TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Thursday, six more bills were sent to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis following the latest Legislative session.
So far this year, nearly 30 bills have already been signed into law, with around 200 others still to go.
This latest batch of bills deals with topics like education, specialty license plates, agricultural enclaves, and more.
Per Legislative analysts, the full list is as follows:
SB 182 — Teacher Mentors
Senate Bill 182 establishes the School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program, aimed at improving teacher effectiveness in public schools.
Under this program, qualified teachers can be placed as mentors in schools that have a “D” or “F” grade, thereby improving the performance of these schools.
If signed, the bill will take effect on July 1.
SB 246 — Specialty Plates
Senate Bill 246 grants permission for five new specialty license plates, which are as follows:
- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
- Miami Northwestern Alumni Association
- Outsider
- St. Petersburg College
- First Responders Resiliency
The bill also revises certain requirements for the existing “Florida Wildflower” and “Fraternal Order of Police” plates.
If signed, the bill will take effect on Oct. 1.
SB 628 — Warrior Sacrifice Way
Senate Bill 628 renames a portion of State Road 295 in Escambia County as “Warrior Sacrifice Way,” located between Duncan Road and Gulf Beach Highway.
The name is meant to honor the victims of the 2019 terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola, when three men were killed and eight others were injured.
If signed, the bill will take effect on July 1.
SB 686 — Agricultural Enclaves
Senate Bill 686 deals with agricultural enclaves: pockets of agricultural land that are mainly surrounded by development.
Under this bill, enclave owners may submit development plans for single-family housing.
Local governments won’t be allowed to enact regulation for one of these enclaves that is more burdensome than for other types of applications for comparable uses, either.
If signed, the bill will take effect on July 1. However, the provisions will expire on Jan. 1, 2028.
HB 1093 — Vertiports
House Bill 1093 includes vertiports and charging systems as qualifying projects for funding under public-private partnerships between state and private entities.
In addition, the bill allows the FDOT to fund all of the project costs of a public vertiport if federal funds aren’t available.
If signed, the bill will take effect on July 1.
HB 1103 — Vessel Restrictions
House Bill 1103 allows local governments to administer provisions of law concerning vessels at risk of becoming derelict and long-term anchoring permits.
Furthermore, the bill lets cities and counties regulate vessel speed and operation within 300 feet of a confluence of water bodies presenting a blind corner (up to 1,000 feet) if the extended area is necessary to ensure safe navigation and visibility for approaching vessels.
If signed, the bill will take effect on July 1.