Week 4  of the 2026 Session  

Welcome to week 4 of the 2026 legislative session! With 35 days to go until Sine Die, stay on top of county priorities with this weekly legislative bulletin and our comprehensive Bill Tracker.  

On Tuesday, 2/3, the Senate Committee on Judiciary passed SB 1366 Claims Against the Government unanimously by Senator Brodeur.  This bill updates Florida’s sovereign immunity law (s. 768.28, F.S.), which is the state’s limited waiver allowing certain tort lawsuits against the state and its agencies or subdivisions. While the state can be sued for wrongful acts of its employees, payments on claims and collection of judgments remain capped unless the Legislature approves additional compensation through a claim bill. 

The bill makes several key changes: 

• Raises liability caps from $200,000 per person / $300,000 per incident to $300,000 per person / $450,000 per incident. 
• Adds automatic inflation adjustments, requiring the Department of Financial Services to update the caps every five years starting July 1, 2031, based on the Consumer Price Index. 
• Clarifies legislative control over attorney fees, stating the Legislature alone decides what attorney fees and costs may be paid from claim bill proceeds. 
• Revises statutes of limitation and preset requirements for certain claims against government entities, including negligence, medical malpractice, wrongful death, contribution, and sexual battery claims involving victims under 16. 
• Applies prospectively to causes of action accruing on or after October 1, 2026.

The bill becomes effective October 1, 2026. FAC along with other impacted local entities provided information to the committee that the current version of the legislation was more favorable than the House companion; however, legislators should weigh both the costs and the conversations regarding potential reductions in local government revenues. 



The House companion, HB 145, by Rep. McFarland has been referred to Rules.  

To watch the committee hearing, click here.  

On Wednesday, 2/4 the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee passed HB 53 Rapid Rail Transit Compact favorably by Representative Hinson. This bill authorizes the Governor to join a Rapid Rail Transit Compact with Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi to evaluate the feasibility of rapid rail service among the four states. The Compact would take effect once ratified by participating states and approved by Congress, and it allows additional contiguous states to join with legislative approval. 

The Compact creates the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) as a joint interstate body made up of each state’s Governor, one transportation department representative per state, and five gubernatorial appointees from each state. The SRC is empowered to hold hearings, conduct studies and surveys, issue reports, obtain funding or property from public or private sources, collaborate with other entities, and advocate for the Compact’s goals before Congress and federal agencies. Each state may fund SRC operations at its legislature’s discretion, and the bill outlines membership terms, quorum requirements, withdrawal procedures, and duties necessary to carry out the Compact’s purpose.

To watch the committee hearing, click here.  

On Thursday, 2/4, the House Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee passed HB 399 Land Use and Development Regulations favorably by Representative Borrero. Originally, the bill made several changes to land use and development regulation procedures. The bill requires that application fees for development permits and development orders be reasonably related to the direct and indirect costs of reviewing and processing an application, and prohibits fees calculated as a percentage of project or construction costs. The bill provides that land development regulations must incorporate objective design standards or other measures for mitigating or minimizing potential incompatibility. Local government staff may recommend mitigation measures to the applicant. If an applicant proposes mitigation measures, the bill prohibits a local government from denying an application on compatibility grounds unless the denial contains written findings stating that the proposed mitigation measures are inadequate and no feasible mitigation measures exist. 

A proposed committee substitute (PCS) replaced the original bill and added additional preemption. The PCS provides that the exclusive method of the future land use element of a comprehensive plan may be transmitted and adopted only by a majority vote of the governing body members present at the hearing, overriding any conflicting county charter provisions. 

The bill further directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA) to study the impacts of removing the Urban Development Boundary or similar growth boundaries in Miami-Dade County and other counties. The study must address specified elements and report findings by October 1, 2026. The bill may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on state and local governments. 



The Senate companion, SB 208 by Senator McClain passed its second committee hearing but does not include the charter preemption or OPPAGA study. 

