Florida Senate - 2025 CS for SB 712
By the Committee on Community Affairs; and Senator Grall
578-03099-25 2025712c1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to construction regulations; creating
3 s. 125.572, F.S.; defining the term “synthetic turf”;
4 requiring the Department of Environmental Protection
5 to adopt minimum standards for the installation of
6 synthetic turf on specified properties; requiring that
7 the standards take into account specified factors;
8 prohibiting local governments from adopting or
9 enforcing any ordinance, resolution, order, rule, or
10 policy that prohibits, or is enforced to prohibit,
11 property owners from installing synthetic turf meeting
12 certain standards on single-family residential
13 property of a specified size; prohibiting local
14 governments from adopting or enforcing specified
15 ordinances, resolutions, orders, rules, or policies
16 that regulate synthetic turf which are inconsistent
17 with specified standards; requiring the Department of
18 Environmental Protection to adopt rules; creating s.
19 218.755, F.S.; requiring local governmental entities
20 to approve or deny certain price quotes and provide
21 notice to contractors within a specified timeframe;
22 requiring denials to specify alleged deficiencies and
23 actions necessary to remedy such deficiencies;
24 providing that a local governmental entity that fails
25 to provide such information with a denial is liable to
26 the contractor for specified overhead; prohibiting
27 contracts from altering specified duties of a local
28 governmental entity; amending s. 255.0992, F.S.;
29 prohibiting the state or political subdivisions that
30 contract for public works projects from penalizing or
31 rewarding bidders for performing larger or smaller
32 volumes of construction work for the state or
33 political subdivisions; amending s. 489.505, F.S.;
34 revising the definition of the term “certified alarm
35 system contractor”; amending s. 553.73, F.S.;
36 requiring the Florida Building Commission, within a
37 specified timeframe, to amend the Florida Building
38 Code to recognize tall mass timber as an allowable
39 material for specified construction types; providing
40 an exemption from the Florida Building Code to systems
41 or equipment located within a spaceport territory
42 which is used for specified purposes; amending s.
43 553.79, F.S.; prohibiting local governments from
44 requiring copies of contracts and certain associated
45 documents for the issuance of building permits or as a
46 requirement for submitting building permit
47 applications; amending s. 497.271, F.S.; conforming a
48 cross-reference; reenacting s. 201.21(2), F.S.,
49 relating to an exemption from all excise taxes imposed
50 by ch. 201, F.S., for specified notes and obligations
51 when given by a customer to an alarm system contractor
52 in connection with the sale of an alarm system, to
53 incorporate the amendment made to s. 489.505, F.S., in
54 a reference thereto; providing an effective date.
55
56 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
57
58 Section 1. Section 125.572, Florida Statutes, is created to
59 read:
60 125.572 Regulation of synthetic turf.—
61 (1) As used in this section, the term “synthetic turf”
62 means a manufactured product that resembles natural grass and is
63 used as a surface for landscaping and recreational areas.
64 (2) The Department of Environmental Protection shall adopt
65 minimum standards for the installation of synthetic turf on
66 single-family residential properties 1 acre or less in size. The
67 standards must take into account material type, permeability,
68 stormwater management, potable water conservation, water
69 quality, proximity to trees and other vegetation, and other
70 factors impacting environmental conditions of adjacent
71 properties.
72 (3) Upon the Department of Environmental Protection
73 adopting rules pursuant to subsection (4), a local government
74 may not:
75 (a) Adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, order,
76 rule, or policy that prohibits, or is enforced to prohibit, a
77 property owner from installing synthetic turf that complies with
78 Department of Environmental Protection standards adopted
79 pursuant to this section which apply to single-family
80 residential property.
81 (b) Adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, order,
82 rule, or policy that regulates synthetic turf which is
83 inconsistent with the Department of Environmental Protection
84 standards adopted pursuant to this section which apply to
85 single-family residential property.
86 (4) The Department of Environmental Protection shall adopt
87 rules to implement this section.
88 Section 2. Section 218.755, Florida Statutes, is created to
89 read:
90 218.755 Prompt processing of change orders.—Beginning on or
91 after July 1, 2025, if a local governmental entity receives from
92 its contractor a price quote for a change order issued by the
93 local governmental entity, and the price quote conforms to all
94 statutory requirements and contractual requirements for the
95 project, the local governmental entity must approve or deny the
96 price quote and send written notice of that decision to the
97 contractor within 30 days after receipt of such quote. Any
98 denial notice must specify the alleged deficiencies in the price
99 quote and the actions necessary to remedy those deficiencies. If
100 the local governmental entity fails to provide such information
101 on a denial notice, it is liable to the contractor for all
102 additional labor, staffing, materials, supplies, equipment, and
103 overhead associated with the change order. A contract between a
104 local governmental entity and a contractor may not alter the
105 local governmental entity’s duties under this section.
