As the 2026 Legislative Session continues, AIF also continues to be in the Capitol discussing pro-business policy with Florida's legislators. This week, data center legislation was heard in the Senate and AIF was there to speak to some of the concerns the business community has. Bills addressing the housing shortage and growth management also continued to be heard, with AIF supporting many of the proposals. Looking ahead to next week, lawsuit abuse reform will be on top of AIF's priority list as we continue to fight to preserve the 2022-23 reforms.
SB 484 – Data Centers
On Tuesday, February 3, SB 484 by Senator Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah Gardens) was heard by the Senate Community Affairs Committee and was reported favorably. AIF spoke for information purposes only.
Senate Bill 484 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for large-scale data centers and other large electric load customers in Florida, focusing on transparency, local land-use authority, utility ratepayer protections, and water resource management. Additionally, the bill creates detailed permitting standards for large-scale data centers’ water use, emphasizing conservation, reclaimed water utilization, public hearings, and protection of Florida’s water resources. The bill also prohibits government agencies from entering into nondisclosure agreements that limit public disclosure of data center developments.
SB 484 will now go to the Senate Rules Committee for consideration.
AIF supports most of the language throughout SB 484 as it sets reasonable guardrails and direction for the development of a data center in Florida. AIF does have concerns regarding a portion of the language limiting NDA use. NDA's, or Non-Disclosure Agreements, especially in the pre-development stages of large projects, are extremely important in protecting proprietary information. AIF will continue to work with the sponsor to improve the bill and continue to push pro-business policies for Florida.
HB 979 - Infill Redevelopment
On Thursday, February 5, HB 979 by Representative David Borrero (R-Doral) was heard by the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee and reported was favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
This bill allows environmentally impacted land in dense urban counties to be used by streamlining redevelopment and removing local regulatory barriers that restrict housing supply. The legislation preempts restrictive zoning rules, limits local interference, and creates uniform development standards.
HB 979 will now go to the House Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee for consideration.
AIF supports laws that make it faster and easier to receive permits so homes can continue to be built across Florida. With housing costs rising, building more homes can help increase supply and keep prices affordable for families.
HB 691 - Agricultural Enclaves
On Thursday, February 5, HB 691 by Representative Adam Botana (R-Bonita Springs) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill significantly expands and clarifies Florida’s agricultural enclave framework by creating a faster, more predictable pathway for certain agriculturally used parcels surrounded by development to transition to residential use, while limiting local government discretion. The bill allows qualifying landowners to seek certification as an agricultural enclave, imposes firm timelines on local governments to act, and provides automatic approval if deadlines are missed, along with judicial review if an application is denied.
HB 691 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.
AIF supports responsible growth by allowing limited, well-planned development on land surrounded by existing infrastructure to help ease the housing shortage in Florida.
HB 399 - Land Use and Development Regulations
On Thursday, February 5, HB 399 by Representative David Borrero (R-Doral) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill restructures Florida’s land use and development regulatory framework by limiting local government discretion, increasing predictability for developers, and standardizing approval processes statewide. The bill requires development application fees to directly reflect actual administrative costs rather than project value, mandates majority votes for future land use plan amendments, and imposes standards for determining residential compatibility.
HB 399 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.
AIF supports streamlining processes for development by improving the regulatory pathway for builders across the state. Promoting responsible development is key to assisting in mitigating the affordability issues in Florida.
HB 1139 – Impact Fees
On Thursday, February 5, HB 1139 by Representative Richard Gentry (R-DeBary) was heard by the House Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill creates clear requirements for local governments who impose impact fee increases under extraordinary circumstances. Specifically, the bill mandates local governments specifically justify each increase through a plan-based method. The bill also creates clear statutes for companies that litigate against local government impact fee increases or those who recover overpaid fees.
HB 1139 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.
AIF supports legislation that creates clear and reasonable pathways for landowners to develop their land responsibly. Ensuring local governments are using collected impact fees correctly is important in lowering home costs and creating housing throughout the state.
SB 526 - Commercial Construction Projects
On Monday, February 2, SB 526 by Senator Erin Grall (R-Fort Pierce) was heard by the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee and reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill makes reforms to Florida’s home construction process by regulating Florida’s permitting process and mitigating delays by local governments. The bill preempts certain building design elements that are purely aesthetic without any functional purposes. The bill will standardize construction processes and make it easier for responsible developers to build on the land they own.
SB 526 will go to the Senate Rules Committee.
AIF supports legislation that encourages responsible development and limits local government’s ability to deter development via permits and fees. Responsible development is key to assisting in mitigating the affordability issues in Florida.