To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Thursday, 2/4, the House Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee passed HB 691 Agricultural Enclaves unanimously by Representative Botana. The bill provides a substantially new public hearing process for development on agricultural enclaves. An agricultural enclave, generally, is agricultural land mostly surrounded by existing development which statutes provide certain benefits to assist development to match its environs. Under the bill, the owner of an agricultural enclave may apply for certification of land as an agricultural enclave, subject to public hearing and approval. Upon certification, property owners may submit development plans for single-family residential housing consistent with land use requirements of adjacent parcels. A local government may not enact or enforce a law or regulation for an agricultural enclave which is more burdensome than for other types of applications for comparable uses or densities. The bill otherwise removes the existing process related to agricultural enclaves. The bill also expands the definition of “agricultural enclave” to include that an agricultural enclave may include multiple parcels, and amends the requirements related to surrounding parcels that make land eligible for development benefits. Agricultural enclaves are also limited to those lands within a county with a population of 1.75 million or less. The bill also provides that the bill’s provisions relating to agricultural enclaves shall expire January 1, 2028, and the text of those subsections shall revert to that in existence on June 30, 2026. 



The Senate companion, SB 686 by Sen. McClain will be heard next week in Senate Judiciary. 

To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Thursday, 2/4, the House Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee passed HB 1139 Impact Fees unanimously by Representative Gentry. The bill implements new requirements for local governments seeking to increase impact fee rate beyond the base phase-in limitations due to extraordinary circumstances based on a demonstrated-need study. The demonstrated-need study must utilize a plan-based methodology.  

In order to demonstrate “extraordinary circumstances” under the bill, the demonstrated need study must specify the capacity standards used to support the existence of such extraordinary circumstances and be accompanied by a declaration of the method and timeframe by which the impact fee increase will increase capacity.

HB 1139 further prohibits local governments, including school districts and special districts, from utilizing data that is older than 4 years, including in the impact fee increase any deduction authorized by a previous or existing impact fee. Lastly, a local government cannot increase an impact fee rate utilizing the extraordinary circumstances provisions by more than 100 percent in a 4-year period.  

The bill provides for refunds and reasonable attorney fees and costs to a petitioner in an action challenging an impact fee imposed in violation of the statute. The bill also provides that an interlocal agreement between a county and municipality regarding the coordination of development and redevelopment fees for transportation capacity impacts that were entered into before October 1, 2024, may not extend beyond October 1, 2031.  

The Senate companion, SB 548 by Senator McClain passed its first committee hearing on 1/20. 



To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Tuesday, 2/3, the Senate Community Affairs Committee passed SB 1134 Official Actions of Local Government favorably by Senator Yarborough. This bill would prohibit counties and municipalities from using any funds to support, promote, or take official actions related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), including adopting ordinances, policies, programs, or regulations. Local governments would also be barred from establishing or staffing DEI offices or officers. 

The bill makes violations by local governing body members, acting in an official capacity, grounds for misfeasance or malfeasance in office, and allows county residents to bring legal action against governments that violate the restrictions. The bill includes exceptions for actions required to comply with federal or general law. 

Additionally, the bill requires contractors or grant recipients to certify they will not use local government funds to require employees or others to participate in DEI-related instruction or materials. The bill would take effect January 1, 2027. 



The House companion, HB 1001 by Rep. Black passed its first committee hearing. FAC spoke for information during the House committee noting the vague definition of DEI may lead to a cause of action resulting in county officials being removed from office when exercising routine governmental functions.  

To watch the committee hearing, click here.

On Tuesday, 2/3, the Senate Community Affairs Committee passed SB 1320 Tax Referenda favorably by Senator Martin. This bill addresses the issue of tax referenda at the county level. The bill creates s. 17.326, allowing the Chief Financial Officer to provide a “spending analysis” on the ballot when local governments seek approval of an “increase in taxies levied by a county”. 

The legislation defines a “local government spending analysis” as a statement prepared by the Department of Financial Services, or one of its agencies, that examines the spending practices of a county government.  

Under the bill, if a local government spending analysis has been prepared, it must be included on any referendum that proposes an increase in taxes levied by a county. The Department of Financial Services is also given authority to adopt rules and standards to implement these requirements. The bill does not provide any specificity to the standards or requirements of the analysis. The act is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026. FAC spoke for information noting the process for performance audits on local surtax referenda and transparency that counties follow under current law. During committee, Senator Pizzo characterized the bill as “performative” analysis. 



To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Monday, 2/2, the Senate Government Oversight and Accountability Committee passed SB 526 Commercial Construction Projects unanimously by Senator Grall.   

