florida
58 Kidcare program appropriation categories or to
59 increase budget authority for certain purposes;
60 specifying the time period within which such budget
61 amendment must be submitted; amending s. 381.986,
62 F.S.; extending for 1 fiscal year the exemption of
63 certain rules pertaining to the medical use of
64 marijuana from certain rulemaking requirements;
65 authorizing the Agency for Health Care Administration
66 to submit a budget amendment requesting additional
67 spending authority to implement specified programs and
68 payments; requiring institutions participating in a
69 specified workforce expansion and education program to
70 provide quarterly reports to the agency; authorizing
71 the Agency for Health Care Administration to submit a
72 budget amendment for a specified purpose; authorizing
73 the Agency for Health Care Administration to submit a
74 budget amendment requesting additional spending
75 authority to implement the Low Income Pool component
76 of the Florida Managed Medical Assistance
77 Demonstration up to a certain amount; requiring that
78 the amendment include a signed attestation and
79 acknowledgment for entities relating to the Low Income
80 Pool; authorizing the Agency for Health Care
81 Administration to submit a budget amendment requesting
82 additional spending authority to implement certain
83 payments and specified programs; authorizing the
84 Agency for Health Care Administration to submit a
85 budget amendment requesting additional spending
86 authority to implement a certified expenditure program
87 for emergency medical transportation services;
88 authorizing the Agency for Health Care Administration
89 to submit a budget amendment requesting additional
90 spending authority to implement the Disproportionate
91 Share Hospital Program; requiring such amendment to
92 include specified information; authorizing the Agency
93 for Health Care Administration to submit a budget
94 amendment requesting additional spending authority to
95 implement fee-for-service inpatient and outpatient
96 supplemental payments for specialty hospitals;
97 authorizing the Agency for Health Care Administration
98 to submit budget amendments to increase budget
99 authority to support the Florida School-Based Services
100 program; requiring the Agency for Health Care
101 Administration to create the Applied Behavior Analysis
102 (ABA) Task Force for a certain purpose; requiring the
103 task force to evaluate certain information and develop
104 recommendations; providing for membership of the task
105 force; requiring the Agency for Health Care
106 Administration to provide staff support; authorizing
107 staff from specified agencies to provide additional
108 expertise; providing for meetings of the task force;
109 providing that members of the task force serve without
110 compensation but are entitled to reimbursement of
111 travel expenses; requiring the task force to provide a
112 report to the Governor and the Legislature by a
113 specified date; authorizing the Department of Children
114 and Families to submit a budget amendment to realign
115 funding within specified areas of the department based
116 on implementation of the Guardianship Assistance
117 Program; authorizing the Department of Children and
118 Families, the Department of Health, and the Agency for
119 Health Care Administration to submit budget amendments
120 to increase budget authority to support certain
121 refugee programs; requiring the Department of Children
122 and Families to submit quarterly reports to the
123 Executive Office of the Governor and the Legislature;
124 authorizing the Department of Children and Families to
125 submit budget amendments to increase budget authority
126 to support specified federal grant programs;
127 reenacting s. 393.066(2), F.S., relating to community
128 services and treatment; providing for the future
129 expiration and reversion of specified statutory text;
130 amending s. 394.9082, F.S.; extending for 1 fiscal
131 year the authority of a managing entity to carry
132 forward certain unexpended funds; specifying that
133 nonqualified funds carried forward are not included in
134 a cumulative cap on the percentage that may be carried
135 forward; amending s. 409.9913, F.S.; requiring that
136 core services funding be allocated as provided in the
137 General Appropriations Act; requiring the Department
138 of Children and Families to continue to collect
139 certain data from community-based care lead agencies
140 and to use a certain Tiered Funding Model; requiring
141 community-based care lead agencies to submit certain
142 data to the department; requiring the department to
143 conduct certain ongoing performance monitoring;
144 requiring the department to provide monthly status
145 reports to the Governor and the Legislature; requiring
146 the department to submit a final report to the
147 Governor and the Legislature by a specified date;
148 amending s. 409.990, F.S.; requiring that certain
149 funds held by a community-based care lead agency and
150 carried forward be returned to the Department of
151 Children and Families; requiring the department to
152 hold such funds in a separate account and report
153 certain information to specified entities; providing
154 for the reversion of such funds to the General Revenue
155 Fund; authorizing the Department of Health to submit a
156 budget amendment to increase budget authority for the
157 Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and
158 Children (WIC) and the Child Care Food Program if a
159 certain condition is met; authorizing the Department
160 of Health to submit a budget amendment to increase
161 budget authority for the HIV/AIDS Prevention and
162 Treatment Program if a certain condition is met;
163 authorizing the Department of Health to submit a
164 budget amendment to increase budget authority for the
165 department if additional federal revenues specific to
166 COVID-19 relief funds become available; requiring the
167 Agency for Health Care Administration to replace the
168 Florida Medicaid Management Information System (FMMIS)
169 and fiscal agent operations with a specified new
170 system; specifying items that may not be included in
171 the new system; providing directives to the Agency for
172 Health Care Administration related to the new Florida
173 Health Care Connection (FX) system; requiring the
174 Agency for Health Care Administration to meet certain
175 requirements in replacing FMMIS and the current
176 Medicaid fiscal agent; requiring the Agency for Health
177 Care Administration to implement a specified program
178 governance structure that includes an executive
179 steering committee composed of specified members;
180 providing the duties of the executive steering
181 committee; requiring the establishment of specified
182 working groups; providing the composition of such
183 groups; providing requirements for such groups;
184 requiring the Agency for Health Care Administration to
185 contract for a certain assessment of the agency’s
186 Medicaid management information system (MMIS);
187 providing requirements for the assessment; requiring
188 submission of the assessment to specified entities by
189 a certain date; requiring the agency to develop a new
190 time-phased implementation roadmap for the MMIS
191 replacement based on the assessment; requiring the
192 agency to submit the roadmap to specified entities by
193 a certain date; requiring the Agency for Health Care
194 Administration, in consultation with the Department of
195 Health, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the
196 Department of Children and Families, and the
197 Department of Corrections, to competitively procure a
198 contract with a vendor to negotiate prices for certain
199 prescribed drugs and biological products; providing
200 specifications for such contract; authorizing the
201 issuance or renewal of certain inactive or partially
202 inactive licenses to skilled nursing providers and
203 requiring the extension of certificate-of-need
204 validity periods under certain circumstances;
205 providing for subsequent renewal periods of such
206 inactive licenses and validity periods under certain
207 circumstances; authorizing the Agency for Persons with
208 Disabilities to submit budget amendments to transfer
209 funding from the Salaries and Benefits appropriation
210 categories for a specified purpose; authorizing the
211 Agency for Persons with Disabilities to submit budget
212 amendments to request funds from the Lump Sum-Home and
213 Community-Based Waiver category for a specified
214 purpose; authorizing the Agency for Health Care
215 Administration and the Agency for Persons with
216 Disabilities to submit budget amendments within a
217 specified timeframe for a specified purpose;
218 authorizing the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to
219 submit a budget amendment, subject to Legislative
220 Budget Commission approval, requesting certain
221 authority for certain purposes relating to veterans’
222 nursing homes; amending s. 409.915, F.S.; extending
223 for 1 year the expiration of an exception for certain
224 funds used for the hospital directed payment program;
225 authorizing the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to
226 expend certain funds and submit budget amendments,
227 subject to certain approval, for the planning and
228 construction of a new State Veterans’ Nursing Home and
229 Adult Day Health Center in a specified county;
230 authorizing the department to apply for a specified
231 federal grant for the Collier County State Veterans’
232 Nursing Home; authorizing the Department of Elderly
233 Affairs to submit a budget amendment requesting
234 certain authority for an Adult Care Food Program or
235 the Older Americans Act under certain circumstances;
236 amending s. 216.262, F.S.; extending for 1 fiscal year
237 the authority of the Department of Corrections to
238 submit a budget amendment for additional positions and
239 appropriations under certain circumstances; amending
240 s. 215.18, F.S.; extending for 1 fiscal year the
241 authority and related repayment requirements for
242 temporary trust fund loans to the state court system
243 which are sufficient to meet the system’s
244 appropriation; requiring the Department of Juvenile
245 Justice to review county juvenile detention payments
246 to determine whether a county has met specified
247 financial responsibilities; requiring that amounts
248 owed by a certain county for such financial
249 responsibilities be deducted from certain county
250 funds; requiring the Department of Revenue to transfer
251 withheld funds to a specified trust fund; requiring
252 the Department of Revenue to ensure that such
253 reductions in amounts distributed do not reduce
254 distributions below amounts necessary for certain
255 payments due on bonds and to comply with bond
256 covenants; requiring the Department of Revenue to
257 notify the Department of Juvenile Justice if bond
258 payment requirements mandate a reduction in deductions
259 for amounts owed by a county; requiring the Department
260 of Juvenile Justice to take certain actions;
261 reenacting s. 27.40(1), (2)(a), (3)(a), (5), (6), and
262 (7), F.S., relating to court-appointed counsel;
263 providing for the future expiration and reversion of
264 specified statutory text; reenacting and amending s.
265 27.5304, F.S., relating to the extension for 1 fiscal
266 year of limitations on compensation for representation
267 in criminal proceedings; providing for the future
268 expiration and reversion of specified statutory text;
269 amending s. 908.1033, F.S.; extending for 1 fiscal
270 year provisions authorizing local law enforcement
271 agencies to apply to the State Board of Immigration
272 Enforcement to provide bonus payments for certain
273 certified correctional officers; amending s. 934.50,
274 F.S.; creating the Drone as First Responder Grant
275 Program within the Department of Law Enforcement;
276 providing the purpose of the program; providing
277 eligibility requirements; requiring the department to
278 develop an application process and allocate funds on a
279 first-come, first-served basis; requiring that grants
280 be matched by local funds in a specified percentage;
281 authorizing the department to waive the matching funds
282 requirement for certain agencies; defining the term
283 “first responder agency”; authorizing the department
284 to adopt rules; authorizing emergency rulemaking;
285 requiring the Department of Management Services, with
286 the cooperation of certain agencies, to use tenant
287 broker services to renegotiate or reprocure certain
288 private lease agreements for office or storage space;
289 requiring the Department of Management Services to
290 provide a report to the Governor and the Legislature
291 by a specified date; prohibiting an agency from
292 transferring funds from a data processing category to
293 another category other than another data processing
294 category; authorizing the Executive Office of the
295 Governor to transfer funds appropriated in certain
296 categories between departments for purposes of
297 aligning amounts paid for risk management insurance
298 and for human resources services purchased per
299 statewide contract; authorizing the Department of
300 Management Services to use certain facility
301 disposition funds from the Architects Incidental Trust
302 Fund to pay for certain relocation expenses;
303 authorizing the Department of Management Services to
304 submit budget amendments for an increase in
305 appropriation under certain circumstances; requiring
306 that such amendments include specified information;
307 requiring the Department of Financial Services to
308 replace specified components of the Florida Accounting
309 Information Resource Subsystem (FLAIR) and the Cash
310 Management Subsystem (CMS) with a specified integrated
311 enterprise system; prohibiting the Department of
312 Financial Services from including certain components
313 in the replacement of FLAIR and CMS; providing
314 requirements for the Department of Financial Services
315 related to replacing FLAIR and CMS; providing for the
316 composition of an executive steering committee to
317 oversee FLAIR and CMS replacement; providing
318 requirements for the executive steering committee
319 chair; providing duties and responsibilities of the
320 executive steering committee; reenacting s.
321 282.709(3), F.S., relating to the state agency law
322 enforcement radio system and interoperability network;
323 providing for future expiration and reversion of
324 specified statutory text; authorizing state agencies
325 and other eligible users of the Statewide Law
326 Enforcement Radio System to use the Department of
327 Management Services contract to purchase equipment and
328 services; requiring that a specified transaction fee
329 percentage for use of the online procurement system be
330 collected for a specified fiscal year; amending s.
331 24.105, F.S.; specifying requirements for the adoption
332 of rules of the Department of the Lottery, excluding
333 certain rules for 1 fiscal year regarding the
334 commission for lottery ticket sales; limiting
335 additional retailer compensation in a specified
336 manner; providing for the future expiration and
337 reversion of specified statutory text; amending s.
338 627.351, F.S.; extending for 1 year the specified
339 authority of Citizens Property Insurance Corporation;
340 amending s. 215.5586, F.S.; extending for 1 year the
341 homeowner eligibility criteria for a hurricane
342 mitigation grant from the My Safe Florida Home
343 Program; providing that certain funds appropriated to
344 the Department of Financial Services may be carried
345 forward through a specified fiscal year; authorizing
346 the Executive Office of the Governor to transfer funds
347 between departments to align the budget authority
348 granted based on the estimated costs for data
349 processing services for a specified fiscal year;
350 limiting the auxiliary assessments that may be charged
351 to state agencies related to contract management
352 services provided to the Northwest Regional Data
353 Center; reenacting and amending s. 284.51, F.S.,
354 relating to the electroencephalogram combined
355 transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment (eTMS)
356 pilot program; extending for 1 year the expiration of
357 the program; requiring the Department of Financial
358 Services to continue its existing contract for the
359 establishment of the eTMS pilot program for veterans
360 and first responders; amending s. 717.123, F.S.;
361 authorizing the Department of Financial Services to
362 retain specified funds, not to exceed a certain
363 amount; requiring that the funds be held in a separate
364 account; requiring the department to make prompt
365 payment of certain claims from the separate account;
366 amending s. 215.18, F.S.; extending for 1 fiscal year
367 certain authority to transfer funds from certain trust
368 funds in the State Treasury to other trust funds in
369 certain circumstances; requiring the Department of
370 Environmental Protection to transfer designated
371 proportions of the revenues deposited in the Land
372 Acquisition Trust Fund within the department to land
373 acquisition trust funds in the Department of
374 Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of
375 State, and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
376 Commission according to specified parameters and
377 calculations; defining the term “department”;
378 requiring the Department of Environmental Protection
379 to make transfers to land acquisition trust funds
380 monthly; specifying the method of determining transfer
381 amounts; authorizing the Department of Environmental
382 Protection to advance funds from its land acquisition
383 trust fund to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
384 Commission’s land acquisition trust fund for specified
385 purposes; amending s. 259.105, F.S.; requiring that
386 proceeds from a specified trust fund be distributed as
387 provided in the General Appropriations Act for a
388 specified fiscal year; amending s. 376.91, F.S.;
389 extending for 1 year the date by which the Department
390 of Environmental Protection shall adopt statewide
391 cleanup target levels for PFAS under certain
392 circumstances; providing for future expiration and
393 reversion of specified statutory text; reenacting s.
394 376.3071(15)(g), F.S., relating to the Inland
395 Protection Trust Fund; providing for the future
396 expiration and reversion of specified statutory text;
397 requiring the Department of Citrus to enter into
398 agreements for specified purposes by a certain date;
399 requiring the Department of Citrus to file certain
400 information with the department’s Inspector General;
401 reenacting s. 380.5105, F.S., relating to the Stan
402 Mayfield Working Waterfronts; providing for the future
403 expiration and reversion of specified statutory text;
404 authorizing the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
405 Commission to use specified funds to provide grants
406 for a specified purpose; amending s. 403.890, F.S.;
407 authorizing the use of revenues deposited into or
408 appropriated to the Water Protection and
409 Sustainability Program Trust Fund as provided in the
410 General Appropriations Act; amending s. 375.041, F.S.;
411 extending for 1 fiscal year the requirement that funds
412 for the Land Acquisition Trust Fund be appropriated in
413 a specified manner; authorizing the Department of
414 Agriculture and Consumer Services to lease an existing
415 facility and administer a specified program;
416 authorizing the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
417 Services to submit budget amendments to increase
418 budget authority for the National School Lunch
419 Program; amending s. 288.80125, F.S.; extending for 1
420 fiscal year a requirement that the use of funds in the
421 Triumph Gulf Coast Trust Fund be related to Hurricane
422 Michael recovery; amending s. 339.135, F.S.; extending
423 for 1 year the authority for the chair and vice chair
424 of the Legislative Budget Commission to approve
425 certain work program amendments under specified
426 circumstances; authorizing the Department of
427 Transportation to request a specified amount of budget
428 authority to the extent necessary to advance or defer
429 certain projects in the Work Program and align
430 resources for a specified purpose; amending s.
431 288.0655, F.S.; extending for 1 fiscal year a
432 requirement that certain appropriated funds relating
433 to the Rural Infrastructure Fund be distributed in a
434 specified manner; creating s. 288.013, F.S.; providing
435 legislative findings; creating the Office of Rural
436 Prosperity within the Department of Commerce;
437 requiring the Governor to appoint a director, subject
438 to Senate confirmation; providing that the director
439 reports to and serves at the pleasure of the secretary
440 of the department; providing duties of the office;
441 requiring the office to establish and staff a certain
442 number of regional rural community liaison centers for
443 a specified purpose; providing the powers and duties
444 of the liaison centers; requiring coordination between
445 certain entities; requiring the liaison centers to
446 engage with the Rural Economic Development Initiative
447 (REDI); requiring at least one staff member of a
448 liaison center to attend the monthly REDI meetings in
449 person or by means of electronic communication;
450 requiring the director of the office to submit a
451 report to the Administration Commission within the
452 Executive Office of the Governor; specifying
453 requirements for the report; requiring that the report
454 also be submitted to the Legislature by a specified
455 date and published on the office’s website; requiring
456 the director of the office to attend the next
457 Administration Commission meeting to present detailed
458 information from the annual report; amending s.
459 288.001, F.S.; requiring the Florida Small Business
460 Development Center Network to use certain funds
461 appropriated for a specified purpose; authorizing the
462 network to dedicate funds to facilitate certain
463 events; creating s. 288.014, F.S.; providing
464 legislative findings; requiring the Office of Rural
465 Prosperity to administer the Renaissance Grants
466 Program to provide block grants to eligible
467 communities; requiring the Office of Economic and
468 Demographic Research to certify to the Office of Rural
469 Prosperity certain information by a specified date;
470 defining the term “growth-impeded”; requiring the
471 Office of Economic and Demographic Research to certify
472 annually that a county remains growth-impeded until
473 certain conditions are met; providing that a county is
474 eligible to participate in the program for 1
475 additional year under certain circumstances; requiring
476 participating counties to enter into an agreement with
477 the Office of Rural Prosperity to receive a block
478 grant; giving such counties certain authority;
479 prohibiting the Office of Rural Prosperity from
480 determining how such counties implement the block
481 grant; requiring regional rural community liaison
482 center staff to provide certain assistance; requiring
483 participating counties to report certain information
484 to the Office of Rural Prosperity; providing that a
485 participating county receives a specified amount from
486 funds appropriated to the program, or an equal share
487 of the funds appropriated under certain circumstances;
488 requiring participating counties to limit certain
489 expenses; authorizing participating counties to
490 supplement the block grant with other funding sources;
491 requiring participating counties to hire and retain a
492 renaissance coordinator; providing the
493 responsibilities of the renaissance coordinator;
494 requiring the regional rural community liaison center
495 staff to provide assistance and training to the
496 renaissance coordinator, upon request; requiring
497 participating counties to design a certain plan;
498 specifying requirements for such plan; requiring
499 participating counties to develop intergovernmental
500 agreements with certain entities to implement the
501 plan; requiring the Auditor General to conduct an
502 operational audit of each county’s grant activities;
503 requiring the Office of Economic and Demographic
504 Research to submit a certain report to the
505 Legislature; specifying requirements for the report;
506 providing that funds appropriated from the program are
507 not subject to reversion; creating s. 288.0175, F.S.;
508 creating the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology
509 Grant Program within the Office of Rural Prosperity;
510 defining terms; requiring the office to contract with
511 one or more smart technology lead organizations to
512 administer the grant program for a specified purpose;
513 providing the criteria for such contracts; requiring
514 that a summary of projects funded by the grant program
515 be included in the office’s annual report; amending s.
516 288.065, F.S.; establishing the Rural Community
517 Development Revolving Loan Fund within the Office of
518 Rural Prosperity, rather than the Department of
519 Commerce; defining the term “unit of local
520 government”; requiring the office to include in its
521 annual report certain information about the Rural
522 Community Development Revolving Loan Fund; providing
523 for future expiration and reversion of specified
524 statutory text; authorizing the Division of Emergency
525 Management to submit budget amendments to increase
526 budget authority for certain expenditures under
527 certain circumstances; amending s. 282.201, F.S.;
528 extending for 1 year the Division of Emergency
529 Management’s exemption from the use of the state data
530 center; amending s. 443.1113, F.S.; providing that
531 certain improvements to the Reemployment Assistance
532 Claims and Benefits Information System are subject to
533 appropriation; revising the date a certain report from
534 the Department of Commerce is required to be
535 submitted; revising the report requirements; providing
536 for the future expiration and reversion of specified
537 statutory text; reenacting and amending s. 445.08,
538 F.S., relating to the Florida Law Enforcement
539 Recruitment Bonus Payment Program; extending the
540 program for 1 year; authorizing the Department of
541 Commerce to submit budget amendments to increase
542 budget authority to support specified federal grant
543 programs; requiring the Department of Management
544 Services to assess an administrative health insurance
545 assessment on each state agency; providing the rate of
546 such assessment; defining the term “state agency”;
547 requiring the Department of Management Services to
548 take certain actions in case of delinquencies;
549 requiring the Chief Financial Officer to transfer
550 funds under specified circumstances; requiring state
551 agencies to provide a list of positions that qualify
552 for a certain exception by a specified date and to
553 update the list monthly thereafter; requiring state
554 agencies to include the administrative health
555 insurance assessment in their indirect cost plan
556 beginning for a specified fiscal year and annually
557 thereafter; requiring agencies to notify the
558 Department of Management Services, the Executive
559 Office of the Governor, and the Legislature regarding
560 the approval of their updated indirect cost plans;
561 authorizing the Executive Office of the Governor to
562 transfer budget authority between agencies in
563 specified circumstances; providing that the annual
564 salaries of the members of the Legislature be
565 maintained at a specified level for a specified fiscal
566 year; reenacting s. 215.32(2)(b), F.S., relating to
567 the authorization for transferring unappropriated cash
568 balances from selected trust funds to the Budget
569 Stabilization Fund and General Revenue Fund; providing
570 for the future expiration and reversion of specified
571 statutory text; specifying the type of travel which
572 may be used with state employee travel funds for a
573 specified fiscal year; providing exceptions; providing
574 applicability; providing a monetary cap on lodging
575 costs for state employee travel to certain meetings
576 organized or sponsored by a state agency or the
577 judicial branch; authorizing employees to expend their
578 own funds for lodging expenses that exceed the
579 monetary caps; providing construction; amending s.
580 216.181, F.S.; extending for 1 fiscal year the
581 authority of the Legislative Budget Commission to
582 approve budget amendments for certain fixed capital
583 outlay projects; amending s. 216.292, F.S.; extending
584 for 1 fiscal year the requirements for certain
585 transfers; authorizing state agencies to purchase
586 vehicles from nonstate term contract vendors without
587 prior approval from the Department of Management
588 Services under certain circumstances; amending s.
589 11.52, F.S.; extending for 1 year certain state agency
590 reporting requirements regarding implementation of
591 legislation; amending s. 216.013, F.S.; extending for
592 1 fiscal year an exception from certain planning
593 requirements; amending s. 216.023, F.S.; extending for
594 1 year a requirement that certain entities include a
595 specified inventory in their legislative budget
596 requests; requiring that a specified percentage of
597 funds appropriated for information technology projects
598 be held in reserve and that general revenue funds not
599 held in reserve be released; authorizing the Agency
600 for Health Care Administration, Department of Children
601 and Families, Department of Corrections, Department of
602 Financial Services, Florida Gaming Control Commission,
603 Department of Health, and Department of Revenue to
604 submit a budget amendment to request release of funds;
605 limiting the amount that may be requested; providing
606 that release is contingent upon certain submissions;
607 requiring entities receiving such funds to submit
608 monthly project status reports to certain entities;
609 providing requirements for such status reports;
610 providing conditions under which the veto of certain
611 appropriations or proviso language in the General
612 Appropriations Act voids language that implements such
613 appropriation; providing for the continued operation
614 of certain provisions notwithstanding a future repeal
615 or expiration provided by the act; providing for
616 severability; providing for contingent retroactivity;
617 providing effective dates.
618
619 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
620
621 Section 1.
It is the intent of the Legislature that the

622
implementing and administering provisions of this act apply to

623
the General Appropriations Act for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

624 Section 2.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations
5,

625
6, 88, and 89
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, the

626
calculations of the Florida Education Finance Program for the

627
2026-2027 fiscal year included in the document titled “Public

628
School Funding: The Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP)

629
Fiscal Year 2026-2027,” dated

February 18, 2026, and filed with

630
the Secretary of the Senate, are incorporated by reference for

631
the purpose of displaying the calculations used by the

632
Legislature, consistent with the requirements of state law, in

633
making appropriations for the Florida Education Finance Program.

