Welcome to Committee Week 6 of the 2025 Session! 

This week marks the sixth and final week of interim committee meetings before the start of the regular session on March 4th. The legislature had a jam-packed week full of committee meetings related to budget proposals, agency presentations, and bills. We look forward to seeing everyone in the coming weeks.    

Please join us on March 19th for FAC’s annual Legislative Day! FAC Legislative Day provides the perfect opportunity to meet with your local delegations, hear from state leaders at our morning Legislative Briefing, and show legislators the importance of shared governance.  



For details on registration and the agenda, please see here. 

On Wednesday, the House Civil Justice & Claims heard HB 301—Suits Against the Government by Rep. McFarland. The bill significantly increases the statutory limits on liability for tort claims against the state and its subdivisions. Specifically, it raises the caps on claims from $200,000 to $1 million per person, and from $300,000 to $3 million per incident for claims arising between October 1, 2025, and October 1, 2030, with further increases thereafter. Notably, local governments, such as counties and municipalities, may settle claims exceeding these limits without requiring legislative approval. The bill also prohibits insurance policies from conditioning coverage on the passage of a claim bill, ensuring that judgments against government entities are enforceable within statutory limits. Additionally, the bill shortens the statute of limitations for negligence claims against the state from four years to two years, aligning with medical malpractice and wrongful death claims. FAC along with other local governments opposed the legislation. The bill passed 17-1 and now heads to the Budget Committee. Currently, there is no Senate companion legislation. 

SJR 318 (2025) proposes an amendment to the Florida Constitution authorizing the Legislature to exempt tangible personal property (TPP) on agricultural land from ad valorem taxation. The exemption would apply to TPP located on land classified as agricultural, used for producing agricultural products or agritourism activities. 

This amendment requires approval by the voters and, if approved, would take effect beginning with the 2027 tax roll. The proposal aims to reduce tax burdens on farmers and agritourism operators by excluding qualifying equipment and property from local property taxes. A similar measure last year carried a $29 million impact. 

On Tuesday, the Senate Community Affairs Committee passed CS/SB 184 Affordable Housing– by Sen. Gaetz.  The bill requires local governments to adopt an ordinance permitting Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in single-family residential zones. These ordinances cannot impose additional parking requirements or mandate that the property owner reside on-site. However, they do not apply to planned unit developments or master-planned communities.  

A late-filed amendment prohibits the denial of a homestead exemption solely for having an ADU built on the property. However, the ADU must be assessed separately from the homestead property if the unit is rented. The amendment also required OPPAGA to evaluate the efficiency of mezzanine financing and the potential of tiny homes being used to meet affordable housing needs throughout the state. The House companion, HB 247 by Rep. Conerly, has not been heard this session.

On Tuesday, CS/SB 268—Public Records/Public Officers was heard during the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability committee. The bill expands public records exemptions to protect the privacy of current public officers, their spouses, and their children. The exempted class includes the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Chief Financial Officer, Attorney General, Agriculture Commissioner, and any State Representative, State Senator, Property Appraiser, Supervisor of Elections, School Superintendent, School Board Member, Mayor, City Commissioner, or County Commissioner. The bill exempts from public disclosure the partial home addresses of these officers and their spouses, as well as their personal telephone numbers.  

Additionally, the bill protects the names, full home addresses, telephone numbers, and dates of birth of their minor children, as well as the names and locations of the schools and daycare facilities they attend. The bill includes a sunset provision for 2030, meaning the exemptions will be repealed unless reauthorized. The bill passed the committee unanimously and now heads to Senate Community Affairs. The House companion, HB 769 by Rep. Valdes, has not been heard this session.