The Florida Senate

This bill re-creates the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund (fund) within the Executive Office of the Governor and extends the termination date to July 1, 2028.

The bill also makes the following modifications to the fund:

• For natural emergencies, requires that upon renewal of the emergency (after 60 days) use of the funds is subject to the budget consultation process, notwithstanding ss. 216.181 and 216.292, F.S.
• For manmade or technological emergencies, requires that upon renewal of the emergency (after 60 days) use of the funds is subject to the budget consultation process. However, the chair and the vice chair of the Legislative Budget Commission may authorize such amendment to be approved.
• Prohibits funds from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, but clarifies that funds may be used for short-term leases of aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles.
• Requires federal reimbursements to be deposited in the fund and for such reimbursements to be held in a separate account. Additionally, the bill requires expenditures from this separate account to be only made for invoices that were incurred before the deposit of the federal reimbursement and prohibits the funds from being used for any other purpose until all outstanding prior invoices have been paid.
• Requires additional reporting, including projected year-end cash balances and cash flow statements.

The bill operates retroactively to February 17, 2026.

If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor's signature, these provisions take effect upon becoming law.

Vote: Senate 29-7; House 80-20