634
This section expires July 1, 2027.

635 Section 3.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation 80

636
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, the school

637
readiness reimbursement rates for the 2026-2027 fiscal year

638
included in the document titled “School Readiness Program

639
Reimbursement Rates Fiscal Year 2026-2027,” dated February 18,

640
2026, and filed with the Secretary of the Senate, are

641
incorporated by reference, consistent with the requirements of

642
state law, in making appropriations for the school readiness

643
program allocation. This section expires July 1, 2027.

644 Section 4. In order to implement Specific Appropriation 102
645 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, subsections (1),
646 (2), and (5) of section 1001.451, Florida Statutes, are amended
647 to read:
648 1001.451 Regional consortium service organizations.—In
649 order to provide a full range of programs to larger numbers of
650 students, minimize duplication of services, and encourage the
651 development of new programs and services:
652 (1) School districts with 20,000 or fewer unweighted full
653 time equivalent students, developmental research (laboratory)
654 schools established pursuant to s. 1002.32, and the Florida
655 School for the Deaf and the Blind may enter into cooperative
656 agreements to form a regional consortium service organization.
657 Each regional consortium service organization shall provide
any
,

658
at a minimum, three
of the following services
determined

659
necessary and appropriate by the board of directors
:
660
(a)
Exceptional student education;
661
(b) Safe schools support

teacher education centers;

662
environmental education
;
663
(c)

State and
federal grant procurement and coordination;
664
(d)
Data
services

processing
;
health

665
(e)
Insurance
services
;
666
(f)
Risk management
insurance
;
667
(g) Professional learning;

668
(h) College, career, and workforce development;

669
(i) Business and operational services

staff development
;
670
(j)
Purchasing; or
671
(k)
Planning and accountability.
672 (2)(a) Each regional consortium service organization
673
composed

that consists
of four or more school districts is
674 eligible to receive, through the Department of Education,
675 subject to the funds provided in the General Appropriations Act,
676 an
allocation

incentive grant
of
$150,000

$50,000
per school
677 district and eligible member to be used for the delivery of
678 services within
the
participating school districts. The
679 determination of services and use of such funds
must

shall
be
680 established by the board of directors of the regional consortium
681 service organization. The funds
must

shall
be distributed to
682 each regional consortium service organization no later than 30
683 days following the release of the funds to the department.
Each

684
regional consortium service organization shall submit an annual

685
report to the department regarding the use of funds for

686
consortia services. Unexpended amounts in any fund in a

687
consortium’s current year operating budget must be carried

688
forward and included as the balance forward for that fund in the

689
approved operating budget for the following year. Each regional

690
consortium service organization shall provide quarterly

691
financial reports to member districts.

692 (b)
Member districts shall designate a district
to
serve as

693
a fiscal agent for contractual and reporting purposes. Such

694
fiscal agent district is entitled to reasonable compensation for

695
accounting and other services performed. The regional consortium

696
service organization shall retain all funds received from grants

697
or contracted services to cover indirect or administrative costs

698
associated with the provision of such services. The regional

699
consortium service organization board of directors shall

700
determine the products and services to be provided by the

701
consortium; however, in all contractual matters, the school

702
board of the fiscal agent district shall act on proposed actions

703
of the regional consortium service organization.

704
(c) The regional consortium service organization board of

705
directors shall recommend establishment of positions and

706
individuals for appointment to the fiscal agent district.

707
Personnel must be employed under the personnel policies of the

708
fiscal agent district and are deemed to be public employees of

709
the fiscal agent district. The regional consortium service

710
organization board of directors may recommend a salary schedule

711
and job descriptions specific to its personnel.

712
(d) The regional consortium service organization may

713
purchase or lease property and facilities essential for its

714
operations and is responsible for their maintenance and

715
associated overhead costs.

716
(e)

If a regional consortium service organization is

717
dissolved, any revenue from the sale of assets must be

718
distributed among the member districts as determined by the

719
board of directors

Application for incentive grants shall be

720
made to the Commissioner of Education by July 30 of each year

721
for distribution to qualifying regional consortium service

722
organizations by January 1 of the fiscal year
.
723 (5) The board of directors of a regional consortium service
724 organization may use various means to generate revenue in
725 support of its activities
, including, but not limited to,

726
contracting for services to nonmember districts
. The board of
727 directors may acquire, enjoy, use, and dispose of patents,
728 copyrights, and trademarks and any licenses and
associated

other

729 rights or interests
thereunder or therein
. Ownership of all such
730 patents, copyrights, trademarks, licenses, and
associated
rights
731 or interests
thereunder or therein shall
vest in the state, with
732 the board of directors having full right of use and full right
733 to retain
associated

the
revenues
derived therefrom
. Any funds
734 realized from
contracted services,
patents, copyrights,
735 trademarks, or licenses
are

shall be
considered internal funds
736 as provided in s. 1011.07.
A fund balance must be established

737
for maintaining or expanding services, facilities maintenance,

738
terminal pay, and other liabilities

Such funds shall be used to

739
support the organization’s marketing and research and

740
development activities in order to improve and increase services

741
to its member districts
.
742 Section 5.
The amendments to s. 1001.451, Florida Statutes,

743
made by this act expire July 1, 2027, and the text of that

744
section shall revert to that in existence on June 30, 2026,

745
except that any amendments to such text enacted other than by

746
this act shall be preserved and continue to operate to the

747
extent that such amendments are not dependent upon the portions

748
of text which expire pursuant to this section.

749 Section 6. In order to implement Specific Appropriation 102
750 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, section 1001.4511,
751 Florida Statutes, is created to read:
752
1001.4511 Regional Consortia Service Organization

753
Supplemental Services Program.—

754
(1) There is created the Regional Consortia Service

755
Organization Supplemental Services Program to increase the

756
ability of regional consortium service organizations under s.

757
1001.451 to provide programs and services to consortia members

758
through cooperative agreements. Program funds may be used to

759
supplement member needs related to transportation; district

760
finance personnel services; property insurance, including

761
property insurance obtained from any source; cybersecurity

762
support; school safety; college, career, and workforce

763
development; academic support; and behavior support within

764
exceptional student education services.

765
(2) Each regional consortium service organization shall

766
annually report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker

767
of the House of Representatives the distribution of funds,

768
including members awarded and services provided.

769
(3) Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351,

770
funds allocated for this purpose which are not disbursed by June

771
30 of the fiscal year in which the funds are allocated may be

772
carried forward for up to 5 years after the effective date of

773
the original appropriation.

774
(4) This section expires July 1, 2027.

775 Section 7. In order to implement Specific Appropriation 64A
776 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, section 1009.635,
777 Florida Statutes, is created to read:
778
1009.635 Rural Incentive for Professional Educators

779
Program
.—

780
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Rural Incentive for Professional

781
Educators (RIPE) Program is established within the Department of

782
Education to support the recruitment and retention of qualified

783
instructional personnel in rural communities. The program shall

784
provide financial assistance for the repayment of student loans

785
for eligible participants who establish permanent residency and

786
employment in rural areas of opportunity.

787
(2) ELIGIBILITY.—An individual is eligible to participate

788
in the RIPE Program if he or she does all of the following:

789
(a)

Establishes permanent residency on or after July 1,

790
202
6
, in a rural area of opportunity as designated pursuant to

791
s. 288.0656. The address on an individual’s state-issued

792
identification card or driver license is evidence of residence.

793
(b)

Secures full-time employment as a teacher or

794
administrator in a private school as defined in s. 1002.01, or

795
as instructional or administrative personnel as those terms are

796
defined in s. 1012.01(2) and (3), respectively, in the public

797
school district located within the same rural area of

798
opportunity as he or she resides.

799
(c)

Holds an associate degree, bachelor’s degree,

800
postgraduate degree, or certificate from an accredited

801
institution earned before establishing residency.

802
(d)

Has an active student loan balance incurred for the

803
completion of the qualifying degree or certificate.

804
(3) LOAN REPAYMENT.—Eligible participants may receive up to

805
$15,000 in total student loan repayment assistance over 5 years,

806
disbursed in annual payments not to exceed $3,000 per year.

807
Payments
must
be made directly to the lender servicing the

808
participant’s student loan.

809
(4) AWARD DISTRIBUTION.—Before disbursement of an award,

810
the department shall verify that the participant:

811
(a) Has maintained continuous employment with the school

812
district in an instructional or administrative position;

813
(b) Has received a rating of effective or highly effective

814
pursuant to s. 1012.34; and

815
(c) Has not been placed on probation, had his or her

816
certificate suspended or revoked, or been placed on the

817
disqualification list, pursuant to s. 1012.796.

818
(5)

ADMINISTRATION.—The program shall be administered by

819
the Office of Student Financial Assistance within the Department

820
of Education, which shall:

821
(a)

Develop application procedures requiring documentation,

822
including proof of residency, verification of employment,

823
official academic transcripts, and details of outstanding

824
student loans; and

825
(b)

Monitor compliance with program requirements.

826
(6) RULEMAKING.—The State Board of Education shall adopt

827
rules
no later than
January 31, 202
7
, to administer this

828
section.

829
(7) EXPIRATION.—This section expires July 1, 2027.

830 Section 8.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation 17

831
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, a state university

832
board of trustees that is beginning an approved capital outlay

833
project with a health care provider may accept the health care

834
provider’s procurement methods and construction contracts

835
entered thereunder and may reimburse the health care provider

836
for its expenses using the proceeds from a bond issuance

837
approved by the Board of Governors. This section expires July 1,

838
2027.

839 Section 9.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation 152

840
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding

841
ss. 1011.45 and 1012.975, Florida Statutes, the Florida

842
Agricultural and Mechanical University
board of trustees
may

843
expend available r
eserves or carry

forward balances from

844
previous years’ operational and programmatic appropriations, or

845
other available reserves or balances from funds not appropriated

846
from the General Revenue Fund, from state trust funds, or
from

847
tuition and fees, for the remuneration of the president of the

848
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. This section

849
expires July 1, 202
7
.

850 Section 10.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

851
209 through 237
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

852
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

853
Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

854
amendment, subject to the notice, review, and objection

855
procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, to realign funding

856
within the Medicaid program appropriation categories to address

857
projected surpluses and deficits within the program and to

858
maximize the use of state trust funds. A single budget amendment

859
shall be submitted in the last quarter of the 2026-2027 fiscal

860
year only. This section expires July 1, 2027.

861 Section 11.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

862
190 through 195
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

863
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

864
Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

865
amendment, subject to the notice, review, and objection

866
procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, to realign funding

867
within the Florida Kidcare program appropriation categories, or

868
to increase budget authority in the Children’s Medical Services

869
network category, to address projected surpluses and deficits

870
within the program or to maximize the use of state trust funds.

871
A single budget amendment must be submitted in the last quarter

872
of the 2026-2027 fiscal year only. This section expires July 1,

873
2027.

874 Section 12. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
875 490 through 499 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,
876 subsection (17) of section 381.986, Florida Statutes, is amended
877 to read:
878 381.986 Medical use of marijuana.—
879 (17) Rules adopted pursuant to this section before July 1,
880
2027

2026
, are not subject to ss. 120.54(3)(b) and 120.541. This
881 subsection expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
882 Section 13.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

883
217, 219, and 223
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,

884
the Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

885
amendment pursuant to chapter 216, Florida Statutes, requesting

886
additional spending authority to implement the federally

887
approved directed payment program for hospitals statewide

888
providing inpatient and outpatient services to Medicaid managed

889
care enrollees, the Indirect Medical Education (IME) Program,

890
and a nursing workforce expansion and education program for

891
certain institutions participating in a graduate medical

892
education or nursing education program. For institutions

893
participating in the nursing workforce expansion and education

894
program, the budget amendment must identify the educational

895
institutions partnering with the teaching hospital. Institutions

896
participating in the nursing workforce expansion and education

897
program shall provide quarterly reports to the agency detailing

898
the number of nurses participating in the program. This section

899
expires July 1, 2027.

900 Section 14.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

901
217, 219, and 223
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,

902
the Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

903
amendment pursuant to chapter 216, Florida Statutes, requesting

904
additional spending authority to implement the federally

905
approved Directed Payment Program and fee-for-service

906
supplemental payments for cancer hospitals that meet the

907
criteria in 42 U.S.C. s. 1395ww(d)(1)(B)(v). This section

908
expires July 1, 2027.

909 Section 15.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

910
209 through 237
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, the

911
Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

912
amendment pursuant to chapter 216, Florida Statutes, requesting

913
additional spending authority to implement the Low Income Pool

914
component of the Florida Managed Medical Assistance

915
Demonstration up to the total computable funds authorized by the

916
federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The budget

917
amendment must include the final terms and conditions of the Low

918
Income Pool, a proposed distribution model by entity, and a

919
listing of entities contributing intergovernmental transfers to

920
support the state match required. In addition, for each entity

921
included in the distribution model, a signed attestation must be

922
provided which includes the charity care cost upon which the Low

923
Income Pool payment is based and an acknowledgment that should

924
the distribution result in an overpayment based on the Low

925
Income Pool cost limit audit, the entity is responsible for

926
returning that overpayment to the agency for return to the

927
federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This section

928
expires July 1, 2027.

929 Section 16.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

930
222 and 223
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, the

931
Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

932
amendment pursuant to chapter 216, Florida Statutes, requesting

933
additional spending authority to implement fee-for-service

934
supplemental payments and a directed payment program for

935
physicians and subordinate licensed health care practitioners

936
employed by or under contract with a Florida medical or dental

937
school, or a public hospital. This section expires July 1, 2027.

938 Section 17.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

939
220, 223, and 235
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,

940
the Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

941
amendment pursuant to chapter 216, Florida Statutes, requesting

942
additional spending authority to implement a certified

943
expenditure program for emergency medical transportation

944
services. This section expires July 1, 2027.

945 Section 18.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

946
209 through 237
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

947
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

948
Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

949
amendment, subject to the notice, review, and objection

950
procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, requesting

951
additional spending authority to implement the Disproportionate

952
Share Hospital Program. The budget amendment must include a

953
proposed distribution model by entity and a listing of entities

954
contributing intergovernmental transfers and certified public

955
expenditures to support the state match required. This section

956
expires July 1, 2027.

957 Section 19.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

958
209 through 237
of the 202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act, the

959
Agency for Health Care Administration may submit a budget

960
amendment pursuant to chapter 216, Florida Statutes, requesting

961
additional spending authority to implement fee-for-service

962
inpatient and outpatient supplemental payments for specialty

963
hospitals
as defined in s. 395.002(28), Florida Statutes,

964
providing comprehensive acute care services to children with

965
Medicaid inpatient utilization equal to or greater than 50

966
percent and
located
in a county with greater than 250,000

967
Medicaid enrollees in 2023. This section expires July 1, 202
7
.

968 Section 20.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

969
201
and
228
of the 202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act, and

970
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

971
Agency for Health Care Administration may submit budget

972
amendments, subject to the notice, review
,
and objection

973
procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, to increase budget

974
authority to support the Florida School
-
Based Services
p
rogram.

975
This section expires July 1, 202
7
.

976 Section 21.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

977
209 through 237
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act
:

978
(1)
the
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Task Force
, a task

979
force as defined in s. 20.03(5), Florida Statutes,

is created

980
within the
Agency for Health
Care Administration
to evaluate the

981
delivery of applied behavior analysis services in a manner that

982
promotes high-quality, family-centered care while ensuring long

983
term financial sustainability of the Medicaid program and cost

984
predictability without disrupting access for current enrollees

985
and families.

986
(2)

The task force shall evaluate:

987
(a)

Clinical care models that lead to best practices for

988
the provision of therapy at the appropriate ages;

989
(b) Appropriate transitions for enrollees receiving ABA

990
services across developmental, educational, and community

991
settings;

992
(c) Quality metrics for ABA therapy services;

993
(d) Limits and utilization controls related to the length

994
of time ABA services may be authorized;

995
(e)

Potential caps on the number of months an enrollee may

996
receive ABA services;
and

997
(f)
Ways to enhance
Medicaid provider enrollment and

998
billing standards for ABA services to promote program integrity

999
and fiscal accountability.

1000
(3)

The task force shall develop recommendations for

1001
revising the state’s service delivery model to improve care

1002
experience
and service continuity for
enrollees
and families

1003
receiving ABA services
,

while safeguarding long-term program

1004
sustainability
.

1005
(4)
The task force shall consist of 10 members as provided

1006
in this subsection.

1007
(a)

The
Secretary of Health Care Administration, or his or

1008
her designee,
shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member of

1009
the
task force
and shall serve as the chair
.

1010
(b)
The
remainder of the
task force
membership
shall be

1011
composed
as follows:

1012
1. T
wo
members appointed by the Governor, three members

1013
appointed by the President of the Senate, and three members

1014
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, based

1015
up
on the criteria of this subparagraph. The appointing officers

1016
must
make their appointments prioritizing members who have the

1017
following experience or expertise:

1018
a.
Persons with academic credentials or scientific

1019
expertise relating to autism and applied behavior analysis
;

1020
b.
Representatives of t
he
applied behavior analysis

1021
provider community
;

1022
c.
Representatives of Medicaid managed care plans with

1023
managerial experience and expertise relating to autism and

1024
applied behavior analysis; or

1025
d. Physicians licensed under chapter 458, Florida Statutes,

1026
or chapter 459, Florida Statutes, with expertise relating to

1027
autism and applied behavior analysis
.

1028
2. One
f
amil
y member
of
a
Medicaid managed care plan

1029
enrollee who receive
s
applied behavior analysis services
,

1030
appointed by the Governor.

1031
(c) The
Secretary of Health Care Administration shall

1032
coordinate with the appointing officers to ensure the task

1033
force’s membership adequately represents the criteria provided

1034
under paragraph (b)
.

1035
(d) Any vacancy occurring on the
task force
must be filled

1036
in the same manner as the original appointment.

1037
(
5
)

The Agency for Health Care Administration
must
provide

1038
staff support for the work of the task force, and staff from the

1039
Department of Health, the Department of Children and Families,

1040
the Department of Education, and the Agency for Persons with

1041
Disabilities may provide
additional
expertise.

1042
(
6
)

Meetings of the task force may be held through

1043
teleconference or other electronic means. The task force shall

1044
convene for its initial meeting by
August 15, 2026,
and

1045
thereafter
,
upon the call of the chair. Notices for any task

1046
force meetings must be published in advance on the
Agency for

1047
Health Care Administration
’s website.

1048
(
7
)

Members of the task force shall serve without

1049
compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as

1050
provided in s. 112.061, Florida Statut
e
s.

1051
(
8
)

The task force shall report its findings and

1052
recommendations to the Governor, the President of the Senate,

1053
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by
December 31,

1054
2026
.
The report must include advantages and disadvantages of

1055
each recommendation.

1056
(9) This section expires July 1, 2027.

1057 Section 22.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1058
339, 339B, 368 through 369
of the 2026-2027 General

1059
Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292,

1060
Florida Statutes, the Department of Children and Families may

1061
submit a budget amendment, subject to the notice, review, and

1062
objection procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, to realign

1063
funding within the department based on the implementation of the

1064
Guardianship Assistance Program, between the specific

1065
appropriations for guardianship assistance payments, foster care

1066
Level 1 room and board payments, relative caregiver payments,

1067
and nonrelative caregiver payments. This section expires July 1,

1068
2027.

1069 Section 23.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1070
209 through 212, 217, 219, 220, 222 through 224, 363, 372, 475,

1071
479, 480, 486, 501, 502, 508, and 512
of the 2026-2027 General

1072
Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292,

1073
Florida Statutes, the Department of Children and Families, the

1074
Department of Health, and the Agency for Health Care

1075
Administration may submit budget amendments, subject to the

1076
notice, review, and objection procedures of s. 216.177, Florida

1077
Statutes, to increase budget authority to support refugee

1078
programs administered by the federal Office of Refugee

1079
Resettlement due to the ongoing instability of federal

1080
immigration policy and the resulting inability of the state to

1081
reasonably predict, with certainty, the budgetary needs of this

1082
state with respect to the number of refugees relocated to the

1083
state as part of those federal programs. The Department of

1084
Children and Families shall submit quarterly reports to the

1085
Executive Office of the Governor, the President of the Senate,

1086
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the number of

1087
refugees entering the state, the nations of origin of such

1088
refugees, and current expenditure projections. This section

1089
expires July 1, 2027.

1090 Section 24.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1091
295 through 390A
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,

1092
and notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes,

1093
the Department of Children and Families may submit budget

1094
amendments, subject to the notice, review, and objection

1095
procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, to increase budget

1096
authority to support the following federal grant programs: the

1097
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Grant Program, the Pandemic

1098
Electronic Benefit Transfer, the American Rescue Plan Grant, the

1099
State Opioid Response Grant, the Substance Use Prevention and

1100
Treatment Block Grant, the Chafee Grant for Independent Living

1101
Services, the Education and Traditional Voucher Grant, Title IV

1102
B Subparts 1 and 2 Grants, the Elder Justice Act, the STOP

1103
Violence Against Women Grant, the Rapid Unsheltered Survivor

1104
Housing Grant, and the Mental Health Block Grant. This section

1105
expires July 1, 2027.

1106 Section 25. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
1107 267 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and
1108 notwithstanding the expiration date in section 32 of chapter
1109 2025-199, Laws of Florida, subsection (2) of section 393.066,
1110 Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
1111 393.066 Community services and treatment.—
1112 (2) Necessary services shall be purchased, rather than
1113 provided directly by the agency, when the purchase of services
1114 is more cost-efficient than providing them directly. All
1115 purchased services must be approved by the agency. As a
1116 condition of payment and before billing, persons or entities
1117 under contract with the agency to provide services shall use
1118 agency data management systems to document service provision to
1119 clients or shall maintain such information in its own data
1120 management system and electronically transmit it to the agency
1121 data management system in an industry standard electronic format
1122 designated by the agency. The agency may not require training on
1123 the use of agency data management systems by persons or entities
1124 that choose to maintain data in their own data management
1125 system, provided that they electronically transmit required
1126 information in a format and frequency designated by the agency.
1127 Contracted persons and entities shall meet the minimum hardware
1128 and software technical requirements established by the agency
1129 for the use of such systems. Such persons or entities shall also
1130 meet any requirements established by the agency for training and
1131 professional development of staff providing direct services to
1132 clients.
1133 Section 26.
The text of s. 393.066(2), Florida Statutes, as

1134
carried forward from chapter 2025-199, Laws of Florida, by this

1135
act expires July 1, 2027, and the text of that subsection shall

1136
revert to that in existence on June 30, 2025, except that any

1137
amendments to such text enacted other than by this act shall be

1138
preserved and continue to operate to the extent that such

1139
amendments are not dependent upon the portions of text which

1140
expire pursuant to this section.

1141 Section 27. Effective upon this act becoming a law, and in
1142 order to implement Specific Appropriation 382 of the 2026-2027
1143 General Appropriations Act, paragraph (c) of subsection (9) of
1144 section 394.9082, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1145 394.9082 Behavioral health managing entities.—
1146 (9) FUNDING FOR MANAGING ENTITIES.—
1147 (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), for the
2026-2027

2025

1148
2026
fiscal year, a managing entity may carry forward documented
1149 unexpended funds appropriated from the State Opioid Settlement
1150 Trust Fund from 1 fiscal year to the next.
Nonqualified
funds
1151 carried forward pursuant to this paragraph are not included in
1152 the 8 percent cumulative cap that may be carried forward. This
1153 paragraph expires July 1,
202
7

2026
.
1154 Section 28. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
1155 324A, 339, 339B, and 384A of the 2026-2027 General
1156 Appropriations Act, subsection (10) is added to section
1157 409.9913, Florida Statutes, to read:
1158 409.9913 Funding methodology to allocate funding to lead
1159 agencies.—
1160
(
10
)
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, core

1161
services funding shall be allocated as provided in the General

1162
Appropriations Act.
The department shall use the Tiered Funding

1163
Model developed and submitted to the Legislature pursuant to

1164
section 34 of chapter 2025-199, Laws of Florida,
as the baseline

1165
framework for any updates, refinements, or enhancements to the

1166
model

and shall continue to collect detailed cost, expenditure,

1167
and census data from community-based care lead agencies
.