106 Section 3. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (2) of
107 section 255.0992, Florida Statutes, to read:
108 255.0992 Public works projects; prohibited governmental
109 actions.—
110 (2) Except as required by federal or state law, the state
111 or any political subdivision that contracts for a public works
112 project may not take the following actions:
113 (d) Penalize a bidder for performing a larger volume of
114 construction work for the state or political subdivision or
115 reward a bidder for performing a smaller volume of construction
116 work for the state or political subdivision.
117 Section 4. Subsection (7) of section 489.505, Florida
118 Statutes, is amended to read:
119 489.505 Definitions.—As used in this part:
120 (7) “Certified alarm system contractor” means an alarm
121 system contractor who possesses a certificate of competency
122 issued by the department. The scope of certification is limited
123 to alarm circuits originating in the alarm control panel and
124 equipment governed by the applicable provisions of Articles 722,
125 725, 760, 770, 800, and 810 of the National Electrical Code,
126 Current Edition, and National Fire Protection Association
127 Standard 72, Current Edition. The scope of certification for
128 alarm system contractors also includes the installation, repair,
129 fabrication, erection, alteration, addition, or design of
130 electrical wiring, fixtures, appliances, thermostats, apparatus,
131 raceways, and conduit, or any part thereof not to exceed 98
132 volts (RMS), when those items are for the purpose of
133 transmitting data or proprietary video (satellite systems that
134 are not part of a community antenna television or radio
135 distribution system) or providing central vacuum capability,
136 surveillance cameras, or electric locks; however, this provision
137 governing the scope of certification does not create any
138 mandatory licensure requirement.
139 Section 5. Subsections (2) and (10) of section 553.73,
140 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
141 553.73 Florida Building Code.—
142 (2)(a) The Florida Building Code shall contain provisions
143 or requirements for public and private buildings, structures,
144 and facilities relative to structural, mechanical, electrical,
145 plumbing, energy, and gas systems, existing buildings,
146 historical buildings, manufactured buildings, elevators, coastal
147 construction, lodging facilities, food sales and food service
148 facilities, health care facilities, including assisted living
149 facilities, adult day care facilities, hospice residential and
150 inpatient facilities and units, and facilities for the control
151 of radiation hazards, public or private educational facilities,
152 swimming pools, and correctional facilities and enforcement of
153 and compliance with such provisions or requirements. Further,
154 the Florida Building Code must provide for uniform
155 implementation of ss. 515.25, 515.27, and 515.29 by including
156 standards and criteria for residential swimming pool barriers,
157 pool covers, latching devices, door and window exit alarms, and
158 other equipment required therein, which are consistent with the
159 intent of s. 515.23. Technical provisions to be contained within
160 the Florida Building Code are restricted to requirements related
161 to the types of materials used and construction methods and
162 standards employed in order to meet criteria specified in the
163 Florida Building Code. Provisions relating to the personnel,
164 supervision or training of personnel, or any other professional
165 qualification requirements relating to contractors or their
166 workforce may not be included within the Florida Building Code,
167 and subsections (4) and (6)-(9), (6), (7), (8), and (9) are not
168 to be construed to allow the inclusion of such provisions within
169 the Florida Building Code by amendment. This restriction applies
170 to both initial development and amendment of the Florida
171 Building Code.
172 (b) By January 1, 2026, or the next update of the Florida
173 Building Code, whichever occurs first, the commission shall
174 amend the Florida Building Code to be consistent with the 2024
175 International Building Code that recognizes tall mass timber as
176 an allowable material for construction types IV-A, IV-B, IV-C,
177 and IV-HT.
178 (10) The following buildings, structures, and facilities
179 are exempt from the Florida Building Code as provided by law,
180 and any further exemptions shall be as determined by the
181 Legislature and provided by law:
182 (a) Buildings and structures specifically regulated and
183 preempted by the Federal Government.
184 (b) Railroads and ancillary facilities associated with the
185 railroad.
186 (c) Nonresidential farm buildings on farms.
187 (d) Temporary buildings or sheds used exclusively for
188 construction purposes.
189 (e) Mobile or modular structures used as temporary offices,
190 except that the provisions of part II relating to accessibility
191 by persons with disabilities apply to such mobile or modular
192 structures.
193 (f) Those structures or facilities of electric utilities,
194 as defined in s. 366.02, which are directly involved in the
195 generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.
196 (g) Temporary sets, assemblies, or structures used in
197 commercial motion picture or television production, or any
198 sound-recording equipment used in such production, on or off the
199 premises.
200 (h) Storage sheds that are not designed for human
201 habitation and that have a floor area of 720 square feet or less
202 are not required to comply with the mandatory wind-borne-debris
203 impact standards of the Florida Building Code. In addition, such
204 buildings that are 400 square feet or less and that are intended
205 for use in conjunction with one- and two-family residences are
206 not subject to the door height and width requirements of the
207 Florida Building Code.
208 (i) Chickees constructed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians
209 of Florida or the Seminole Tribe of Florida. As used in this
210 paragraph, the term “chickee” means an open-sided wooden hut
211 that has a thatched roof of palm or palmetto or other
212 traditional materials, and that does not incorporate any
213 electrical, plumbing, or other nonwood features.
