Florida Senate - 2026                                     SB 650
       
       
        
       By Senator Bernard
       
       
       
       
       
       24-00819-26                                            2026650__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to local business taxes; repealing ch.
    3         205, F.S., relating to local business taxes; creating
    4         s. 218.15, F.S.; authorizing certain counties to
    5         continue to impose a business tax; authorizing such
    6         counties to revise the definition of the term
    7         “merchant” in a specified manner; prohibiting such
    8         counties from revising a specified tax rate; providing
    9         a directive to the Division of Law Revision; amending
   10         ss. 125.01047, 166.04465, 202.24, 213.0535, 213.055,
   11         213.756, 330.41, 337.401, 376.84, 379.3761, 482.071,
   12         482.242, 489.127, 489.128, 489.131, 489.532, 489.537,
   13         500.12, 500.511, 501.015, 501.016, 501.160, 507.13,
   14         539.001, 559.904, 559.928, 559.9281, 559.935, 559.939,
   15         559.955, and 616.12, F.S.; conforming provisions and
   16         cross-references to changes made by the act; providing
   17         an effective date.
   18          
   19  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   20  
   21         Section 1. Chapter 205, Florida Statutes, consisting of ss.
   22  205.013, 205.022, 205.023, 205.0315, 205.032, 205.033, 205.042,
   23  205.043, 205.044, 205.045, 205.053, 205.0532, 205.0535,
   24  205.0536, 205.0537, 205.054, 205.055, 205.063, 205.064, 205.065,
   25  205.066, 205.067, 205.162, 205.191, 205.192, 205.193, 205.194,
   26  205.196, 205.1965, 205.1967, 205.1969, 205.1971, 205.1973, and
   27  205.1975, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
   28         Section 2. Section 218.15, Florida Statutes, is created to
   29  read:
   30         218.15County business tax measured by gross receipts may
   31  continue.—Notwithstanding the repeal of former chapter 205, by
   32  this act, a county that imposes a business tax on merchants
   33  which is measured by gross receipts from the sale of merchandise
   34  or services, or both, may continue to impose such tax and may,
   35  by ordinance, revise the definition of the term “merchant.”
   36  However, the county may not revise the rate of the tax measured
   37  by gross sales.
   38         Section 3. The Division of Law Revision is directed to
   39  replace the phrase “this act” wherever it occurs in s. 218.15,
   40  Florida Statutes, with the assigned chapter number of this act.
   41         Section 4. Subsection (2), paragraph (b) of subsection (3),
   42  and paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section 125.01047,
   43  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
   44         125.01047 Rules and ordinances relating to towing
   45  services.—
   46         (2) The prohibition set forth in subsection (1) does not
   47  affect a county’s authority to:
   48         (a)Levy a reasonable business tax under s. 205.0315, s.
   49  205.033, or s. 205.0535.
   50         (b) impose and collect a reasonable administrative fee or
   51  charge on the registered owner or other legally authorized
   52  person in control of a vehicle or vessel, not to exceed 25
   53  percent of the maximum towing rate, to cover the cost of
   54  enforcement, including parking enforcement, by the county when
   55  the vehicle or vessel is towed from public property. An
   56  authorized wrecker operator or towing business may impose and
   57  collect the administrative fee or charge on behalf of the county
   58  and shall remit such fee or charge to the county only after it
   59  is collected.
   60         (3)
   61         (b) A charter county may impose and collect an
   62  administrative fee or charge as provided in subsection (2)
   63  paragraph (2)(b) but may not impose such fee or charge on a
   64  towing business or an authorized wrecker operator. If the
   65  charter county imposes such administrative fee or charge, the
   66  charter county may authorize a towing business or authorized
   67  wrecker operator to impose and collect such fee or charge on
   68  behalf of the county, and the towing business or authorized
   69  wrecker operator shall remit such fee or charge to the charter
   70  county only after it is collected.
