CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 1 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to emergencies; amending s. 83.63, 2
F.S.; requiring certain tenants to be given specified 3
opportunities or notice; amending s. 101.733, F.S.; 4
removing provisions relating to an elections emergency 5
contingency plan; creating s. 101.7325, F.S. ; 6
authorizing certain supervisors of elections to 7
request authority to take specified actions under 8
certain circumstances; requiring certain requests to 9
be submitted in a specified manner; requiring the 10
Secretary of State to approve or deny such requests 11
within a specified timeframe; providing criteria to be 12
considered when determining if a request should be 13
approved or denied; requiring certain requests to be 14
deemed approved; requiring such approvals and denials 15
to be posted in a specified manner; requirin g such 16
supervisors to use specified methods to inform 17
affected voters of election changes; creating s. 18
101.735, F.S.; requiring the Division of Elections to 19
develop a statewide election emergency contingency 20
plan for a specified purpose; requiring such pla n to 21
include certain procedures; requiring supervisors of 22
elections to develop a local election emergency 23
contingency plan in consultation with certain 24
officials; requiring the plan to be submitted to the 25
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 2 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
division for approval by a certain date; requiring the 26
division to make a certain determination by a 27
specified date; requiring the division to adopt rules; 28
creating s. 101.736, F.S.; defining the term "tabletop 29
exercise"; requiring the Secretary of State, in 30
coordination with supervisors of elections, to d evelop 31
an election emergency training program; requiring the 32
Secretary of State to convene a workgroup for a 33
certain purpose by a specified date of every odd -34
numbered year; providing requirements for the 35
workgroup; requiring the results of the workgroup to 36
be used in a specified manner; creating s. 163.31795, 37
F.S.; defining the terms "cumulative substantial 38
improvement period" and "local government"; requiring 39
local governments that are participating in a 40
specified insurance program to adopt certain 41
cumulative substantial improvement periods; amending 42
s. 163.31801, F.S.; prohibiting certain entities from 43
assessing impact fees for specified replacement 44
structures; providing an exception; providing 45
construction; amending s. 193.155, F.S.; providing 46
that repair and maintenance of specified property is 47
not a change, an addition, or an improvement under 48
certain circumstances; revising the square footage 49
limitations for certain changes, additions, and 50
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 3 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
improvements to damaged property; providing 51
construction; amending s. 215.559, F.S.; removing a 52
reference to a certain report; revising public 53
hurricane shelter funding prioritization requirements 54
for the Division of Emergency Management; amending s. 55
250.375, F.S.; authorizing certain servicemembers to 56
provide medical care in specified circumstances; 57
amending s. 252.35, F.S.; revising requirements for 58
the state comprehensive emergency management plan; 59
requiring such plan to include an update on the status 60
of certain emergency management capabilities; 61
requiring the division to collaborate with the 62
Department of Health; revising responsibilities of the 63
division; requiring the division to develop a certain 64
template; revising the purpose of certain training 65
programs; requiring the division to set the minimum 66
number of training hours that specified individuals 67
must complete biennially; authorizing such training to 68
be provided by certain entities; removing a specified 69
reporting requirement; amending s. 252.355, F.S.; 70
authorizing the Department of Veterans' Affairs to 71
provide certain information to specified clients or 72
their caregivers; requiring the Florida Housing 73
Finance Corporation to enter into memoranda of 74
understanding with specified agencies for a certain 75
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 4 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
purpose; providing that specified persons may use 76
special needs shelters in certain circumstances; 77
amending s. 252.359, F.S.; revising the manner in 78
which the division facilitates transportation and 79
distribution of essentials before and after an 80
emergency; requiring local law enforcement to 81
cooperate with the division to ensure the availability 82
of essentials; providing that certain entities have 83
specified responsibilities determining roadways; 84
amending s. 252.3611, F.S.; directing specified 85
entities to submit specified contracts and reports to 86
the Legislature under specifi ed conditions; requiring 87
such contracts to be posted on a specified secure 88
contract system; requiring the division to report 89
annually to the Legislature specified information on 90
expenditures relating to emergencies; providing 91
requirements for such report; amending s. 252.363, 92
F.S.; providing for the tolling and extension of 93
certain determinations; providing for retroactive 94
application; amending s. 252.365, F.S.; requiring 95
agency heads to notify the Governor and the division 96
of the person designated as the e mergency coordination 97
officer annually by a specified date; amending s. 98
252.37, F.S.; requiring the division to notify the 99
Legislature of its intent to accept or apply for 100
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 5 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
federal funds under certain circumstances; requiring 101
the division to take steps to m aximize the 102
availability and expedite the distribution of 103
financial assistance from the Federal Government to 104
state and local agencies; requiring that such steps 105
include the standardization and streamlining of the 106
application process for federal financial assistance 107
and the provision of assistance to applicants for a 108
specified purpose; requiring the division to use 109
certain federal funds to implement such requirements; 110
creating s. 252.3713, F.S.; requiring the division to 111
administer the Hazard Mitigation Gra nt Program; 112
authorizing the division to retain a specified 113
percentage of the funds for use within this state; 114
requiring the remaining percentage to be distributed 115
for use by certain recipients; authorizing 116
subrecipients to make a certain election for a 117
specified use; requiring the consideration of certain 118
projects; authorizing the division to coordinate with 119
specified entities under certain circumstances; 120
requiring the division to ensure that certain 121
requirements are met and certain projects are funded; 122
authorizing fiscally constrained counties to request 123
that the division administer the grant for such a 124
county; authorizing such counties to request certain 125
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 6 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
assistance from the division; requiring the division 126
to adopt rules; amending s. 252.373, F.S.; conform ing 127
a cross-reference; amending s. 252.38, F.S.; requiring 128
political subdivisions to annually provide specified 129
notification to the division before a specified date; 130
creating s. 252.381, F.S.; requiring counties and 131
municipalities to post certain informati on on their 132
websites; requiring counties and municipalities to 133
develop a poststorm permitting plan; providing 134
requirements for such plan; requiring counties and 135
municipalities to publish on their websites a 136
specified storm recovery guide and updates to suc h 137
guide; prohibiting certain counties and municipalities 138
from increasing building permit or inspection fees 139
within a specified timeframe; requiring certain 140
counties and municipalities to use their best efforts 141
to open a permitting office for a minimum numb er of 142
hours per week; requiring entities to allow 143
individuals to receive certain letters electronically 144
on or before a specified date; amending s. 252.385, 145
F.S.; revising reporting requirements for the 146
division; revising requirements for a specified list; 147
requiring the Department of Health and the Agency for 148
Persons with Disabilities to assist the division with 149
certain determinations; creating s. 252.421, F.S.; 150
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 7 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
requiring the division to coordinate with certain 151
counties for a specified purpose; creating s. 2 52.422, 152
F.S.; defining the term "impacted local government"; 153
prohibiting impacted local governments from proposing 154
or adopting certain moratoriums, amendments, or 155
procedures for a specified timeframe; authorizing the 156
enforcement of certain amendments, plan s, permits, and 157
orders under certain circumstances; authorizing any 158
person to file suit to enforce specified provisions; 159
authorizing counties and municipalities to request a 160
specified determination by a court; prohibiting 161
counties and municipalities from t aking certain 162
actions until the court has issued a preliminary or 163
final judgment; requiring plaintiffs to provide 164
certain notification before filing suit; requiring 165
impacted local governments to take certain actions 166
upon receipt of such notification or a s uit may be 167
filed; providing for reasonable attorney fees and 168
costs; authorizing the use of a certain summary 169
procedure; requiring the court to advance the cause on 170
the calendar; creating s. 252.505, F.S.; requiring 171
certain contracts to include a specified provision; 172
defining the term "emergency recovery period"; 173
amending s. 373.423, F.S.; requiring the Department of 174
Environmental Protection to submit a Flood Inventory 175
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 8 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
and Restoration Report to the division by a specified 176
date; requiring the department to work with specified 177
entities to compile information for the report; 178
providing specifications for the report; requiring the 179
owner of certain infrastructure to submit certain 180
information to the department; requiring the 181
department to review and update the repo rt biannually; 182
requiring the department to submit an updated report 183
to the division by a specified date; amending s. 184
400.063, F.S.; conforming a cross -reference; amending 185
s. 403.7071, F.S.; providing that local governments 186
are authorized and encouraged to add certain addendums 187
to certain contracts and agreements; requiring 188
counties and municipalities to apply to the department 189
for authorization to designate at least one debris 190
management site; authorizing municipalities to apply 191
jointly with a county or adj acent municipality for 192
authorization of a debris management site if such 193
entities approve a memorandum of understanding; 194
providing requirements for such memorandum; creating 195
s. 489.1132, F.S.; providing definitions; requiring a 196
hurricane preparedness plan to be available for 197
inspection at certain worksites; requiring certain 198
equipment to be secured in a specified manner no later 199
than 24 hours before the impacts of a hurricane are 200
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 9 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
anticipated to begin; providing penalties; requiring 201
the Florida Building Comm ission to establish specified 202
best practices and report findings to the Legislature 203