1168
(a) Each lead agency shall submit any cost, expenditure,

1169
and census data requested by the department to support the

1170
continued development and refinement of the Tiered Funding

1171
Model. Lead agencies shall complete and validate a standardized

1172
e
xpenditure
r
eport template in the form and manner prescribed by

1173
the department.

1174
(b) The department shall conduct ongoing performance

1175
monitoring by comparing trends in individual metrics against

1176
broader indicators of system health and shall analyze emerging

1177
market trends that may impact organizational financial

1178
stability. The department’s analysis and reporting shall include

1179
a comprehensive explanation of the methodology used to establish

1180
residential group home rates, a description of the current rate

1181
setting processes employed by each community-based care lead

1182
agency, and recommendations to enhance the fiscal sustainability

1183
and transparency of those processes.

1184
(c) Beginning in July 2026 and continuing through November

1185
2026, the department shall provide monthly status reports to the

1186
Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the

1187
House of Representatives detailing activities and progress

1188
related to the development of the funding methodology, including

1189
preliminary recommendations for adjustments for the subsequent

1190
fiscal year.

1191
(d) By December 1, 2026, the department shall submit a

1192
final report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and

1193
the Speaker of the House of Representatives that includes

1194
recommendations for adjustments to the funding methodology for

1195
the next fiscal year. The recommendations shall continue the

1196
Tiered Funding Model approach while proposing enhancements

1197
intended to strengthen operational and financial outcomes.

1198
(e) This subsection expires July 1, 2027
.

1199 Section 29. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
1200 324A, 339, 339B, and 384A and section 74 of the 2026-2027
1201 General Appropriations Act, subsection (9) is added to section
1202 409.990, Florida Statutes, to read:
1203 409.990 Funding for lead agencies.—A contract established
1204 between the department and a lead agency must be funded by a
1205 grant of general revenue, other applicable state funds, or
1206 applicable federal funding sources.
1207
(9)
Notwithstanding subsection (5), all funds held by a

1208
lead agency carried forward pursuant to subsection (5) as of

1209
July 1, 2026, must be returned to the department. The department

1210
must hold such funds in a separate account and, by August 1,

1211
2026, report to the chair of the Senate Committee on

1212
Appropriations, the chair of the House of Representatives Budget

1213
Committee, and the Executive Office of the Governor’s Office of

1214
Policy and Budget the amount of funds returned by each lead

1215
agency. As of September 30, 2026, all funds returned pursuant to

1216
this subsection shall revert to the General Revenue Fund. This

1217
subsection expires July 1, 2027.

1218 Section 30.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1219
465 and 467
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

1220
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

1221
Department of Health may submit a budget amendment, subject to

1222
the notice, review, and objection procedures of s. 216.177,

1223
Florida Statutes, to increase budget authority for the

1224
Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children

1225
(WIC) and the Child Care Food Program if additional federal

1226
revenues will be expended in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This

1227
section expires July 1, 2027.

1228 Section 31.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1229
476 and 52
6

of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

1230
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

1231
Department of Health may submit a budget amendment, subject to

1232
the notice, review, and objection procedures of s. 216.177,

1233
Florida Statutes, to increase budget authority for the HIV/AIDS

1234
Prevention and Treatment Program if additional federal revenues

1235
specific to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment become available

1236
in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This section expires July 1, 2027.

1237 Section 32.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1238
432 through 593
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

1239
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

1240
Department of Health may submit a budget amendment, subject to

1241
the notice, review, and objection procedures of s. 216.177,

1242
Florida Statutes, to increase budget authority for the

1243
department if additional federal revenues specific to COVID-19

1244
relief funds become available in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This

1245
section expires July 1, 2027.

1246 Section 33.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation

1247
203
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act:

1248
(1) The Agency for Health Care Administration shall replace

1249
the current Florida Medicaid Management Information System

1250
(FMMIS) and fiscal agent operations with a system that is

1251
modular, interoperable, and scalable for the Florida Medicaid

1252
program and that complies with all applicable federal and state

1253
laws and requirements. The agency may not include in the program

1254
to replace the current FMMIS and fiscal agent contract:

1255
(a) Functionality that duplicates any of the information

1256
systems of the other health and human services state agencies;

1257
(b) Procurement for agency requirements external to

1258
Medicaid programs with the intent to leverage the Medicaid

1259
technology infrastructure for other purposes without legislative

1260
appropriation or legislative authorization to procure these

1261
requirements. The new system, the Florida Health Care Connection

1262
(FX) system, must provide better integration with subsystems

1263
supporting Florida’s Medicaid program; uniformity, consistency,

1264
and improved access to data; and compatibility with the Centers

1265
for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Medicaid Information

1266
Technology Architecture (MITA) as the system matures and expands

1267
its functionality; or

1268
(c) Any contract executed after July 1, 2022, not including

1269
staff augmentation services purchased off the Department of

1270
Management Services Information Technology staff augmentation

1271
state term contract which are not deliverables based fixed price

1272
contracts.

1273
(2) For purposes of replacing FMMIS and the current

1274
Medicaid fiscal agent, the Agency for Health Care Administration

1275
shall:

1276
(a) Prioritize procurements for the replacement of the

1277
current functions of FMMIS and the responsibilities of the

1278
current Medicaid fiscal agent, to minimize the need to extend

1279
all or portions of the current fiscal agent contract.

1280
(b) Comply with and not exceed the Centers for Medicare and

1281
Medicaid Services funding authorizations for the FX system.

1282
(c)

Develop and mature an enterprise architecture framework

1283
to align the requirements of the FX project phases and

1284
overarching program objectives
, including
completing and

1285
maintaining key components such as the Business Capability Model

1286
and Business Value Model.

1287
(d) Apply value-based measures to support informed

1288
decisionmaking around release readiness and go-live criteria.

1289
These measures must be tracked and reported quarterly to the

1290
e
xecutive
s
teering
c
ommittee
established in paragraph (k)
post

1291
implementation to support performance monitoring and continuous

1292
improvement.

1293
(e)

Through documented FX architecture governance

1294
practices, ensure that the Medicaid business needs and the

1295
business architecture are the primary drivers of information and

1296
technical architecture design decisions. All such decisions must

1297
be documented with traceable rationale to promote transparency

1298
and accountability across the program. The business,

1299
information, and technical architectures must align with the

1300
MITA framework where applicable. In areas where MITA guidance is

1301
not available, alignment will be maintained through adherence to

1302
The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF).

1303
(f)

Ensure compliance and uniformity with the published

1304
MITA framework and guidelines. The agency shall
:

1305
1. Implement an Enterprise Architecture (EA) management

1306
tool that supports an integrated approach to FX program

1307
architecture. The EA tool must serve as a centralized repository

1308
for the FX Business Process Inventory and support the integrated

1309
management and oversight of the FX business, technical, and

1310
information architectures.

1311
2. Establish governance structures and define user roles

1312
within the EA tool for the business, technical
,
and information

1313
architecture components.

1314
(g) Ensure that all business requirements and technical

1315
specifications have been provided to all affected state agencies

1316
for their review and input and approved by the executive

1317
steering committee.

1318
(h) Consult with the Executive Office of the Governor’s

1319
working group for interagency information technology integration

1320
for the development of competitive solicitations that provide

1321
for data interoperability and shared information technology

1322
services across the state’s health and human services agencies.

1323
(i) Implement a data governance structure for the program

1324
to coordinate data sharing and interoperability across state

1325
health care entities.

1326
(j) Establish a continuing oversight team for each contract

1327
pursuant to s. 287.057(26), Florida Statutes. The teams must

1328
provide quarterly reports to the executive steering committee,

1329
summarizing the status of the contract, the pace of

1330
deliverables, the quality of deliverables, contractor

1331
responsiveness, and contractor performance.

1332
(k) Implement a program governance structure that includes

1333
an executive steering committee composed of:

1334
1. The Secretary of Health Care Administration, or the

1335
executive sponsor of the program.

1336
2. A representative of the Division of Health Care Finance

1337
and Data of the Agency for Health Care Administration, appointed

1338
by the Secretary of Health Care Administration.

1339
3. Two representatives from the Division of Medicaid

1340
Policy, Quality, and Operations of the Agency for Health Care

1341
Administration, appointed by the Secretary of Health Care

1342
Administration.

1343
4. A representative of the Division of Health Care Policy

1344
and Oversight of the Agency for Health Care Administration,

1345
appointed by the Secretary of Health Care Administration.

1346
5. A representative of the Florida Center for Health

1347
Information and Transparency of the Agency for Health Care

1348
Administration, appointed by the Secretary of Health Care

1349
Administration.

1350
6. The Chief Information Officer of the Agency for Health

1351
Care Administration, or his or her designee.

1352
(3)(a) The Secretary of Health Care Administration or the

1353
executive sponsor of the program shall serve as chair of the

1354
executive steering committee, and the committee shall take

1355
action by a vote of at least 5 affirmative votes with the chair

1356
voting on the prevailing side. A quorum of the executive

1357
steering committee consists of at least 5 members.

1358
(b)1. The chair shall establish a program finance and

1359
contracting working group composed of:

1360
a. The FX program director.

1361
b. A representative from the agency’s Office of the General

1362
Counsel.

1363
c. A representative from the agency’s Division of

1364
Administration.

1365
d. Representatives from each continuing oversight team.

1366
e. The FX program strategic roadmap manager.

1367
f. The FX program project managers.

1368
g. The FX program risk manager.

1369
h. Any other personnel deemed necessary by the chair.

1370
2. The working group shall meet at least monthly to review

1371
the program status and all contract and program operations,

1372
policies, risks, and issues related to the budget, spending

1373
plans and contractual obligations, and shall develop

1374
recommendations to the executive steering committee for

1375
improvement. The working group shall review all change requests

1376
that impact the program’s scope, schedule, or budget related to

1377
contract management and vendor payments and submit those

1378
recommended for adoption to the executive steering committee.

1379
The chair shall request input from the working group on agenda

1380
items for each scheduled meeting. The program shall make

1381
available program staff to the group, as needed, for the group

1382
to fulfill its duties.

1383
(c)1. The chair shall establish a state agency stakeholder

1384
working group composed of:

1385
a. The executive sponsor of the FX program.

1386
b. A representative of the Department of Children and

1387
Families, appointed by the Secretary of Children and Families.

1388
c. A representative of the Department of Health, appointed

1389
by the State Surgeon General.

1390
d. A representative of the Agency for Persons with

1391
Disabilities, appointed by the director of the Agency for

1392
Persons with Disabilities.

1393
e. A representative from the Florida Healthy Kids

1394
Corporation.

1395
f. A representative from the Department of Elderly Affairs,

1396
appointed by the Secretary of Elderly Affairs.

1397
g. The state chief information officer, or his or her

1398
designee.

1399
h. A representative of the Department of Financial Services

1400
who has experience with the state’s financial processes,

1401
including development of the PALM system, appointed by the Chief

1402
Financial Officer.

1403
2. The working group shall meet at least quarterly to

1404
review the program status and all program operations, policies,

1405
risks, and issues that may impact the operations external to the

1406
Agency for Health Care Administration FX program, and shall

1407
develop recommendations to the executive steering committee for

1408
improvement. The chair shall request input from the working

1409
group on agenda items for each scheduled meeting. The program

1410
shall make available program staff to the group to provide

1411
system demonstrations and any program documentation, as needed,

1412
for the group to fulfill its duties.

1413
(4) The executive steering committee has the overall

1414
responsibility for ensuring that the program to replace FMMIS

1415
and the Medicaid fiscal agent meets its primary business

1416
objectives and shall:

1417
(a) Identify and recommend to the Executive Office of the

1418
Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the

1419
House of Representatives any statutory changes needed to

1420
implement the modular replacement to standardize, to the fullest

1421
extent possible, the state’s health care data and business

1422
processes.

1423
(b) Review and approve any changes to the program’s scope,

1424
schedule, and budget.

1425
(c) Review and approve any changes to the program’s

1426
strategic roadmap.

1427
(d) Review and approve change requests that impact the

1428
program’s scope, schedule, or budget recommended for adoption by

1429
the program finance and contracting working group.

1430
(e) Review recommendations provided by the program working

1431
groups.

1432
(f) Review vendor scorecards, reports, and notifications

1433
produced by the continuing oversight teams.

1434
(g) Ensure that adequate resources are provided throughout

1435
all phases of the program.

1436
(h) Approve all major program deliverables.

1437
(i) Review and verify that all procurement and contractual

1438
documents associated with the replacement of the current FMMIS

1439
and Medicaid fiscal agent align with the scope, schedule, and

1440
anticipated budget for the program.

1441
(5) This section expires July 1, 2027.

1442 Section 34.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation

1443
203 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, the Agency for

1444
Health Care Administration shall contract for a comprehensive,

1445
independent technical architecture and feasibility assessment of

1446
the agency’s Medicaid management information system (MMIS),

1447
including components completed under the FX project.

1448
(1) The assessment must evaluate the agency’s current

1449
technical architecture and technology standards related to its

1450
MMIS replacement activities and assess alignment with all

1451
applicable federal and state laws and requirements, including,

1452
but not limited to, the federal Centers for Medicare and

1453
Medicaid Services (CMS) Interoperability and Patient Access Rule

1454
(CMS-9115), the Medicaid Information Technology Architecture

1455
(MITA) frameworks and guidelines, and recognized industry and

1456
governmental best practices, including CMS modularity guidance

1457
and National Institute of Standards and Technology cybersecurity

1458
standards.

1459
(2) The assessment must, at a minimum:

1460
(a) Identify and document current deficiencies in the

1461
technical architecture, system design, and standards that may

1462
affect long-term sustainability, including issues related to

1463
maintainability, scalability, security, interoperability,

1464
technical debt, vendor dependency, and compliance with evolving

1465
federal and state requirements.

1466
(b) Develop a future-state technical architecture that is

1467
driven by and aligned with the business architecture, Medicaid

1468
program needs, and CMS modularity and interoperability

1469
principles, including identification of core components,

1470
interfaces, data flows, and applicable standards.

1471
(c) Evaluate the feasibility of transitioning from the

1472
current-state architecture to the future-state architecture,

1473
including phased or modular implementation options, associated

1474
risks, estimated costs, implementation timelines, operational

1475
impacts, and implications for federal funding eligibility.

1476
(d) Prioritize replacement of the functionality provided

1477
under the current fiscal agent contract and recommend a

1478
sustainable path forward, including identification of any

1479
prerequisite governance, policy, or remediation actions required

1480
prior to implementation.

1481
(e) Assess the agency’s readiness to implement and operate

1482
the recommended solution, including evaluation of governance

1483
structures, staffing capacity, and resource sufficiency.

1484
(3) The completed assessment must be submitted

1485
simultaneously to the Agency for Health Care Administration,
the

1486
chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the chair of

1487
the House of Representatives Budget Committee, and the Executive

1488
Office of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget
by January

1489
8, 2027.

1490
(4) Based on the results of the assessment, the Agency for

1491
Health Care Administration shall develop a new time-phased

1492
implementation roadmap with measurable success criteria for the

1493
MMIS replacement that aligns investments with the agency’s

1494
Medicaid program goals and business strategy. The agency must

1495
submit the roadmap to
chair of the Senate Committee on

1496
Appropriations, the chair of the House of Representatives Budget

1497
Committee, and the Executive Office of the Governor’s Office of

1498
Policy and Budget
by February 2, 2027.

1499
(5) This section expires July 1, 2027
.

1500 Section 35.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1501
223, 224, 279, 290, 3
49
, 503, 526, and
751

of the 2026-2027

1502
General Appropriations Act, the Agency for Health Care

1503
Administration, in consultation with the Department of Health,

1504
the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Department of

1505
Children and Families, and the Department of Corrections, shall

1506
competitively procure a contract with a vendor to negotiate, for

1507
these agencies, prices for prescribed drugs and biological

1508
products excluded from the program established under s.

1509
381.02035, Florida Statutes, and ineligible under 21 U.S.C. s.

1510
384, including, but not limited to, insulin and epinephrine. The

1511
contract may allow the vendor to directly purchase these

1512
products for participating agencies when feasible and

1513
advantageous. The contracted vendor must be compensated on a

1514
contingency basis, paid from a portion of the savings achieved

1515
by its price negotiation or purchase of the prescription drugs

1516
and products. This section expires July 1, 2027.

1517 Section 36.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation
s

1518
238 through 245
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,

1519
notwithstanding ss. 408.040
(2)
and 408.808
(3)
, Florida Statutes
:

1520
(1)
(a)
An inactive license
or a
partially inactive license

1521
with an expiration date on or after June 1, 2024, may be issued

1522
or renewed to a skilled nursing provider subject to the

1523
certificate-of-need provisions in part I of chapter 408, Florida

1524
Statutes,
if
the provider currently holds an active or inactive

1525
license, does not have a provisional license, and will be

1526
temporarily unable to provide services due to impacts from a

1527
natural disaster or state of emergency
;
or
will be
deactivating

1528
or
has
deactivated beds to improve and modernize the licensees

1529
physical plant, but is reasonably expected to resume services

1530
within 48 months.

1531
(
b
) Such
issuance or renewal
may be made for a period of 12

1532
months
and
may be
further
renewed for up to 36 additional months

1533
upon demonstration by the licensee of the provider’s progress

1534
toward reopening. During each 12-month renewal cycle, the

1535
applicant shall attest that good-faith progress towards

1536
commencement of the project is ongoing or that the project is

1537
delayed by litigation or by governmental action or inaction

with

1538
respect to regulations or permitting that precludes commencement

1539
of the project
.

1540
(2)
(a)
The certificate-of-need validity period for a

1541
project shall be extended by the agency
if
the
certificateholder

1542
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the agency that good-faith

1543
progress toward the
commencement of the project is ongoing or

1544
that the project is
delayed by litigation or by government

1545
action or inaction with respect to regulations or permitting

1546
that precludes
commencement of the project.

1547
(
b
) Such
extension
may be made for a period of 12 months

1548
and
may be renewed for up to 36 additional months upon

1549
demonstration by the
certificate
holder of the progress towards

1550
opening. During each 12-month validity period renewal cycle, the

1551
certificateholder
shall attest that good-faith progress towards

1552
commencement of the project is ongoing or that the project is

1553
being delayed by litigation or by governmental action or

1554
inaction.

1555
(3) This section expires July 1, 2027.

1556 Section 37.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1557
272, 277, 278, 283, 288, and 289
of the 2026-2027 General

1558
Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292,

1559
Florida Statutes, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities may

1560
submit budget amendments, subject to the notice, review, and

1561
objection procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, to

1562
transfer funding from the Salaries and Benefits appropriation

1563
categories to categories used for contractual services in order

1564
to support additional staff augmentation resources needed at the

1565
Developmental Disability Centers. This section expires July 1,

1566
2027.

1567 Section 38.
In order to implement
section 66
of the 202
6

1568
202
7
General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding ss. 216.181

1569
and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the
Agency for Persons with

1570
Disabilities
may submit budget amendment
s
, subject to the

1571
notice, review, and objection procedures of s. 216.177, Florida

1572
Statutes, to
request the appropriation of funds from the Lump

1573
Sum-Home and Community-Based Services Waiver category to address

1574
any deficits or funding shortfalls
. This section expires July 1,

1575
202
7
.

1576 Section 39.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1577
2
31
and
2
54 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

1578
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

1579
Agency for Health Care Administration and the Agency for Persons

1580
with Disabilities may submit budget amendments, subject to the

1581
notice, review, and objection procedures of s. 216.177, Florida

1582
Statutes, at least 3 days before the effective date of the

1583
action, to increase budget authority to support the

1584
implementation of the home and community-based services Medicaid

1585
waiver program of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. This

1586
section expires July 1, 2027.

1587 Section 40.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation

1588
594
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

1589
notwithstanding chapter 216, Florida Statutes, the Department of

1590
Veterans’ Affairs may submit a budget amendment, subject to

1591
Legislative Budget Commission approval, requesting the authority

1592
to establish positions in excess of the number authorized by the

1593
Legislature, increase appropriations from the Operations and

1594
Maintenance Trust Fund, or provide a necessary salary rate

1595
sufficient to provide for essential staff for veterans’ nursing

1596
homes, if the department projects that additional direct care

1597
staff are needed to meet its established staffing ratio. This

1598
section expires July 1, 2027.

1599 Section 41. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
1600 223 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, subsection (1)
1601 of section 409.915, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1602 409.915 County contributions to Medicaid.—Although the
1603 state is responsible for the full portion of the state share of
1604 the matching funds required for the Medicaid program, the state
1605 shall charge the counties an annual contribution in order to
1606 acquire a certain portion of these funds.
1607 (1)(a) As used in this section, the term “state Medicaid
1608 expenditures” means those expenditures used as matching funds
1609 for the federal Medicaid program.
1610 (b) The term does not include funds specially assessed by
1611 any local governmental entity and used as the nonfederal share
1612 for the hospital directed payment program after July 1, 2021.
1613 This paragraph expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
1614 Section 42.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1615
594 through 622A
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,

1616
and notwithstanding
ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes,

1617
the Department of Veterans’ Affairs is authorized to:

1618
(1) Expend funds pursuant to
a Memorandum of Agreement

1619
between the department and the Collier County Board of County

1620
Commissioners, as well as funds appropriated in
c
hapter 2023

1621
239, Laws of Florida, for the planning and construction of a new

1622
State
Veterans’ Nursing Home and Adult Day Health Center in

1623
Collier County.

1624
(2) A
pply for a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

1625
Construction Grant for the Collier County State Veterans’

1626
Nursing Home
.

1627
(3) S
ubmit budget amendments
subject to the notice, review,

1628
and objection procedures in s.
216
.177,
Florida Statutes,

1629
subject to federal approval, requesting additional spending

1630
authority to support the development and construction of a new

1631
State Veterans’ Nursing Home and Adult Day Health Care Center in

1632
Collier County.

1633
1634
This section expires July 1, 2027.

1635 Section 43.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1636
404 and 406
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

1637
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

1638
Department of Elderly Affairs may submit a budget amendment,

1639
subject to the notice, review, and objection procedures of s.

1640
216.177, Florida Statutes, to increase budget authority for the

1641
United States Department of Agriculture’s Adult Care Food

1642
Program
or the Older Americans Act
if additional federal

1643
revenues will be expended in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. This

1644
section expires July 1, 2027.

1645 Section 44. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
1646 626 through 718 and 729 through 782 of the 2026-2027 General
1647 Appropriations Act, subsection (4) of section 216.262, Florida
1648 Statutes, is amended to read:
1649 216.262 Authorized positions.—
1650 (4) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter relating
1651 to increasing the number of authorized positions, and for the
1652
2026-2027

2025-2026
fiscal year only, if the actual inmate
1653 population of the Department of Corrections exceeds the inmate
1654 population projections of the
December 23

February 21
, 2025,
1655 Criminal Justice Estimating Conference by 1 percent for 2
1656 consecutive months or 2 percent for any month, the Executive
1657 Office of the Governor, with the approval of the Legislative
1658 Budget Commission, shall immediately notify the Criminal Justice
1659 Estimating Conference, which shall convene as soon as possible
1660 to revise the estimates. The Department of Corrections may then
1661 submit a budget amendment requesting the establishment of
1662 positions in excess of the number authorized by the Legislature
1663 and additional appropriations from unallocated general revenue
1664 sufficient to provide for essential staff, fixed capital
1665 improvements, and other resources to provide classification,
1666 security, food services, health services, and other variable
1667 expenses within the institutions to accommodate the estimated
1668 increase in the inmate population. All actions taken pursuant to
1669 this subsection are subject to review and approval by the
1670 Legislative Budget Commission. This subsection expires July 1,
1671
2027

2026
.
1672 Section 45. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
1673 3340 through 3409 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,
1674 subsection (2) of section 215.18, Florida Statutes, is amended
1675 to read:
1676 215.18 Transfers between funds; limitation.—
1677 (2) The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may receive one
1678 or more trust fund loans to ensure that the state court system
1679 has funds sufficient to meet its appropriations in the
2026-2027

1680
2025-2026
General Appropriations Act. If the Chief Justice
1681 accesses the loan, he or she must notify the Governor and the
1682 chairs of the legislative appropriations committees in writing.
1683 The loan must come from other funds in the State Treasury which
1684 are for the time being or otherwise in excess of the amounts
1685 necessary to meet the just requirements of such last-mentioned
1686 funds. The Governor shall order the transfer of funds within 5
1687 days after the written notification from the Chief Justice. If
1688 the Governor does not order the transfer, the Chief Financial
1689 Officer shall transfer the requested funds. The loan of funds
1690 from which any money is temporarily transferred must be repaid
1691 by the end of the
2026-2027

2025-2026
fiscal year. This
1692 subsection expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
1693 Section 46.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

1694
1183 through 1194
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act:

1695
(1) The Department of Juvenile Justice shall review county

1696
juvenile detention payments to ensure that counties fulfill

1697
their financial responsibilities required in s. 985.6865,

1698
Florida Statutes. If the Department of Juvenile Justice

1699
determines that a county has not met its obligations, the

1700
department shall direct the Department of Revenue to deduct the

1701
amount owed to the Department of Juvenile Justice from the funds

1702
provided to the county under s. 218.23, Florida Statutes. The

1703
Department of Revenue shall transfer the funds withheld to the

1704
Shared County/State Juvenile Detention Trust Fund.

1705
(2) As an assurance to holders of bonds issued by counties

1706
before July 1, 2026, for which distributions made pursuant to s.