   71         (4)
   72         (b) A charter county may impose and collect an
   73  administrative fee or charge as provided in subsection (2)
   74  paragraph (2)(b); however, it may not impose that fee or charge
   75  upon a towing business or an authorized wrecker operator. If
   76  such charter county imposes such administrative fee or charge,
   77  such fee or charge must be imposed on the registered owner or
   78  other legally authorized person in control of a vehicle or
   79  vessel. The fee or charge may not exceed 25 percent of the
   80  maximum towing rate to cover the cost of enforcement, including
   81  parking enforcement, by the charter county when the vehicle or
   82  vessel is towed from public property. The charter county may
   83  authorize an authorized wrecker operator or towing business to
   84  impose and collect the administrative fee or charge on behalf of
   85  the charter county, and the authorized wrecker operator or
   86  towing business shall remit such fee or charge to the charter
   87  county only after it is collected.
   88         Section 5. Subsection (2) of section 166.04465, Florida
   89  Statutes, is amended to read:
   90         166.04465 Rules and ordinances relating to towing
   91  services.—
   92         (2) The prohibition set forth in subsection (1) does not
   93  affect a municipality’s authority to:
   94         (a)Levy a reasonable business tax under s. 205.0315, s.
   95  205.043, or s. 205.0535.
   96         (b) impose and collect a reasonable administrative fee or
   97  charge on the registered owner or other legally authorized
   98  person in control of a vehicle or vessel, not to exceed 25
   99  percent of the maximum towing rate, to cover the cost of
  100  enforcement, including parking enforcement, by the municipality
  101  when the vehicle or vessel is towed from public property. An
  102  authorized wrecker operator or towing business may impose and
  103  collect the administrative fee or charge on behalf of the
  104  municipality and shall remit such fee or charge to the
  105  municipality only after it is collected.
  106         Section 6. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
  107  202.24, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  108         202.24 Limitations on local taxes and fees imposed on
  109  dealers of communications services.—
  110         (2)
  111         (c) This subsection does not apply to:
  112         1. Local communications services taxes levied under this
  113  chapter.
  114         2. Ad valorem taxes levied pursuant to chapter 200.
  115         3.Business taxes levied under chapter 205.
  116         3.4. “911” service charges levied under chapter 365.
  117         4.5. Amounts charged for the rental or other use of
  118  property owned by a public body which is not in the public
  119  rights-of-way to a dealer of communications services for any
  120  purpose, including, but not limited to, the placement or
  121  attachment of equipment used in the provision of communications
  122  services.
  123         5.6. Permit fees of general applicability which are not
  124  related to placing or maintaining facilities in or on public
  125  roads or rights-of-way.
  126         6.7. Permit fees related to placing or maintaining
  127  facilities in or on public roads or rights-of-way pursuant to s.
  128  337.401.
  129         7.8. Any in-kind requirements, institutional networks, or
  130  contributions for, or in support of, the use or construction of
  131  public, educational, or governmental access facilities allowed
  132  under federal law and imposed on providers of video service
  133  pursuant to any existing ordinance or an existing franchise
  134  agreement granted by each municipality or county, under which
  135  ordinance or franchise agreement service is provided before July
  136  1, 2007, or as permitted under chapter 610. This subparagraph
  137  does not prohibit providers of video service from recovering the
  138  expenses as allowed under federal law.
  139         8.9. Special assessments and impact fees.
  140         9.10. Pole attachment fees that are charged by a local
  141  government for attachments to utility poles owned by the local
  142  government.
  143         10.11. Utility service fees or other similar user fees for
  144  utility services.
  145         11.12. Any other generally applicable tax, fee, charge, or
  146  imposition authorized by general law on July 1, 2000, which is
  147  not specifically prohibited by this subsection or included as a
  148  replaced revenue source in s. 202.20.
  149         Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (4) of section
  150  213.0535, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  151         213.0535 Registration Information Sharing and Exchange
  152  Program.—
  153         (4) There are two levels of participation:
  154         (a) Each unit of state or local government responsible for
  155  administering one or more of the provisions specified in
  156  subparagraphs 1.-7. 1.-8. is a level-one participant. Level-one
  157  participants shall exchange, monthly or quarterly, as determined
  158  jointly by each participant and the department, the data
  159  enumerated in subsection (2) for each new registrant, new filer,
  160  or initial reporter, permittee, or licensee, with respect to the
  161  following taxes, licenses, or permits:
  162         1. The sales and use tax imposed under chapter 212.
  163         2. The tourist development tax imposed under s. 125.0104.
