Weekly Legislative Update from March 13, 2026
The 2026 Legislative Session has concluded, with sine die occurring this afternoon. With the budget discussion halted, an official announcement of a special session to negotiate the budget was announced. AIF is extremely proud of our members and team who were able to fight for policies that will move Florida in the right direction, and stop bad policy from passing. AIF will also be releasing a more in-depth post session brief in the coming days.
AIF 2026 Session Week 9 Legislative Priority Issues
Data Centers: This week, HB 1007 was laid on the table in the House and substituted for SB 484. AIF continued to educate lawmakers that Florida should remain open to compete for large-scale investments, instead of adopting policies that could make it more difficult for projects to locate in the state, including restrictions related to the use of non-disclosure agreements during early negotiations.
A House strike-all amendment made significant improvements to the bill and was ultimately accepted by the Senate. AIF will remain actively engaged on this issue, emphasizing that data centers represent critical digital infrastructure and a significant opportunity for long-term economic growth. The amended bill signaled a significant pro-growth policy stance compared to where the original bills started, but improvements to this policy will be a focus for next session.
Artificial Intelligence: This week, both SB 482 and HB 527 died without receiving a final hearing. As policymakers work through these issues in the future, AIF remains engaged to ensure Florida’s approach protects consumers while maintaining the flexibility businesses need to responsibly deploy emerging technologies. While reasonable safeguards are important, overly rigid regulatory standards could increase compliance costs, slow innovation, and limit the productivity gains that make AI such a powerful tool for economic growth.
Growth Management: Growth management remained a key focus this week as lawmakers continued advancing measures aimed at improving predictability and efficiency in Florida’s development and permitting processes. Several proposals were passed this week reflecting efforts to reduce delays, limit inconsistent local requirements, and provide greater certainty for businesses and developers operating in the state. Equally as important, a late push to roll back provisions of SB 180 from last year was unsuccessful.
AIF remains actively engaged, advocating for policies that reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers and create a more stable and predictable environment for investment, job creation, and responsible economic growth.
Finance & Tax: This week saw continued movement on major finance and tax packages, with lawmakers advancing proposals that adjust local government revenue authority, refine corporate income tax conformity, and expand targeted sales tax relief. The discussions reflect an effort to balance tax reductions and regulatory certainty with long-term fiscal stability. For Florida’s business community, these measures directly impact operating costs and investment decisions. AIF will remain engaged to ensure the final product after budget negotiations strengthen Florida’s competitive, pro-business tax climate.
News AIF is Reading
Florida AI rules risk crushing the next wave of American Innovation
Donald Trump accelerates construction of AI infrastructure as Florida stands poised to restrict data centers
Distrust and dysfunction: Inside the Florida Legislature's 2026 mess
Florida lawmakers remain deadlocked over the state budget as House and Senate leaders clash over spending priorities
Week in Review
SB 484 – Data Centers
On Friday, March 13, SB 484 by Senator Bryan Avila (R-Hialeah Gardens) was heard on the Senate Floor after being amended by the House and was reported favorably. AIF ultimately supported the amendment to the legislation.
AIF appreciates the sponsor’s amendment addressing issues in the original language. The bill was amended to replace the original five-mile siting restriction with a requirement that new large-scale data centers located within five miles of a residential property or school demonstrate compliance with local noise ordinances. It also clarifies that non-disclosure agreements can be used during early economic development negotiations for the first 12 months of development.
SB 484 will now be sent to the Governor for consideration.
AIF is thankful for the House and Senate adopting the final amendment, which postures Florida's data center capabilities better for the future. More work in this space must be done, but most of the original, harmful policies were excluded from the final bill.
SB 1074 and HB 951 – One-Cent Piece
On Tuesday, March 10, SB 1074 by Senator Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola) was heard on the House Floor and was reported favorably. The identical companion, HB 951, was laid on the table. AIF supports 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.
SB 1074 will now be sent to the Governor for consideration.
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.
HB 167 - Former Phosphate Mining Lands
On Wednesday, March 11, HB 167 by Representative Lawrence McClure (R-Plant City) was heard on the Senate Floor and was reported favorably. AIF supports this legislation.
Phosphate mining is a critical industry in Florida and is essential to providing sufficient fertilizers and agrichemicals for agricultural operations around the globe. HB 167 provides protections against bad actors who bring claims against producers and property owners of land previously used for phosphate mining. The bill requires the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to perform radiation surveys on land previously used for phosphate mining operations at the request of the landowner. Plaintiffs would be required to submit DOH reports as discovery evidence in causes of action against landowners.
HB 167 will now be sent to the Governor for consideration.
AIF supports legislation that adds a transparent good faith clause to the strict liability statute to protect businesses and landowners following environmental guidelines from being held liable in frivolous lawsuits, allowing businesses to utilize thousands of acres of land for needed projects.
HB 1329 - Local Government Spending
On Thursday, March 12, HB 1329 by Yvette Benarroch (R-Naples) was read on the House Floor and reported favorably. AIF supports this legislation.
This bill creates clear requirements for local governments that impose impact fee increases under extraordinary circumstances. The bill also creates clear statutes for companies that litigate against local government impact fee increases or those who recover overpaid fees. The recent amendment strengthens requirements for adopting or increasing impact fees by adding additional safeguards before exceeding phase-in limits. These updates provide greater predictability and protection against excessive or duplicative local fees, supporting more stable long-term capital planning and investment decisions.
HB 1329 will now go to the Governor 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 686 - Agricultural Enclaves
On Wednesday, March 11, SB 686 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was read on the House Floor and was reported favorably. AIF supports 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.
SB 686 will now be sent to the Governor 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 399 / SB 208 - Land Use and Development Regulations
On Friday, March 13, SB 208 by Senator Stan McClain (R-Ocala) was laid on the table and voted to be substituted for HB 399 by Representative David Borrero (R-Doral), which was read on both the House and Senate Floors and reported favorably. AIF supports 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.
A late amendment was filed that would have rolled back important provisions passed in SB 180 last year. The amendment would have expanded the bill beyond its original focus by adding new post-hurricane restrictions on local governments. While the underlying bill is aimed at creating clearer, more consistent rules for development, this amendment would have potentially layered in broader limits on property owners after storms, extending those restrictions across more areas and for a longer period of time.
HB 399 will now be sent to the Governor 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.
AIF Past Endorsements