1707
218.23, Florida Statutes, are pledged, or bonds issued to refund

1708
such bonds which mature no later than the bonds they refunded

1709
and which result in a reduction of debt service payable in each

1710
fiscal year, the amount available for distribution to a county

1711
shall remain as provided by law and continue to be subject to

1712
any lien or claim on behalf of the bondholders. The Department

1713
of Revenue must ensure, based on information provided by an

1714
affected county, that any reduction in amounts distributed

1715
pursuant to subsection (1) does not reduce the amount of

1716
distribution to a county below the amount necessary for the

1717
timely payment of principal and interest when due on the bonds

1718
and the amount necessary to comply with any covenant under the

1719
bond resolution or other documents relating to the issuance of

1720
the bonds. If a reduction to a county’s monthly distribution

1721
must be decreased in order to comply with this section, the

1722
Department of Revenue must notify the Department of Juvenile

1723
Justice of the amount of the decrease, and the Department of

1724
Juvenile Justice must send a bill for payment of such amount to

1725
the affected county.

1726
(3) This section expires July 1, 2027.

1727 Section 47. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
1728 793 through 817A, 978 through 1125, and 1146 through 1182 of the
1729 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding the
1730 expiration date in section 52 of chapter 2025-199, Laws of
1731 Florida, subsection (1), paragraph (a) of subsection (2),
1732 paragraph (a) of subsection (3), and subsections (5), (6), and
1733 (7) of section 27.40, Florida Statutes, are reenacted to read:
1734 27.40 Court-appointed counsel; circuit registries; minimum
1735 requirements; appointment by court.—
1736 (1) Counsel shall be appointed to represent any individual
1737 in a criminal or civil proceeding entitled to court-appointed
1738 counsel under the Federal or State Constitution or as authorized
1739 by general law. The court shall appoint a public defender to
1740 represent indigent persons as authorized in s. 27.51. The office
1741 of criminal conflict and civil regional counsel shall be
1742 appointed to represent persons in those cases in which provision
1743 is made for court-appointed counsel, but only after the public
1744 defender has certified to the court in writing that the public
1745 defender is unable to provide representation due to a conflict
1746 of interest or is not authorized to provide representation. The
1747 public defender shall report, in the aggregate, the specific
1748 basis of all conflicts of interest certified to the court. On a
1749 quarterly basis, the public defender shall submit this
1750 information to the Justice Administrative Commission.
1751 (2)(a) Private counsel shall be appointed to represent
1752 persons in those cases in which provision is made for court
1753 appointed counsel but only after the office of criminal conflict
1754 and civil regional counsel has been appointed and has certified
1755 to the court in writing that the criminal conflict and civil
1756 regional counsel is unable to provide representation due to a
1757 conflict of interest. The criminal conflict and civil regional
1758 counsel shall report, in the aggregate, the specific basis of
1759 all conflicts of interest certified to the court. On a quarterly
1760 basis, the criminal conflict and civil regional counsel shall
1761 submit this information to the Justice Administrative
1762 Commission.
1763 (3) In using a registry:
1764 (a) The chief judge of the circuit shall compile a list of
1765 attorneys in private practice, by county and by category of
1766 cases, and provide the list to the clerk of court in each
1767 county. The chief judge of the circuit may restrict the number
1768 of attorneys on the general registry list. To be included on a
1769 registry, an attorney must certify that he or she:
1770 1. Meets any minimum requirements established by the chief
1771 judge and by general law for court appointment;
1772 2. Is available to represent indigent defendants in cases
1773 requiring court appointment of private counsel; and
1774 3. Is willing to abide by the terms of the contract for
1775 services, s. 27.5304, and this section.
1776
1777 To be included on a registry, an attorney must enter into a
1778 contract for services with the Justice Administrative
1779 Commission. Failure to comply with the terms of the contract for
1780 services may result in termination of the contract and removal
1781 from the registry. Each attorney on the registry is responsible
1782 for notifying the clerk of the court and the Justice
1783 Administrative Commission of any change in his or her status.
1784 Failure to comply with this requirement is cause for termination
1785 of the contract for services and removal from the registry until
1786 the requirement is fulfilled.
1787 (5) The Justice Administrative Commission shall approve
1788 uniform contract forms for use in procuring the services of
1789 private court-appointed counsel and uniform procedures and forms
1790 for use by a court-appointed attorney in support of billing for
1791 attorney’s fees, costs, and related expenses to demonstrate the
1792 attorney’s completion of specified duties. Such uniform
1793 contracts and forms for use in billing must be consistent with
1794 s. 27.5304, s. 216.311, and the General Appropriations Act and
1795 must contain the following statement: “The State of Florida’s
1796 performance and obligation to pay under this contract is
1797 contingent upon an annual appropriation by the Legislature.”
1798 (6) After court appointment, the attorney must immediately
1799 file a notice of appearance with the court indicating acceptance
1800 of the appointment to represent the defendant and of the terms
1801 of the uniform contract as specified in subsection (5).
1802 (7)(a) A private attorney appointed by the court from the
1803 registry to represent a client is entitled to payment as
1804 provided in s. 27.5304 so long as the requirements of subsection
1805 (1) and paragraph (2)(a) are met. An attorney appointed by the
1806 court who is not on the registry list may be compensated under
1807 s. 27.5304 only if the court finds in the order of appointment
1808 that there were no registry attorneys available for
1809 representation for that case and only if the requirements of
1810 subsection (1) and paragraph (2)(a) are met.
1811 (b)1. The flat fee established in s. 27.5304 and the
1812 General Appropriations Act shall be presumed by the court to be
1813 sufficient compensation. The attorney shall maintain appropriate
1814 documentation, including contemporaneous and detailed hourly
1815 accounting of time spent representing the client. If the
1816 attorney fails to maintain such contemporaneous and detailed
1817 hourly records, the attorney waives the right to seek
1818 compensation in excess of the flat fee established in s. 27.5304
1819 and the General Appropriations Act. These records and documents
1820 are subject to review by the Justice Administrative Commission
1821 and audit by the Auditor General, subject to the attorney-client
1822 privilege and work-product privilege. The attorney shall
1823 maintain the records and documents in a manner that enables the
1824 attorney to redact any information subject to a privilege in
1825 order to facilitate the commission’s review of the records and
1826 documents and not to impede such review. The attorney may redact
1827 information from the records and documents only to the extent
1828 necessary to comply with the privilege. The Justice
1829 Administrative Commission shall review such records and shall
1830 contemporaneously document such review before authorizing
1831 payment to an attorney. Objections by or on behalf of the
1832 Justice Administrative Commission to records or documents or to
1833 claims for payment by the attorney shall be presumed correct by
1834 the court unless the court determines, in writing, that
1835 competent and substantial evidence exists to justify overcoming
1836 the presumption.
1837 2. If an attorney fails, refuses, or declines to permit the
1838 commission or the Auditor General to review documentation for a
1839 case as provided in this paragraph, the attorney waives the
1840 right to seek, and the commission may not pay, compensation in
1841 excess of the flat fee established in s. 27.5304 and the General
1842 Appropriations Act for that case.
1843 3. A finding by the commission that an attorney has waived
1844 the right to seek compensation in excess of the flat fee
1845 established in s. 27.5304 and the General Appropriations Act, as
1846 provided in this paragraph, shall be presumed to be correct,
1847 unless the court determines, in writing, that competent and
1848 substantial evidence exists to justify overcoming the
1849 presumption.
1850 Section 48.
The text of s. 27.40(1), (2)(a), (3)(a), (5),

1851
(6), and (7), Florida Statutes, as carried forward from chapter

1852
2019-116, Laws of Florida, by this act expires July 1, 2027, and

1853
the text of those subsections and paragraphs, as applicable,

1854
shall revert to that in existence on June 30, 2019, except that

1855
any amendments to such text enacted other than by this act shall

1856
be preserved and continue to operate to the extent that such

1857
amendments are not dependent upon the portions of text which

1858
expire pursuant to this section.

1859 Section 49. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
1860 793 through 817A, 978 through 1125, and 1146 through 1182 of the
1861 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding the
1862 expiration date in section 54 of chapter 2025-199, Laws of
1863 Florida, subsection (13) of section 27.5304, Florida Statutes,
1864 is amended, and subsections (1), (3), (6), (7), and (11) and
1865 paragraphs (a) through (e) of subsection (12) of that section
1866 are reenacted, to read:
1867 27.5304 Private court-appointed counsel; compensation;
1868 notice.—
1869 (1) Private court-appointed counsel appointed in the manner
1870 prescribed in s. 27.40(1) and (2)(a) shall be compensated by the
1871 Justice Administrative Commission only as provided in this
1872 section and the General Appropriations Act. The flat fees
1873 prescribed in this section are limitations on compensation. The
1874 specific flat fee amounts for compensation shall be established
1875 annually in the General Appropriations Act. The attorney also
1876 shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses in
1877 accordance with s. 29.007. If the attorney is representing a
1878 defendant charged with more than one offense in the same case,
1879 the attorney shall be compensated at the rate provided for the
1880 most serious offense for which he or she represented the
1881 defendant. This section does not allow stacking of the fee
1882 limits established by this section.
1883 (3) The court retains primary authority and responsibility
1884 for determining the reasonableness of all billings for attorney
1885 fees, costs, and related expenses, subject to statutory
1886 limitations and the requirements of s. 27.40(7). Private court
1887 appointed counsel is entitled to compensation upon final
1888 disposition of a case.
1889 (6) For compensation for representation pursuant to a court
1890 appointment in a proceeding under chapter 39:
1891 (a) At the trial level, compensation for representation for
1892 dependency proceedings shall not exceed $1,450 for the first
1893 year following the date of appointment and shall not exceed $700
1894 each year thereafter. Compensation shall be paid based upon
1895 representation of a parent irrespective of the number of case
1896 numbers that may be assigned or the number of children involved,
1897 including any children born during the pendency of the
1898 proceeding. Any appeal, except for an appeal from an
1899 adjudication of dependency, shall be completed by the trial
1900 attorney and is considered compensated by the flat fee for
1901 dependency proceedings.
1902 1. Counsel may bill the flat fee not exceeding $1,450
1903 following disposition or upon dismissal of the petition.
1904 2. Counsel may bill the annual flat fee not exceeding $700
1905 following the first judicial review in the second year following
1906 the date of appointment and each year thereafter as long as the
1907 case remains under protective supervision.
1908 3. If the court grants a motion to reactivate protective
1909 supervision, the attorney shall receive the annual flat fee not
1910 exceeding $700 following the first judicial review and up to an
1911 additional $700 each year thereafter.
1912 4. If, during the course of dependency proceedings, a
1913 proceeding to terminate parental rights is initiated,
1914 compensation shall be as set forth in paragraph (b). If counsel
1915 handling the dependency proceeding is not authorized to handle
1916 proceedings to terminate parental rights, the counsel must
1917 withdraw and new counsel must be appointed.
1918 (b) At the trial level, compensation for representation in
1919 termination of parental rights proceedings shall not exceed
1920 $1,800 for the first year following the date of appointment and
1921 shall not exceed $700 each year thereafter. Compensation shall
1922 be paid based upon representation of a parent irrespective of
1923 the number of case numbers that may be assigned or the number of
1924 children involved, including any children born during the
1925 pendency of the proceeding. Any appeal, except for an appeal
1926 from an order granting or denying termination of parental
1927 rights, shall be completed by trial counsel and is considered
1928 compensated by the flat fee for termination of parental rights
1929 proceedings. If the individual has dependency proceedings
1930 ongoing as to other children, those proceedings are considered
1931 part of the termination of parental rights proceedings as long
1932 as that termination of parental rights proceeding is ongoing.
1933 1. Counsel may bill the flat fee not exceeding $1,800 30
1934 days after rendition of the final order. Each request for
1935 payment submitted to the Justice Administrative Commission must
1936 include the trial counsel’s certification that:
1937 a. Counsel discussed grounds for appeal with the parent or
1938 that counsel attempted and was unable to contact the parent; and
1939 b. No appeal will be filed or that a notice of appeal and a
1940 motion for appointment of appellate counsel, containing the
1941 signature of the parent, have been filed.
1942 2. Counsel may bill the annual flat fee not exceeding $700
1943 following the first judicial review in the second year after the
1944 date of appointment and each year thereafter as long as the
1945 termination of parental rights proceedings are still ongoing.
1946 (c) For appeals from an adjudication of dependency,
1947 compensation may not exceed $1,800.
1948 1. Counsel may bill a flat fee not exceeding $1,200 upon
1949 filing the initial brief or the granting of a motion to
1950 withdraw.
1951 2. If a brief is filed, counsel may bill an additional flat
1952 fee not exceeding $600 upon rendition of the mandate.
1953 (d) For an appeal from an adjudication of termination of
1954 parental rights, compensation may not exceed $3,500.
1955 1. Counsel may bill a flat fee not exceeding $1,750 upon
1956 filing the initial brief or the granting of a motion to
1957 withdraw.
1958 2. If a brief is filed, counsel may bill an additional flat
1959 fee not exceeding $1,750 upon rendition of the mandate.
1960 (7) Counsel eligible to receive compensation from the state
1961 for representation pursuant to court appointment made in
1962 accordance with the requirements of s. 27.40(1) and (2)(a) in a
1963 proceeding under chapter 384, chapter 390, chapter 392, chapter
1964 393, chapter 394, chapter 397, chapter 415, chapter 743, chapter
1965 744, or chapter 984 shall receive compensation not to exceed the
1966 limits prescribed in the General Appropriations Act. Any such
1967 compensation must be determined as provided in s. 27.40(7).
1968 (11) It is the intent of the Legislature that the flat fees
1969 prescribed under this section and the General Appropriations Act
1970 comprise the full and complete compensation for private court
1971 appointed counsel. It is further the intent of the Legislature
1972 that the fees in this section are prescribed for the purpose of
1973 providing counsel with notice of the limit on the amount of
1974 compensation for representation in particular proceedings and
1975 the sole procedure and requirements for obtaining payment for
1976 the same.
1977 (a) If court-appointed counsel moves to withdraw prior to
1978 the full performance of his or her duties through the completion
1979 of the case, the court shall presume that the attorney is not
1980 entitled to the payment of the full flat fee established under
1981 this section and the General Appropriations Act.
1982 (b) If court-appointed counsel is allowed to withdraw from
1983 representation prior to the full performance of his or her
1984 duties through the completion of the case and the court appoints
1985 a subsequent attorney, the total compensation for the initial
1986 and any and all subsequent attorneys may not exceed the flat fee
1987 established under this section and the General Appropriations
1988 Act, except as provided in subsection (12).
1989
1990 This subsection constitutes notice to any subsequently appointed
1991 attorney that he or she will not be compensated the full flat
1992 fee.
1993 (12) The Legislature recognizes that on rare occasions an
1994 attorney may receive a case that requires extraordinary and
1995 unusual effort.
1996 (a) If counsel seeks compensation that exceeds the limits
1997 prescribed by law, he or she must file a motion with the chief
1998 judge for an order approving payment of attorney fees in excess
1999 of these limits.
2000 1. Before filing the motion, the counsel shall deliver a
2001 copy of the intended billing, together with supporting
2002 affidavits and all other necessary documentation, to the Justice
2003 Administrative Commission.
2004 2. The Justice Administrative Commission shall review the
2005 billings, affidavit, and documentation for completeness and
2006 compliance with contractual and statutory requirements and shall
2007 contemporaneously document such review before authorizing
2008 payment to an attorney. If the Justice Administrative Commission
2009 objects to any portion of the proposed billing, the objection
2010 and supporting reasons must be communicated in writing to the
2011 private court-appointed counsel. The counsel may thereafter file
2012 his or her motion, which must specify whether the commission
2013 objects to any portion of the billing or the sufficiency of
2014 documentation, and shall attach the commission’s letter stating
2015 its objection.
2016 (b) Following receipt of the motion to exceed the fee
2017 limits, the chief judge or a single designee shall hold an
2018 evidentiary hearing. The chief judge may select only one judge
2019 per circuit to hear and determine motions pursuant to this
2020 subsection, except multicounty circuits and the eleventh circuit
2021 may have up to two designees.
2022 1. At the hearing, the attorney seeking compensation must
2023 prove by competent and substantial evidence that the case
2024 required extraordinary and unusual efforts. The chief judge or
2025 single designee shall consider criteria such as the number of
2026 witnesses, the complexity of the factual and legal issues, and
2027 the length of trial. The fact that a trial was conducted in a
2028 case does not, by itself, constitute competent substantial
2029 evidence of an extraordinary and unusual effort. In a criminal
2030 case, relief under this section may not be granted if the number
2031 of work hours does not exceed 75 or the number of the state’s
2032 witnesses deposed does not exceed 20.
2033 2. Objections by or on behalf of the Justice Administrative
2034 Commission to records or documents or to claims for payment by
2035 the attorney shall be presumed correct by the court unless the
2036 court determines, in writing, that competent and substantial
2037 evidence exists to justify overcoming the presumption. The chief
2038 judge or single designee shall enter a written order detailing
2039 his or her findings and identifying the extraordinary nature of
2040 the time and efforts of the attorney in the case which warrant
2041 exceeding the flat fee established by this section and the
2042 General Appropriations Act.
2043 (c) A copy of the motion and attachments shall be served on
2044 the Justice Administrative Commission at least 20 business days
2045 before the date of a hearing. The Justice Administrative
2046 Commission has standing to appear before the court, and may
2047 appear in person or telephonically, including at the hearing
2048 under paragraph (b), to contest any motion for an order
2049 approving payment of attorney fees, costs, or related expenses
2050 and may participate in a hearing on the motion by use of
2051 telephonic or other communication equipment. The Justice
2052 Administrative Commission may contract with other public or
2053 private entities or individuals to appear before the court for
2054 the purpose of contesting any motion for an order approving
2055 payment of attorney fees, costs, or related expenses. The fact
2056 that the Justice Administrative Commission has not objected to
2057 any portion of the billing or to the sufficiency of the
2058 documentation is not binding on the court.
2059 (d) If the chief judge or a single designee finds that
2060 counsel has proved by competent and substantial evidence that
2061 the case required extraordinary and unusual efforts, the chief
2062 judge or single designee shall order the compensation to be paid
2063 to the attorney at a percentage above the flat fee rate,
2064 depending on the extent of the unusual and extraordinary effort
2065 required. The percentage must be only the rate necessary to
2066 ensure that the fees paid are not confiscatory under common law.
2067 The percentage may not exceed 200 percent of the established
2068 flat fee, absent a specific finding that 200 percent of the flat
2069 fee in the case would be confiscatory. If the chief judge or
2070 single designee determines that 200 percent of the flat fee
2071 would be confiscatory, he or she shall order the amount of
2072 compensation using an hourly rate not to exceed $75 per hour for
2073 a noncapital case and $100 per hour for a capital case. However,
2074 the compensation calculated by using the hourly rate shall be
2075 only that amount necessary to ensure that the total fees paid
2076 are not confiscatory, subject to the requirements of s.
2077 27.40(7).
2078 (e) Any order granting relief under this subsection must be
2079 attached to the final request for a payment submitted to the
2080 Justice Administrative Commission and must satisfy the
2081 requirements of subparagraph (b)2.
2082 (13) Notwithstanding the limitation set forth in subsection
2083 (5) and for the
2026-2027

2025-2026
fiscal year only, the
2084 compensation for representation in a criminal proceeding may not
2085 exceed the following:
2086 (a) For misdemeanors and juveniles represented at the trial
2087 level: $2,000.
2088 (b) For noncapital, nonlife felonies represented at the
2089 trial level: $15,000.
2090 (c) For life felonies represented at the trial level:
2091 $15,000.
2092 (d) For capital cases represented at the trial level:
2093 $25,000. For purposes of this paragraph, a “capital case” is any
2094 offense for which the potential sentence is death and the state
2095 has not waived seeking the death penalty.
2096 (e) For representation on appeal: $9,000.
2097 (f) This subsection expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
2098 Section 50.
The text of s. 27.5304(1), (3), (7), (11), and

2099
(12)(a)-(e), Florida Statutes, as carried forward from chapter

2100
2019-116, Laws of Florida, and the text of s. 27.5304(6),

2101
Florida Statutes, as carried forward from chapter 2023-240, Laws

2102
of Florida, by this act, expire July 1, 2027, and the text of

2103
those subsections and paragraphs, as applicable, shall revert to

2104
that in existence on June 30, 2019, except that any amendments

2105
to such text enacted other than by this act shall be preserved

2106
and continue to operate to the extent that such amendments are

2107
not dependent upon the portions of text which expire pursuant to

2108
this section.

2109 Section 51. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
2110 1348 through 1353 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,
2111 subsection (3) of section 908.1033, Florida Statutes, is amended
2112 to read:
2113 908.1033 Local Law Enforcement Immigration Grant Program.—
2114 (3)(a) A local law enforcement agency may apply to the
2115 State Board of Immigration Enforcement to provide bonus payments
2116 for the agency’s local law enforcement officers who participate
2117 in United States Department of Homeland Security at-large task
2118 force operations. The local law enforcement agency may apply for
2119 a bonus of up to $1,000 for each local law enforcement officer
2120 employed within that agency. The local law enforcement agency
2121 must certify to the board that the local law enforcement officer
2122 participated in one or more operations and provide any
2123 information required by the board. Eligible participation does
2124 not include operations occurring solely at state correctional
2125 facilities or county detention facilities.
2126 (b) The bonus payment shall be adjusted to include 7.65
2127 percent for the officers’ share of Federal Insurance
2128 Contribution Act tax on the bonus.
2129 (c) Notwithstanding paragraph (a), and for the
2026-2027

2130
2025-2026
fiscal year, a local law enforcement agency may apply
2131 to the State Board of Immigration Enforcement to provide bonus
2132 payments for the agency’s certified correctional officers under
2133 s. 943.10(2), who are a warrant service officer under s. 287(g)
2134 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. s. 1357 or an
2135 immigration officer under the jail enforcement model under s.
2136 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. s. 1357.
2137 The local law enforcement agency may apply for a bonus of up to
2138 $1,000 for each certified correctional officer employed with
2139 that county detention facility. The local law enforcement agency
2140 must certify to the board that the certified correctional
2141 officer acted in such capacity as a warrant service officer or
2142 an immigration officer under the jail enforcement model for at
2143 least 6 months preceding the application and provide any
2144 information required by the board. Eligible participation does
2145 not include operations occurring solely at state correctional
2146 facilities. This paragraph expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
2147 Section 52. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
2148 1336A of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, paragraph (g)
2149 is added to subsection (7) of section 934.50, Florida Statutes,
2150 to read:
2151 934.50 Searches and seizure using a drone.—
2152 (7) SECURITY STANDARDS FOR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY DRONE USE.—
2153
(
g
)
S
ubject to appropriation, the Drone as First Responder

2154
G
rant
P
rogram is created within the Department of Law

2155
Enforcement.

2156
1.
The
grant
program shall provide funds to law enforcement

2157
agencies, fire service providers, ambulance crews, or other

2158
first responders that apply for funding to acquire new drones

2159
that comply with this section. To be eligible, the applicant

2160
must provide the department with any information the department

2161
deems necessary. A law enforcement agency, fire service,

2162
ambula
nce service
, or other first responder agency may apply

2163
directly to the department or a local government
al
entity may

2164
submit an application on behalf of one or more of its agencies

2165
to purchase one or more new drones.

2166
2. The
d
epartment shall expeditiously develop an

2167
application process
.

F
unds shall be allocated on a first-come,

2168
first-served basis, determined by the date the department

2169
receives the application.

2170
3. Grants must be matched by at least 50 percent local

2171
funds, but the department may waive this requirement for

2172
agencies solely serving within a fiscally constrained county
as

2173
described in s. 218.67(1), Florida Statutes
. Each grant is

2174
limited to a total of $250,000 per agency and a maximum $50,000

2175
per drone.