by a specified date; amending s. 553.902, F.S.; 204
revising the definition of the term "renovated 205
building"; requiring the division to consult with 206
specified entities to devel op certain recommendations 207
and provide a report to the Legislature by a specified 208
date; prohibiting certain counties from proposing or 209
adopting certain moratoriums, amendments, or 210
procedures for a specified timeframe; declaring that 211
such moratoriums, amend ments, or procedures are null 212
and void; providing for retroactive application; 213
authorizing the enforcement of certain amendments, 214
plans, permits, and orders under certain 215
circumstances; authorizing certain residents and 216
business owners to bring a civil act ion for 217
declaratory and injunctive relief against a county or 218
municipality that violates specified provisions; 219
providing for reasonable attorney fees and costs under 220
specified circumstances; providing for future 221
expiration; providing a directive to the Div ision of 222
Law Revision; providing an effective date. 223
224
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 225
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 10 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
226
Section 1. Section 83.63, Florida Statutes, is amended to 227
read: 228
83.63 Casualty damage. —If the premises are damaged or 229
destroyed other than by the wrongful or negligent acts of the 230
tenant so that the enjoyment of the premises is substantially 231
impaired:, 232
(1) The tenant may terminate the rental agreement and 233
immediately vacate the premises. The tenant may vacate the part 234
of the premises rendered unusable by the casualty, in which case 235
the tenant's liability for rent shall be reduced by the fair 236
rental value of that part of the premises damaged or destroyed. 237
If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall comply 238
with s. 83.49(3). 239
(2) The tenant must be given: 240
(a) The opportunity to collect his or her belongings from 241
the premises when it is safe to do so; or 242
(b) Notice of the date by which the tenant will be able to 243
collect his or her belongings from the premises, which must 244
occur within a reasonable time. 245
Section 2. Subsection (3) of section 101.733, Florida 246
Statutes, is amended to read: 247
101.733 Emergency suspension or delay of an election 248
emergency; purpose; elections emergency contingency plan .—249
Because of the existing and continuing possibility of an 250
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 11 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
emergency or common disaster occurring before or during a 251
regularly scheduled or special election, and in order to ensure 252
maximum citizen participation in the electoral process and 253
provide a safe and orderly procedure for p ersons seeking to 254
exercise their right to vote, generally to minimize to whatever 255
degree possible a person's exposure to danger during declared 256
states of emergency, and to protect the integrity of the 257
electoral process, it is hereby found and declared to b e 258
necessary to designate a procedure for the emergency suspension 259
or delay and rescheduling of elections. 260
(3) The Division of Elections of the Department of State 261
shall adopt, by rule, an elections emergency contingency plan, 262
which shall contain goals an d policies that give specific 263
direction to state and local elections officials when an 264
election has been suspended or delayed due to an emergency. The 265
contingency plan shall be statewide in scope and shall address, 266
but not be limited to, the following conc erns: 267
(a) Providing a procedure for state and local elections 268
officials to follow when an election has been suspended or 269
delayed to ensure notice of the suspension or delay to the 270
proper authorities, the electorate, the communications media, 271
poll workers, and the custodians of polling places. 272
(b) Providing a procedure for the orderly conduct of a 273
rescheduled election, whether municipal, county, district, or 274
statewide in scope; coordinating those efforts with the 275
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 12 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
appropriate elections official, and the m embers of the governing 276
body holding such election, if appropriate; and working with the 277
appropriate emergency management officials in determining the 278
safety of existing polling places or designating additional 279
polling places. 280
(c) Providing a procedure f or the release and 281
certification of election returns to the department for 282
elections suspended or delayed and subsequently rescheduled 283
under the provisions of ss. 101.731 -101.74. 284
Section 3. Section 101.7325, Florida Statutes, is created 285
to read: 286
101.7325 Election emergency. — 287
(1) If the Governor declares a state of emergency for a 288
natural emergency, as defined in s. 252.34, fewer than 60 days 289
before an election, the supervisor of a county designated as 290
affected by such declaration may request ap proval from the 291
Secretary of State to take any of the following actions 292
necessary while the declaration continues to designate the area 293
as an affected area: 294
(a) Notwithstanding the designation deadline in s. 295
101.657(1)(b), change the location of designat ed early voting 296
sites. The request must identify the new address of each early 297
voting site and the hours during which early voting will occur 298
at each site. 299
(b) Notwithstanding the early voting site locations 300
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 13 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
authorized in s. 101.657(1), request early vot ing sites at 301
locations not specifically authorized by law. The request must 302
set forth sufficient facts to establish that a sufficient number 303
of early voting sites that were designated, or that may be 304
designated under paragraph (a), are unavailable due to t he 305
emergency. For purposes of this paragraph, reasons that early 306
voting sites may be unavailable include, but are not limited to, 307
the site is no longer safe for occupancy, the site is located in 308
an area that is currently dangerous to travel to and from, or 309
the site does not have adequate utilities. An early voting site 310
designated under this paragraph must, to the maximum extent 311
practicable, be geographically located so as to provide all 312
voters in the area with an equal opportunity to cast a ballot. 313
(c) Notwithstanding s. 101.657(1)(d), allow early voting 314
to occur the day before an election. 315
(d) Notwithstanding ss. 101.657 and 101.71, allow election 316
day voting at early voting sites. The request must set forth 317
sufficient facts to establish that a s ufficient number of early 318
voting sites that were designated, or that may be designated 319
under paragraph (a), are unavailable due to the emergency. For 320
purposes of this paragraph, reasons that a polling place may be 321
unavailable include, but are not limited t o, the polling place 322
is no longer safe for occupancy, the polling place is located in 323
an area that is currently dangerous to travel to and from, or 324
the polling place does not have adequate utilities. An early 325
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 14 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
voting site designated as a polling place under this paragraph 326
must, to the maximum extent practicable, be geographically 327
located so as to provide all voters in the area with an equal 328
opportunity to cast a ballot. 329
(e) Notwithstanding the designation deadline in s. 330
101.69(2)(b), designate additional s ecure ballot intake 331
stations. The request must identify the location of the 332
additional secure ballot intake stations. 333
(f) Send a vote-by-mail ballot to a voter who has 334
requested such ballot: 335
1. By forwardable mail or to an address other than the 336
address listed for the voter in the statewide voter registration 337
system. 338
2. Notwithstanding s. 101.62(1)(a) and (b), without the 339
voter's written request or if a written request is not signed. 340
3. Notwithstanding s. 101.62(3)(c), as soon as 341
practicable. 342
(g) If the supervisor determines that a poll worker 343
shortage exists, appoint poll workers who have not met the 344
training requirements in s. 102.014. However, such poll workers 345
must have received the required training within the previous 2 346
years. 347
(h) Notwithstanding s. 102.012(2), appoint inspectors and 348
clerks who are registered qualified electors of this state but 349
who are not registered qualified electors of the applicable 350
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 15 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
county. 351
(2) Each supervisor who submits a request pursuant to 352
subsection (1) must, to the extent practicable, submit all such 353
requests at once. Supervisors may submit revised or additional 354
requests should the emergency situation in his or her affected 355
county change. The Secretary of State must approve or deny the 356
requests in writing within 36 hours after receipt. In deciding 357
whether to approve the requests, the Secretary of State must 358
consider the severity of the natural emergency, the damage to 359
the impacted area, the extent of voter displacement, whether 360
voters in an affected area have an e qual opportunity to cast a 361
ballot, and any factor that could impede voter access to polling 362
places, early voting sites, or supervisor offices. If the 363
Secretary of State fails to approve or deny a request within the 364
36-hour period, the request is deemed app roved. The Secretary of 365
State must publish each approval and denial on the department's 366
website. 367
(3) The supervisor must publish each approval and denial 368
pursuant to subsection (2) on its website and must also use 369
print and broadcast media, social media, Internet websites, 370
polling place signage, and any other method necessary to inform 371
affected voters of any changes to elections made under this 372
section. 373
Section 4. Section 101.735, Florida Statutes, is created 374
to read: 375
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 16 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
101.735 Election emergency cont ingency plans.— 376
(1) The division shall adopt by rule a statewide election 377
emergency contingency plan to provide specific direction in the 378
event an emergency occurs preceding or during an election. The 379
contingency plan shall include, at minimum, procedure s to: 380
(a) Ensure that necessary parties are notified of any 381
changes impacting an election that has been suspended, delayed, 382
rescheduled, or otherwise affected by an emergency. As used in 383
this paragraph, necessary parties include proper authorities, 384
the electorate, the media, poll workers, and polling place 385
custodians. 386
(b) Ensure that an election that has been suspended, 387
delayed, rescheduled, or otherwise affected by an emergency is 388
conducted in a safe and orderly manner. The procedures must 389
include a plan to coordinate the actions of the division, 390
supervisors, county canvassing boards, and, if appropriate, 391
members of the governing body holding such election. 392
(c) Determine the safety of existing polling places or 393
designate additional polling places in c oordination with the 394
appropriate emergency management officials. 395
(d) Release and certify returns to the division for 396
elections suspended, delayed, rescheduled, or otherwise affected 397
by an emergency. 398
(e) Coordinate efforts between supervisors in affecte d and 399
unaffected counties to ensure voting opportunities for affected 400
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 17 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