  164         3. The tourist impact tax imposed under s. 125.0108.
  165         4.Local business taxes imposed under chapter 205.
  166         4.5. Convention development taxes imposed under s.
  167  212.0305.
  168         5.6. Public lodging and food service establishment licenses
  169  issued pursuant to chapter 509.
  170         6.7. Beverage law licenses issued pursuant to chapter 561.
  171         7.8. A municipal resort tax as authorized under chapter 67
  172  930, Laws of Florida.
  173         Section 8. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
  174  213.055, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  175         213.055 Declared emergency; waiver or suspension of
  176  specified revenue laws and other requirements.—
  177         (3)
  178         (b)1. Notwithstanding any other law, an out-of-state
  179  business that is conducting operations within this state during
  180  a disaster-response period solely for purposes of performing
  181  emergency-related work or pursuant to a mutual aid agreement is
  182  not considered to have established a level of presence that
  183  would require that business to register, file, and remit state
  184  or local taxes or fees or require that business to be subject to
  185  any registration, licensing, or filing requirements in this
  186  state. For purposes of any state or local tax on or measured, in
  187  whole or in part, by net or gross income or receipts, the
  188  activity of the out-of-state business conducted in this state
  189  during the disaster-response period must be disregarded with
  190  respect to any filing requirements for such tax, including the
  191  filing required for a consolidated group of which the out-of-
  192  state business may be a part. This includes the following:
  193         a. Reemployment assistance taxes.
  194         b. State or local professional or occupational licensing
  195  requirements or related fees.
  196         c.Local business taxes.
  197         c.d. Taxes on the operation of commercial motor vehicles.
  198         d.e. Corporate income tax.
  199         e.f. Tangible personal property tax and use tax on
  200  equipment that is brought into the state by the out-of-state
  201  business, used by the out-of-state business only to perform
  202  emergency-related work during the disaster-response period, and
  203  removed from the state by the out-of-state business after the
  204  disaster-response period.
  205         2. Notwithstanding any other law, an out-of-state employee
  206  whose only employment in this state is for the performance of
  207  emergency-related work or pursuant to a mutual aid agreement
  208  during a disaster-response period is not required to comply with
  209  state or local occupational licensing requirements or related
  210  fees.
  211         Section 9. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
  212  213.756, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  213         213.756 Funds collected are state tax funds.—
  214         (2)
  215         (b) This subsection applies to those taxes enumerated in s.
  216  72.011, excluding chapter 202 and that portion of chapter 203
  217  collected thereunder, and also applies to taxes imposed under
  218  chapter 205.
  219         Section 10. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
  220  330.41, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  221         330.41 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act.—
  222         (3) REGULATION.—
  223         (c) Except as otherwise expressly provided, a political
  224  subdivision may not withhold issuance of a business tax receipt,
  225  development permit, or other use approval to a drone delivery
  226  service or enact or enforce an ordinance or resolution that
  227  prohibits a drone delivery service’s operation based on the
  228  location of its drone port, notwithstanding part II of chapter
  229  163 and chapter 205. A political subdivision may enforce minimum
  230  setback and landscaping regulations that are generally
  231  applicable to permitted uses in the drone port site’s zoning
  232  district. This paragraph may not be construed to authorize a
  233  political subdivision to require additional landscaping as a
  234  condition of approval of a drone port.
  235         Section 11. Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) of section
  236  337.401, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  237         337.401 Use of right-of-way for utilities subject to
  238  regulation; permit; fees.—
  239         (3)
  240         (f) Except as expressly allowed or authorized by general
  241  law and except for the rights-of-way permit fees subject to
  242  paragraph (c), a municipality or county may not levy on a
  243  provider of communications services a tax, fee, or other charge
  244  or imposition for operating as a provider of communications
  245  services within the jurisdiction of the municipality or county
  246  which is in any way related to using its roads or rights-of-way.
  247  A municipality or county may not require or solicit in-kind
  248  compensation, except as otherwise provided in s. 202.24(2)(c)7.
  249  s. 202.24(2)(c)8., provided that the in-kind compensation is not
  250  a franchise fee under federal law. Nothing in this paragraph
  251  impairs the authority of a municipality or county to request
  252  public, educational, or governmental access channels pursuant to
  253  s. 610.109. Nothing in this paragraph shall impair any ordinance
  254  or agreement in effect on May 22, 1998, or any voluntary
  255  agreement entered into subsequent to that date, which provides
  256  for or allows in-kind compensation by a telecommunications
  257  company.