2176
4
. For the purposes of this paragraph, the term

“
f
irst

2177
responder agency“ has the same meaning as
in
s. 365.179(1)(a).

2178
5. The department may adopt rules to implement this

2179
paragraph
. The
d
epartment is authorized, and all conditions are

2180
deemed met, to adopt emergency rules under s. 120.54(4) for the

2181
purpose of implementing
this paragraph
. Notwithstanding any

2182
other law, emergency rules adopted under this section are

2183
effective for 12 months after adoption and may be renewed during

2184
the pendency of procedures to adopt permanent rules addressing

2185
the subject of the emergency rules.

2186
2187
This paragraph expires July 1, 202
7.

2188 Section 53.
In order to implement appropriations used to

2189
pay existing lease contracts for private lease space in excess

2190
of 2,000 square feet in the 2026-2027 General Appropriations

2191
Act, the Department of Management Services, with the cooperation

2192
of the agencies having the existing lease contracts for office

2193
or storage space, shall use tenant broker services to

2194
renegotiate or reprocure all private lease agreements for office

2195
or storage space which are expiring between July 1, 2027, and

2196
June 30, 2029, in order to reduce costs in future years. The

2197
department shall incorporate this initiative into its 2026

2198
master leasing report required under s. 255.249(7), Florida

2199
Statutes, and may use tenant broker services to explore the

2200
possibilities of colocating office or storage space, to review

2201
the space needs of each agency, and to review the length and

2202
terms of potential renewals or renegotiations. The department

2203
shall provide a report to the Executive Office of the Governor,

2204
the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of

2205
Representatives by November 1, 2026, which lists each lease

2206
contract for private office or storage space, the status of

2207
renegotiations, and the savings achieved. This section expires

2208
July 1, 2027.

2209 Section 54.
In order to implement appropriations authorized

2210
in the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act for data center

2211
services, and notwithstanding s. 216.292(2)(a), Florida

2212
Statutes, an agency may not transfer funds from a data

2213
processing category to a category other than another data

2214
processing category or a cloud computing category for

2215
information technology resources hosted outside an agency. This

2216
section expires July 1, 2027.

2217 Section 55.
In order to implement the appropriation of

2218
funds in the appropriation category “Special Categories-Risk

2219
Management Insurance” in the 2026-2027 General Appropriations

2220
Act, and pursuant to the notice, review, and objection

2221
procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, the Executive Office

2222
of the Governor may transfer funds appropriated in that category

2223
between departments in order to align the budget authority

2224
granted with the premiums paid by each department for risk

2225
management insurance. This section expires July 1, 2027.

2226 Section 56.
In order to implement the appropriation of

2227
funds in the appropriation category “Special Categories-Transfer

2228
to Department of Management Services-Human Resources Services

2229
Purchased per Statewide Contract” in the 2026-2027 General

2230
Appropriations Act, and pursuant to the notice, review, and

2231
objection procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, the

2232
Executive Office of the Governor may transfer funds appropriated

2233
in that category between departments in order to align the

2234
budget authority granted with the assessments that must be paid

2235
by each agency to the Department of Management Services for

2236
human resource management services. This section expires July 1,

2237
2027.

2238 Section 57.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation

2239
293
5 in the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act in the Building

2240
Relocation appropriation category from the Architects Incidental

2241
Trust Fund of the Department of Management Services, and in

2242
accordance with s. 215.196, Florida Statutes:

2243
(1) Upon the final disposition of a state-owned building,

2244
the Department of Management Services may use up to 5 percent of

2245
facility disposition funds from the Architects Incidental Trust

2246
Fund to defer, offset, or otherwise pay for all or a portion of

2247
relocation expenses, including furniture, fixtures, and

2248
equipment for state agencies impacted by the disposition of the

2249
department’s managed facilities in the Florida Facilities Pool.

2250
The extent of the financial assistance provided to impacted

2251
state agencies shall be determined by the department.

2252
(2) The Department of Management Services may submit budget

2253
amendments for an increase in appropriation if necessary for the

2254
implementation of this section pursuant to chapter 216, Florida

2255
Statutes. Budget amendments for an increase in appropriation

2256
shall include a detailed plan providing all estimated costs and

2257
relocation proposals.

2258
(3) This section expires July 1, 2027.

2259 Section 58.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

2260
2513 through 2516
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act:

2261
(1) The Department of Financial Services shall replace the

2262
four main components of the Florida Accounting Information

2263
Resource Subsystem (FLAIR), which include central FLAIR,

2264
departmental FLAIR, payroll, and information warehouse, and

2265
shall replace the cash management and accounting management

2266
components of the Cash Management Subsystem (CMS) with an

2267
integrated enterprise system that allows the state to organize,

2268
define, and standardize its financial management business

2269
processes and that complies with ss. 215.90-215.96, Florida

2270
Statutes. The department may not include in the replacement of

2271
FLAIR and CMS:

2272
(a) Functionality that duplicates any of the other

2273
information subsystems of the Florida Financial Management

2274
Information System; or

2275
(b) Agency business processes related to any of the

2276
functions included in the Personnel Information System, the

2277
Purchasing Subsystem, or the Legislative Appropriations

2278
System/Planning and Budgeting Subsystem.

2279
(2) For purposes of replacing FLAIR and CMS, the Department

2280
of Financial Services shall:

2281
(a) Take into consideration the cost and implementation

2282
data identified for Option 3 as recommended in the March 31,

2283
2014, Florida Department of Financial Services FLAIR Study,

2284
version 031.

2285
(b) Ensure that all business requirements and technical

2286
specifications have been provided to all state agencies for

2287
their review and input and approved by the executive steering

2288
committee established in paragraph (c), including any updates to

2289
these documents.

2290
(c) Implement a project governance structure that includes

2291
an executive steering committee composed of:

2292
1. The Chief Financial Officer or the executive sponsor of

2293
the project.

2294
2. A representative of the Division of Treasury of the

2295
Department of Financial Services, appointed by the Chief

2296
Financial Officer.

2297
3. The Chief Information Officers of the Department of

2298
Financial Services and the Department of Environmental

2299
Protection.

2300
4. Two employees from the Division of Accounting and

2301
Auditing of the Department of Financial Services, appointed by

2302
the Chief Financial Officer. Each employee must have experience

2303
relating to at least one of the four main components that

2304
compose FLAIR.

2305
5. Two employees from the Executive Office of the Governor,

2306
appointed by the Governor. One employee must have experience

2307
relating to the Legislative Appropriations System/Planning and

2308
Budgeting Subsystem.

2309
6. One employee from the Department of Revenue, appointed

2310
by the executive director, who has experience using or

2311
maintaining the department’s finance and accounting systems.

2312
7. Two employees from the Department of Management

2313
Services, appointed by the Secretary of Management Services. One

2314
employee must have experience relating to the department’s

2315
personnel information subsystem and one employee must have

2316
experience relating to the department’s purchasing subsystem.

2317
8. A state agency administrative services director,

2318
appointed by the Governor.

2319
9. The executive sponsor of the Florida Health Care

2320
Connection (FX) System or his or her designee, appointed by the

2321
Secretary of Health Care Administration.

2322
10. The state chief information officer, or his or her

2323
designee, as a nonvoting member. The state chief information

2324
officer, or his or her designee, shall provide monthly status

2325
reports to the executive steering committee pursuant to the

2326
oversight responsibilities in s. 282.0051, Florida Statutes.

2327
11. One employee from the Department of Business and

2328
Professional Regulation who has experience in finance and

2329
accounting and FLAIR, appointed by the Secretary of Business and

2330
Professional Regulation.

2331
12. One employee from the Fish and Wildlife Conservation

2332
Commission who has experience using or maintaining the

2333
commission’s finance and accounting systems, appointed by the

2334
chair of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

2335
13. The budget director of the Department of Education, or

2336
his or her designee.

2337
(3)(a) The Chief Financial Officer or the executive sponsor

2338
of the project shall serve as chair of the executive steering

2339
committee, and the committee shall take action by a vote of at

2340
least eight affirmative votes with the Chief Financial Officer

2341
or the executive sponsor of the project voting on the prevailing

2342
side. A quorum of the executive steering committee consists of

2343
at least 10 members.

2344
(b) No later than 14 days before a meeting of the executive

2345
steering committee, the chair shall request input from committee

2346
members on agenda items for the next scheduled meeting.

2347
(c) The chair shall establish a working group composed of

2348
FLAIR users, state agency technical staff who maintain

2349
applications that integrate with FLAIR, and no less than four

2350
state agency finance and accounting or budget directors. The

2351
working group shall meet at least monthly to review PALM

2352
functionality, assess project impacts to state financial

2353
business processes and agency staff, and develop recommendations

2354
to the executive steering committee for improvements. The chair

2355
shall request input from the working group on agenda items for

2356
each scheduled meeting. The Florida PALM project team shall

2357
dedicate a staff member to the group and provide system

2358
demonstrations and any project documentation, as needed, for the

2359
group to fulfill its duties.

2360
(d) The chair shall request all agency project sponsors to

2361
provide bimonthly status reports to the executive steering

2362
committee. The form and format of the bimonthly status reports

2363
shall be developed by the Florida PALM project and provided to

2364
the executive steering committee meeting for approval. Such

2365
agency status reports shall provide information to the executive

2366
steering committee on the activities and ongoing work within the

2367
agency to prepare its systems and impacted employees for the

2368
deployment of the Florida PALM System. The first bimonthly

2369
status report is due September 1, 2026, and bimonthly

2370
thereafter.

2371
(4) The executive steering committee has the overall

2372
responsibility for ensuring that the project to replace FLAIR

2373
and CMS meets its primary business objectives and shall:

2374
(a) Identify and recommend to the Executive Office of the

2375
Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the

2376
House of Representatives any statutory changes needed to

2377
implement the replacement subsystem that will standardize, to

2378
the fullest extent possible, the state’s financial management

2379
business processes.

2380
(b) Review and approve any changes to the project’s scope,

2381
schedule, and budget which do not conflict with the requirements

2382
of subsection (1).

2383
(c) Ensure that adequate resources are provided throughout

2384
all phases of the project.

2385
(d) Approve all major project deliverables and any cost

2386
changes to each deliverable over $250,000.

2387
(e) Approve contract amendments and changes to all

2388
contract-related documents associated with the replacement of

2389
FLAIR and CMS.

2390
(f) Review, and approve as warranted, the format of the

2391
bimonthly agency status reports to include objective and

2392
quantifiable information on each agency’s progress in planning

2393
for the Florida PALM Major Implementation, covering the agency’s

2394
people, processes, technology, and data transformation

2395
activities.

2396
(g) Ensure compliance with ss. 216.181(16), 216.311,

2397
216.313, 282.318(4)(h), and 287.058, Florida Statutes.

2398
(5) This section expires July 1, 2027.

2399 Section 59. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
2400 3040 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and
2401 notwithstanding the expiration date in section 65 of chapter
2402 2025-199, Laws of Florida, subsection (3) of section 282.709,
2403 Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
2404 282.709 State agency law enforcement radio system and
2405 interoperability network.—
2406 (3) In recognition of the critical nature of the statewide
2407 law enforcement radio communications system, the Legislature
2408 finds that there is an immediate danger to the public health,
2409 safety, and welfare, and that it is in the best interest of the
2410 state to continue partnering with the system’s current operator.
2411 The Legislature finds that continuity of coverage is critical to
2412 supporting law enforcement, first responders, and other public
2413 safety users. The potential for a loss in coverage or a lack of
2414 interoperability between users requires emergency action and is
2415 a serious concern for officers’ safety and their ability to
2416 communicate and respond to various disasters and events.
2417 (a) The department, pursuant to s. 287.057(11), shall enter
2418 into a 15-year contract with the entity that was operating the
2419 statewide radio communications system on January 1, 2021. The
2420 contract must include:
2421 1. The purchase of radios;
2422 2. The upgrade to the Project 25 communications standard;
2423 3. Increased system capacity and enhanced coverage for
2424 system users;
2425 4. Operations, maintenance, and support at a fixed annual
2426 rate;
2427 5. The conveyance of communications towers to the
2428 department; and
2429 6. The assignment of communications tower leases to the
2430 department.
2431 (b) The State Agency Law Enforcement Radio System Trust
2432 Fund is established in the department and funded from surcharges
2433 collected under ss. 318.18, 320.0802, and 328.72. Upon
2434 appropriation, moneys in the trust fund may be used by the
2435 department to acquire the equipment, software, and engineering,
2436 administrative, and maintenance services it needs to construct,
2437 operate, and maintain the statewide radio system. Moneys in the
2438 trust fund from surcharges shall be used to help fund the costs
2439 of the system. Upon completion of the system, moneys in the
2440 trust fund may also be used by the department for payment of the
2441 recurring maintenance costs of the system.
2442 Section 60.
The text of s. 282.709(3), Florida Statutes, as

2443
carried forward from chapter 2021-37, Laws of Florida, by this

2444
act expires July 1, 2027, and the text of that subsection shall

2445
revert to that in existence on June 1, 2021, except that any

2446
amendments to such text enacted other than by this act shall be

2447
preserved and continue to operate to the extent that such

2448
amendments are not dependent upon the portions of text which

2449
expire pursuant to this section.

2450 Section 61.
In order to implement appropriations relating

2451
to the purchase of equipment and services related to the

2452
Statewide Law Enforcement Radio System (SLERS) as authorized in

2453
the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding s.

2454
287.057, Florida Statutes, state agencies and other eligible

2455
users of the SLERS network may use the Department of Management

2456
Services SLERS contract for purchase of equipment and services.

2457
This section expires July 1, 2027.

2458 Section 62.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

2459
2954 through 2965
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,

2460
and notwithstanding rule 60A-1.031, Florida Administrative Code,

2461
the transaction fee as identified in s. 287.057(24)(c), Florida

2462
Statutes, shall be collected for use of the online procurement

2463
system and is 0.7 percent for the 2026-2027 fiscal year only.

2464
This section expires July 1, 2027.

2465 Section 63. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
2466 2866 through 2892 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,
2467 and upon the expiration and reversion of the amendments made by
2468 section 69 of chapter 2025-199, Laws of Florida, paragraph (i)
2469 of subsection (9) of section 24.105, Florida Statutes, is
2470 amended to read:
2471 24.105 Powers and duties of department.—The department
2472 shall:
2473 (9) Adopt rules governing the establishment and operation
2474 of the state lottery, including:
2475 (i) The manner and amount of compensation of retailers,
2476
except for the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal year only, effective July 1,

2477
202
6
, the commission for lottery ticket sales shall be 6 percent

2478
of the purchase price of each ticket sold or issued as a prize

2479
by a retailer. Any additional retailer compensation is limited

2480
to the Florida Lottery Retailer Bonus Commission program

2481
appropriated in Specific Appropriation
2892
of the 202
6
-202
7

2482
General Appropriations Act
.
2483 Section 64.
The amendment to s. 24.105(9)(i), Florida

2484
Statutes, made by this act expires July 1, 2027, and the text of

2485
that paragraph shall revert to that in existence on June 30,

2486
2022, except that any amendments to such text enacted other than

2487
by this act shall be preserved and continue to operate to the

2488
extent that such amendments are not dependent upon the portions

2489
of text which expire pursuant to this section.

2490 Section 65. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
2491 3084 through 3092 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,
2492 paragraph (ll) of subsection (6) of section 627.351, Florida
2493 Statutes, is amended to read:
2494 627.351 Insurance risk apportionment plans.—
2495 (6) CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE CORPORATION.—
2496 (ll)1. In addition to any other method of alternative
2497 dispute resolution authorized by state law, the corporation may
2498 adopt policy forms that provide for the resolution of disputes
2499 regarding its claim determinations, including disputes regarding
2500 coverage for, or the scope and value of, a claim, in a
2501 proceeding before the Division of Administrative Hearings. Any
2502 such policies are not subject to s. 627.70154. All proceedings
2503 in the Division of Administrative Hearings pursuant to such
2504 policies are subject to ss. 57.105 and 768.79 as if filed in the
2505 courts of this state and are not considered chapter 120
2506 administrative proceedings. Rule 1.442, Florida Rules of Civil
2507 Procedure, applies to any offer served pursuant to s. 768.79,
2508 except that, notwithstanding any provision in Rule 1.442,
2509 Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, to the contrary, an offer
2510 shall not be served earlier than 10 days after filing the
2511 request for hearing with the Division of Administrative Hearings
2512 and shall not be served later than 10 days before the date set
2513 for the final hearing. The administrative law judge in such
2514 proceedings shall award attorney fees and other relief pursuant
2515 to ss. 57.105 and 768.79. The corporation may not seek, and the
2516 office may not approve, a maximum hourly rate for attorney fees.
2517 2. The corporation may contract with the division to
2518 conduct proceedings to resolve disputes regarding its claim
2519 determinations as may be provided for in the applicable policies
2520 of insurance. This subparagraph expires July 1,
2027

202
6
.
2521 Section 66. In order to implement section 125 of the 2026
2522 2027 General Appropriations Act, paragraph (a) of subsection (2)
2523 of section 215.5586, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2524 215.5586 My Safe Florida Home Program.—There is established
2525 within the Department of Financial Services the My Safe Florida
2526 Home Program. The department shall provide fiscal
2527 accountability, contract management, and strategic leadership
2528 for the program, consistent with this section. This section does
2529 not create an entitlement for property owners or obligate the
2530 state in any way to fund the inspection or retrofitting of
2531 residential property in this state. Implementation of this
2532 program is subject to annual legislative appropriations. It is
2533 the intent of the Legislature that, subject to the availability
2534 of funds, the My Safe Florida Home Program provide licensed
2535 inspectors to perform hurricane mitigation inspections of
2536 eligible homes and grants to fund hurricane mitigation projects
2537 on those homes. The department shall implement the program in
2538 such a manner that the total amount of funding requested by
2539 accepted applications, whether for inspections, grants, or other
2540 services or assistance, does not exceed the total amount of
2541 available funds. If, after applications are processed and
2542 approved, funds remain available, the department may accept
2543 applications up to the available amount. The program shall
2544 develop and implement a comprehensive and coordinated approach
2545 for hurricane damage mitigation pursuant to the requirements
2546 provided in this section.
2547 (2) HURRICANE MITIGATION GRANTS.—Financial grants shall be
2548 used by homeowners to make improvements recommended by an
2549 inspection which increase resistance to hurricane damage.
2550 (a) A homeowner is eligible for a hurricane mitigation
2551 grant if all of the following criteria are met:
2552 1. The home must be eligible for an inspection under
2553 subsection (1).
2554 2. The home must be a dwelling with an insured value of
2555 $700,000 or less. Homeowners who are low-income persons, as
2556 defined in s. 420.0004(11), are exempt from this requirement.
2557 3. The home must undergo an acceptable hurricane mitigation
2558 inspection as provided in subsection (1).
2559 4. The building permit application for initial construction
2560 of the home must have been made before January 1, 2008.
2561 5. The homeowner must agree to make his or her home
2562 available for inspection once a mitigation project is completed.
2563 6. The homeowner must agree to provide to the department
2564 information received from the homeowner’s insurer identifying
2565 the discounts realized by the homeowner because of the
2566 mitigation improvements funded through the program.
2567 7.a. The homeowner must be a low-income person or moderate
2568 income person as defined in s. 420.0004.
2569 b. The hurricane mitigation inspection must have occurred
2570 within the previous 24 months from the date of application.
2571 c. Notwithstanding subparagraph 2., homeowners who are low
2572 income persons, as defined in s. 420.0004(11), are not exempt
2573 from the requirement that the home must be a dwelling with an
2574 insured value of $700,000 or less.
2575 d. This subparagraph expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
2576 Section 67.
Effective upon this act becoming a law, in

2577
order to implement Specific Appropriation
2544A

of the 202
6
-202
7

2578
General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding s. 216.301,

2579
Florida Statutes, the funds appropriated to the Department of

2580
Financial Services in Specific Appropriation
2245A and section

2581
74
of the 202
5
-202
6
General Appropriations
Act

will not revert

2582
and may be carried forward through the 2026-2027 fiscal year
.

2583
This section expires July 1, 2027.

2584 Section 68.
In order to implement the appropriation of

2585
funds in the appropriation category “Northwest Regional Data

2586
Center” in the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

2587
pursuant to the notice, review, and objection procedures of s.

2588
216.177, Florida Statutes, the Executive Office of the Governor

2589
may transfer funds appropriated in that category between

2590
departments in order to align the budget authority granted based

2591
on the estimated costs for data processing services for the

2592
2026-2027 fiscal year. This section expires July 1, 2027.

2593 Section 69.
In order to implement appropriations authorized

2594
in the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act for state data

2595
center services, auxiliary assessments charged to state agencies

2596
related to contract management services provided to Northwest

2597
Regional Data Center may not exceed 3 percent. This section

2598
expires July 1, 2027.

2599 Section 70. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
2600 2563A of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, section
2601 284.51, Florida Statutes, is reenacted and amended to read:
2602 284.51 Electroencephalogram combined transcranial magnetic
2603 stimulation treatment pilot program.—
2604 (1) As used in this section, the term:
2605 (a) “Division” means the Division of Risk Management of the
2606 Department of Financial Services.
2607 (b) “Electroencephalogram combined Transcranial Magnetic
2608 Stimulation” or “eTMS” means treatment in which transcranial
2609 magnetic stimulation frequency pulses are tuned to the patient’s
2610 physiology and biometric data.
2611 (c) “First responder” means a law enforcement officer, a
2612 part-time law enforcement officer, or an auxiliary law
2613 enforcement officer as defined in s. 943.10; a firefighter as
2614 defined in s. 633.102; a 911 public safety telecommunicator as
2615 defined in s. 401.465; or an emergency medical technician or
2616 paramedic as defined in s. 401.23 employed by state or local
2617 government. The term also includes a volunteer or retired law
2618 enforcement officer, firefighter, or emergency medical
2619 technician or paramedic engaged, or previously engaged, by the
2620 state or a local government.
2621 (d) “Veteran” means:
2622 1. A veteran as defined in 38 U.S.C. s. 101(2);
2623 2. A person who served in a reserve component as defined in
2624 38 U.S.C. s. 101(27); or
2625 3. A person who served in the National Guard of any state.
2626 (2) The division shall select a provider to establish a
2627 statewide pilot program to make eTMS available for veterans,
2628 first responders, and immediate family members of veterans and
2629 first responders with:
2630 (a) Substance use disorders.
2631 (b) Mental illness.
2632 (c) Sleep disorders.
2633 (d) Traumatic brain injuries.
2634 (e) Sexual trauma.
2635 (f) Posttraumatic stress disorder and accompanying
2636 comorbidities.
2637 (g) Concussions.
2638 (h) Other brain trauma.
2639 (i) Quality of life issues affecting human performance,
2640 including issues related to or resulting from problems with
2641 cognition and problems maintaining attention, concentration, or
2642 focus.
2643 (3) The provider must display a history of serving veteran
2644 and first responder populations at a statewide level. The
2645 provider shall establish a network for in-person and offsite
2646 care with the goal of providing statewide access. Consideration
2647 shall be provided to locations with a large population of first
2648 responders and veterans. In addition to traditional eTMS
2649 devices, the provider may utilize nonmedical Portable Magnetic
2650 Stimulation devices to improve access to underserved populations
2651 in remote areas or to be used to serve as a pre-post treatment
2652 or a stand-alone device. The provider shall be required to
2653 establish and operate a clinical practice and to evaluate
2654 outcomes of such clinical practice.
2655 (4) The pilot program shall include:
2656 (a) The establishment of a peer-to-peer support network by
2657 the provider made available to all individuals receiving
2658 treatment under the program.
2659 (b) The requirement that each individual who receives
2660 treatment under the program also must receive neurophysiological
2661 monitoring, monitoring for symptoms of substance use and other
2662 mental health disorders, and access to counseling and wellness
2663 programming. Each individual who receives treatment must also
2664 participate in the peer-to-peer support network established by
2665 the provider.
2666 (c) The establishment of protocols which include the use of
2667 adopted stimulation frequency and intensity modulation based on
2668 EEGs done on days 0, 10, and 20 and motor threshold testing, as
2669 well as clinical symptoms, signs, and biometrics.
2670 (d) The requirement that protocols and outcomes of any
2671 treatment provided by the clinical practice shall be collected
2672 and reported by the provider quarterly to the division, the
2673 President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
2674 Representatives. Such report shall include the biodata metrics
2675 and all expenditures and accounting of the use of funds received
2676 from the department.
2677 (e) The requirement that protocols and outcomes of any
2678 treatment provided by the clinical practice shall be collected
2679 and reported to the University of South Florida and may be
2680 provided by the provider to any relevant Food and Drug
2681 Administration studies or trials.
2682 (5) The division may adopt rules to implement this section.
2683 (6) This section expires July 1,
2027

202
6
.
2684 Section 71.
In order to implement
Specific Appropriation

2685
2563A

of the 202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act, the

2686
Department of Financial Services shall
continue
its existing

2687
contract for the establishment of the Electroencephalogram

2688
Combined Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Treatment
p
ilot

2689
p
rogram for
v
eterans and
f
irst
r
esponders. The
d
epartment’s

2690
existing contract, and all funds paid by the
d
epartment pursuant

2691
to that contract, do not constitute state financial assistance

2692
as provided in
s.
215.97, Florida Statutes.
This section expires

2693
July 1, 2027.

2694 Section 72. Effective upon this act becoming a law, and in
2695 order to implement Specific Appropriations 2505 through 2512 of
2696 the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, subsection (3) is
2697 added to section 717.123, Florida Statutes, to read:
2698 717.123 Deposit of funds.—
2699
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), and for the 2025-2026

2700
and 2026-2027 fiscal years, the department shall retain, from

2701
the funds received under this chapter, an amount not to exceed

2702
the amount estimated to be received as atypical receipts for the

2703
2024-2025 and 2025-2026 fiscal years by the Revenue Estimating

2704
Conference
resulting from the implementation of ch
apter
2024

2705
140, Laws of Florida. This amount must be held in a separate

2706
account and is in addition to the $15 million the department is

2707
authorized to retain pursuant to subsection (1).
From the

2708
separate account t
he department shall make prompt payment of

2709
claims relating to the atypical receipts allowed by the

2710
department. This subsection expires July 1, 2027
.