voters, including ensuring the delivery of vote -by-mail ballots 401
to law enforcement officers, military personnel, first 402
responders, and utility line workers. 403
(2) Each supervisor shall d evelop, in consultation with 404
local emergency management officials, a local election emergency 405
contingency plan. The contingency plan must be submitted to the 406
division for approval by May 1 of every odd -numbered year. The 407
division must determine whether the local election emergency 408
contingency plan is sufficient no later than May 30. The 409
division shall adopt rules to implement this subsection, 410
including the creation of standard criteria for determining the 411
sufficiency of local election emergency contingency plans. 412
Section 5. Section 101.736, Florida Statutes, is created 413
to read: 414
101.736 Election emergency training; best practices. — 415
(1) As used in this section, the term "tabletop exercise" 416
means a session in which participants are guided through 417
possible scenarios and discuss their roles and responsibilities 418
if such a scenario occurs, as well as how they would respond to 419
such a scenario. 420
(2) The Secretary of State, in coordination with 421
supervisors, shall develop an election emergency training 422
program. The training is required for newly elected or appointed 423
supervisors and any critical staff, as determined by a 424
supervisor. The Secretary of State shall update such training at 425
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 18 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
least once every 4 years. 426
(3) By June 1 of every odd -numbered year, the Secretary of 427
State shall convene a workgroup to create a list of best 428
practices for conducting an election during an emergency. 429
(a) The workgroup must include at least 10 current 430
supervisors. 431
(b) The workgroup must participate in tabletop exercises 432
involving election emergencies. 433
(4) Using the list created in subsection (3), the 434
Secretary of State must: 435
(a) Incorporate practices applicable to all counties into 436
the statewide election emergency contingency plan under s. 437
101.735(1). 438
(b) Recommend practices applicable to specific counties to 439
the applicable supervisor for inclusion in the supervisor's 440
local election emergency contingency plan under s. 101.735(2). 441
Section 6. Section 163.31795, Florida Statutes, is created 442
to read: 443
163.31795 Participation in the National Flood Insurance 444
Program.— 445
(1) For purposes of this section, the term: 446
(a) "Cumulative substantial improvement period" means the 447
period during which an aggregate of improvements or repairs are 448
considered for purposes of determinin g substantial improvement 449
as defined in s. 161.54(12). 450
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 19 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) "Local government" has the same meaning as in s. 451
163.2514. 452
(2) A local government that is participating in the 453
National Flood Insurance Program may not adopt a cumulative 454
substantial improvemen t period that is longer than 1 year. 455
Section 7. Subsection (14) is added to section 163.31801, 456
Florida Statutes, to read: 457
163.31801 Impact fees; short title; intent; minimum 458
requirements; audits; challenges. — 459
(14) A local government, school distric t, or special 460
district may not assess an impact fee for the reconstruction or 461
replacement of a previously existing structure if the 462
replacement structure is of the same land use as the original 463
structure and does not increase the impact on public facilitie s 464
beyond that of the original structure. However, if the 465
replacement structure increases the demand on public facilities 466
due to a significant increase in size, intensity, or capacity of 467
use, a local government, school district, or special district 468
may assess an impact fee in an amount proportional to the 469
difference in the demand between the replacement structure and 470
the original structure. Any such fee must be reasonably 471
connected to, or have a rational nexus with, the need for 472
additional capital facilities and the increased impact generated 473
by the reconstruction or replacement of a previously existing 474
structure. 475
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 20 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Section 8. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (4) of 476
section 193.155, Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 477
193.155 Homestead assessments.—Homestead property shall be 478
assessed at just value as of January 1, 1994. Property receiving 479
the homestead exemption after January 1, 1994, shall be assessed 480
at just value as of January 1 of the year in which the property 481
receives the exemptio n unless the provisions of subsection (8) 482
apply. 483
(4)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) and s. 193.624, 484
changes, additions, or improvements to homestead property shall 485
be assessed at just value as of the first January 1 after the 486
changes, additions, or improvements are substantially completed. 487
Maintenance or repair of the homestead property, including roof 488
or window replacement, may not be considered to be a change, an 489
addition, or an improvement under this subsection. 490
(b)1. Changes, additions, or i mprovements that replace all 491
or a portion of homestead property, including ancillary 492
improvements, damaged or destroyed by misfortune or calamity 493
shall be assessed upon substantial completion as provided in 494
this paragraph. Such assessment must be calculate d using the 495
homestead property's assessed value as of the January 1 496
immediately before the date on which the damage or destruction 497
was sustained, subject to the assessment limitations in 498
subsections (1) and (2), when: 499
a. The square footage of the homeste ad property as changed 500
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 21 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
or improved does not exceed 130 110 percent of the square 501
footage of the homestead property before the damage or 502
destruction; or 503
b. The total square footage of the homestead property as 504
changed or improved does not exceed 2,000 1,500 square feet. 505
506
When a homestead property is elevated above the base flood 507
elevation within a special flood hazard area, the square footage 508
underneath the homestead property that is used only for parking, 509
storage, or access is not included when determinin g the total 510
square footage of the homestead property as changed or improved 511
under this subparagraph. 512
2. The homestead property's assessed value must be 513
increased by the just value of that portion of the changed or 514
improved homestead property which is in excess of 130 110 515
percent of the square footage of the homestead property before 516
the damage or destruction or of that portion exceeding 2,000 517
1,500 square feet. 518
3. Homestead property damaged or destroyed by misfortune 519
or calamity which, after being chang ed or improved, has a square 520
footage of less than 100 percent of the homestead property's 521
total square footage before the damage or destruction shall be 522
assessed pursuant to subsection (5). 523
4. Changes, additions, or improvements assessed pursuant 524
to this paragraph must be reassessed pursuant to subsection (1) 525
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 22 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
in subsequent years. This paragraph applies to changes, 526
additions, or improvements commenced within 5 years after the 527
January 1 following the damage or destruction of the homestead. 528
Section 9. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 529
215.559, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 530
215.559 Hurricane Loss Mitigation Program. —A Hurricane 531
Loss Mitigation Program is established in the Division of 532
Emergency Management. 533
(1) The Legislature shall ann ually appropriate $10 million 534
of the moneys authorized for appropriation under s. 535
215.555(7)(c) from the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund to the 536
division for the purposes set forth in this section. Of the 537
amount: 538
(b) Three million dollars in funds shall be used to 539
construct or retrofit facilities used as public hurricane 540
shelters. Each year the division shall prioritize the use of 541
these funds for projects included in the annual report of the 542
Shelter Development Re port prepared in accordance with s. 543
252.385(3). The division shall must give funding priority to 544
projects located in counties regional planning council regions 545
that have shelter deficits , projects that are publicly owned, 546
other than schools, and to projects that maximize the use of 547
state funds. 548
Section 10. Section 250.375, Florida Statutes, is amended 549
to read: 550
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 23 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
250.375 Medical officer authorization. —A servicemember 551
trained to provide medical care who is serving under the 552
direction of the Florida Nation al Guard State Surgeon and is 553
assigned to a military duty position and authorized by the 554
Florida National Guard to provide medical care within the scope 555
of the servicemember's professional licensure by virtue of such 556
duty position may provide such medical care to military 557
personnel and civilians within this state physician who holds an 558
active license to practice medicine in any state, a United 559
States territory, or the District of Columbia, while serving as 560
a medical officer with or in support of the Florida National 561
Guard, pursuant to federal or state orders, may practice 562
medicine on military personnel or civilians during an emergency 563
or declared disaster or during federal military training . 564
Section 11. Paragraphs (y) through (dd) of subsection (2) 565
of section 252.35, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 566
paragraphs (x) through (cc), respectively, and paragraphs (a), 567
(c), and (n) and present paragraph (x) of that subsection are 568
amended to read: 569
252.35 Emergency management powers; Division of Emergency 570
Management.— 571
(2) The division is responsible for carrying out the 572
provisions of ss. 252.31 -252.90. In performing its duties, the 573
division shall: 574
(a) Prepare a state comprehensive emergency management 575
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 24 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
plan, which must shall be integrated into and coordina ted with 576
the emergency management plans and programs of the Federal 577
Government. The division shall adopt the plan as a rule in 578
accordance with chapter 120. The plan must be implemented by a 579
continuous, integrated comprehensive emergency management 580
program. The plan must contain provisions to ensure that the 581
state is prepared for emergencies and minor, major, and 582
catastrophic disasters, and the division shall work closely with 583
local governments and agencies and organizations with emergency 584
management responsibilities in preparing and maintaining the 585
plan. The state comprehensive emergency management plan must be 586
operations oriented and: 587
1. Include an evacuation component that includes specific 588
regional and interregional planning provisions and promotes 589
intergovernmental coordination of evacuation activities. This 590
component must, at a minimum: contain guidelines for lifting 591
tolls on state highways; ensure coordination pertaining to 592
evacuees crossing county lines; set forth procedures for 593
directing people caug ht on evacuation routes to safe shelter; 594
