Legislative Update
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March 20, 2026
The Legislature adjourned sine die last Friday evening. They left Tallahassee without adopting a budget, their one responsibility, for a second consecutive session. They will return in April to agree upon a budget, and the Governor has called a special session to address redistricting.
Friday's adjournment marked the end for any policy legislation not adopted. This includesHB 607 which would have eliminated the Board of Architecture and Interior Design and continuing education requirements for architects. The regulation of architecture and requirements for licensure remain unchanged for another year.
March 13, 2026
With the 2026 regular session scheduled to end today, March 13,CS/CS/HB 803was passed by the House Thursday. The bill includes language prohibiting local jurisdictions from charging additional fees when private providers are used for inspections. The bill will now move to the Governor.
SB 1260, which would allow certain qualified out-of-state professionals to perform building inspection-related services during a state of emergency under specified conditions, cleared its Senate committees unanimously and, as of publication, remains on Special Order Calendar to be considered on the floor of the Senate. Given limited time left in session and the House companion stalling, it is not likely that this language will be adopted.
For the second consecutive session, a budget has not been agreed upon by the House and Senate to be adopted by the scheduled end of session. Leadership has indicated that the Legislature will adjourn sine die today. Any bills not passed, includingHB 607, will die at this adjournment.
The Legislature will likely return after the Easter and Passover holidays to complete the budget. Earlier this year, Gov. Ron DeSantis officially proclaimed a special session for April 20-24, 2026, focused on congressional redistricting and related legal issues.
March 6, 2026
In the eighth week of session, the Senate passedCS/CS/HB 803in lieu of its version of the same legislation. The bill prohibits jurisdictions from charging extra fees when private providers are used for inspections,unanimously (37-0) and sent it back to the House in messages for consideration of the Senate-amended version.
SB 1260, which would allow certain qualified out-of-state professionals, including building inspectors and plans examiners, to perform duties during a state of emergency when a mutual aid agreement is in place, has cleared its final committee stop in the Senate. It was approved by the Senate Rules Committee on March 3 and has been placed on the Senate Special Order Calendar for today, March 6.
The most concerning bill of the session,HB 607, which would eliminate the Board of Architecture and Interior Design and remove continuing education requirements for architects, remains in the House Commerce Committee and has not been scheduled for a hearing. The lack of movement for this bill is an indication that it is most likely dead.
March 3 was the last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings. Bills that did not advance out of committee by that deadline are unlikely to move forward this session. Language from stalled bills, however, can still surface as amendments to bills that are moving to the House or Senate floors. The regular session is scheduled to end March 13.
February 20, 2026
As the sixth week of session comes to a close, althoughHB 607remains active; it was not heard. The bill, which includes legislation that would eliminate the Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID) and remove continuing education requirements for architects, will continue to be closely monitored by AIA Florida.HB 803was passed by the House Commerce Committee. The bill prohibits jurisdictions from charging extra fees when private providers are used for inspections. March 3 is the last day for committees to meet. Bills that have not made their way out of committee by then, are most likely dead. However, language can be amended to bills that are moving to the chamber floors. Session is scheduled to adjourn on March 13.
February 13, 2026
As lawmakers finished their fifth week of session, HB 607, which would eliminate the Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID) and remove continuing education requirements for architects, was not heard this week. The bill remains active, and AIA Florida will continue to monitor its progress and advocate for policies that protect public health, safety and welfare and support professional standards. SB 1260, which addresses building inspections during emergencies and would authorize the governor to allow individuals to serve in certain roles if they meet specified requirements, was heard and passed in the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. SB 888, which limits the liability of design professionals in private contracts was passed by the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. The bill has one more committee hearing before going to the Senate floor.
February 6, 2026
In the fourth week of session, HB 607, legislation that would eliminate the Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID) and continuing education requirements for architects, was not heard. This comes after more than 200 members and students traveled to Tallahassee last week, voicing their opposition. The bill has one committee stop, the Commerce Committee, left before going to the House floor. The Commerce Committee will meet again on Tuesday where this bill could possibly be heard. The agenda of bills to be heard by that committee will be released later today. If included on the agenda, any amendments to the bill may be filed until 5 p.m. Monday. SB 48, requiring local governments to adopt ordinances allowing accessory dwelling units in certain areas, was approved by the Senate. The bill now goes to the House.
January 16, 2026
Tuesday marked the first day of the regular 60-day session. You may view the Governor's State of the State Address at https://youtu.be/qhe470rRdvI. Governor DeSantis has already called for a special session in April for the Legislature to take up redistricting.
HB 607 was heard Wednesday by the House State Administration Budget Committee where it was passed. The bill eliminates the Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID) and continuing education requirements for architects. AIA Florida vice president of advocacy, Peter Hauerstein, AIA, testified on behalf of AIA Florida. He voiced our concern about the changes to the regulation of the profession and the importance of architects continuing to be educated on the latest codes, technology and building techniques. While multiple lawmakers stated their concern about regulation of professions being moved to DBPR staff, the bill was passed with only two members voting no. The bill now moves to the Commerce Committee where it could be heard as early as January 22.
December 12, 2025
HB 607 by Rep. Yarkosky (R - Monteverde) was heard by the House Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee Thursday morning. Similar to legislation that made it all the way through the House last session, HB 607 eliminates the Board of Architecture and Interior Design and continuing education requirements for architects. The legislation does the same for all professions under the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. AIA Florida vice president, Peter Hauerstein, AIA, traveled to Tallahassee to testify in opposition on behalf of AIA Florida. A recording of the committee meeting may be viewed at https://www.flhouse.gov/VideoPlayer.aspx?eventID=10766. The bill begins at 14:33 and AIA Florida's testimony begins at 37:35.
Despite AIA Florida's testimony and that of many other professions, the bill was passed by the subcommittee. It will have two more committee hearings. The bill sponsor acknowledged that he is willing to work with design professionals and many committee members voiced concern about the proposed changes. AIA Florida will continue to work with stakeholders and voice opposition to the elimination of the regulatory board and continuing education requirements. This was the last committee week before session begins on January 13. The bill will not be heard again until after the beginning of session.
December 8, 2025
The Legislature gathered for their penultimate committee week before session begins on January 13. As suspected, HB 607,by Rep. Yarkosky (R-Monteverde), was filed Tuesday. The bill picks up where the 2025 session ended. It eliminates the Board of Architecture and Interior Design (BOAID) and continuing education requirements for architects. Regulation of the profession would lie with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This legislation applies to professions under DBPR. AIA Florida will continue to oppose this legislation. The bill will be heard by the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee on Thursday, where AIA Florida will be testifying in opposition.
Make your voice heard on this issue by attending Legislative Day on January 27, 2026. It is important that legislators hear from their constituents impacted by this bill.
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