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The Florida Senate

HB 411 — Residency of Local Elected Officials

by Rep. Steele and others (CS/SB 444 by Rules Committee and Senator Ingoglia)

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Ethics and Elections Committee (EE)

This bill changes the provision that requires a school board candidate to reside within the residence area for which he or she is running. The bill makes the residency requirement apply when an elected school board member assumes office rather than when he or she qualifies to run as a candidate.

The bill also does the following relating to local redistricting:

  • Prohibits county commission districts, municipal districts, and school board member residence areas from being drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a candidate for the governing body or an incumbent member of the governing body based on the candidate’s or incumbent’s residential address.
  • Requires county commission districts to be as nearly equal in population as practicable.
  • Requires municipalities, from time to time, to fix the boundaries of their districts in order to keep them as nearly equal in proportion to their respective populations as practicable.
  • Voids any local ordinance adopted by a county, municipality, or school district on or after July 1, 2023, that conflicts with the provisions in the bill.
  • Specifies that changes to county commission districts, municipal districts, or school board member residence areas may not be made in the 270 days before a regular general election for the district or residence area.

If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.

Vote: Senate 29-7; House 87-25