SB 806 – Consumers’ Right to Repair Certain Equipment
On Tuesday, February 3, SB 806 by Senator Keith Truenow (R-Tavares) was heard by the Senate Rules Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in opposition of this legislation.
SB 806 establishes new guidelines to mandate manufacturers share documentation, tools, and parts to device owners and independent repair providers to use on devices. The bill creates the Agriculture Equipment Fair Repair Act which mandates certain repair and manufacturing information be available to independent providers and owners. The bill prohibits original equipment manufacturers from excluding some security related functions.
SB 806 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.
In its current form, AIF opposes SB 806 as it would allow intellectual property that is developed and owned by manufacturers, to be readily available for distribution by entities that are not associated with the manufacturer. These reforms could result in higher repair costs for products ranging from smartphones to heavy machinery.
HB 951 – One-Cent Piece
On Monday, February 2, HB 951 by Representative Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) was heard by the House Ways & Means Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
This bill clarifies the rounding rules for cash change in the future after the Federal Government stopped production of the penny. Depending on the change owed, the business may round up or down to avoid using a penny.
HB 951 will now go to the House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee.
AIF supports clarifying language in Florida Statutes for the business community to follow while dispensing cash change. As the penny becomes less common, making sure the state has clear and concise procedures will become increasingly important.
SB 1396 – Litigation Financing Consumer Protection
On Tuesday, February 3, SB 1396 by Senator Colleen Burton (R-Winter Haven) was heard by the Senate Rules Committee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
This bill will prohibit harmful lawsuit investing practices by establishing the Litigation Investment Safeguards and Transparency Act. Third Party Litigation Financing (TPLF) allows hedge funds and other financiers to invest in lawsuits in exchange for a portion of any settlement or verdict, effectively turning litigation into a profit-driven enterprise. Currently, these financers operate largely unregulated, creating serious risks without commonsense safeguards or transparency.
SB 1396 will now go to the Senate Floor for consideration.
AIF supports any legislation that will continue to improve the litigious climate in Florida and end frivolous, unnecessary lawsuits. Businesses and consumers continue to pay a “tort tax”, or a higher price of goods, to mitigate frivolous lawsuits.
HB 635 – Cybersecurity Standards and Liability
On Tuesday, February 3, HB 635 by Representative Mike Giallombardo (R-Cape Coral) was heard by the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
This bill tackles civil liability from the cybersecurity perspective. As businesses, large and small, continue to rely on data and software to effectively service their customers, frivolous litigation has been on the rise following cyber-attacks on businesses. The bill sets standards for businesses to follow, so if a breach occurs, they are protected from frivolous litigation. Additionally, the bill creates a structure for companies using consumer data to better protect the data from cyberattacks.
HB 635 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.
AIF supports legislation that creates a clear and consistent framework for businesses to follow in order to safeguard consumer privacy and to reduce the risk of frivolous litigation. These measures will create a fair playing field and encourage more businesses to invest in Florida.
SB 1122 - Activities of Special Districts
On Tuesday, February 3, SB 1122 by Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) was heard in the Senate Community Affairs Committee and was reported favorably. The bill was temporarily postponed.
SB 1122 allows Florida hospital special districts to formally collaborate with one another by jointly creating or participating in shared ventures, such as partnerships, networks, facilities, or other business entities anywhere within their combined district boundaries. The bill declares these collaborations a public necessity to improve access to healthcare. The bill also grants these districts and their partners state action immunity, meaning their cooperative activities are protected from state and federal antitrust challenges.
SB 1122 will go back to the Senate Community Affairs Committee for consideration.
AIF opposes this bill because it allows major operational consolidation without the usual regulatory review or transparency, creating uncertainty in the healthcare marketplace. Reduced competition and unclear financial accountability could lead to higher costs and long-term impacts on employers, taxpayers, and the overall business climate.
HB 433 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
On Wednesday, February 4, HB 433 by Representative Danny Alvarez (R-Riverview) was heard by the House Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee and was reported favorably. AIF stood in support of this legislation.
The bill enhances Florida’s approach on regulating the agriculture industry. The bill creates the Farmers Feeding Florida Program to ensure native, local ingredients are broadly available around the state. The bill also preempts local governments from passing ordinances that prohibit or restrict gas powered equipment used on lawns or agriculture lands.
HB 433 will now go to the House State Affairs Committee for consideration.
AIF supports promoting Florida’s agricultural community and protecting those who choose to work on agriculture lands from unfair local ordinances that can change business practices and make working lands unaffordable.
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