The bill revises Florida law governing public procurement to void and render unenforceable any provision in a public construction contract which purports to waive, release or extinguish the rights of a contractor to recover costs, damages, or equitable adjustments, or obtain a time extension, for delays in performance of the contract when the delays are caused by the awarding body or its agents, employees or persons working on its behalf. These provisions apply to all public construction contracts entered into on or after July 1, 2026.  

However, the bill specifically does not void a provision that requires notice of a delay by the party claiming the delay; provisions for liquidated damages for a delay caused by the contractor or its subcontractors, agents or employees; or provisions related to arbitration or other procedures designed to settle contract disputes.  

The bill also updates the Florida Building Codes Act by directing the Florida Building Commission, working with DBPR, to create a uniform commercial building permit application to be used statewide without modification, and to make it available online and to local enforcement agencies by July 1, 2027. In addition, the Commission must develop standardized supplemental trade forms (e.g., electrical, HVAC, plumbing, water/sewer) that locals may require depending on project scope, but these forms cannot lengthen review/permit timelines; agencies must also allow relevant reviews to happen simultaneously and may request extra documents only as needed for code/zoning compliance without changing the uniform application. The bill defines “commercial construction project” and requires local enforcement agencies to reduce permit fees when private providers do plan review or inspections by at least 50% and at least 75% if both services are provided by a private provider—while barring fee collection if the reduction is not provided.  

The House companion, HB 405 by Representative Griffitts Jr. is awaiting a hearing in its third committee.  

To watch the committee hearing, click here.  

On Tuesday, 2/3, the House State Affairs Committee passed HB 103 Local Business Taxes favorably by Representative Botana. The bill would repeal Ch. 205, Local Business Taxes, removing the authority for local governments to levy a local business tax. Counties have broad home-rule authority to levy taxes authorized by the Legislature. Chapter 205 is already a capped and limited revenue source, not an expansive local tax. Eliminating this revenue stream removes one of the few locally authorized, business-specific tools in statute. Preliminary 2023-24 data shows a roughly $27.5 million impact to counties statewide, representing a reduction of 9.3% year-over-year. Eliminating a business-based revenue source shifts costs from businesses to residential taxpayers, worsening affordability challenges. These impacts are compounded by the ongoing property tax discussion and local funding concerns. The bill was amended to allow a narrow exception for certain authorized taxes under s. 205.033(6) with proceeds distributed to implement economic development strategies. FAC opposed this bill along with other local governments. 



To watch the committee hearing, click here.  

On Tuesday, 2/3, the Senate Rules Committee passed SB 504 Code Inspector Body Cameras and SB 506 Public Records/Body Camera Recordings by a Code Inspector unanimously by Senator Burgess. Together, SB 504 and SB 506 create a statutory framework for the use of body cameras by local government code inspectors. SB 504 authorizes, but does not require, counties and other local governments to allow code inspectors to wear body cameras and mandates that any entity doing so adopt detailed policies on use, training, storage, retention, and periodic compliance review. It also clarifies that Florida’s wiretapping laws do not apply to code inspector body camera recordings. 

SB 506 addresses public records implications of those recordings by creating a new exemption for body camera footage recorded by code inspectors in private residences, health care or social service facilities, or other places where a reasonable expectation of privacy exists. Counties must retain recordings for at least 90 days and manage disclosure requests under new, detailed statutory standards, including mandatory disclosures to recorded individuals and court-ordered access. The exemption applies retroactively and sunsets in 2031 unless reenacted.   

The House companion, HB 511 by Rep. Partington, passed it’s second committee on Thursday, 2/5. 

FAC supported the bills in committee. To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Tuesday. 2/3, the Senate Rules Committee passed SB 594 Local Housing Assistance Plans unanimously by Senator Burton. This bill expands the allowable uses of State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to address housing instability affecting mobile homeowners. The bill authorizes counties and eligible municipalities to use SHIP funds for lot rental assistance for mobile homeowners, limited to up to six months, and classifies this assistance as an approved homeownership activity for purposes of SHIP funding requirements. 

The bill requires local governments to include specific strategies in their local housing assistance plans addressing housing displacement caused by mobile home park closures, and to include a strategy for providing program funds to mobile homeowners, including lot rental assistance. It also authorizes SHIP funds to be used for rehabilitation and emergency repairs for mobile homeowners. 