establish strategies for ensuring sufficient, reasonably priced 595
fueling locations along evacuation routes; and establish 596
policies and strategies for emergency medical evacuations. 597
2. Include a shelter component th at includes specific 598
regional and interregional planning provisions and promotes 599
coordination of shelter activities between the public, private, 600
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 25 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
and nonprofit sectors. This component must, at a minimum: 601
contain strategies to ensure the availability of adeq uate public 602
shelter space in each county region of the state; establish 603
strategies for refuge -of-last-resort programs; provide 604
strategies to assist local emergency management efforts to 605
ensure that adequate staffing plans exist for all shelters, 606
including medical and security personnel; provide for a 607
postdisaster communications system for public shelters; 608
establish model shelter guidelines for operations, registration, 609
inventory, power generation capability, information management, 610
and staffing; and set for th policy guidance for sheltering 611
people with special needs. 612
3. Include a postdisaster response and recovery component 613
that includes specific regional and interregional planning 614
provisions and promotes intergovernmental coordination of 615
postdisaster response and recovery activities. This component 616
must provide for postdisaster response and recovery strategies 617
according to whether a disaster is minor, major, or 618
catastrophic. The postdisaster response and recovery component 619
must, at a minimum: establish the structure of the state's 620
postdisaster response and recovery organization; establish 621
procedures for activating the state's plan; set forth policies 622
used to guide postdisaster response and recovery activities; 623
describe the chain of command during the postdis aster response 624
and recovery period; describe initial and continuous 625
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 26 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
postdisaster response and recovery actions; identify the roles 626
and responsibilities of each involved agency and organization; 627
provide for a comprehensive communications plan; establish 628
procedures for coordinating and monitoring statewide mutual aid 629
agreements reimbursable under federal public disaster assistance 630
programs; provide for rapid impact assessment teams; ensure the 631
availability of an effective statewide urban search and rescue 632
program coordinated with the fire services; ensure the existence 633
of a comprehensive statewide medical care and relief plan 634
administered by the Department of Health; and establish systems 635
for coordinating volunteers and accepting and distributing 636
donated funds and goods. 637
4. Include additional provisions addressing aspects of 638
preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation as determined 639
necessary by the division. 640
5. Address the need for coordinated and expeditious 641
deployment of state resources, including th e Florida National 642
Guard. In the case of an imminent major disaster, procedures 643
should address predeployment of the Florida National Guard, and, 644
in the case of an imminent catastrophic disaster, procedures 645
should address predeployment of the Florida Nation al Guard and 646
the United States Armed Forces. 647
6. Establish a system of communications and warning to 648
ensure that the state's population and emergency management 649
agencies are warned of developing emergency situations, 650
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 27 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
including public health emergencies, a nd can communicate 651
emergency response decisions. 652
7. Establish guidelines and schedules for annual exercises 653
that evaluate the ability of the state and its political 654
subdivisions to respond to minor, major, and catastrophic 655
disasters and support local eme rgency management agencies. Such 656
exercises shall be coordinated with local governments and, to 657
the extent possible, the Federal Government. 658
8. Assign lead and support responsibilities to state 659
agencies and personnel for emergency support functions and ot her 660
support activities. 661
9. Include the public health emergency plan developed by 662
the Department of Health pursuant to s. 381.00315. 663
10. Include an update on the status of the emergency 664
management capabilities of the state and its political 665
subdivisions. The update must include the emergency management 666
capabilities related to public health emergencies, as determined 667
in collaboration with the Department of Health. 668
669
The complete state comprehensive emergency management plan must 670
be submitted to the Preside nt of the Senate, the Speaker of the 671
House of Representatives, and the Governor on February 1 of 672
every even-numbered year. 673
(c) Assist political subdivisions in preparing and 674
maintaining emergency management plans. Such assistance must 675
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 28 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
include the development of a template for comprehensive 676
emergency management plans, including plans for natural 677
disasters, and guidance on the development of mutual aid 678
agreements. 679
(n) Implement training programs to maintain this state's 680
status as a national leader in emer gency management and improve 681
the ability of state and local emergency management personnel to 682
prepare and implement emergency management plans and programs. 683
This must shall include a continuous training program for 684
agencies and individuals who that will be called on to perform 685
key roles in state and local postdisaster response and recovery 686
efforts and for local government personnel on federal and state 687
postdisaster response and recovery strategies and procedures. 688
The division shall specify requireme nts for the minimum number 689
of training hours that county or municipal administrators, 690
county or city managers, county or municipal emergency 691
management directors, and county or municipal public works 692
directors or other officials responsible for the constru ction 693
and maintenance of public infrastructure must complete 694
biennially in addition to the training required pursuant to s. 695
252.38(1)(b). Such training may be provided by the division or, 696
for county personnel, by a foundation that is a not -for-profit 697
corporation under s. 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and 698
has a governing board that includes in its membership county 699
commissioners and professional county staff. If training is 700
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 29 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
provided by a foundation, such training must be approved by the 701
division. 702
(x) Report biennially to the President of the Senate, the 703
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of 704
the Supreme Court, and the Governor, no later than February 1 of 705
every odd-numbered year, the status of the emergency management 706
capabilities of the state and its political subdivisions. This 707
report must include the emergency management capabilities 708
related to public health emergencies, as determined in 709
collaboration with the Department of Health. 710
Section 12. Subsection (4) of section 252.355, Florida 711
Statutes, is renumbered as subsection (5), paragraph (b) of 712
subsection (2) is amended, and a new subsection (4) is added to 713
that section, to read: 714
252.355 Registry of persons with special needs; notice; 715
registration program. — 716
(2) In order to ensure that all persons with special needs 717
may register, the division shall develop and maintain a special 718
needs shelter registration program. During a public health 719
emergency in which physical distancing is necessary, as 720
determined by the State Hea lth Officer, the division must 721
maintain information on special needs shelter options that 722
mitigate the threat of the spread of infectious diseases. 723
(b) To assist in identifying persons with special needs, 724
home health agencies, hospices, nurse registries, home medical 725
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 30 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
equipment providers, the Department of Veterans' Affairs, the 726
Department of Children and Families, the Department of Health, 727
the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of 728
Education, the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the 729
Department of Elderly Affairs, and memory disorder clinics 730
shall, and any physician licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 731
459 and any pharmacy licensed under chapter 465 may, annually 732
provide registration information to all of their special needs 733
clients or their caregivers. The Florida Housing Finance 734
Corporation shall enter into memoranda of understanding with the 735
Department of Elderly Affairs and with the Agency for Persons 736
with Disabilities to ensure special needs registration 737
information is provided t o residents of low-income senior 738
independent living properties and independent living properties 739
for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities 740
funded by the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, respectively. 741
The division shall develop a broch ure that provides information 742
regarding special needs shelter registration procedures. The 743
brochure must be easily accessible on the division's website. 744
All appropriate agencies and community -based service providers, 745
including aging and disability resource centers, memory disorder 746
clinics, home health care providers, hospices, nurse registries, 747
and home medical equipment providers, shall, and any physician 748
licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 may, assist emergency 749
management agencies by annually regist ering persons with special 750
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 31 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
needs for special needs shelters, collecting registration 751
information for persons with special needs as part of the 752
program intake process, and establishing programs to educate 753
clients about the registration process and disaster preparedness 754
safety procedures. A client of a state -funded or federally 755
funded service program who has a physical, mental, or cognitive 756
impairment or sensory disability and who needs assistance in 757
evacuating, or when in a shelter, must register as a person with 758
special needs. The registration program shall give persons with 759
special needs the option of preauthorizing emergency response 760
personnel to enter their homes during search and rescue 761
operations if necessary to ensure their safety and welfare 762
following disasters. 763
(4) The caregiver of a person with special needs who is 764
eligible for admission to a special needs shelter, and all 765
persons for whom he or she is the caregiver, shall be allowed to 766
shelter together in the special needs shelter. If a person wit h 767
special needs is responsible for the care of persons without 768
special needs, those persons shall be allowed to use the special 769
needs shelter with the person with special needs. 770
Section 13. Subsections (3) through (6) of section 771
252.359, Florida Statut es, are amended to read: 772
252.359 Ensuring availability of emergency supplies. — 773
(3) The division, as a function of emergency preparation, 774
response, and recovery, may facilitate shall develop a system to 775
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 32 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
