Florida Legislative Session is (basically) over. These 5 bills await DeSantis’ signature
Introduction to the Legislative Session
The Florida legislative session is winding down, and though lawmakers may have to extend the session to come back to the budget, we already know which laws have made it through both chambers. If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, they will take effect on July 1, 2025. These are five of the laws that could impact you.
Electrocardiograms for Student Athletes
This law would require student athletes in Florida public high schools to undergo an electrocardiogram in order to participate in sports, including "any practice, tryout, workout, conditioning, or other physical activity associated with the student’s candidacy for an interscholastic athletic team, including activities that occur outside of the school year." In Miami-Dade County in April, the school board voted to mandate heart screenings for high school athletes less than three weeks after a private school athlete suffered a sudden cardiac arrest. “Screening about 333 athletes will pick up about one patient that may have a potential life-threatening disease, so absolutely, it’s worth it when you think of the number of athletes in our county,” said Dr. Madeleen Mas, the director of Pediatric Cardiology at Holtz Children’s Hospital. Mandatory heart screenings are coming to Miami-Dade County Public Schools. NBC6’s Ari Odzer reports
Condo Safety
Florida lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday to a bill aimed at reforming a condominium safety law passed in 2022 in the wake of the partial collapse of Champlain Towers South, which killed 98 people in Surfside in June 2021. Condo owners have been facing higher costs because of the 2022 law, which requires condo associations to have sufficient reserves to cover major repairs and to conduct a survey of reserves every decade. Sponsors of this year’s bill said further changes were needed to allow for more flexibility and to lessen the burden of new costs shouldered by residents, while ensuring protections remain in place to prevent another potential collapse. “Without moving one step backwards on safety, this bill provides options, flexibility, and relief so condo owners and associations can prioritize the most important repairs first,” said Republican state Sen. Jennifer Bradley, a sponsor of the bill. The Florida House on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a plan that aims, in part, to ease financial strains on condominium owners, setting up negotiations with the Senate before next week’s scheduled end of the 2025 legislative session.
Scalping of DMV and Tax Collector Appointments
The state legislature has passed a bill that makes it illegal to sell service appointments with the DMV or tax collector offices, the office of the Miami-Dade Tax Collector Dariel Fernandez announced. Fernandez’s office issued a statement on Thursday that commended the state for its "unanimous passage of HB 0961." Miami-Dade has led the way in trying to stop people from overbooking DMV appointments in order to sell them, after scalping led to overnight lines and hours of waiting for residents trying to renew licenses and more. The cause? County leaders say it’s scalpers, who book all the appointments for free and then sell them for anywhere between $25 and $250. NBC6’s Julia Bagg reports.
Statewide Fluoride Ban
The Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies and take aim at labeling of plant-based products as milk, meat and eggs. The Republican-controlled House voted 88-27 to pass the bill (SB 700), which also includes a series of other issues related to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Senate passed the bill April 16, which means it is now ready to go to Gov. Ron DeSantis. The bill came amid debates in cities and counties, including Miami-Dade, across the state about ending the decades-old practice of adding fluoride to public water supplies to improve dental health. DeSantis and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo support removing fluoride from water supplies. If DeSantis signs the bill, Florida would follow the lead of Utah, which this year became the first state to ban fluoride in public water supplies. The Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies. NBC6’s Laura Rodriguez reports
State Land Management and Development
State parks would be protected from pickleball courts, golf courses and hotel development under a bill passed unanimously by the Florida House in April in response to last summer’s statewide outcry over plans for these kinds of projects. The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis for final approval, and his office hasn’t said if he’ll sign it. The Republican governor distanced himself from the proposal following the backlash, saying he never saw or approved plans to allow resorts and sports facilities on state park land. DeSantis leads and appoints the heads of all state agencies. After a bipartisan uproar last year about a proposal dubbed the “Great Outdoors Initiative,” the Florida Senate is moving forward with a bill that would prevent building such things as golf courses, pickleball courts and hotel-style lodges in state parks.
Conclusion
The Florida legislative session has come to a close, with several bills awaiting the signature of Governor Ron DeSantis. These bills cover a range of topics, including electrocardiograms for student athletes, condo safety, scalping of DMV and tax collector appointments, a statewide fluoride ban, and state land management and development. If signed into law, these bills will take effect on July 1, 2025, and could have a significant impact on the state and its residents.
FAQs
Q: What is the status of the Florida legislative session?
A: The Florida legislative session is winding down, with lawmakers potentially needing to extend the session to finalize the budget.
Q: What laws are awaiting Governor DeSantis’ signature?
A: Five laws are awaiting Governor DeSantis’ signature, including bills related to electrocardiograms for student athletes, condo safety, scalping of DMV and tax collector appointments, a statewide fluoride ban, and state land management and development.
Q: When will the laws take effect if signed by Governor DeSantis?
A: The laws will take effect on July 1, 2025, if signed by Governor DeSantis.
Q: What is the purpose of the bill related to electrocardiograms for student athletes?
A: The bill requires student athletes in Florida public high schools to undergo an electrocardiogram in order to participate in sports, with the goal of identifying potential life-threatening heart conditions.
Q: What is the purpose of the bill related to condo safety?
A: The bill aims to reform the condominium safety law passed in 2022, allowing for more flexibility and lessening the burden of new costs on condo owners while ensuring protections remain in place to prevent another potential collapse.