2711 Section 73. In order to implement specific appropriations
2712 from the land acquisition trust funds within the Department of
2713 Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department of
2714 Environmental Protection, the Department of State, and the Fish
2715 and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which are contained in the
2716 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, subsection (3) of section
2717 215.18, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2718 215.18 Transfers between funds; limitation.—
2719 (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1) and only with respect to
2720 a land acquisition trust fund in the Department of Agriculture
2721 and Consumer Services, the Department of Environmental
2722 Protection, the Department of State, or the Fish and Wildlife
2723 Conservation Commission, whenever there is a deficiency in a
2724 land acquisition trust fund which would render that trust fund
2725 temporarily insufficient to meet its just requirements,
2726 including the timely payment of appropriations from that trust
2727 fund, and other trust funds in the State Treasury have moneys
2728 that are for the time being or otherwise in excess of the
2729 amounts necessary to meet the just requirements, including
2730 appropriated obligations, of those other trust funds, the
2731 Governor may order a temporary transfer of moneys from one or
2732 more of the other trust funds to a land acquisition trust fund
2733 in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the
2734 Department of Environmental Protection, the Department of State,
2735 or the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Any action
2736 proposed pursuant to this subsection is subject to the notice,
2737 review, and objection procedures of s. 216.177, and the Governor
2738 shall provide notice of such action at least 7 days before the
2739 effective date of the transfer of trust funds, except that
2740 during July
2026

2025
, notice of such action shall be provided
2741 at least 3 days before the effective date of a transfer unless
2742 such 3-day notice is waived by the chair and vice chair of the
2743 Legislative Budget Commission. Any transfer of trust funds to a
2744 land acquisition trust fund in the Department of Agriculture and
2745 Consumer Services, the Department of Environmental Protection,
2746 the Department of State, or the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
2747 Commission must be repaid to the trust funds from which the
2748 moneys were loaned by the end of the
2026-2027

2025-2026
fiscal
2749 year. The Legislature has determined that the repayment of the
2750 other trust fund moneys temporarily loaned to a land acquisition
2751 trust fund in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer
2752 Services, the Department of Environmental Protection, the
2753 Department of State, or the Fish and Wildlife Conservation
2754 Commission pursuant to this subsection is an allowable use of
2755 the moneys in a land acquisition trust fund because the moneys
2756 from other trust funds temporarily loaned to a land acquisition
2757 trust fund shall be expended solely and exclusively in
2758 accordance with s. 28, Art. X of the State Constitution. This
2759 subsection expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
2760 Section 74.
(1) In order to implement specific

2761
appropriations from the land acquisition trust funds within the

2762
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Department

2763
of Environmental Protection, the Department of State, and the

2764
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which are contained in

2765
the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, the Department of

2766
Environmental Protection shall transfer revenues from the Land

2767
Acquisition Trust Fund within the department to the land

2768
acquisition trust funds within the Department of Agriculture and

2769
Consumer Services, the Department of State, and the Fish and

2770
Wildlife Conservation Commission as provided in this section. As

2771
used in this section, the term “department” means the Department

2772
of Environmental Protection.

2773
(2) After subtracting any required debt service payments,

2774
the proportionate share of revenues to be transferred to each

2775
land acquisition trust fund shall be calculated by dividing the

2776
appropriations from each of the land acquisition trust funds for

2777
the fiscal year by the total appropriations from the Land

2778
Acquisition Trust Fund within the department and the land

2779
acquisition trust funds within the Department of Agriculture and

2780
Consumer Services, the Department of State, and the Fish and

2781
Wildlife Conservation Commission for the fiscal year. The

2782
department shall transfer the proportionate share of the

2783
revenues in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the

2784
department on a monthly basis to the appropriate land

2785
acquisition trust funds within the Department of Agriculture and

2786
Consumer Services, the Department of State, and the Fish and

2787
Wildlife Conservation Commission and shall retain its

2788
proportionate share of the revenues in the Land Acquisition

2789
Trust Fund within the department. Total distributions to a land

2790
acquisition trust fund within the Department of Agriculture and

2791
Consumer Services, the Department of State, and the Fish and

2792
Wildlife Conservation Commission may not exceed the total

2793
appropriations from such trust fund for the fiscal year.

2794
(3) In addition, the department shall transfer from the

2795
Land Acquisition Trust Fund to land acquisition trust funds

2796
within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the

2797
Department of State, and the Fish and Wildlife Conservation

2798
Commission amounts equal to the difference between the amounts

2799
appropriated in chapter 2025-198, Laws of Florida, to the

2800
department’s Land Acquisition Trust Fund and the other land

2801
acquisition trust funds, and the amounts actually transferred

2802
between those trust funds during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

2803
(4) The department may advance funds from the beginning

2804
unobligated fund balance in the Land Acquisition Trust Fund to

2805
the Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the Fish and Wildlife

2806
Conservation Commission needed for cash flow purposes based on a

2807
detailed expenditure plan. The department shall prorate amounts

2808
transferred quarterly to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation

2809
Commission to recoup the amount of funds advanced by June 30,

2810
2027.

2811
(5) This section expires July 1, 2027.

2812 Section 75. In order to implement specific appropriations
2813 from the Florida Forever Trust Fund within the Department of
2814 Environmental Protection, which are contained in the 2026-2027
2815 General Appropriations Act, paragraph (m) of subsection (3) of
2816 section 259.105, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2817 259.105 The Florida Forever Act.—
2818 (3) Less the costs of issuing and the costs of funding
2819 reserve accounts and other costs associated with bonds, the
2820 proceeds of cash payments or bonds issued pursuant to this
2821 section shall be deposited into the Florida Forever Trust Fund
2822 created by s. 259.1051. The proceeds shall be distributed by the
2823 Department of Environmental Protection in the following manner:
2824 (m) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a)-(j) and for the
2026

2825
2027

2025-2026
fiscal year, the proceeds shall be distributed as
2826 provided in the General Appropriations Act. This paragraph
2827 expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
2828 Section 76. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
2829 1776 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and
2830 notwithstanding the expiration date in section 85 of chapter
2831 2025-199, Laws of Florida, paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of
2832 section 376.91, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
2833 376.91 Statewide cleanup of perfluoroalkyl and
2834 polyfluoroalkyl substances.—
2835 (2) STATEWIDE CLEANUP TARGET LEVELS.—
2836 (a) If the United States Environmental Protection Agency
2837 has not finalized its standards for PFAS in drinking water,
2838 groundwater, and soil by January 1,
2027

202
6
, the department
2839 shall adopt by rule statewide cleanup target levels for PFAS in
2840 drinking water, groundwater, and soil using criteria set forth
2841 in s. 376.30701, with priority given to PFOA and PFOS. The rules
2842 for statewide cleanup target levels may not take effect until
2843 ratified by the Legislature.
2844 Section 77.
The amendment to s.
376.91(2)(a)
, Florida

2845
Statutes, made by this act expire
s
July 1, 202
7
, and the text of

2846
that
paragraph
shall revert to that in existence on June 30,

2847
202
5
, except that any amendments to such text enacted other than

2848
by this act shall be preserved and continue to operate to the

2849
extent that such amendments are not dependent upon the portions

2850
of text which expire pursuant to this section.

2851 Section 78. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
2852 1831A of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and
2853 notwithstanding the expiration date in section 89 of chapter
2854 2025-199, Laws of Florida, paragraph (g) of subsection (15) of
2855 section 376.3071, Florida Statutes, is reenacted to read:
2856 376.3071 Inland Protection Trust Fund; creation; purposes;
2857 funding.—
2858 (15) ETHANOL OR BIODIESEL DAMAGE; PREVENTIVE MEASURES.—The
2859 department shall pay, pursuant to this subsection, up to $10
2860 million each fiscal year from the fund for the costs of labor
2861 and equipment to repair or replace petroleum storage systems
2862 that may have been damaged due to the storage of fuels blended
2863 with ethanol or biodiesel, or for preventive measures to reduce
2864 the potential for such damage.
2865 (g) Payments may not be made for the following:
2866 1. Proposal costs or costs related to preparation of the
2867 application and required documentation;
2868 2. Certified public accountant costs;
2869 3. Except as provided in paragraph (j), any costs in excess
2870 of the amount approved by the department under paragraph (b) or
2871 which are not in substantial compliance with the purchase order;
2872 4. Costs associated with storage tanks, piping, or
2873 ancillary equipment that has previously been repaired or
2874 replaced for which costs have been paid under this section;
2875 5. Facilities that are not in compliance with department
2876 storage tank rules, until the noncompliance issues have been
2877 resolved; or
2878 6. Costs associated with damage to petroleum storage
2879 systems caused in whole or in part by causes other than the
2880 storage of fuels blended with ethanol or biodiesel.
2881 Section 79.
The text of s. 376.3071(15)(g), Florida

2882
Statutes, as carried forward from chapter 2020-114, Laws of

2883
Florida, by this act expires July 1, 2027, and the text of that

2884
paragraph shall revert to that in existence on July 1, 2020, but

2885
not including any amendments made by this act or chapter 2020

2886
114, Laws of Florida, and any amendments to such text enacted

2887
other than by this act shall be preserved and continue to

2888
operate to the extent that such amendments are not dependent

2889
upon the portion of text which expires pursuant to this section.

2890 Section 80.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation

2891
2320
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

2892
notwithstanding chapter 287, Florida Statutes, the Department of

2893
Citrus shall enter into agreements for the purpose of increasing

2894
production of trees that show tolerance or resistance to citrus

2895
greening and to commercialize technologies that produce

2896
tolerance or resistance to citrus greening in trees. The

2897
department shall enter into these agreements no later than

2898
January 1, 2027, and shall file with the department’s Inspector

2899
General a certification of conditions and circumstances

2900
justifying each agreement entered into without competitive

2901
solicitation. This section expires July 1, 2027.

2902 Section 81. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
2903 1715 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and
2904 notwithstanding the expiration date in section 92 of chapter
2905 2025-199, Laws of Florida, section 380.5105, Florida Statutes,
2906 as amended by chapters 2024-228 and 2025-199, Laws of Florida,
2907 is reenacted to read:
2908 380.5105 The Stan Mayfield Working Waterfronts; Florida
2909 Forever program.—
2910 (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, it
2911 is the intent of the Legislature that the trust shall administer
2912 the working waterfronts land acquisition program as set forth in
2913 this section.
2914 (a) The trust and the Department of Agriculture and
2915 Consumer Services shall jointly develop rules specifically
2916 establishing an application process and a process for the
2917 evaluation, scoring and ranking of working waterfront projects.
2918 The proposed rules jointly developed pursuant to this paragraph
2919 shall be promulgated by the trust. Such rules shall establish a
2920 system of weighted criteria to give increased priority to
2921 projects:
2922 1. Within a municipality with a population less than
2923 30,000;
2924 2. Within a municipality or area under intense growth and
2925 development pressures, as evidenced by a number of factors,
2926 including a determination that the municipality’s growth rate
2927 exceeds the average growth rate for the state;
2928 3. Within the boundary of a community redevelopment agency
2929 established pursuant to s. 163.356;
2930 4. Adjacent to state-owned submerged lands designated as an
2931 aquatic preserve identified in s. 258.39; or
2932 5. That provide a demonstrable benefit to the local
2933 economy.
2934 (b) For projects that will require more than the grant
2935 amount awarded for completion, the applicant must identify in
2936 their project application funding sources that will provide the
2937 difference between the grant award and the estimated project
2938 completion cost. Such rules may be incorporated into those
2939 developed pursuant to s. 380.507(11).
2940 (c) The trust shall develop a ranking list based on
2941 criteria identified in paragraph (a) for proposed fee simple and
2942 less-than-fee simple acquisition projects developed pursuant to
2943 this section. The trust shall, by the first Board of Trustees of
2944 the Internal Improvement Trust Fund meeting in February, present
2945 the ranking list pursuant to this section to the board of
2946 trustees for final approval of projects for funding. The board
2947 of trustees may remove projects from the ranking list but may
2948 not add projects.
2949 (d) Grant awards, acquisition approvals, and terms of less
2950 than-fee acquisitions shall be approved by the trust. Waterfront
2951 communities that receive grant awards must submit annual
2952 progress reports to the trust identifying project activities
2953 which are complete, and the progress achieved in meeting the
2954 goals outlined in the project application. The trust must
2955 implement a process to monitor and evaluate the performance of
2956 grant recipients in completing projects that are funded through
2957 the working waterfronts program.
2958 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, it
2959 is the intent of the Legislature that the Department of
2960 Environmental Protection shall administer the working
2961 waterfronts capital outlay grant program as set forth in this
2962 section to support the commercial fishing and marine aquaculture
2963 industries, including the infrastructure for receiving or
2964 unloading seafood for the purpose of supporting the seafood
2965 economy.
2966 (a) The working waterfronts capital outlay grant program is
2967 created to provide funding to assist commercial saltwater
2968 products or commercial saltwater wholesale dealer or retailer
2969 license holders and seafood houses in maintaining their
2970 operations.
2971 (b) Eligible costs and expenditures include fixed capital
2972 outlay and operating capital outlay, including, but not limited
2973 to, the repair and maintenance or replacement of equipment, the
2974 repair and maintenance or replacement of water-adjacent
2975 facilities or infrastructure, and the construction or renovation
2976 of shoreside facilities.
2977 (c) The applicant must demonstrate a benefit to the local
2978 economy.
2979 (d) Grant recipients must submit annual progress reports to
2980 the department identifying project activities that are complete
2981 and the progress achieved in meeting the goals outlined in the
2982 project application.
2983 (e) The department shall implement a process to monitor and
2984 evaluate the performance of grant recipients in completing
2985 projects funded through the program.
2986 Section 82.
The text of s. 380.5105, Florida Statutes, as

2987
carried forward from chapters 2024-228 and 2025-199, Laws of

2988
Florida, by this act expires July 1, 2027, and the text of that

2989
section shall revert to that in existence on June 30, 2024,

2990
except that any amendments to such text enacted other than by

2991
this act shall be preserved and continue to operate to the

2992
extent that such amendments are not dependent upon the portions

2993
of text which expire pursuant to this section.

2994 Section 83.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation

2995
1951
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act and

2996
notwithstanding s. 823.11(4)(c), Florida Statutes, the Fish and

2997
Wildlife Conservation Commission may use funds appropriated for

2998
the derelict vessel removal program for grants to local

2999
governments or to remove, store, destroy, and dispose of, or to

3000
pay private contractors to remove, store, destroy, and dispose

3001
of, derelict vessels or vessels declared a public nuisance

3002
pursuant to s. 327.73(1)(aa), Florida Statutes. This section

3003
expires July 1, 2027.

3004 Section 84. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3005 1744A of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, subsection
3006 (4) is added to section 403.890, Florida Statutes, to read:
3007 403.890 Water Protection and Sustainability Program.—
3008
(4)
Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), revenues

3009
deposited into or appropriated to the Water Protection and

3010
Sustainability Program Trust Fund may be used as provided in the

3011
General Appropriations Act. This subsection expires July 1,

3012
2027
.

3013 Section 85. In order to implement appropriations from the
3014 Land Acquisition Trust Fund within the Department of
3015 Environmental Protection in the 2026-2027 General Appropriations
3016 Act, paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section 375.041, Florida
3017 Statutes, is amended to read:
3018 375.041 Land Acquisition Trust Fund.—
3019 (3) Funds distributed into the Land Acquisition Trust Fund
3020 pursuant to s. 201.15 shall be applied:
3021 (b) Of the funds remaining after the payments required
3022 under paragraph (a), but before funds may be appropriated,
3023 pledged, or dedicated for other uses:
3024 1. A minimum of the lesser of 25 percent or $200 million
3025 shall be appropriated annually for Everglades projects that
3026 implement the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan as set
3027 forth in s. 373.470, including the Central Everglades Planning
3028 Project subject to congressional authorization; the Long-Term
3029 Plan as defined in s. 373.4592(2); and the Northern Everglades
3030 and Estuaries Protection Program as set forth in s. 373.4595.
3031 From these funds, $32 million shall be distributed each fiscal
3032 year through the 2023-2024 fiscal year to the South Florida
3033 Water Management District for the Long-Term Plan as defined in
3034 s. 373.4592(2). After deducting the $32 million distributed
3035 under this subparagraph, from the funds remaining, a minimum of
3036 the lesser of 76.5 percent or $100 million shall be appropriated
3037 each fiscal year through the 2025-2026 fiscal year for the
3038 planning, design, engineering, and construction of the
3039 Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan as set forth in s.
3040 373.470, including the Central Everglades Planning Project, the
3041 Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project, the Lake
3042 Okeechobee Watershed Project, the C-43 West Basin Storage
3043 Reservoir Project, the Indian River Lagoon-South Project, the
3044 Western Everglades Restoration Project, and the Picayune Strand
3045 Restoration Project. The Department of Environmental Protection
3046 and the South Florida Water Management District shall give
3047 preference to those Everglades restoration projects that reduce
3048 harmful discharges of water from Lake Okeechobee to the St.
3049 Lucie or Caloosahatchee estuaries in a timely manner. For the
3050 purpose of performing the calculation provided in this
3051 subparagraph, the amount of debt service paid pursuant to
3052 paragraph (a) for bonds issued after July 1, 2016, for the
3053 purposes set forth under this paragraph shall be added to the
3054 amount remaining after the payments required under paragraph
3055 (a). The amount of the distribution calculated shall then be
3056 reduced by an amount equal to the debt service paid pursuant to
3057 paragraph (a) on bonds issued after July 1, 2016, for the
3058 purposes set forth under this subparagraph.
3059 2. A minimum of the lesser of 7.6 percent or $50 million
3060 shall be appropriated annually for spring restoration,
3061 protection, and management projects. For the purpose of
3062 performing the calculation provided in this subparagraph, the
3063 amount of debt service paid pursuant to paragraph (a) for bonds
3064 issued after July 1, 2016, for the purposes set forth under this
3065 paragraph shall be added to the amount remaining after the
3066 payments required under paragraph (a). The amount of the
3067 distribution calculated shall then be reduced by an amount equal
3068 to the debt service paid pursuant to paragraph (a) on bonds
3069 issued after July 1, 2016, for the purposes set forth under this
3070 subparagraph.
3071 3. The sum of $5 million shall be appropriated annually
3072 each fiscal year through the 2025-2026 fiscal year to the St.
3073 Johns River Water Management District for projects dedicated to
3074 the restoration of Lake Apopka. This distribution shall be
3075 reduced by an amount equal to the debt service paid pursuant to
3076 paragraph (a) on bonds issued after July 1, 2016, for the
3077 purposes set forth in this subparagraph.
3078 4. The sum of $64 million is appropriated and shall be
3079 transferred to the Everglades Trust Fund for the 2018-2019
3080 fiscal year, and each fiscal year thereafter, for the EAA
3081 reservoir project pursuant to s. 373.4598. Any funds remaining
3082 in any fiscal year shall be made available only for Phase II of
3083 the C-51 reservoir project or projects identified in
3084 subparagraph 1. and must be used in accordance with laws
3085 relating to such projects. Any funds made available for such
3086 purposes in a fiscal year are in addition to the amount
3087 appropriated under subparagraph 1. This distribution shall be
3088 reduced by an amount equal to the debt service paid pursuant to
3089 paragraph (a) on bonds issued after July 1, 2017, for the
3090 purposes set forth in this subparagraph.
3091 5. The sum of $50 million shall be appropriated annually to
3092 the South Florida Water Management District for the Lake
3093 Okeechobee Watershed Restoration Project in accordance with s.
3094 373.4599. This distribution must be reduced by an amount equal
3095 to the debt service paid pursuant to paragraph (a) on bonds
3096 issued after July 1, 2021, for the purposes set forth in this
3097 subparagraph.
3098 6. The sum of $100 million shall be appropriated annually
3099 to the Department of Environmental Protection for the
3100 acquisition of land pursuant to s. 259.105.
3101 7. Notwithstanding
subparagraph 6.

subparagraphs 3. and 6.
,
3102 for the
2026-2027

2025-2026
fiscal year, funds shall be
3103 appropriated as provided in the General Appropriations Act. This
3104 subparagraph expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
3105 Section 86.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation

3106
1650
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

3107
notwithstanding chapter 255, Florida Statutes, the Department of

3108
Agriculture and Consumer Services may lease an existing facility

3109
that meets the requirements of s. 581.1843(6), Florida Statutes,

3110
and may administer a program to expedite the expansion of the

3111
propagation of
Citrus sinensis
or
Citrus sinensis
-like budwood

3112
trees and seedlings that show tolerance or resistance to citrus

3113
greening, and to commercialize technologies that produce

3114
tolerance or resistance to citrus greening in trees. This

3115
section expires July 1, 2027
.

3116 Section 87.
In order to implement Specific Appropriation

3117
1660
of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and

3118
notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the

3119
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services may submit

3120
budget amendments, subject to the notice, review, and objection

3121
procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, to increase budget

3122
authority to support the National School Lunch Program. This

3123
section expires July 1, 2027.

3124 Section 88. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
3125 2331 through 2338 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,
3126 subsection (3) of section 288.80125, Florida Statutes, is
3127 amended to read:
3128 288.80125 Triumph Gulf Coast Trust Fund.—
3129 (3) For the
2026-2027

2025-2026
fiscal year, funds shall be
3130 used for the Rebuild Florida Revolving Loan Fund program to
3131 provide assistance to businesses impacted by Hurricane Michael
3132 as provided in the General Appropriations Act. This subsection
3133 expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
3134 Section 89. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
3135 2055 through 2068, 2069D through 2069E, 2080 through 2090, 2092
3136 through 2100, and 2138 through 2151 of the 2026-2027 General
3137 Appropriations Act, paragraph (h) of subsection (7) of section
3138 339.135, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
3139 339.135 Work program; legislative budget request;
3140 definitions; preparation, adoption, execution, and amendment.—
3141 (7) AMENDMENT OF THE ADOPTED WORK PROGRAM.—
3142 (h)1. Any work program amendment that also adds a new
3143 project, or phase thereof, to the adopted work program in excess
3144 of $3 million is subject to approval by the Legislative Budget
3145 Commission. Any work program amendment submitted under this
3146 paragraph must include, as supplemental information, a list of
3147 projects, or phases thereof, in the current 5-year adopted work
3148 program which are eligible for the funds within the
3149 appropriation category being used for the proposed amendment.
3150 The department shall provide a narrative with the rationale for
3151 not advancing an existing project, or phase thereof, in lieu of
3152 the proposed amendment.
3153 2. If the department submits an amendment to the
3154 Legislative Budget Commission and the commission does not meet
3155 or consider the amendment within 30 days after its submittal,
3156 the chair and vice chair of the commission may authorize the
3157 amendment to be approved pursuant to s. 216.177. This
3158 subparagraph expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
3159 Section 90.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

3160
2055 through 2068, 2069D, 2069E, 2080 through 2082, 2092 through

3161
2100 and 2138 through 2151
of the 202
6
-202
7
General

3162
Appropriations Act,
and notwithstanding s. 339.135(7)(b),

3163
Florida Statutes,
the Department of Transportation is authorized

3164
to

request up to $
1
00
million
of budget authority to the extent

3165
necessary to advance or defer projects programmed in the Work

3166
Program and realign resources to safeguard district allocations

3167
and ensure projects programmed in the Work Program are balanced

3168
to the finance plan.