Additionally, the bill removes the existing cap that limits the percentage of SHIP funds that may be used for manufactured housing and makes conforming statutory changes. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026. 

The House companion, HB 267 by Rep. Stark passed its third committee hearing on 1/27.  



To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Tuesday, February 3, the Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved SB 1220 - Transportation, sponsored by Senator Massullo Jr. The bill updates Florida’s transportation policies to address trails, freight movement, new technologies, and infrastructure security. 

The bill requires the Florida Greenways and Trails Council to update its list of priority regional trails after the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) releases its SUN Trail program report. It also gives FDOT more flexibility when selecting SUN Trail projects by allowing additional trail surface materials and letting the department consider sponsorship agreements when ranking projects. 

To strengthen freight movement and infrastructure resilience, SB 1220 requires seaports and commercial airports to include plans for protecting critical resources. It also directs FDOT to identify and prioritize key parts of Florida’s maritime supply chain to support the state’s maritime industry. 

The bill addresses new and emerging transportation technologies by allowing limited use of personal delivery devices in bike lanes and on roadway shoulders. It prevents local governments from blocking drone delivery services through land-use or parking requirements and defines “advanced air mobility corridor connection points.” In addition, the bill expands FDOT’s authority to support advanced air mobility, including the ability to acquire or build airports and purchase promotional items tied to transportation-related economic development. 

SB 1220 also repeals the state’s authority for digital driver licenses, designates FDOT as the lead agency for procuring LiDAR mapping systems, and increases the portion of certain turnpike toll revenues reinvested in Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties. 

The bill strengthens protections for autonomous vehicles by creating felony penalties for shooting into or damaging them. It also requires FDOT to study how alternative fuel vehicles impact transportation revenues, supported by a $300,000 appropriation. 

To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Tuesday, 2/3, the Senate Transportation Committee passed CS/SB 1362 Advanced Air Mobility unanimously by Senator Harrell. The bill establishes a statewide framework for vertiports and advanced air mobility infrastructure and includes several targeted preemptions. The bill preempts the regulation of vertiport design, aeronautical operations, aviation safety, and electric aircraft charging stations to the state, ensuring uniform technical standards. Local governments must also issue or deny certain charging-station permits within 15 business days. 

Importantly, the bill preserves local zoning and land-use authority, as well as the ability to adopt reasonable noise-compatibility ordinances, so long as those local regulations do not effectively prohibit AAM aircraft authorized by the FAA. The committee substitute removed the earlier sales-tax provisions and instead provides sovereign immunity for vertiports co-located at public airports. 


The House companion, CS/CS/HB 1093 by Rep. Spencer is waiting to be heard in its 3rd committee stop.  



To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Tuesday, 2/03, the Senate Community Affairs Committee passed CS/SB 484 Data Centers favorably by Senator Avila. This bill affirms that hyperscale data centers raise unique planning and infrastructure considerations that must be addressed through local comprehensive planning and land development regulations. In other words, the section explicitly preserves local governments’ existing authority to regulate these facilities through their adopted land use, infrastructure, compatibility, and public facilities standards.  

The bill also directs the Public Service Commission to establish minimum large-load tariffs to ensure that data centers and similar users fully pay their cost of service, protecting general ratepayers, and prohibits public utilities from serving large load facilities owned or controlled by foreign counties of concern. An amendment was adopted in committee that provides that the tariffs the PSC create under the bill must include provisions to prevent a public utility from providing electric service to a foreign entity large load customer and adds that public utility providers may not knowingly provide to a foreign entity. It also revises the timeline, giving the PSC until March 2027 to adopt a final rule, and public utilities 60 days from rule adoption to file conforming updated tariffs. 

The bill also establishes a dedicated consumptive use permitting (CUP) process for large-scale data centers, prohibiting water withdrawals that conflict with local zoning or would harm water resources, and requiring applicants to demonstrate that the proposed use is reasonable-beneficial, will not interfere with existing legal uses, and is consistent with the public interest. The section also mandates the use of reclaimed water when it is available and feasible, requires detailed disclosure of all water sources and uses along with a conservation plan, and directs that any CUP modification for these facilities be processed as a new permit and cannot be approved without a hearing.  

The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.  

The House Companion, HB 1007 by Rep. Griffitts has not yet been heard this session.  