certify each person who facilitates the transport or 776
distribution of essentials in commerce. The division may not 777
certify a person other than a person who routinely transports or 778
distributes essentials. In developing the system, the division: 779
(a) may provide for a preemergency or postemer gency 780
transportation of essentials declaration certification . 781
(b) Shall allow the certification of an employer, if 782
requested by the employer, to constitute a certification of the 783
employer's employees. 784
(c) Shall create an easily recognizable indicium of 785
certification to assist local officials' efforts in determining 786
which persons have been certified under this subsection. 787
(d) Shall limit the duration of each certificate to no 788
more than 1 year. Each certificate may be renewed so long as the 789
criteria for certification are met. 790
(4) A person authorized to transport essentials or 791
employer certified under subsection (3) is not required to 792
obtain any additional certification or fulfill any additional 793
requirement to transport or distribute essentials. 794
(5) Notwithstanding any curfew, restriction, road block, 795
quarantine, or other limitation on access to an area, a person 796
authorized or employer certified under subsection (3) to deliver 797
essentials may enter or remain in the restricted curfew area for 798
the limited purpose of facilitating the transport or 799
distribution of essentials and may provide service that exceeds 800
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 33 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
otherwise applicable hours of service maximums to the extent 801
authorized by a duly executed declaration of a state of 802
emergency. Local law enforcement shall cooperate with the 803
division to ensure the availability of essentials under this 804
section. 805
(6) This section does not prohibit a law enforcement 806
officer from specifying the permissible route of ingress or 807
egress for a person authorized certified under subsection (3). 808
Notwithstanding this section, all state roadways are determined 809
by the Florida Highway Patrol in coordination with the 810
Department of Transportation. 811
Section 14. Subsection (2) of section 252.3611, Florida 812
Statutes, is amended, and subs ection (5) is added to that 813
section, to read: 814
252.3611 Transparency; audits. — 815
(2) If When the duration of a declaration of a state of an 816
emergency issued by the Governor exceeds 90 days: 817
(a)1. The Executive Office of the Governor or the 818
appropriate agency, within 72 hours after of executing a 819
contract executed with moneys authorized for expenditure to 820
support the response to the declared state of emergency, must 821
the Executive Office of the Governor or the appropriate agency 822
shall submit a copy of such contract to the Legislature. For 823
contracts executed during the first 90 days of the declared 824
state of emergency, the Executive Office of the Governor or the 825
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 34 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
appropriate agency shall submit a copy to the Legislature within 826
the first 120 days of the declared state of emergency. 827
2. All contracts executed to support the response to a 828
declared state of emergency, including contracts executed before 829
a declared state of emergency to secure resources or services in 830
advance or anticipation o f an emergency, must be posted on the 831
secure contract tracking system required under s. 215.985(14). 832
(b) The Executive Office of the Governor or the 833
appropriate agency shall submit monthly reports to the 834
Legislature of all state expenditures, revenues re ceived, and 835
funds transferred by an agency during the previous month to 836
support the declared state of emergency. 837
(5) Annually, by January 15, the division shall report to 838
the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of 839
Representatives, and the c hairs of the appropriations committee 840
of each house of the Legislature on expenditures related to 841
emergencies incurred over the year from November 1 of the 842
previous year. The report must include: 843
(a) A separate summary of each emergency event, whether 844
complete or ongoing, and key actions taken by the division. 845
(b) Details of expenditures, separated by emergency event 846
and agency, for preparing for, responding to, or recovering from 847
the event. The report must specify detailed expenditures for the 848
entire report time period; specify total expenditures for the 849
event; and indicate amounts that are being or are anticipated to 850
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 35 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency or 851
other federal entity, amounts ineligible for reimbursement, and 852
any amounts deobligated by the Federal Emergency Management 853
Agency or other federal entity for reimbursement. The division 854
shall review expenditures by state agencies to ensure that 855
efforts, purchases, contracts, or expenditures are not 856
duplicated. 857
(c) An accounting of all inventory and assets purchased, 858
separated by emergency event and agency, for preparing for, 859
responding to, or recovering from the event, including motor 860
vehicles, boats, computers, and other equipment, and the current 861
status of such assets, includin g divestment, sale, or donation 862
by the state. The report must include a detailed accounting for 863
the entire report time period and specify a total for the event. 864
Section 15. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section 865
252.363, Florida Statutes, is amende d to read: 866
252.363 Tolling and extension of permits and other 867
authorizations.— 868
(1)(a) The declaration of a state of emergency issued by 869
the Governor for a natural emergency tolls the period remaining 870
to exercise the rights under a permit or other autho rization for 871
the duration of the emergency declaration. Further, the 872
emergency declaration extends the period remaining to exercise 873
the rights under a permit or other authorization for 24 months 874
in addition to the tolled period. The extended period to 875
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 36 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
exercise the rights under a permit or other authorization may 876
not exceed 48 months in total in the event of multiple natural 877
emergencies for which the Governor declares a state of 878
emergency. The tolling and extension of permits and other 879
authorizations under t his paragraph shall apply retroactively to 880
September 28, 2022. This paragraph applies to the following: 881
1. The expiration of a development order issued by a local 882
government. 883
2. The expiration of a building permit. 884
3. The expiration of a permit issue d by the Department of 885
Environmental Protection or a water management district pursuant 886
to part IV of chapter 373. 887
4. Permits issued by the Department of Environmental 888
Protection or a water management district pursuant to part II of 889
chapter 373 for land subject to a development agreement under 890
ss. 163.3220-163.3243 in which the permittee and the developer 891
are the same or a related entity. 892
5. The buildout date of a development of regional impact, 893
including any extension of a buildout date that was previo usly 894
granted as specified in s. 380.06(7)(c). 895
6. The expiration of a development permit or development 896
agreement authorized by Florida Statutes, including those 897
authorized under the Florida Local Government Development 898
Agreement Act, or issued by a local government or other 899
governmental agency. 900
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 37 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
7. The formal determination of the delineation of the 901
extent of wetlands under s. 373.421. Notwithstanding the 902
timeframes provided in this paragraph, the tolling and extension 903
of determinations under this subpara graph shall apply 904
retroactively to January 1, 2023. 905
Section 16. Subsection (4) of section 252.365, Florida 906
Statutes, is amended to read: 907
252.365 Emergency coordination officers; disaster -908
preparedness plans.— 909
(4) On or before May 1 of each year, the head of each 910
agency shall notify the Governor and the division in writing of 911
the person initially designated as the emergency coordination 912
officer for such agency and her or his alternate and of any 913
changes in persons so designated thereafter. 914
Section 17. Paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (5) of 915
section 252.37, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs 916
(d) and (e), respectively, a new paragraph (c) is added to that 917
subsection, and subsection (7) is added to that section, to 918
read: 919
252.37 Financing.— 920
(5) Unless otherwise specified in the General 921
Appropriations Act: 922
(c) If the division intends to accept or apply for federal 923
funds for a division -administered program that is new, that will 924
be implemented in a manner that is innovative or significantly 925
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 38 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
different from the manner in which the program is typically 926
administered, or that will require a state match for which the 927
division will be required to seek new budget authority, the 928
division must notify the Legislature of its intent to accep t or 929
apply for the federal funds. The notice must detail the federal 930
program under which the funds will be accepted or applied for, 931
the intended purpose and use of the funds, and the amount of 932
funds, including the estimated state match. 933
(7) The division shall take steps to maximize the 934
availability and expedite the distribution of financial 935
assistance from the Federal Government to state and local 936
agencies. Such steps must include the standardization and 937
streamlining of the application process for financi al assistance 938
through the federal Public Assistance Program and provision of 939
assistance to applicants in order to mitigate the risk of 940
noncompliance with federal program requirements. The division 941
shall use federal funds allocated as management costs or ot her 942
funds as appropriated to implement this subsection. 943
Section 18. Section 252.3713, Florida Statutes, is created 944
to read: 945
252.3713 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. — 946
(1) The division shall administer the Hazard Mitigation 947
Grant Program as authoriz ed and described in s. 404 of the 948
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 949
as amended by Pub. L. No. 103 -181, Pub. L. No. 103 -337, and Pub. 950
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 39 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
L. No. 106-390. 951
(2) The division may retain no more than 25 percent of the 952
total federal allocation of funds received for use within the 953
state. A minimum of 75 percent of any funds received pursuant to 954
a declared disaster must be distributed for use by the 955
subrecipients in the counties specified in the Presidential 956
Disaster Declaration for that disaster. However, a subrecipient 957
may elect to share some or all of its allocation with the 958
division to be used for projects benefiting the region in which 959
the subrecipient is located. 960
(3) The division and subrecipients shall consider projects 961
that fulfill the following purposes when adopting mitigation 962
strategies and plans and applying for funds under the grant 963
program: 964
(a) Reducing shelter space deficits through retrofitting 965
of existing shelters and hardening of public buildings that are 966
not schools. Reducing deficits in shelter space intended to 967