The department may submit budget amendments

3169
to realign budget authority consistent with this section and

3170
pursuant to s
.
339.135(7), Florida Statutes. This section

3171
expires July 1, 202
7.

3172 Section 91. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3173 2396 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, subsection (6)
3174 of section 288.0655, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
3175 288.0655 Rural Infrastructure Fund.—
3176 (6) For the
2026-2027

2025-2026
fiscal year, the funds
3177 appropriated for the grant program for Florida Panhandle
3178 counties shall be distributed pursuant to and for the purposes
3179 described in the proviso language associated with Specific
3180 Appropriation
2396

2113
of the
2026-2027

2025-2026
General
3181 Appropriations Act. This subsection expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
3182 Section 92. In order to implement Specific Appropriations
3183 2396A through 2396J of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,
3184 section 288.013, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
3185
288.013 Office of Rural Prosperity.—

3186
(1)

The Legislature finds that the unique characteristics

3187
of the rural communities in this state are integral to making

3188
Florida
an attractive place to visit, work, and live.
T
he

3189
Legislature
further
finds that
fostering
a prosperous rural

3190
economy and vibrant rural communities
serves
the best interest
s

3191
of this state. Rural prosperity support
s
this state’s

3192
infrastructure, housing, agricultural
,
and food-processing needs

3193
and advances
the
overall
health of
Florida’s
economy. It is

3194
essential that
rural areas
be
able to grow
and thrive
, whether

3195
independently
or
through
regional partnerships. To better serve

3196
rural communities, and in recognition of
the
unique challenges

3197
and opportunities
they face
, the Office of Rural Prosperity is

3198
established to ensure
that state
efforts
to support rural

3199
Florida
are coordinated, focused, and effective.

3200
(2)

Notwithstanding s. 20.60, t
he Office of Rural

3201
Prosperity is created within the Department of Commerce
to

3202
support rural communities by helping rural stakeholders navigate

3203
available programs and resources and
by
representing rural

3204
interests across state government.

3205
(3)

The Governor shall appoint a director to lead the

3206
office, subject to confirmation by the Senate. The director

3207
shall report to the secretary of the department and shall serve

3208
at the pleasure of the secretary.

3209
(4)

The office shall do all of the following:

3210
(a)

Serve as the state’s point of contact for rural local

3211
governments.

3212
(
b
)

Provide administrative support to the Rural Economic

3213
Development Initiative (REDI) pursuant to s. 288.0656.

3214
(c)
Provide training and technical assistance to rural

3215
local governments on a broad range of community and economic

3216
development activities. The training and technical assistance

3217
may be offered using communications technology or in person
. In

3218
addition, the office shall post a recorded training and

3219
technical assistance video to the office’s website

which covers

3220
all of the required topics
. The training and technical

3221
assistance must include, at a minimum, the following topics:

3222
1. How to access state and federal resources, including

3223
training on the online rural resource directory required under

3224
paragraph (
d
).

3225
2.

Best practices
for
comprehensive planning, economic

3226
development, and land development in rural communities.

3227
3.

Strategies to
address staffing shortages and strengthen

3228
management functions in
rural local governments.

3229
4.

Requirements of, and updates on recent changes to, the

3230
Community Planning Act under s. 163.3161.

3231
5.

Updates on other recent state and federal laws affecting

3232
rural local governments.

3233
(
d
)

Create and maintain an online rural resource directory

3234
to serve as an interactive tool
for users
to navigate state and

3235
federal resources, tools, and services available to rural local

3236
governments. The office shall
ensure
the directory
is regularly

3237
updated
and, to the greatest extent possible, include
s

current

3238
information on programs, resources, and services that address

3239
the needs of rural communities in all areas of governance. Each

3240
state agency shall routinely provide information and updates to

3241
the office
to support
maintenance of the directory. The

3242
directory must allow users to search by indicators, such as

3243
agency name, resource type, or topic, and include a notification

3244
feature

that
alerts
users
when new or
updated
resources are

3245
available. To the greatest extent possible, the directory must

3246
identify any
financial match requirements
associated with listed

3247
programs
.

3248
(5)(a)

By October 1, 202
6
, the office shall establish and

3249
provide
staff
for
seven regional rural community liaison centers

3250
across
this
state
to provide
specialized in-person state support

3251
to
rural
local governments
located
in rural areas of opportunity

3252
as defined in s. 288.0656. The department shall
,
by rule
,
divide

3253
th
e
state into seven regions and assign a liaison center to each

3254
region. Each liaison center shall
serve
the local governments

3255
within its geographic
area
and
shall
be staffed with at least

3256
two full-time department
employees
. At a minimum,
each
liaison

3257
center
has
the following powers
and
duties:

3258
1.

Assist
local governments
in
plan
ning
and achiev
ing
goals

3259
related to
local or regional growth, economic development, and

3260
rural prosperity.

3261
2.

Facilitate access to state and federal resources,

3262
including
grants, loans, and other
available assistance
.

3263
3.

Advise local governments on available program
waivers
,

3264
including financial match waivers or reductions for projects

3265
using state or federal funds through
REDI
under s. 288.0656.

3266
4.

Coordinate technical assistance needs with the

3267
department and other state or federal agencies.

3268
5.

Promote model ordinances, policies, and strategies

3269
related to economic development.

3270
6.

Assist local governments with regulatory and reporting

3271
compliance
requirements
.

3272
(b)

To the greatest extent possible,
each
regional rural

3273
community liaison center shall coordinate with local and

3274
regional governmental entities, regional economic development

3275
organizations as defined in s. 288.018, and other appropriate

3276
entities to establish a network
that
foster
s
community-driven

3277
solutions promot
ing
viable and sustainable rural communities.

3278
(c)

Each
regional rural community liaison center shall

3279
regularly engage with
REDI
established in s. 288.0656, and at

3280
least one staff member from each liaison center shall attend
the

3281
monthly REDI meeting
, either in person or by means of electronic

3282
communication
.

3283
(6)

By December 1, 202
6
, the director of the office shall

3284
submit to the Administration Commission
with
in the Executive

3285
Office of the Governor a written report describing the office’s

3286
operations and accomplishments for the preceding year
.
In

3287
consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer

3288
Services, the office shall also include in the report

3289
recommendations for policies, programs, and funding
initiatives

3290
to further support the needs of rural communities in this state.

3291
The office shall
also
submit the report to the President of the

3292
Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by

3293
December 1 of each year and publish
it
on the office’s website.

3294
At the next scheduled meeting of the
Administration Commission

3295
following submission of the report
,
the director shall, in

3296
person,

present
detailed information from the report required

3297
under
this subsection.

3298
(7) This section expires July 1, 2027.

3299 Section 93. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3300 2396E of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, paragraph (f)
3301 is added to subsection (7) of section 288.001, Florida Statutes,
3302 to read:
3303 288.001 The Florida Small Business Development Center
3304 Network.—
3305 (7) ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDS; USES; PAY-PER-PERFORMANCE
3306 INCENTIVES; STATEWIDE SERVICE; SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS; BEST
3307 PRACTICES; ELIGIBILITY.—
3308
(
f
) Notwithstanding paragraphs (a), (b), and (c), the

3309
network shall use funds directly appropriated for the specific

3310
purpose of expanding service in rural communities as defined in

3311
s. 288.0656, in addition to any funds allocated by the network

3312
from other sources. The network shall use the funds to develop

3313
an activity plan focused on network consultants and resources in

3314
rural communities. In collaboration with regional economic

3315
development organizations as defined in s. 288.018, the plan

3316
must provide for either full- or part-time consultants to be

3317
available for at least 20 hours per week in rural areas or
to
be

3318
permanently stationed in rural areas. This may include

3319
establishing a circuit in specific rural locations to ensure the

3320
consultants’ availability on a regular basis. By using the funds

3321
to create a regular presence in rural areas, the network
will

3322
strengthen community collaboration, raise awareness of available

3323
resources to provide opportunities for new business development

3324
or existing business growth, and make professional experience,

3325
education, and business information available in these essential

3326
communities. The network may dedicate funds to facilitate local

3327
or regional events that focus on small business topics, provide

3328
consulting services, and leverage partner organizations, such as

3329
the regional economic development organizations, local workforce

3330
development boards as described in s. 445.
0
07, and Florida

3331
College System institutions.
This paragraph expires July 1,

3332
2027.

3333 Section 94. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3334 2396F of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, section
3335 288.014, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
3336
288.014
Renaissance Grants Program
.—

3337
(1) The Legislature finds that it has
historically
provided

3338
programs to assist rural communities with economic development

3339
and
to
enhance their ability to attract businesses and that, by

3340
providing that extra component of economic viability, rural

3341
communities are able to attract new businesses and grow existing

3342
ones. However, the Legislature
further
finds that a subset of

3343
rural communities has decreased in population over the past

3344
decade, contributing to a decline in local business activity and

3345
economic development. The Legislature
therefore determines
that

3346
state
assistance must evolve to support
these communities
in

3347
achiev
ing

the foundation
necessary
for
economic viability. The

3348
intent of the Renaissance Grants Program
is to
reverse
economic

3349
deterioration in
such
rural communities by retaining and

3350
attracting residents by giving them a reason to stay, which
will

3351
stimulate
natural economic growth, business opportunities, and

3352
improved
quality of life.

3353
(2) The Office of Rural Prosperity within the department

3354
shall administer the Renaissance Grants Program to provide block

3355
grants to eligible counties. By
August
1,
2026
, the Office of

3356
Economic and Demographic Research shall certify to the Office of

3357
Rural Prosperity which counties are growth-impeded. For the

3358
purposes of this section,
the term
“growth-impeded” means a

3359
county that, as of the most recent population estimate, has

3360
experienced
a declining population over the
previous
10 years.

3361
After
the
initial certification, the Office of Economic and

3362
Demographic Research shall annually certify whether the county

3363
remains growth-impeded, until the
office certifies the
county

3364
has
had
3 consecutive years of population growth. Upon such

3365
certification of population growth, the county
remains
eligible

3366
for
the program for 1 additional year to prepare for the end of

3367
block grant funding.

3368
(3)(a) Each participating county shall enter into an

3369
agreement with the Office of Rural Prosperity to receive block

3370
grant
funds
.
C
ount
ies
ha
ve
broad authority to design
their

3371
specific plan to achieve population growth
consistent with
this

3372
section. The Office of Rural Prosperity may not determine
the

3373
manner in which a
county implements
its plan
. However, regional

3374
rural community liaison center staff shall provide assistance in

3375
developing the county’s plan, upon
the county’s
request.

3376
(b) Each participating county shall
submit a
report to the

3377
Office of Rural Prosperity
detailing program
activities
,

3378
intergovernmental agreements, and other information as required

3379
by the office.

3380
(c) Each participating county shall receive $1 million from

3381
the funds appropriated to the program
, or an equal share of the

3382
funds appropriated if insufficient to provide that amount
.

3383
Counties shall make all attempts to limit expenses for

3384
administrative costs, consistent with the need for prudent

3385
management and accountability in the use of public funds.

3386
Counties
may
supplement the block grant with other funding

3387
sources,
including local, state, or federal grant
s
,
and may
seek

3388
public or private contributions or
in-kind
support to advance

3389
program
activities.

3390
(4)(a)
Each
participating county shall hire and retain a

3391
renaissance coordinator
, who may be funded from block grant

3392
proceeds
. The renaissance coordinator is responsible for:

3393
1. Ensuring that block grant funds are used as provided in

3394
this section;

3395
2. Coordinating with other local governments, school

3396
boards, Florida College System institutions,
and
other
partners
;

3397
and

3398
3. Reporting as necessary to the state, including

3399
information necessary pursuant to subsection (7).

3400
(b) The Office of Rural Prosperity regional rural community

3401
liaison center staff shall
, upon request,
provide assistance and

3402
training to the renaissance coordinator to
support
successful

3403
implementation of the block grant.

3404
(5)
Each
participating county shall design a plan
for

3405
targeted
community
investments
designed
to achieve population

3406
growth and increase economic vitality. The plan must include the

3407
following key features for use of the state support:

3408
(a) Technology centers located within schools or on school

3409
premises, administered by the local school board, provid
ing

3410
extended hours and access
for
students.

3411
(b) Facilities that colocate adult day care with child care

3412
facilities. The site-sharing facilities must be managed to also

3413
encourage
interaction between generations and increase the

3414
health and well-being of younger and older participants, reduce

3415
social isolation, and create cost and time efficiencies for

3416
working famil
ies
. The regional rural community liaison center

3417
staff of the Office of Rural Prosperity shall, upon request,

3418
assist the county with bringing
recommendations
to the Rural

3419
Economic Development Initiative or the appropriate state agency

3420
to streamline
all
required state permits, licenses, regulations,

3421
or other requirements.

3422
(c) Technology labs
operated
in
partnership
with the

3423
nearest Florida College System institution or a career center

3424
under s. 1001.44. Repurpos
ed
vacant industrial sites or existing

3425
office space must be given priority in the selection of lab

3426
locations. Each local technology lab must be staffed and open

3427
for extended hours with the capacity to provide:

3428
1. Access to trainers and equipment necessary for earn
ing

3429
certificates or online degrees in technology;

3430
2. Hands-on assistance
in securing
remote work

3431
opportunities; and

3432
3.
Studio space equipped for remote technology-based work

3433
available for graduates and other qualifying residents.

3434
Participating counties may determine which residents receive

3435
priority access. Collaboration with community partners,

3436
including the local workforce development board as described in

3437
s. 445.007, to provide training opportunities, in-kind support

3438
such as transportation to and from the lab, financing of

3439
equipment for in-home use, or basic maintenance of such

3440
equipment is required.

3441
(6) In addition to hiring a renaissance coordinator,
each

3442
participating county shall develop intergovernmental agreements

3443
for shared responsibilities with its municipalities, school

3444
board, and Florida College System institution or career center

3445
and enter into necessary contracts with providers and community

3446
partners in order to implement the plan.

3447
(7)(a)
Beginning in 2027,
the Auditor General shall conduct

3448
an operational audit as defined in s. 11.45 of each county’s

3449
grant activities.

3450
(b)
By

July 1
, 202
7
, the Office of Economic and Demographic

3451
Research shall submit a report
to the President of the Senate

3452
and the Speaker of the House of Representatives summarizing

3453
renaissance block grant recipients by county
.
The report must

3454
provide key economic indicators that measure progress in

3455
reversing
long-term trends in the county. The Office of Rural

3456
Prosperity shall
, upon request,
provide
any data necessary
to

3457
complete the report.

3458
(8) Notwithstanding s. 216.301, funds appropriated for the

3459
purposes of this section are not subject to reversion.

3460
(9) This section expires
July 1, 2027.

3461 Section 95. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3462 2396G of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, section
3463 288.0175, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
3464
288.0175 Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant

3465
Program.—

3466
(1)

The Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant

3467
Program is established within the Office of Rural Prosperity

3468
within the department to fund and support public infrastructure

3469
smart technology projects in communities located in rural areas

3470
of opportunity, subject to legislative appropriation.

3471
(2)

As used in this section, the term:

3472
(a)

“Public infrastructure smart technology” means systems

3473
or
applications that use connectivity, data analytics,
or

3474
automation to improve public infrastructure by increasing

3475
efficiency, enhancing public services, and promoting sustainable

3476
development.

3477
(b)

“Rural area of opportunity
”
has the same meaning as in

3478
s. 288.0656.

3479
(c) “Smart region
”
mean
s
a
geographic area that uses

3480
technology and innovative ideas to improve the quality of life

3481
for its citizens by addressing regional challenges through

3482
collaboration
among
government, businesses, and communities
.

3483
(
d
)

“Smart technology lead organization” means a not-for

3484
profit corporation organized under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal

3485
Revenue Code which has been in existence for at least 3 years

3486
and specializes in smart region planning.

3487
(3)(a)

By October 1, 2026, t
he Office of Rural Prosperity

3488
shall contract with one or more smart technology lead

3489
organizations to administer the grant program for the purpose of

3490
deploying public infrastructure smart technology in rural

3491
communities.
Under such contracts
, the smart technology lead

3492
organization shall
award
grants to counties and municipalities

3493
located within a rural area of opportunity for
eligible
public

3494
infrastructure smart technology projects.

3495
(b)

Each contract
must specify deliverables,
reporting

3496
requirements, timeframes,
and any other
term
the office
deems

3497
necessary.
At a minimum, t
he contract must require the smart

3498
technology lead organization to:

3499
1.

Collaborate with counties and municipalities in rural

3500
areas of opportunity to identify cost-effective smart technology

3501
solutions for improving public services and infrastructure.

3502
2.

Provide technical assistance to counties and

3503
municipalities located in rural areas of opportunity in

3504
developing public infrastructure smart technology project
plans
.

3505
3.

Facilitate connections between
rural
communities and

3506
other entities, including
companies
and regional partners to

3507
maximize the impact of funded projects.

3508
(4)

The
O
ffice
of Rural Prosperity
shall include a
summary

3509
of projects funded under this section in its report required by

3510
s. 288.013(6).

3511
(5) This section expires July 1, 2027.

3512 Section 96. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3513 2396J of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, section
3514 288.065, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
3515 288.065 Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund.—
3516 (1) The Rural Community Development Revolving Loan Fund
3517 Program is established within the
Office of Rural Prosperity

3518
department
to facilitate the use of existing federal, state, and
3519 local financial resources by providing local governments with
3520 financial assistance to further promote the economic viability
3521 of rural communities. These funds may be used to finance
3522 initiatives directed toward maintaining or developing the
3523 economic base of rural communities, especially initiatives
3524 addressing employment opportunities for residents of these
3525 communities.
3526 (2)(a) The program shall provide for long-term loans, loan
3527 guarantees, and loan loss reserves to units of local
3528 governments, or economic development organizations substantially
3529 underwritten by a unit of local government
.
,

3530
(b) For purposes of this section, the term “unit of local

3531
government” means
any of the following
:

3532
1. A county

within counties
with
a population

populations

3533 of 75,000 or
less.

fewer, or within any

3534
2. A
county with a population of 125,000 or
less

fewer

3535 which is contiguous to a county with a population of 75,000 or
3536
less.

fewer

3537
3. A municipality within a county described in subparagraph

3538
1. or subparagraph 2.

3539
4. A county or municipality within a rural area of

3540
opportunity
designated under s. 288.0656
.

3541
3542
For purposes of this paragraph, population is determined in

3543
accordance with the most recent official estimates pursuant to

3544
s. 186.901 and must include those residing in incorporated and

3545
unincorporated areas of a county
, based on the most recent

3546
official population estimate as determined under s. 186.901,

3547
including those residing in incorporated areas and those

3548
residing in unincorporated areas of the county, or to units of

3549
local government, or economic development organizations

3550
substantially underwritten by a unit of local government, within

3551
a rural area of opportunity
.
3552
(c)
(b)
Requests for loans
must

shall
be made by application
3553 to the
office

department
. Loans
must

shall
be made pursuant to
3554 agreements specifying the terms and conditions agreed to between
3555 the applicant and the
office

department
. The loans
are

shall be

3556 the legal obligations of the applicant.
3557
(d)
(c)
All repayments of principal and interest
must

shall

3558 be returned to the loan fund and made available for loans to
3559 other applicants. However, in a rural area of opportunity
3560 designated
under s. 288.0656

by the Governor
, and upon approval
3561 by the
office

department
, repayments of principal and interest
3562 may be retained by the applicant if such repayments are
3563 dedicated and matched to fund regionally based economic
3564 development organizations representing the rural area of
3565 opportunity.
3566 (3) The
office

department
shall manage the fund,
3567 establishing loan practices that must include, but are not
3568 limited to, procedures for establishing loan interest rates,
3569 uses of funding, application procedures, and application review
3570 procedures. The
office has

department shall have
final approval
3571 authority for any loan under this section.
3572 (4) Notwithstanding
the provisions of
s. 216.301, funds
3573 appropriated for this
loan fund may

purpose shall
not be subject
3574 to reversion.
3575
(5) The office shall include in its report required under

3576
s. 288.013 detailed information about the fund, including loans

3577
made during the previous fiscal year, loans active, loans

3578
terminated or repaid, and the amount of funds not obligated as

3579
of 14 days before the date the report is due
.

3580 Section 97.
The amendments to s. 288.065, Florida Statutes,

3581
made by this act expire July 1, 2027, and the text of that

3582
section shall revert to that in existence on June 30, 2026,

3583
except that any amendments to such text enacted other than by

3584
this act shall be preserved and continue to operate to the

3585
extent that such amendments are not dependent upon the portions

3586
of text which expire pursuant to this section.

3587 Section 98.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

3588
27
59
through 2764 and sections
157
and
158

of the 2026-2027

3589
General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and

3590
216.292, Florida Statutes, the Division of Emergency Management

3591
may submit budget amendments, subject to the notice, review, and

3592
objection procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, to

3593
increase budget authority for projected expenditures due to

3594
reimbursements from federally declared disasters
if additional

3595
federal revenues specific to such programs become available in

3596
the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
This section expires July 1, 2027.

3597 Section 99. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3598 2750 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, subsection (2)
3599 of section 282.201, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
3600 282.201 State data center.—The state data center is
3601 established within the department. The provision of data center
3602 services must comply with applicable state and federal laws,
3603 regulations, and policies, including all applicable security,
3604 privacy, and auditing requirements. The department shall appoint
3605 a director of the state data center who has experience in
3606 leading data center facilities and has expertise in cloud
3607 computing management.
3608 (2) USE OF THE STATE DATA CENTER.—
3609 (a) The following are exempt from the use of the state data
3610 center: the Department of Law Enforcement, the Department of the
3611 Lottery’s Gaming System, Systems Design and Development in the
3612 Office of Policy and Budget, the regional traffic management
3613 centers as described in s. 335.14(2) and the Office of Toll
3614 Operations of the Department of Transportation, the State Board
3615 of Administration, state attorneys, public defenders, criminal
3616 conflict and civil regional counsel, capital collateral regional
3617 counsel, and the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.
3618 (b) The Division of Emergency Management is exempt from the
3619 use of the state data center. This paragraph expires July 1,
3620
2027

2026
.
3621 Section 100. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3622 2367 of the 2025-2026 General Appropriations Act, and upon the
3623 expiration and reversion of the amendments to s. 443.1113,
3624 Florida Statutes, pursuant to section 105 of chapter 2025-199,
3625 Laws of Florida, subsections (4) and (5) of section 443.1113,
3626 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
3627 443.1113 Reemployment Assistance Claims and Benefits
3628 Information System.—
3629 (4)(a) The Department of Commerce shall perform an annual
3630 review of the system and identify enhancements or modernization
3631 efforts that improve the delivery of services to claimants and
3632 employers and reporting to state and federal entities. These
3633 improvements
are subject to appropriation, and
must include, but
3634 need not be limited to:
3635 1. Infrastructure upgrades through cloud services.
3636 2. Software improvements.
3637 3. Enhanced data analytics and reporting.
3638 4. Increased cybersecurity pursuant to s. 282.318.
3639 (b) The department shall seek input on recommended
3640 enhancements from, at a minimum, the following entities:
3641 1. The Florida Digital Service within the Department of
3642 Management Services.
3643 2. The General Tax Administration Program Office within the
3644 Department of Revenue.
3645 3. The Division of Accounting and Auditing within the
3646 Department of Financial Services.
3647 (5) By
September 1, 2026

October 1, 2023
, and each year
3648 thereafter, the Department of Commerce shall submit a
3649 Reemployment Assistance Claims and Benefits Information System
3650 report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the
3651 Speaker of the House of Representatives. The report must, at a
3652 minimum, include:
3653 (a) A summary of
clearly defined deliverables and

3654
measurable outcomes of
maintenance, enhancement, and
3655 modernization efforts over the last fiscal year.
3656 (b) A
plan for the next 2 fiscal years

3-year outlook
of
3657 recommended enhancements or modernization efforts that includes
3658 projected
nonrecurring project
costs
, clear deliverables,
and
3659 timeframes for completion
of each enhancement or modernization

3660
effort in priority order, and the projected recurring operations

3661
and maintenance costs after the completion of each enhancement

3662
or modernization effort.