214 (j) Family mausoleums not exceeding 250 square feet in area
215 which are prefabricated and assembled on site or preassembled
216 and delivered on site and have walls, roofs, and a floor
217 constructed of granite, marble, or reinforced concrete.
218 (k) A building or structure having less than 1,000 square
219 feet which is constructed and owned by a natural person for
220 hunting and which is repaired or reconstructed to the same
221 dimension and condition as existed on January 1, 2011, if the
222 building or structure:
223 1. Is not rented or leased or used as a principal
224 residence;
225 2. Is not located within the 100-year floodplain according
226 to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s current Flood
227 Insurance Rate Map; and
228 3. Is not connected to an offsite electric power or water
229 supply.
230 (l) A drone port as defined in s. 330.41(2).
231 (m) Any system or equipment, whether affixed or movable,
232 which is located on property within a spaceport territory
233 pursuant to s. 331.304 and which is used for the production,
234 erection, alteration, modification, repair, launch, processing,
235 recovery, transport, integration, fueling, conditioning, or
236 equipping of a space launch vehicle, payload, or spacecraft.
237
238 With the exception of paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (f), in
239 order to preserve the health, safety, and welfare of the public,
240 the Florida Building Commission may, by rule adopted pursuant to
241 chapter 120, provide for exceptions to the broad categories of
242 buildings exempted in this section, including exceptions for
243 application of specific sections of the code or standards
244 adopted therein. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer
245 Services shall have exclusive authority to adopt by rule,
246 pursuant to chapter 120, exceptions to nonresidential farm
247 buildings exempted in paragraph (c) when reasonably necessary to
248 preserve public health, safety, and welfare. The exceptions must
249 be based upon specific criteria, such as under-roof floor area,
250 aggregate electrical service capacity, HVAC system capacity, or
251 other building requirements. Further, the commission may
252 recommend to the Legislature additional categories of buildings,
253 structures, or facilities which should be exempted from the
254 Florida Building Code, to be provided by law. The Florida
255 Building Code does not apply to temporary housing provided by
256 the Department of Corrections to any prisoner in the state
257 correctional system.
258 Section 6. Paragraph (f) of subsection (1) of section
259 553.79, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
260 553.79 Permits; applications; issuance; inspections.—
261 (1)
262 (f) A local government may not require a contract between a
263 builder and an owner, any copies of such contract, or any
264 associated document, including, but not limited to, letters of
265 intent, material costs lists, labor costs, or overhead or profit
266 statements, for the issuance of a building permit or as a
267 requirement for the submission of a building permit application.
268 Section 7. Subsection (3) of section 497.271, Florida
269 Statutes, is amended to read:
270 497.271 Standards for construction and significant
271 alteration or renovation of mausoleums and columbaria.—
272 (3) The licensing authority shall transmit the rules as
273 adopted under subsection (2), hereinafter referred to as the
274 “mausoleum standards,” to the Florida Building Commission, which
275 shall initiate rulemaking under chapter 120 to consider such
276 mausoleum standards. If such mausoleum standards are not deemed
277 acceptable, they must shall be returned by the Florida Building
278 Commission to the licensing authority with details of changes
279 needed to make them acceptable. If such mausoleum standards are
280 acceptable, the Florida Building Commission must shall adopt a
281 rule designating the mausoleum standards as an approved revision
282 to the State Minimum Building Codes under part IV of chapter
283 553. When so designated by the Florida Building Commission, such
284 mausoleum standards shall become a required element of the State
285 Minimum Building Codes under s. 553.73(2)(a) s. 553.73(2) and
286 shall be transmitted to each local enforcement agency, as
287 defined in s. 553.71(5). Such local enforcement agency shall
288 consider and inspect for compliance with such mausoleum
289 standards as if they were part of the local building code, but
290 shall have no continuing duty to inspect after final approval of
291 the construction pursuant to the local building code. Any
292 further amendments to the mausoleum standards shall be
293 accomplished by the same procedure. Such designated mausoleum
294 standards, as from time to time amended, shall be a part of the
295 State Minimum Building Codes under s. 553.73 until the adoption
296 and effective date of a new statewide uniform minimum building
297 code, which may supersede the mausoleum standards as provided by
298 the law enacting the new statewide uniform minimum building
299 code.
300 Section 8. For the purpose of incorporating the amendment
301 made by this act to section 489.505, Florida Statutes, in a
302 reference thereto, subsection (2) of section 201.21, Florida
303 Statutes, is reenacted to read:
304 201.21 Notes and other written obligations exempt under
305 certain conditions.—
306 (2) There shall be exempt from all excise taxes imposed by
307 this chapter all non-interest-bearing promissory notes, non
308 interest-bearing nonnegotiable notes, or non-interest-bearing
309 written obligations to pay money, or assignments of salaries,
310 wages, or other compensation made, executed, delivered, sold,
311 transferred, or assigned in the state, and for each renewal of
312 the same, of $3,500 or less, when given by a customer to an
313 alarm system contractor, as defined in s. 489.505, in connection
314 with the sale of an alarm system as defined in s. 489.505.
315 Section 9. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.