accommodate individuals with special needs must be prioritized 968
before addressing deficits in other types of shelter space. 969
Additionally, general population shelters which are retrofitted 970
must also account for federal accessibility standards and state 971
accessibility standards in part II of chapter 553. 972
(b) Mitigating impacts to public infrastructure, including 973
roads, bridges, and stormwater, water, and sewer systems, to 974
enhance resistance to natural hazards an d prevent and reduce 975
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 40 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
losses. 976
(c) Mitigating impacts to school facilities which will 977
reduce future disaster losses and make the facilities more 978
resistant to natural hazards. 979
(d) Retrofitting of regional and local emergency 980
management or operations cente rs. 981
(e) Other projects that the division may define by rule. 982
(4) The division may coordinate with other state agencies 983
and political subdivisions to develop and implement innovative 984
approaches to funding mitigation projects using grants under the 985
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, including, but not limited to, 986
combining funding received from multiple federal and state 987
programs. The division, in cooperation with other state agencies 988
that administer federal grant programs, shall ensure that: 989
(a) Projects funded through multiple programs comply with 990
all applicable federal and state requirements of the respective 991
programs under which funding was received. 992
(b) Funding is used for projects in the geographic areas 993
specified in the grant of funding. 994
(5) A fiscally constrained county may request that the 995
division administer the grant for such county. A fiscally 996
constrained county may request additional assistance from the 997
division in preparing applications for grants and developing a 998
structure for implementin g, monitoring the execution of, and 999
closing out projects. 1000
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 41 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(6) The division shall adopt rules to implement this 1001
section. 1002
Section 19. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section 1003
252.373, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 1004
252.373 Allocation of fund s; rules.— 1005
(2) The division shall allocate funds from the Emergency 1006
Management, Preparedness, and Assistance Trust Fund to local 1007
emergency management agencies and programs pursuant to criteria 1008
specified in rule. Such rules shall include, but are not limi ted 1009
to: 1010
(a) Requiring that, at a minimum, a local emergency 1011
management agency either: 1012
1. Have a program director who works at least 40 hours a 1013
week in that capacity; or 1014
2. If the county has fewer than 75,000 population or is 1015
party to an interjurisdic tional emergency management agreement 1016
entered into pursuant to s. 252.38(3)(c) s. 252.38(3)(b), that 1017
is recognized by the Governor by executive order or rule, have 1018
an emergency management coordinator who works at least 20 hours 1019
a week in that capacity. 1020
Section 20. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) of 1021
section 252.38, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs 1022
(b) and (c), respectively, a new paragraph (a) is added to that 1023
subsection, and paragraph (a) of subsection (1) is amended, to 1024
read: 1025
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 42 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
252.38 Emergency management powers of political 1026
subdivisions.—Safeguarding the life and property of its citizens 1027
is an innate responsibility of the governing body of each 1028
political subdivision of the state. 1029
(1) COUNTIES.— 1030
(a) In order to provide effec tive and orderly governmental 1031
control and coordination of emergency operations in emergencies 1032
within the scope of ss. 252.31 -252.90, each county within this 1033
state shall be within the jurisdiction of, and served by, the 1034
division. Except as otherwise provide d in ss. 252.31-252.90, 1035
each local emergency management agency shall have jurisdiction 1036
over and serve an entire county. Unless part of an 1037
interjurisdictional emergency management agreement entered into 1038
pursuant to paragraph (3)(c) (3)(b) which is recognized by the 1039
Governor by executive order or rule, each county must establish 1040
and maintain such an emergency management agency and shall 1041
develop a county emergency management plan and program that is 1042
coordinated and consistent with the state comprehensive 1043
emergency management plan and program. Counties that are part of 1044
an interjurisdictional emergency management agreement entered 1045
into pursuant to paragraph (3)(c) (3)(b) which is recognized by 1046
the Governor by executive order or rule shall cooperatively 1047
develop an emergency management plan and program that is 1048
coordinated and consistent with the state comprehensive 1049
emergency management plan and program. 1050
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 43 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(3) EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT POWERS; POLITICAL SUBDIVISIONS. — 1051
(a) Each political subdivision shall notify the division 1052
on or before May 1 each year of the person designated as the 1053
emergency contact for the political subdivision and his or her 1054
alternate and of any changes in p ersons so designated 1055
thereafter. For a county, the emergency contact must be the 1056
county emergency management director. 1057
Section 21. Section 252.381, Florida Statutes, is created 1058
to read: 1059
252.381 Information related to natural emergencies; 1060
poststorm county and municipal permitting; operations. — 1061
(1) Each county and municipality must post on its publicly 1062
accessible website: 1063
(a) A frequently asked questions web page related to 1064
natural emergency response, emergency preparedness, and public 1065
relief for residents following an emergency. The web page must 1066
answer questions concerning resident evacuations; safety tips; 1067
generator, food and drinking water, and wastewater and 1068
stormwater safety; damage assessment; debris cleanup; accessing 1069
assistance through the F ederal Emergency Management Agency and 1070
this state; building recovery; natural emergency guidance; 1071
applicable laws; and what to do before, during, and after an 1072
emergency. 1073
(b) A disaster supply list and a list of emergency 1074
shelters. 1075
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 44 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(c) Links to informat ion about flood zones. 1076
(d) A checklist for residents explaining next steps to 1077
take during postdisaster recovery. 1078
(e) Information specific to persons with disabilities, 1079
including, but not limited to, guidelines for special needs 1080
shelter registration; an explanation of how to register for 1081
special needs shelters and where to obtain assistance with that 1082
process; guidelines as to the level of care that is or is not 1083
provided at a special needs shelter as well as situations when 1084
either a general population she lter or hospital should be 1085
considered; and any other postdisaster assistance or resources 1086
available to affected persons with disabilities impacted by a 1087
disaster. 1088
(2) Each county and municipality shall develop a poststorm 1089
permitting plan to expedite recov ery and rebuilding by providing 1090
for special building permit and inspection procedures after a 1091
hurricane or tropical storm. The plan must, at a minimum: 1092
(a) Ensure sufficient personnel are prepared and available 1093
to expeditiously manage postdisaster buildi ng inspection, 1094
permitting, and enforcement tasks. The plan must anticipate 1095
conditions that would necessitate supplemental personnel for 1096
such tasks and address methods for fulfilling such personnel 1097
needs, including through mutual aid agreements as authorize d in 1098
s. 252.40, other arrangements, such as those with private sector 1099
contractors, or supplemental state or federal funding. The plan 1100
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 45 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
must include training requirements and protocols for 1101
supplemental personnel to ensure compliance with local 1102
floodplain management requirements that apply within the county 1103
or municipality. 1104
(b) Account for multiple or alternate locations where 1105
building permit services may be offered in person to the public 1106
following a hurricane or tropical storm during regular business 1107
hours. 1108
(c) Specify a protocol to expedite permitting procedures 1109
and, if practicable, for the waiver or reduction of applicable 1110
fees in accordance with and in addition to the procedures and 1111
waivers provided for under s. 553.7922. The plan must identify 1112
the types of permits that are frequently requested following a 1113
hurricane or tropical storm and methods to expedite the 1114
processing of such permits. 1115
(d) Specify procedures and resources necessary to promote 1116
expeditious debris removal following a hurricane or trop ical 1117
storm. 1118
(3)(a) Each county and municipality shall publish on its 1119
website a hurricane and tropical storm recovery permitting guide 1120
for residential and commercial property owners. The guide must 1121
describe: 1122
1. The types of poststorm repairs that requir e a permit 1123
and applicable fees. 1124
2. The types of poststorm repairs that do not require a 1125
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 46 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
permit. 1126
3. The poststorm permit application process and specific 1127
modifications the county or municipality commonly makes to 1128
expedite the process, including the phys ical locations where 1129
permitting services will be offered. 1130
4. Local requirements for rebuilding specific to the 1131
county or municipality, including elevation requirements 1132
following substantial damage and substantial improvement 1133
pursuant to the National Floo d Insurance Program (NFIP) and any 1134
local amendments to the building code. 1135
(b) As soon as practicable following a hurricane or 1136
tropical storm, a county or municipality within the area for 1137
which a state of emergency pursuant to s. 252.36 for such 1138
hurricane or tropical storm is declared shall publish updates on 1139
its website to the information required under paragraph (a) 1140
which are specific to such storm, including any permitting fee 1141
waivers or reductions. 1142
(4) For 180 days after a state of emergency is decla red 1143
pursuant to s. 252.36 for a hurricane or tropical storm, a 1144
county or municipality within the area for which the state of 1145
emergency is declared may not increase building permit or 1146
inspection fees. 1147
(5) On or before May 1, 2026, each county and municipa lity 1148
must provide an online option for receiving, reviewing, and 1149
accessing substantial damage and substantial improvement 1150
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 47 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
letters. The county or municipality must allow homeowners to 1151
provide an e-mail address where they can receive digital copies 1152
of such letters. 1153
(6) As soon as reasonably practicable following the 1154
landfall and passage of a hurricane or tropical storm, each 1155
county and municipality that has experienced a direct impact 1156
from a natural emergency must use its best efforts to open a 1157
permitting office at which residents can access government 1158