  258         Section 12. Paragraph (d) of subsection (1) of section
  259  376.84, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  260         376.84 Brownfield redevelopment economic incentives.—It is
  261  the intent of the Legislature that brownfield redevelopment
  262  activities be viewed as opportunities to significantly improve
  263  the utilization, general condition, and appearance of these
  264  sites. Different standards than those in place for new
  265  development, as allowed under current state and local laws,
  266  should be used to the fullest extent to encourage the
  267  redevelopment of a brownfield. State and local governments are
  268  encouraged to offer redevelopment incentives for this purpose,
  269  as an ongoing public investment in infrastructure and services,
  270  to help eliminate the public health and environmental hazards,
  271  and to promote the creation of jobs in these areas. Such
  272  incentives may include financial, regulatory, and technical
  273  assistance to persons and businesses involved in the
  274  redevelopment of the brownfield pursuant to this act.
  275         (1) Financial incentives and local incentives for
  276  redevelopment may include, but not be limited to:
  277         (d)Waiver, reduction, or limitation by line of business
  278  with respect to business taxes pursuant to chapter 205.
  279         Section 13. Subsection (4) of section 379.3761, Florida
  280  Statutes, is amended to read:
  281         379.3761 Exhibition or sale of wildlife; fees;
  282  classifications.—
  283         (4)The provisions of this section relative to licensing
  284  for exhibition do not apply to any municipal, county, state, or
  285  other publicly owned wildlife exhibit or any traveling zoo,
  286  circus, or exhibit licensed under chapter 205.
  287         Section 14. Subsection (5) of section 482.071, Florida
  288  Statutes, is amended to read:
  289         482.071 Licenses.—
  290         (5)A license under this section is a prerequisite for the
  291  issuance of a local occupational license to engage in pest
  292  control, as provided in s. 205.1967.
  293         Section 15. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) of section
  294  482.242, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  295         482.242 Preemption.—
  296         (1) This chapter is intended as comprehensive and exclusive
  297  regulation of pest control in this state. The provisions of this
  298  chapter preempt to the state all regulation of the activities
  299  and operations of pest control services, including the
  300  pesticides used pursuant to labeling and registration approved
  301  under part I of chapter 487. No local government or political
  302  subdivision of the state may enact or enforce an ordinance that
  303  regulates pest control, except that the preemption in this
  304  section does not prohibit a local government or political
  305  subdivision from enacting an ordinance regarding any of the
  306  following:
  307         (a)Local business taxes adopted pursuant to chapter 205.
  308         Section 16. Subsection (1) of section 489.127, Florida
  309  Statutes, is amended to read:
  310         489.127 Prohibitions; penalties.—
  311         (1) No person shall:
  312         (a) Falsely hold himself or herself or a business
  313  organization out as a licensee, certificateholder, or
  314  registrant;
  315         (b) Falsely impersonate a certificateholder or registrant;
  316         (c) Present as his or her own the certificate or
  317  registration of another;
  318         (d) Knowingly give false or forged evidence to the board or
  319  a member thereof;
  320         (e) Use or attempt to use a certificate or registration
  321  that has been suspended or revoked;
  322         (f) Engage in the business or act in the capacity of a
  323  contractor or advertise himself or herself or a business
  324  organization as available to engage in the business or act in
  325  the capacity of a contractor without being duly registered or
  326  certified;
  327         (g) Operate a business organization engaged in contracting
  328  after 60 days following the termination of its only qualifying
  329  agent without designating another primary qualifying agent,
  330  except as provided in ss. 489.119 and 489.1195;
  331         (h) Commence or perform work for which a building permit is
  332  required pursuant to part IV of chapter 553 without such
  333  building permit being in effect; or
  334         (i) Willfully or deliberately disregard or violate any
  335  municipal or county ordinance relating to uncertified or
  336  unregistered contractors.
  337  
  338  For purposes of this subsection, a person or business
  339  organization operating on an inactive or suspended certificate
  340  or registration is not duly certified or registered and is
  341  considered unlicensed. A business tax receipt issued under the
  342  authority of chapter 205 is not a license for purposes of this
  343  part.
