The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Appropriations
BILL: HB 5203
INTRODUCER: State Administration Budget Subcommittee and Representative V. Lopez
SUBJECT: Capitol Center
DATE: April 16, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Davis Sadberry AP Fav/1 amendment
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
AMENDMENTS - Significant amendments were recommended
I. Summary:
HB 5203 provides for certain rights and duties concerning the occupation and management of the
Capitol Center. The bill specifies that the Governor, Cabinet officers, and Legislature are
permanent tenants of the Capitol Center. The bill ensures that the Legislature is aware of and has
the opportunity to approve any project in the Capitol Center that might impact their respective
tenancies.
To the extent that direct control over utilities for any space for which the Legislature is the tenant
includes the responsibility for funding the costs for maintenance, the Legislature may be required
to expend additional funds. See Section V., Fiscal Impact Statement.
The bill will take effect July 1, 2025.
II. Present Situation:
Capitol Center and Capitol Complex
Chapter 272, F.S., provides that the Capitol Center is under the general control and supervision
of the DMS, which includes the management and maintenance of both grounds and buildings.
The DMS is authorized to allocate space in the specified buildings to house various departments,
agencies, boards, and commissions except the Supreme Court Building.
The term “Capitol Complex” is defined to include: that portion of Tallahassee, Leon County,
Florida, commonly referred to as the Capitol, the Historic Capitol, the Senate Office Building,
the House Office Building, the Knott Building, the Pepper Building, the Holland Building, the
REVISED: 4/17/25 BILL: HB 5203 Page 2
Elliot Building, the R.A. Gray building, and the associated parking garages curtilage of each,
including the state-owned lands and public streets adjacent thereto within an area bounded by
and including Calhoun Street, East Pensacola Street, Monroe Street, Jefferson Street, West
Pensacola, Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, and Gaines Street. The term does not include the
Supreme Court Building or the public streets adjacent thereto. The portion of the Capitol
Complex existing between and including the Elliot Building and the Holland Building within an
area bounded by and including Monroe Street, Gaines Street, Calhoun Street, and East Pensacola
Street shall be known as “Memorial Park.”
The DMS is responsible for the management, maintenance, and upkeep of the Capital Complex
and has authority to employ a superintendent of the grounds and other employees, and to
designate or appoint a non-salaried advisory committee to advise them.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill provides for certain rights and duties concerning the occupation and management of the
Capitol Center.
Section 1 amends s. 272.04, F.S., to specify that the Governor, Cabinet officers, and the
Legislature are permanent tenants of the Capitol Center. The bill states that interior space
allocated to each tenant on January 1, 2025, may not be reduced or moved without approval of
the tenant. The bill specifies that the Legislature has the first right of refusal for use of any
additional space in the Capitol Center that becomes vacant.
Section 2 amends s. 272.09, F.S., to require that before the DMS, plans or schedules any project
that impacts space occupied by a permanent tenant other than the Governor, the DMS must
coordinate and receive the tenant’s approval on the scope, design, and timeline of the project.
For projects that would impact space in which the Legislature is the tenant, the DMS must
coordinate with and receive approval from the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, or both, as appropriate. For any project that impacts space in which
the Legislature is the tenant, the DMS must consider the schedule and time constraints of the
Legislature, as well as the Legislature's needs. Additionally, the bill states that the Legislature
may renovate any space allocated to their chamber without approval from the DMS.
Section 3 amends s. 272.121, F.S., to specify that the DMS must solicit feedback of all
permanent tenants of the Capitol Center, when completing the Capitol Center’s long-range plan
report. The bill also specifies that the DMS must consult with and receive approval from the
President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or both, as appropriate,
before including in the DMS’ Capitol Center’s long-range plan report, any project that impacts
any space in the Capitol Center in which the Legislature is the tenant.
Section 4 amends s. 272.16, F.S., to specify that parking spaces allocated to the Legislature on
January 1, 2025, may not be reduced or reassigned without the express consent of the
Legislature. In addition, the Legislature has the first right of refusal for the use of spaces upon
availability. BILL: HB 5203 Page 3
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
To the extent that direct control over utilities for any space for which the Legislature is
the tenant includes the responsibility for funding the costs for maintenance, the
Legislature may be required to expend additional funds.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 272.04, 272.09,
272.121, and 272.16. BILL: HB 5203 Page 4
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
Barcode 671950 by Appropriations on April 17, 2025:
This amendment deletes everything and does not insert additional language.
(WITH TITLE AMENDMENT)
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.