services for at least 40 hours per week. 1159
Section 22. Subsections (2) and (3) of section 252.385, 1160
Florida Statutes, are amended to read: 1161
252.385 Public shelter space; public records exemption. — 1162
(2)(a) The division shall administer a program to survey 1163
existing schools, universities, community colleges, and other 1164
state-owned, municipally owned, and county -owned public 1165
buildings and any private facility that the owner, in writing, 1166
agrees to provide for u se as a public hurricane evacuation 1167
shelter to identify those that are appropriately designed and 1168
located to serve as such shelters. The owners of the facilities 1169
must be given the opportunity to participate in the surveys. The 1170
state university boards of tr ustees, district school boards, 1171
community college boards of trustees, and the Department of 1172
Education are responsible for coordinating and implementing the 1173
survey of public schools, universities, and community colleges 1174
with the division or the local emerge ncy management agency. 1175
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 48 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) By January 31 of each even -numbered year, the division 1176
shall prepare and submit a statewide emergency shelter plan to 1177
the Governor and Cabinet for approval, subject to the 1178
requirements for approval in s. 1013.37(2). The emergen cy 1179
shelter plan must project, for each of the next 5 years, the 1180
hurricane shelter needs of the state, including periods of time 1181
during which a concurrent public health emergency may 1182
necessitate more space for each individual to accommodate 1183
physical distancing. In addition to information on the general 1184
shelter needs throughout this state, the plan must identify the 1185
general location and square footage of special needs shelters, 1186
by regional planning council region. The plan must also include 1187
information on the availability of shelters that accept pets. 1188
The Department of Health shall assist the division in 1189
determining the estimated need for special needs shelter space 1190
and the adequacy of facilities to meet the needs of persons with 1191
special needs based on informa tion from the registries of 1192
persons with special needs and other information. 1193
(3)(a) The division shall annually provide by October 15 1194
to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of 1195
the House of Representatives a report that includes , and the 1196
Governor a list of facilities recommended to be retrofitted 1197
using state funds. State funds should be maximized and targeted 1198
to projects in counties regional planning council regions with 1199
hurricane evacuation shelter deficits. Additionally, the 1200
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 49 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
division shall prioritize on the list of recommended facilities 1201
other state-owned, municipal-owned, and county-owned public 1202
buildings, other than schools, for retrofitting using state 1203
funds. The owner or lessee of a public hurricane evacuation 1204
shelter that is included on the list of facilities recommended 1205
for retrofitting is not required to perform any recommended 1206
improvements. 1207
(b) The report required in paragraph (a) must include a 1208
statewide emergency shelter plan that must project, for each of 1209
the next 5 years, the hurricane shelter needs of the state. In 1210
addition to information on the general shelter needs throughout 1211
this state, the plan must identify, by county, the general 1212
location and square footage of special needs shelters. The plan 1213
must also include in formation on the availability of shelters 1214
that accept pets. The Department of Health and the Agency for 1215
Persons with Disabilities shall assist the division in 1216
determining the estimated need for special needs shelter space, 1217
the estimated need for general sh elter space to accommodate 1218
persons with developmental disabilities, including, but not 1219
limited to, autism, and the adequacy of facilities to meet the 1220
needs of persons with special needs based on information from 1221
the registries of persons with special needs and other 1222
information. 1223
Section 23. Section 252.421, Florida Statutes, is created 1224
to read: 1225
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 50 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
252.421 Management of roadway debris related to natural 1226
emergencies.—The division shall coordinate with fiscally 1227
constrained counties, as described in s. 218.6 7(1), included in 1228
a declared state of emergency for a category 3 or higher 1229
hurricane and the Department of Transportation to provide such 1230
counties with state resources to remove debris from roadways, 1231
including roadways that are publicly accessible but not 1232
maintained by the county. 1233
Section 24. Section 252.422, Florida Statutes, is created 1234
to read: 1235
252.422 Restrictions on county or municipal regulations 1236
after a hurricane.— 1237
(1) As used in this section, the term "impacted local 1238
government" means a count y listed in a federal disaster 1239
declaration located entirely or partially within 100 miles of 1240
the track of a storm declared to be a hurricane by the National 1241
Hurricane Center while the storm was categorized as a hurricane 1242
or a municipality located within su ch a county. 1243
(2) For 1 year after a hurricane makes landfall, an 1244
impacted local government may not propose or adopt: 1245
(a) A moratorium on construction, reconstruction, or 1246
redevelopment of any property. 1247
(b) A more restrictive or burdensome amendment to its 1248
comprehensive plan or land development regulations. 1249
(c) A more restrictive or burdensome procedure concerning 1250
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 51 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
review, approval, or issuance of a site plan, development 1251
permit, or development order, to the extent that those terms are 1252
defined in s. 163.3164. 1253
(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), a comprehensive plan 1254
amendment, land development regulation amendment, site plan, 1255
development permit, or development order approved or adopted by 1256
an impacted local government before or after the effective dat e 1257
of this act may be enforced if: 1258
(a) The associated application is initiated by a private 1259
party other than the impacted local government and the property 1260
that is the subject of the application is owned by the 1261
initiating private party; 1262
(b) The proposed comprehensive plan amendment was 1263
submitted to reviewing agencies pursuant to s. 163.3184 before 1264
landfall; or 1265
(c) The proposed comprehensive plan amendment or land 1266
development regulation is approved by the state land planning 1267
agency pursuant to s. 380.05 . 1268
(4)(a) Any person may file suit against any impacted local 1269
government for declaratory and injunctive relief to enforce this 1270
section. 1271
(b) A county or municipality may request a determination 1272
by a court of competent jurisdiction as to whether such acti on 1273
violates this section. Upon such a request, the county or 1274
municipality may not enforce the action until the court has 1275
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 52 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
issued a preliminary or final judgment determining whether the 1276
action violates this section. 1277
(c) Before a plaintiff may file suit, th e plaintiff shall 1278
notify the impacted local government by setting forth the facts 1279
upon which the complaint or petition is based and the reasons 1280
the impacted local government's action violates this section. 1281
Upon receipt of the notice, the impacted local gov ernment shall 1282
have 14 days to withdraw or revoke the action at issue or 1283
otherwise declare it void. If the impacted local government does 1284
not withdraw or revoke the action at issue within the time 1285
prescribed, the plaintiff may file suit. The plaintiff shall be 1286
entitled to entry of a preliminary injunction to prevent the 1287
impacted local government from implementing the challenged 1288
action during pendency of the litigation. In any action 1289
instituted pursuant to this paragraph, the prevailing plaintiff 1290
shall be entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs. 1291
(d) In any case brought under this section, any party is 1292
entitled to the summary procedure provided in s. 51.011, and the 1293
court shall advance the cause on the calendar. 1294
Section 25. Section 252.505, Florida Statutes, is created 1295
to read: 1296
252.505 Breach of contract during emergency recovery 1297
periods for natural emergencies. —Each state or local government 1298
contract for goods or services related to emergency response for 1299
a natural emergency entered into, renewed , or amended on or 1300
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 53 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
after July 1, 2025, must include a provision that requires a 1301
vendor or service provider that breaches such contract during an 1302
emergency recovery period to pay actual, consequential, and 1303
liquidated damages and a $5,000 penalty. As used in this 1304
section, the term "emergency recovery period" means a 1 -year 1305
period that begins on the date that the Governor initially 1306
declared a state of emergency for a natural emergency. 1307
Section 26. Subsection (4) is added to section 373.423, 1308
Florida Statutes, to read: 1309
373.423 Inspection. — 1310
(4)(a) By September 1, 2026, the department shall submit a 1311
Flood Inventory and Restoration Report to the Division of 1312
Emergency Management. The department must work with water 1313
management districts, local governments, and operators of public 1314
and private stormwater management systems to compile the 1315
necessary information for the report, which must: 1316
1. Identify priority infrastructure needs within each 1317
water management district jurisdiction that may result in 1318
flooding or property damage or threaten human health if left 1319
unaddressed; 1320
2. Identify locations that have both historic flooding 1321
occurrences, based on flood zones identified by the Federal 1322
Emergency Management Agency, and the potential to flood from 1323
future significant storm events, such as hurricanes and tropical 1324
storms; 1325
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 54 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
3. For each location identified in subparagraph 1. or 1326
subparagraph 2., include an inspection and maintenance schedule 1327
and specific information on the age of the infrastructure, 1328
upstream impacts, and other factors that may lead to system 1329
failure if unaddressed ; and 1330
4. Include a list of facilities prioritized for funding to 1331
address flooding issues. 1332
(b) The owner of any priority infrastructure identified in 1333
the report must submit an inspection and maintenance schedule to 1334
the department. 1335
(c) The department must review and update the report on a 1336
biannual basis. The report must provide information regarding 1337
compliance with the inspection and maintenance schedules, 1338
include any additional revisions bas ed on storm event 1339
experience, and revise the list of facilities as new flooding 1340
events take place and new projects are implemented to alleviate 1341
infrastructure deficiencies which led to flood ing events. The 1342
department must submit an updated report to the Di vision of 1343
Emergency Management by September 1 of each year in which the 1344
report is due. 1345
Section 27. Subsection (1) of section 400.063, Florida 1346
Statutes, is amended to read: 1347