To watch the committee hearing, click here.  

On Tuesday, 2/3, the Senate Community Affairs Committee passed SB 1548 Affordable Housing unanimously by Senator Calatayud. This bill updates and clarifies key provisions of Florida’s Live Local Act (2023), which requires local governments to approve certain affordable housing developments when specific conditions are met. This bill expands the Act’s preemptions, so they apply to any property owned by a county, municipality, or school district, and prevents local governments from using dimensional requirements like setbacks to effectively limit building height. It also excludes farming and related farm operations from being treated as commercial, industrial, or mixed-use zoning for purposes of triggering mandatory approval. 

In addition, SB 1548 allows Live Local Act developments near airports if approved by the airport’s governing body. The bill further strengthens protections against local government discrimination in land use decisions involving affordable housing, including waiving sovereign immunity for lawsuits based on such discrimination. The changes take effect July 1, 2026. 



To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Wednesday, 2/4, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee passed SB 1356 Handling of Animals unanimously by Senator Garcia. This bill establishes new state oversight of dog breeding and strengthens consumer protections for the sale of cats and dogs.SB 1356 requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to adopt rules and best management practices for dog breeding, while mandating that dog breeders obtain a certificate of registration from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). DBPR is directed to investigate noncompliance and enforce penalties against breeders who fail to follow required standards. 

This bill also revises laws governing pet sales by dealers by expanding consumer protections. It requires pet financing agreements to be canceled without penalty if an animal is later found unfit due to illness or disease, mandates full disclosure of financing terms, and imposes a three-day waiting period before a buyer may take possession of a pet. Pet dealers must provide medical records at the time of sale, give consumers a written notice of their rights under s. 828.29, F.S., retain sale-related records for seven years, and comply with enhanced enforcement provisions. Violations of s. 828.29, F.S., are designated as violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, and consumers are authorized to bring civil actions for violations. The House companion, HB 1521, by Rep. Weinberger passed its first committee hearing on 2/5.  



To watch the committee hearing, click here.   

On Wednesday, 2/4, the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee passed HB 1217 Prohibited Governmental Policies Regulating Greenhouse Gas Emissions favorably by Representative Snyder. The bill bars governmental entities from using public funds to support or advance net zero policies. This includes prohibitions on procurement or purchasing preferences based on low-carbon characteristics or fuel sources, as well as the use of public funds to pay dues to organizations that promote net zero policies. The bill also prohibits local governments from imposing any taxes, fees, penalties, charges, offsets, or assessments tied to greenhouse gas emissions, carbon content, or carbon-intensive activities or products. 

In addition, the bill prohibits governments from implementing or enforcing emissions-trading or cap-and-trade programs, including systems that cap emissions, allocate or trade emissions allowances, or require participation in such programs. Each governmental entity must annually submit an affidavit to the Department of Revenue, signed under penalty of perjury, certifying compliance with these prohibitions. 

Finally, the bill amends county and municipal powers statutes to clarify that local planning, zoning, taxing, and fee-setting authority may not be used to carry out prohibited net zero policies. The act applies to governmental actions taken on or after July 1, 2026, which is also its effective date.  

The Senate companion, CS/SB 1628 by Senator Avila is waiting to be heard in its second committee stop.  



To watch the committee hearing, click here. 

On Thursday, 2/5, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee passed HB 803 Building Permits and Inspections favorably by Representative Trabulsy. This bill overhauls Florida’s building permit and inspection laws to speed up approvals, reduce fees, and curb local government discretion. The bill: 

Permits, inspections, and contractor protections 

• Standardizes permit expiration timelines for single-family homes and requires advance notice before expiration 
• Shields contractors from discipline when work proceeds without permits or inspections if otherwise authorized by law or based on official code interpretations 
• Prohibits local governments from requiring permits for certain low-cost residential work, qualifying temporary hurricane and flood barriers, and some retaining walls 
• Requires contractors performing permit-exempt work to retain records for five years 

Fees and local government limitations 

• Requires inspection fees to reflect actual costs and prohibits tying fees to total project value 
• Prohibits punitive administrative or plan review fees 

Expansion of private providers 

• Significantly expands the use of private providers for plan review and inspections 
• Limits local officials’ ability to re-review or duplicate private inspections 
• Requires free electronic registration systems for private providers 
• Authorizes virtual inspections 
• Restricts audit authority over private providers 
• Establishes firm statutory deadlines, with automatic approval if local governments fail to act 
• Clarifies local government liability protections and prohibits discouraging the use of private providers 



Additional provisions 

• Shortens and clarifies statutory timelines for permit decisions 
• Directs the Florida Building Commission to develop uniform statewide residential and commercial permit applications by July 1, 2027 
• Prohibits homeowners’ associations from requiring a government building permit as a condition of architectural review 

To watch the hearing, click here.  