  344         Section 17. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  345  489.128, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  346         489.128 Contracts entered into by unlicensed contractors
  347  unenforceable.—
  348         (1) As a matter of public policy, contracts entered into on
  349  or after October 1, 1990, by an unlicensed contractor shall be
  350  unenforceable in law or in equity by the unlicensed contractor.
  351         (b)For purposes of this section, an individual or business
  352  organization may not be considered unlicensed for failing to
  353  have a business tax receipt issued under the authority of
  354  chapter 205.
  355         Section 18. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
  356  489.131, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  357         489.131 Applicability.—
  358         (3) Nothing in this part limits the power of a municipality
  359  or county:
  360         (c) To collect business taxes, subject to s. 205.065, and
  361  inspection fees for engaging in contracting or examination fees
  362  from persons who are registered with the board pursuant to local
  363  examination requirements and issue business tax receipts.
  364  However, nothing in this part shall be construed to require
  365  general contractors, building contractors, or residential
  366  contractors to obtain additional business tax receipts for
  367  specialty work when such specialty work is performed by
  368  employees of such contractors on projects for which they have
  369  substantially full responsibility and such contractors do not
  370  hold themselves out to the public as being specialty
  371  contractors.
  372         Section 19. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
  373  489.532, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  374         489.532 Contracts entered into by unlicensed contractors
  375  unenforceable.—
  376         (1) As a matter of public policy, contracts entered into on
  377  or after October 1, 1990, by an unlicensed contractor shall be
  378  unenforceable in law or in equity by the unlicensed contractor.
  379         (b)For purposes of this section, an individual or business
  380  organization shall not be considered unlicensed for failing to
  381  have a business tax receipt issued under the authority of
  382  chapter 205.
  383         Section 20. Subsection (8) of section 489.537, Florida
  384  Statutes, is amended to read:
  385         489.537 Application of this part.—
  386         (8)Persons licensed under this part are subject to ss.
  387  205.0535(1) and 205.065, as applicable.
  388         Section 21. Subsection (8) of section 500.12, Florida
  389  Statutes, is amended to read:
  390         500.12 Food permits; building permits.—
  391         (8)A person who applies for or renews a local business tax
  392  certificate to engage in business as a food establishment must
  393  exhibit a current food permit or an active letter of exemption
  394  from the department before the local business tax certificate
  395  may be issued or renewed.
  396         Section 22. Subsection (3) of section 500.511, Florida
  397  Statutes, is amended to read:
  398         500.511 Fees; enforcement; preemption.—
  399         (3) PREEMPTION OF AUTHORITY TO REGULATE.—Regulation of
  400  bottled water plants, water vending machines, water vending
  401  machine operators, and packaged ice plants is preempted by the
  402  state. No county or municipality may adopt or enforce any
  403  ordinance that regulates the licensure or operation of bottled
  404  water plants, water vending machines, or packaged ice plants,
  405  unless it is determined that unique conditions exist within the
  406  county which require the county to regulate such entities in
  407  order to protect the public health. This subsection does not
  408  prohibit a county or municipality from requiring a business tax
  409  pursuant to chapter 205.
  410         Section 23. Subsection (7) of section 501.015, Florida
  411  Statutes, is amended to read:
  412         501.015 Health studios; registration requirements and
  413  fees.—Each health studio shall:
  414         (7)A person applying for or renewing a local business tax
  415  receipt to engage in business as a health studio must exhibit an
  416  active registration certificate from the Department of
  417  Agriculture and Consumer Services before the local business tax
  418  receipt may be issued or reissued.