400.063 Resident protection. — 1348
(1) The Health Care Trust Fund shall be used f or the 1349
purpose of collecting and disbursing funds generated from the 1350
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 55 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
license fees and administrative fines as provided for in ss. 1351
393.0673(5), 400.062(3), 400.121(2), and 400.23(8). Such funds 1352
shall be for the sole purpose of paying for the appropriate 1353
alternate placement, care, and treatment of residents who are 1354
removed from a facility licensed under this part or a facility 1355
specified in s. 393.0678(1) in which the agency determines that 1356
existing conditions or practices constitute an immediate danger 1357
to the health, safety, or security of the residents. If the 1358
agency determines that it is in the best interest of the health, 1359
safety, or security of the residents to provide for an orderly 1360
removal of the residents from the facility, the agency may 1361
utilize such funds to maintain and care for the residents in the 1362
facility pending removal and alternative placement. The 1363
maintenance and care of the residents shall be under the 1364
direction and control of a receiver appointed pursuant to s. 1365
393.0678(1) or s. 400.126(1). Ho wever, funds may be expended in 1366
an emergency upon a filing of a petition for a receiver, upon 1367
the declaration of a state of local emergency pursuant to s. 1368
252.38(3)(b)5. s. 252.38(3)(a)5., or upon a duly authorized 1369
local order of evacuation of a facility b y emergency personnel 1370
to protect the health and safety of the residents. 1371
Section 28. Subsection (7) of section 403.7071, Florida 1372
Statutes, is amended, and subsection (8) is added to that 1373
section, to read: 1374
403.7071 Management of storm -generated debris.—Solid waste 1375
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 56 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
generated as a result of a storm event that is the subject of an 1376
emergency order issued by the department may be managed as 1377
follows: 1378
(7) Unless otherwise specified in a contract or franchise 1379
agreement between a local government and a private solid waste 1380
or debris management service provider, a private solid waste or 1381
debris management service provider is not required to collect 1382
storm-generated yard trash , debris, or waste. Local governments 1383
are authorized and encouraged to add an addendum to existing 1384
contracts or franchise agreements for collection of storm -1385
generated debris. 1386
(8)(a) Each county and municipality shall apply to the 1387
department for authorization of at least one debris management 1388
site as described in subsection (2) and shall annually seek 1389
preauthorization for any previously approved debris management 1390
sites, as allowed by the department. 1391
(b) A municipality may jointly apply for authorization of 1392
a debris management site with a county or at least one adjacent 1393
municipality, if the parties develop and approve a memorandum of 1394
understanding. Such memorandum must clearly outline the capacity 1395
of the debris management site and location of the site relative 1396
to each party. The memorandum of unders tanding must be approved 1397
annually as part of the preauthorization process described in 1398
paragraph (a). 1399
Section 29. Section 489.1132, Florida Statutes, is created 1400
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 57 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
to read: 1401
489.1132 Regulation of hoisting equipment used in 1402
construction, demolition, or e xcavation work during a 1403
hurricane.— 1404
(1) As used in this section, the term: 1405
(a) "Controlling entity" means the general contractor, 1406
prime contractor, or construction manager with overall 1407
responsibility for a construction project. 1408
(b) "Hoisting equipmen t" means power-operated cranes, 1409
derricks, and hoists used in construction, demolition, or 1410
excavation work that are regulated by the Occupational Safety 1411
and Health Administration. 1412
(c) "Mobile crane" means a type of hoisting equipment 1413
incorporating a cable -suspended latticed boom or hydraulic 1414
telescoping boom designed to be moved between operating 1415
locations by transport over a roadway. The term does not include 1416
a mobile crane with a boom length of less than 25 feet or a 1417
maximum rated load capacity of less t han 15,000 pounds. 1418
(d) "Tower crane" means a type of hoisting equipment using 1419
a vertical mast or tower to support a working boom in an 1420
elevated position if the working boom can rotate to move loads 1421
laterally either by rotating at the top of the mast or t ower or 1422
by the rotation of the mast or tower itself, whether the mast or 1423
tower base is fixed in one location or ballasted and moveable 1424
between locations. 1425
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 58 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(2)(a) When a tower crane or mobile crane is located on a 1426
worksite, a hurricane preparedness plan fo r the crane must be 1427
available for inspection at the worksite. 1428
(b) In preparation for a hurricane, the controlling entity 1429
must ensure that hoisting equipment is secured in the following 1430
manner no later than 24 hours before the impacts of the 1431
hurricane are anticipated to begin: 1432
1. All hoisting equipment must be secured in compliance 1433
with manufacturer recommendations relating to hurricane and 1434
high-wind events, including any recommendations relating to the 1435
placement, use, and removal of advertising banners and rigging. 1436
2. Tower crane turntables must be lubricated before the 1437
event. 1438
3. Fixed booms on mobile cranes must be laid down whenever 1439
feasible. 1440
4. Booms on hydraulic cranes must be retracted and stored. 1441
5. The counterweights of any hoists must be locked below 1442
the top tie-in. 1443
6. Tower cranes must be set in the weathervane position. 1444
7. All rigging must be removed from hoist blocks. 1445
8. All power at the base of tower cranes must be 1446
disconnected. 1447
(3) A person licensed under this part who intenti onally 1448
violates this section is subject to discipline under ss. 455.227 1449
and 489.129. 1450
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 59 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(4) The Florida Building Commission shall establish best 1451
practices for the utilization of tower cranes and hoisting 1452
equipment on construction job sites during hurricane season and 1453
report its findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2026. 1454
Section 30. Subsection (6) of section 553.902, Florida 1455
Statutes, is amended to read: 1456
553.902 Definitions. —As used in this part, the term: 1457
(6) "Renovated building" means a residential or 1458
nonresidential building undergoing alteration that varies or 1459
changes insulation, HVAC systems, water heating systems, or 1460
exterior envelope conditions, if the estimated cost of 1461
renovation exceeds 30 percent of the assessed v alue of the 1462
structure. However, if the alteration is a result of a natural 1463
disaster that is the subject of a declaration of a state of 1464
emergency by the Governor, the estimated cost of renovation must 1465
exceed 75 percent of the fair market value of the buildi ng 1466
before the natural disaster. 1467
Section 31. The Division of Emergency Management shall 1468
consult with local governments, the Department of Business and 1469
Professional Regulation, the Department of Environmental 1470
Protection, and any other appropriate agencie s to develop 1471
recommendations for statutory changes necessary to streamline 1472
the permitting process for repairing and rebuilding structures 1473
damaged during natural emergencies. By July 1, 2026, the 1474
division shall provide a report containing such recommendatio ns 1475
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 60 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of 1476
Representatives. 1477
Section 32. (1) Each county listed in the Federal 1478
Disaster Declaration for Hurricane Debby (DR -4806), Hurricane 1479
Helene (DR-4828), or Hurricane Milton (DR -4834), and each 1480
municipality within one of those counties, may not propose or 1481
adopt any moratorium on construction, reconstruction, or 1482
redevelopment of any property damaged by such hurricanes; 1483
propose or adopt more restrictive or burdensome amendments to 1484
its comprehensive plan or land development regulations; or 1485
propose or adopt more restrictive or burdensome procedures 1486
concerning review, approval, or issuance of a site plan, 1487
development permit, or development order, to the extent that 1488
those terms are defined by s. 163. 3164, Florida Statutes, before 1489
October 1, 2027, and any such moratorium or restrictive or 1490
burdensome comprehensive plan amendment, land development 1491
regulation, or procedure shall be null and void ab initio. This 1492
subsection applies retroactively to August 1 , 2024. 1493
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), any comprehensive plan 1494
amendment, land development regulation amendment, site plan, 1495
development permit, or development order approved or adopted by 1496
a county or municipality before or after the effective date of 1497
this act may be enforced if: 1498
(a) The associated application is initiated by a private 1499
party other than the county or municipality. 1500
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 61 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
(b) The property that is the subject of the application is 1501
owned by the initiating private party. 1502
(3)(a) A resident of or the owner of a business in a 1503
county or municipality may bring a civil action for declaratory 1504
and injunctive relief against the county or municipality for a 1505
violation of this section. Pending adjudication of the action 1506
and upon filing of a complaint sho wing a violation of this 1507
section, the resident or business owner is entitled to a 1508
preliminary injunction against the county or municipality 1509
preventing implementation of the moratorium or the comprehensive 1510
plan amendment, land development regulation, or pro cedure. If 1511
such civil action is successful, the resident or business owner 1512
is entitled to reasonable attorney fees and costs. 1513
(b) Attorney fees and costs and damages may not be awarded 1514
pursuant to this subsection if: 1515
1. The resident or business owner p rovides the governing 1516
body of the county or municipality written notice that a 1517
proposed or enacted moratorium, comprehensive plan amendment, 1518
land development regulation, or procedure is in violation of 1519
this section; and 1520
2. The governing body of the count y or municipality 1521
withdraws the proposed moratorium, comprehensive plan amendment, 1522
land development regulation, or procedure within 14 days; or, in 1523
the case of an adopted moratorium, comprehensive plan amendment, 1524
land development regulation, or procedure, the governing body of 1525
CS/CS/CS/HB 1535 2025
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1535-03-c3
Page 62 of 62
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
a county or municipality notices an intent to repeal within 14 1526
days after receipt of the notice and repeals the moratorium, 1527
comprehensive plan amendment, land development regulation, or 1528
procedure within 14 days thereafter. 1529
(4) This section expires June 30, 2028. 1530
Section 33. The Division of Law Revision is directed to 1531
replace the phrase "the effective date of this act" wherever it 1532
occurs in this act with the date this act becomes a law. 1533
Section 34. This act shall take effect upon becoming a 1534
law. 1535