3663 Section 101.
The amendments to s. 443.1113(4) and (5),

3664
Florida Statutes, made by this act expire July 1, 2027, and the

3665
text of those subsections shall revert to that in existence on

3666
June 30, 2025, except that any amendments to such text enacted

3667
other than by this act shall be preserved and continue to

3668
operate to the extent that such amendments are not dependent

3669
upon the portions of text which expire pursuant to this section.

3670 Section 102. In order to implement Specific Appropriation
3671 2359 of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, subsection (9)
3672 of section 445.08, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsections
3673 (2) and (4) of that section are reenacted, to read:
3674 445.08 Florida Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment
3675 Program.—
3676 (2)(a) There is created within the department the Florida
3677 Law Enforcement Recruitment Bonus Payment Program to aid in the
3678 recruitment of law enforcement officers within the state. The
3679 purpose of the program is to administer one-time bonus payments
3680 of up to $5,000 to each newly employed officer within the state.
3681 (b) Bonus payments provided to eligible newly employed
3682 officers are contingent upon legislative appropriations and
3683 shall be prorated subject to the amount appropriated for the
3684 program.
3685 (4) The department shall develop an annual plan for the
3686 administration of the program and distribution of bonus
3687 payments. Applicable employing agencies shall assist the
3688 department with the collection of any data necessary to
3689 determine bonus payment amounts and to distribute the bonus
3690 payments, and shall otherwise provide the department with any
3691 information or assistance needed to fulfill the requirements of
3692 this section. At a minimum, the plan must include:
3693 (a) The method for determining the estimated number of
3694 newly employed officers to gain or be appointed to full-time
3695 employment during the applicable fiscal year.
3696 (b) The minimum eligibility requirements a newly employed
3697 officer must meet to receive and retain a bonus payment, which
3698 must include:
3699 1. Obtaining certification for employment or appointment as
3700 a law enforcement officer pursuant to s. 943.1395.
3701 2. Gaining full-time employment with a Florida criminal
3702 justice agency.
3703 3. Maintaining full-time employment as a law enforcement
3704 officer with a Florida criminal justice agency for at least 2
3705 years from the date on which the officer obtained certification.
3706 The required 2-year employment period may be satisfied by
3707 maintaining full-time employment at one or more employing
3708 agencies, but such period must not contain any break in service
3709 longer than 180 calendar days.
3710 (c) The standards by which the department will determine
3711 under what circumstances a break in service is acceptable. A law
3712 enforcement officer must provide documentation to the department
3713 justifying a break in service. For purposes of this section, the
3714 term “break in service” means a period of time during which the
3715 person is employed with a Florida criminal justice agency but is
3716 not employed as a full-time law enforcement officer or a period
3717 of time during which the person is in between employment as a
3718 full-time law enforcement officer for no longer than 15 days.
3719 The time period for any break in service does not count toward
3720 satisfying the 2-year full-time employment requirement of this
3721 section.
3722 (d) The method that will be used to determine the bonus
3723 payment amount to be distributed to each newly employed officer.
3724 (e) The method that will be used to distribute bonus
3725 payments to applicable employing agencies for distribution to
3726 eligible officers. Such method should prioritize distributing
3727 bonus payments to eligible officers in the most efficient and
3728 quickest manner possible.
3729 (f) The estimated cost to the department associated with
3730 developing and administering the program and distributing bonus
3731 payment funds.
3732 (g) The method by which an officer must reimburse the state
3733 if he or she received a bonus payment under the program, but
3734 failed to maintain continuous employment for the required 2-year
3735 period. Reimbursement shall not be required if an officer is
3736 discharged by his or her employing agency for a reason other
3737 than misconduct as designated on the affidavit of separation
3738 completed by the employing agency and maintained by the
3739 commission.
3740
3741 The department may establish other criteria deemed necessary to
3742 determine bonus payment eligibility and distribution.
3743 (9) This section expires July 1,
2027

202
6
.
3744 Section 103.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

3745
2384 through 2386 and sections
146, 147, 148, 152, and 155

of

3746
the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding

3747
ss. 216.181 and 216.292, Florida Statutes, the Department of

3748
Commerce may submit budget amendments, subject to the notice,

3749
review, and objection procedures of s. 216.177, Florida

3750
Statutes, to increase budget authority to support the following

3751
federal grant programs: the Broadband Equity, Access, and

3752
Deployment Program (BEAD), Capital Projects Fund Program,

3753
Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Program

3754
(CDBG-DR), Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), Home Energy

3755
Assistance Programs – Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

3756
(LIHEAP), and Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund
, Pub. L.

3757
No.
117-2. This section expires July 1, 202
7.

3758 Section 104.
(1) In order to implement section
8
of the

3759
202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act, beginning July 1, 202
6
,

3760
and on the first day of each month thereafter, the Department of

3761
Management Services shall assess an administrative health

3762
insurance assessment on each state agency equal to the

3763
employer’s cost of individual employee health care coverage for

3764
each vacant position within such agency eligible for coverage

3765
through the Division of State Group Insurance. As used in this

3766
section, the term “state agency” means an agency within the

3767
State Personnel System, the Department of the Lottery, the

3768
Justice Administrative Commission and all entities

3769
administratively housed in the Justice Administrative

3770
Commission, and the state courts system.

3771
(2) Each state agency shall remit the assessed

3772
administrative health insurance assessment under subsection (1)

3773
to the State Employees Health Insurance Trust Fund, for the

3774
State Group Insurance Program, as provided in ss. 110.123 and

3775
110.1239, Florida Statutes, from currently allocated mon
ey
s for

3776
salaries and benefits within 30 days after receipt of the

3777
assessment from the Department of Management Services. Should

3778
any state agency become more than 60 days delinquent in payment

3779
of this obligation, the Department of Management Services shall

3780
certify to the Chief Financial Officer the amount due and the

3781
Chief Financial Officer shall transfer the amount due to the

3782
Department of Management Services.

3783
(3) The administrative health insurance assessment shall

3784
apply to all vacant positions funded with state funds whether

3785
fully or partially funded with state funds. Vacant positions

3786
partially funded with state funds shall pay a percentage of the

3787
assessment imposed in subsection (1) equal to the percentage

3788
share of state funds provided for such vacant positions. No

3789
assessment shall apply to vacant positions fully funded with

3790
federal funds. Each state agency shall provide the Department of

3791
Management Services with a complete list of position numbers

3792
that are funded, or partially funded, with federal funding, and

3793
include the percentage of federal funding for each position no

3794
later than July 31, 202
6
, and shall update the list on the last

3795
day of each month thereafter. For federally funded vacant

3796
positions, or partially funded vacant positions, each state

3797
agency shall immediately take steps to include the

3798
administrative health insurance assessment in its indirect cost

3799
plan for the 202
7
-202
8
fiscal year and each fiscal year

3800
thereafter. A state agency shall notify the Department of

3801
Management Services, the Executive Office of the Governor, the

3802
chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations
,
and the chair

3803
of the House of Representatives Budget Committee upon approval

3804
of the updated indirect cost plan. If the state agency is not

3805
able to obtain approval from its federal awarding agency, the

3806
state agency must notify the Department of Management Services,

3807
the Executive Office of the Governor, and the appropriation and

3808
budget chairs no later than January 15, 202
7
.

3809
(4) Pursuant to the notice, review, and objection

3810
procedures of s. 216.177, Florida Statutes, the Executive Office

3811
of the Governor may transfer budget authority appropriated in

3812
the Salaries and Benefits appropriation category between

3813
agencies in order to align the appropriations granted with the

3814
assessments that must be paid by each agency to the Department

3815
of Management Services for the administrative health insurance

3816
assessment.

3817
(5) This section expires July 1, 202
7
.

3818 Section 105.
In
order to implement Specific Appropriations

3819
2852 and 2855
of the 202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act, and

3820
notwithstanding s. 11.13(1), Florida Statutes, the authorized

3821
salaries for members of the Legislature for the 202
6
-202
7
fiscal

3822
year shall be set at the same level in effect on July 1, 2010.

3823
This section expires July 1, 202
7
.

3824 Section 106. In order to implement the transfer of funds
3825 from the General Revenue Fund from trust funds for the 2026-2027
3826 General Appropriations Act, and notwithstanding the expiration
3827 date in section 111 of chapter 2025-199, Laws of Florida,
3828 paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 215.32, Florida
3829 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
3830 215.32 State funds; segregation.—
3831 (2) The source and use of each of these funds shall be as
3832 follows:
3833 (b)1. The trust funds shall consist of moneys received by
3834 the state which under law or under trust agreement are
3835 segregated for a purpose authorized by law. The state agency or
3836 branch of state government receiving or collecting such moneys
3837 is responsible for their proper expenditure as provided by law.
3838 Upon the request of the state agency or branch of state
3839 government responsible for the administration of the trust fund,
3840 the Chief Financial Officer may establish accounts within the
3841 trust fund at a level considered necessary for proper
3842 accountability. Once an account is established, the Chief
3843 Financial Officer may authorize payment from that account only
3844 upon determining that there is sufficient cash and releases at
3845 the level of the account.
3846 2. In addition to other trust funds created by law, to the
3847 extent possible, each agency shall use the following trust funds
3848 as described in this subparagraph for day-to-day operations:
3849 a. Operations or operating trust fund, for use as a
3850 depository for funds to be used for program operations funded by
3851 program revenues, with the exception of administrative
3852 activities when the operations or operating trust fund is a
3853 proprietary fund.
3854 b. Operations and maintenance trust fund, for use as a
3855 depository for client services funded by third-party payors.
3856 c. Administrative trust fund, for use as a depository for
3857 funds to be used for management activities that are departmental
3858 in nature and funded by indirect cost earnings and assessments
3859 against trust funds. Proprietary funds are excluded from the
3860 requirement of using an administrative trust fund.
3861 d. Grants and donations trust fund, for use as a depository
3862 for funds to be used for allowable grant or donor agreement
3863 activities funded by restricted contractual revenue from private
3864 and public nonfederal sources.
3865 e. Agency working capital trust fund, for use as a
3866 depository for funds to be used pursuant to s. 216.272.
3867 f. Clearing funds trust fund, for use as a depository for
3868 funds to account for collections pending distribution to lawful
3869 recipients.
3870 g. Federal grant trust fund, for use as a depository for
3871 funds to be used for allowable grant activities funded by
3872 restricted program revenues from federal sources.
3873
3874 To the extent possible, each agency must adjust its internal
3875 accounting to use existing trust funds consistent with the
3876 requirements of this subparagraph. If an agency does not have
3877 trust funds listed in this subparagraph and cannot make such
3878 adjustment, the agency must recommend the creation of the
3879 necessary trust funds to the Legislature no later than the next
3880 scheduled review of the agency’s trust funds pursuant to s.
3881 215.3206.
3882 3. All such moneys are hereby appropriated to be expended
3883 in accordance with the law or trust agreement under which they
3884 were received, subject always to the provisions of chapter 216
3885 relating to the appropriation of funds and to the applicable
3886 laws relating to the deposit or expenditure of moneys in the
3887 State Treasury.
3888 4.a. Notwithstanding any provision of law restricting the
3889 use of trust funds to specific purposes, unappropriated cash
3890 balances from selected trust funds may be authorized by the
3891 Legislature for transfer to the Budget Stabilization Fund and
3892 General Revenue Fund in the General Appropriations Act.
3893 b. This subparagraph does not apply to trust funds required
3894 by federal programs or mandates; trust funds established for
3895 bond covenants, indentures, or resolutions whose revenues are
3896 legally pledged by the state or public body to meet debt service
3897 or other financial requirements of any debt obligations of the
3898 state or any public body; the Division of Licensing Trust Fund
3899 in the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; the
3900 State Transportation Trust Fund; the trust fund containing the
3901 net annual proceeds from the Florida Education Lotteries; the
3902 Florida Retirement System Trust Fund; trust funds under the
3903 management of the State Board of Education or the Board of
3904 Governors of the State University System, where such trust funds
3905 are for auxiliary enterprises, self-insurance, and contracts,
3906 grants, and donations, as those terms are defined by general
3907 law; trust funds that serve as clearing funds or accounts for
3908 the Chief Financial Officer or state agencies; trust funds that
3909 account for assets held by the state in a trustee capacity as an
3910 agent or fiduciary for individuals, private organizations, or
3911 other governmental units; and other trust funds authorized by
3912 the State Constitution.
3913 Section 107.
The text of s. 215.32(2)(b), Florida Statutes,

3914
as carried forward from chapter 2011-47, Laws of Florida, by

3915
this act expires July 1, 2027, and the text of that paragraph

3916
shall revert to that in existence on June 30, 2011, except that

3917
any amendments to such text enacted other than by this act shall

3918
be preserved and continue to operate to the extent that such

3919
amendments are not dependent upon the portions of text which

3920
expire pursuant to this section.

3921 Section 108.
In
order to implement appropriations in the

3922
202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act for state employee travel,

3923
the funds appropriated to each state agency which may be used

3924
for travel by state employees are limited during the 202
6
-202
7

3925
fiscal year to travel for activities that are critical to each

3926
state agency’s mission. Funds may not be used for travel by

3927
state employees to foreign countries, other states, conferences,

3928
staff training activities, or other administrative functions

3929
unless the agency head has approved, in writing, that such

3930
activities are critical to the agency’s mission. The agency head

3931
shall consider using teleconferencing and other forms of

3932
electronic communication to meet the needs of the proposed

3933
activity before approving mission-critical travel. This section

3934
does not apply to travel for law enforcement purposes, military

3935
purposes, emergency management activities, or public health

3936
activities. This section expires July 1, 202
7
.

3937 Section 109.
In
order to implement appropriations in the

3938
202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act for state employee travel

3939
and notwithstanding s. 112.061, Florida Statutes, costs for

3940
lodging associated with a meeting, conference, or convention

3941
organized or sponsored in whole or in part by a state agency or

3942
the judicial branch may not exceed $225 per day. An employee may

3943
expend his or her own funds for any lodging expenses in excess

3944
of $225 per day. For purposes of this section, a meeting does

3945
not include travel activities for conducting an audit,

3946
examination, inspection, or investigation or travel activities

3947
related to a litigation or emergency response. This section

3948
expires July 1, 202
7
.

3949 Section 110. In order to implement the appropriations and
3950 reappropriations authorized in the 2026-2027 General
3951 Appropriations Act, paragraph (d) of subsection (11) of section
3952 216.181, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
3953 216.181 Approved budgets for operations and fixed capital
3954 outlay.—
3955 (11)
3956 (d) Notwithstanding paragraph (b) and paragraph (2)(b), and
3957 for the
202
6
-202
7

202
5
-202
6
fiscal year only, the Legislative
3958 Budget Commission may approve budget amendments for new fixed
3959 capital outlay projects or increase the amounts appropriated to
3960 state agencies for fixed capital outlay projects. This paragraph
3961 expires July 1,
202
7

202
6
.
3962
3963 The provisions of this subsection are subject to the notice and
3964 objection procedures set forth in s. 216.177.
3965 Section 111. In order to implement the salaries and
3966 benefits, expenses, other personal services, contracted
3967 services, special categories, and operating capital outlay
3968 categories of the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act,
3969 paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 216.292, Florida
3970 Statutes, is amended to read:
3971 216.292 Appropriations nontransferable; exceptions.—
3972 (2) The following transfers are authorized to be made by
3973 the head of each department or the Chief Justice of the Supreme
3974 Court whenever it is deemed necessary by reason of changed
3975 conditions:
3976 (a) The transfer of appropriations funded from identical
3977 funding sources, except appropriations for fixed capital outlay,
3978 and the transfer of amounts included within the total original
3979 approved budget and plans of releases of appropriations as
3980 furnished pursuant to ss. 216.181 and 216.192, as follows:
3981 1. Between categories of appropriations within a budget
3982 entity, if no category of appropriation is increased or
3983 decreased by more than 5 percent of the original approved budget
3984 or $250,000, whichever is greater, by all action taken under
3985 this subsection.
3986 2. Between budget entities within identical categories of
3987 appropriations, if no category of appropriation is increased or
3988 decreased by more than 5 percent of the original approved budget
3989 or $250,000, whichever is greater, by all action taken under
3990 this subsection.
3991 3. Any agency exceeding salary rate established pursuant to
3992 s. 216.181(8) on June 30th of any fiscal year shall not be
3993 authorized to make transfers pursuant to subparagraphs 1. and 2.
3994 in the subsequent fiscal year.
3995 4. Notice of proposed transfers under subparagraphs 1. and
3996 2. shall be provided to the Executive Office of the Governor and
3997 the chairs of the legislative appropriations committees at least
3998 3 days prior to agency implementation in order to provide an
3999 opportunity for review. The review shall be limited to ensuring
4000 that the transfer is in compliance with the requirements of this
4001 paragraph.
4002 5. For the
202
6
-202
7

202
5
-202
6
fiscal year, the review
4003 shall ensure that transfers proposed pursuant to this paragraph
4004 comply with this chapter, maximize the use of available and
4005 appropriate trust funds, and are not contrary to legislative
4006 policy and intent. This subparagraph expires July 1,
202
7

202
6
.
4007 Section 112.
In
order to implement appropriations in the

4008
202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act for the acquisitions of

4009
motor vehicles, and notwithstanding chapter 287, Florida

4010
Statutes, relating to the purchase of motor vehicles from a

4011
state term contract, state agencies may purchase vehicles from

4012
nonstate term contract vendors without prior approval from the

4013
Department of Management Services, provided the cost of the

4014
motor vehicle is equal to or less than the cost of a similar

4015
class of vehicle found on a state term contract and provided the

4016
funds for the purchase have been specifically appropriated. This

4017
section expires July 1, 202
7
.

4018 Section 113. In order to implement appropriations for state
4019 agencies in the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act, section
4020 11.52, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
4021 11.52 Implementation of enacted legislation.—Each state
4022 agency shall provide the Legislature and the Executive Office of
4023 the Governor with information about the status of implementation
4024 of recently enacted legislation. The implementation status must
4025 be provided 90 days following the effective date of the
4026 legislation and updated each August 1 thereafter until all
4027 provisions of the legislation have been fully implemented. The
4028 implementation status report must include, at a minimum, for
4029 each enacted legislation, the actions or steps taken to
4030 implement the legislation and planned actions or steps for
4031 implementation, such as any rules proposed for implementation,
4032 any procurements required, any contract executed to assist the
4033 agency in the implementation, any contracts executed to
4034 implement or administer the legislation, programs started,
4035 offices established, or other organization administrative
4036 changes made including personnel changes, or federal waivers
4037 requested; any expenditures made directly related to the
4038 implementation; and any impediments or delays in implementation,
4039 including, but not limited to, challenges of administrative
4040 rules. No later than 14 days prior to the next regular
4041 legislative session, the state agency shall provide an update of
4042 any changes to the implementation status, notify the Legislature
4043 of any protests of rulemaking or other communications regarding
4044 the implementation of the legislation and the status of any
4045 litigation related to the legislation, and identify any policy
4046 issues that need to be resolved by the Legislature to ensure
4047 timely and effective implementation of the legislation. This
4048 section expires July 1,
202
7

202
6
.
4049 Section 114. In order to implement appropriations for state
4050 agencies and the judicial branch in the 2026-2027 General
4051 Appropriations Act, subsection (7) of section 216.013, Florida
4052 Statutes, is amended to read:
4053 216.013 Long-range program plan.—State agencies and the
4054 judicial branch shall develop long-range program plans to
4055 achieve state goals using an interagency planning process that
4056 includes the development of integrated agency program service
4057 outcomes. The plans shall be policy based, priority driven,
4058 accountable, and developed through careful examination and
4059 justification of all agency and judicial branch programs.
4060 (7) Notwithstanding the provisions of this section, each
4061 state executive agency and the judicial branch are not required
4062 to develop or post a long-range program plan by September 30,
4063
2026

2025
, for the
2027-2028

2026-2027
fiscal year, except in
4064 circumstances outlined in any updated written instructions
4065 prepared by the Executive Office of the Governor in consultation
4066 with the chairs of the legislative appropriations committees.
4067 This subsection expires July 1,
2027

2026
.
4068 Section 115. In order to implement appropriations for state
4069 agencies and the judicial branch in the 2026-2027 General
4070 Appropriations Act, subsection (7) of section 216.023, Florida
4071 Statutes, is amended to read:
4072 216.023 Legislative budget requests to be furnished to
4073 Legislature by agencies.—
4074 (7) As part of the legislative budget request, each state
4075 agency and the judicial branch shall include an inventory of all
4076 ongoing technology-related projects that have a cumulative
4077 estimated or realized cost of more than $1 million. The
4078 inventory must, at a minimum, contain all of the following
4079 information:
4080 (a) The name of the technology system.
4081 (b) A brief description of the purpose and function of the
4082 system.
4083 (c) A brief description of the goals of the project.
4084 (d) The initiation date of the project.
4085 (e) The key performance indicators for the project.
4086 (f) Any other metrics for the project evaluating the health
4087 and status of the project.
4088 (g) The original and current baseline estimated end dates
4089 of the project.
4090 (h) The original and current estimated costs of the
4091 project.
4092 (i) Total funds appropriated or allocated to the project
4093 and the current realized cost for the project by fiscal year.
4094
4095 For purposes of this subsection, an ongoing technology-related
4096 project is one which has been funded or has had or is expected
4097 to have expenditures in more than one fiscal year. An ongoing
4098 technology-related project does not include the continuance of
4099 existing hardware and software maintenance agreements, the
4100 renewal of existing software licensing agreements, or the
4101 replacement of desktop units with new technology that is
4102 substantially similar to the technology being replaced. This
4103 subsection expires July 1,
202
7

2026
.
4104 Section 116.
In order to implement Specific Appropriations

4105
203, 583, 642, 1455A, 2514, and 3235, and sections 72 and 9
4

of

4106
the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act:

4107
(1) Of the funds appropriated for information technology

4108
projects, 75 percent shall be held in reserve. All general

4109
revenue funds not held in reserve shall be fully released. The

4110
Agency for Health
C
are Administration,
Department of Children

4111
and Families, Department of Corrections, Department of Financial

4112
Services, Florida Gaming Control Commission, Department of

4113
Health, and Department of Revenue are authorized to submit a

4114
budget amendment to request release of funds pursuant to chapter

4115
216, Florida Statutes. The amount requested to be released in

4116
each budget amendment may not exceed the agenc
y
’
s
projected

4117
quarterly expenditures, reduced by any unexpended funds from

4118
prior releases. Release is contingent upon submission of the

4119
following:

4120
(a) An updated and comprehensive operational work plan;

4121
(b) A detailed monthly spend plan with expenditures broken

4122
down by deliverable
which
identifies all planned
and actual

4123
project work and costs specified in the current project

4124
schedule; and

4125
(c) A copy of the project status report from the most

4126
recently completed month at the time of submission which

4127
provides justification
for
any variance from the most recently

4128
submitted project schedule and spend plan.

4129
(2) The
agenc
ies receiving funds pursuant to this section

4130
must submit monthly project status reports to the Executive

4131
Office of the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget, the chair

4132
of the Senate Appropriations Committee, the chair of the House

4133
Budget Committee, and any other designated project oversight

4134
entity no later than
30
days
after
the close of the previous

4135
month. Each status report must include copies of
any
new or

4136
updated relevant task order, contract,
or
purchase order. The

4137
status report must also describe progress made to date for each

4138
project milestone and deliverable, planned and actual completion

4139
dates, planned and actual costs incurred, and any current

4140
project issues or risks.

4141
(3) This section expires July 1, 2027.

4142 Section 117.
Any section of this act which implements a

4143
specific appropriation or specifically identified proviso

4144
language in the 202
6
-202
7
General Appropriations Act is void if

4145
the specific appropriation or specifically identified proviso

4146
language is vetoed. Any section of this act which implements

4147
more than one specific appropriation or more than one portion of

4148
specifically identified proviso language in the 202
6
-202
7

4149
General Appropriations Act is void if all the specific

4150
appropriations or portions of specifically identified proviso

4151
language are vetoed.

4152 Section 118.
If any other act passed during the 202
6

4153
Regular Session of the Legislature contains a provision that is

4154
substantively the same as a provision in this act, but that

4155
removes or is otherwise not subject to the future repeal applied

4156
to such provision by this act, the Legislature intends that the

4157
provision in the other act takes precedence and continues to

4158
operate, notwithstanding the future repeal provided by this act.

4159 Section 119.
If any provision of this act or its

4160
application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the

4161
invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of

4162
the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision

4163
or application, and to this end the provisions of this act are

4164
severable.

4165 Section 120. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
4166 act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon
4167 this act becoming a law, this act shall take effect July 1,
4168 2026, or, if this act fails to become a law until after that
4169 date, it shall take effect upon becoming a law and shall operate
4170 retroactively to July 1, 2026.