On Thursday, 2/5, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee passed HB 979 Infill Redevelopment favorably by Representative Borrero. HB 979 significantly limits local government discretion over redevelopment of certain environmentally impacted properties in large urban counties, with the stated goal of increasing housing supply by expediting infill development on underutilized sites constrained by environmental conditions and regulatory barriers.

Applicability and exclusions 

• Applies to environmentally impacted parcels of at least five acres 
• Limited to counties with more than 1.475 million residents and at least ten municipalities (Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties) 
• Excludes designated agricultural land, publicly owned park land, property outside urban growth boundaries, and land near certain military installations 

Development standards and zoning preemption 

• Requires local governments to allow development at the highest residential density and intensity permitted in any adjacent zoning district 
• Where no adjacent residential zoning exists, mandates allowance of single-family homes or townhouses 
• Prohibits local governments from imposing density, height, lot size, setback, or parking standards below statutory minimums 

Permitting and approval process 

• Requires ministerial approval of subdivision and development applications that meet statutory criteria 
• Prohibits use of subdivision review to reduce authorized density or intensity 
• Requires administrative approval of compliant projects without governing body action 
• Requires local governments to publish administrative approval procedures online 

Former recreational facility redevelopment 

• Applies special requirements to redevelopment of former recreational facilities surrounded by single-family neighborhoods 
• Requires demonstration that facilities have been inactive for at least 12 months 
• Requires payment of double applicable parks impact fees 
• Requires a 90-day right of first refusal for adjacent property owners to purchase the land to preserve it as open space 



Preemption and effective date 

• Applies retroactively 
• Preempts conflicting local laws and voids ordinances or regulations imposing more restrictive requirements on qualifying parcels 
• Effective upon becoming law 

To watch the hearing, click here. 

On Thursday, 2/5, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee passed HB 927 Local Land Planning and Development favorably by Representative Sapp. This bill substantially restructures local land planning, development review, and permitting by expanding the required use of private providers and limiting local government discretion. The bill requires local governments to adopt, by October 1, 2026, a land planning and development program that allows private professionals to conduct permit, plan, and plat reviews. Applications must be deemed approved if local governments fail to act within statutory timeframes. 

This bill authorizes applicants to select private providers in specified circumstances, including when a local government fails to establish the required program or meet review deadlines. Local governments are prohibited from conditioning, delaying, or denying applications based on an applicant’s use of a private provider. HB 927 establishes detailed requirements for private provider registries, contracts, audits, and fee structures, expressly preempts conflicting local ordinances, and authorizes civil actions—with attorney fee recovery—for violations. 

HB 927 also expands expedited residential permitting provisions, increases the percentage of building permits that may be issued before final plat approval, strengthens vested rights associated with preliminary plats, and further limits local authority related to environmental review and infrastructure completion beyond state standards. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026. 



To watch the hearing, click here. 

On Thursday, 2/5, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee passed HB 1329 Local Government Spending favorably by Representative Benarroch. This bill makes changes to county and municipal budgeting, posting, and public access requirements. The bill expands the length of time, tentative and final budgets must be posted online, requires budgets and amendments to remain available for at least two years, and mandates that budget data be posted in searchable, downloadable, and graphical formats. These formats must allow the public to review historical spending trends, compare revenues and expenditures, and view employee salaries and travel expenses. The bill also shortens certain advertising timeframes for budget amendment hearings while adjusting posting timelines for adopted amendments.  

The legislation further requires counties and municipalities to conduct and publish a budget reduction exercise prior to final budget adoption. This exercise must identify reductions totaling 10 percent of the tentative budget without compromising essential public services such as law enforcement, fire services, or legal obligations. This bill takes effect July 1, 2026.  

To watch the hearing, click here.