  419         Section 24. Subsection (1) of section 501.016, Florida
  420  Statutes, is amended to read:
  421         501.016 Health studios; security requirements.—Each health
  422  studio that sells contracts for health studio services shall
  423  meet the following requirements:
  424         (1) Each health studio shall maintain for each separate
  425  business location a bond issued by a surety company admitted to
  426  do business in this state. The principal sum of the bond must be
  427  $25,000, and the bond, when required, must be obtained before a
  428  business tax receipt may be issued under chapter 205. Upon
  429  issuance of a business tax receipt, the licensing authority
  430  shall immediately notify the department of such issuance in a
  431  manner established by the department by rule. The bond must be
  432  in favor of the department for the benefit of a person injured
  433  as a result of a violation of ss. 501.012-501.019. Liability for
  434  injuries as a result of a violation of ss. 501.012-501.019 may
  435  be determined in an administrative proceeding of the department
  436  or through a civil action. However, claims against the bond or
  437  certificate of deposit may only be paid by order of the
  438  department in an administrative proceeding in amounts up to the
  439  determined liability for the injuries. The aggregate liability
  440  of the surety to all persons for all breaches of the conditions
  441  of the bonds provided by this section may not exceed the amount
  442  of the bond. The original surety bond required by this section
  443  shall be filed with the department on a form adopted by
  444  department rule.
  445         Section 25. Subsection (8) of section 501.160, Florida
  446  Statutes, is amended to read:
  447         501.160 Rental or sale of essential commodities during a
  448  declared state of emergency; prohibition against unconscionable
  449  prices.—
  450         (8)Upon a declaration of a state of emergency by the
  451  Governor, in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of
  452  residents, any person who offers goods and services for sale to
  453  the public during the duration of the emergency and who does not
  454  possess a business tax receipt under s. 205.032 or s. 205.042
  455  commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as
  456  provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. During a declared
  457  emergency, this subsection does not apply to religious,
  458  charitable, fraternal, civic, educational, or social
  459  organizations. During a declared emergency and when there is an
  460  allegation of price gouging against the person, failure to
  461  possess a license constitutes reasonable cause to detain the
  462  person, provided that the detention shall only be made in a
  463  reasonable manner and only for a reasonable period of time
  464  sufficient for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the
  465  failure to possess a license.
  466         Section 26. Paragraphs (a) and (c) of subsection (1) of
  467  section 507.13, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  468         507.13 Local regulation.—
  469         (1)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) paragraphs (b)
  470  and (c), this chapter preempts a local ordinance or regulation
  471  of a county or municipality which regulates transactions
  472  relating to movers of household goods or moving brokers.
  473         (c)This section does not preempt a local government’s
  474  authority to levy a local business tax pursuant to chapter 205.
  475         Section 27. Paragraph (f) of subsection (3) of section
  476  539.001, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  477         539.001 The Florida Pawnbroking Act.—
  478         (3) LICENSE REQUIRED.—
  479         (f)Any person applying for or renewing a local
  480  occupational license to engage in business as a pawnbroker must
  481  exhibit a current license from the agency before the local
  482  business tax receipt may be issued or reissued.
  483         Section 28. Subsection (7) of section 559.904, Florida
  484  Statutes, is amended to read:
  485         559.904 Motor vehicle repair shop registration;
  486  application; exemption.—
  487         (7)Any person applying for or renewing a local business
  488  tax receipt to engage in business as a motor vehicle repair shop
  489  must exhibit an active registration certificate from the
  490  department before the local business tax receipt may be issued
  491  or renewed.
  492         Section 29. Subsection (4) of section 559.928, Florida
  493  Statutes, is amended to read:
  494         559.928 Registration.—
  495         (4)A person applying for or renewing a local business tax
  496  receipt to engage in business as a seller of travel must exhibit
  497  a current registration certificate from the department before
  498  the local business tax receipt may be issued or reissued.
  499         Section 30. Subsection (2) of section 559.9281, Florida
  500  Statutes, is amended to read:
  501         559.9281 Student tour operators.—
  502         (2) The department shall adopt rules to implement this
  503  section, including the establishment of the application
  504  procedures and minimum standards for those persons wishing to be
  505  approved as student tour operators under this section. At a
  506  minimum, a student tour operator must be registered and approved
  507  by the department as a seller of travel under s. 559.928,
  508  maintain security requirements provided under s. 559.929, and be
  509  current on all state and local business taxes.
  510         Section 31. Subsection (6) of section 559.935, Florida
  511  Statutes, is amended to read:
  512         559.935 Exemptions.—
  513         (6) The department shall request from the Airlines
  514  Reporting Corporation any information necessary to implement the
  515  provisions of subsection (2). Persons claiming an exemption
  516  under subsection (2) or subsection (3) must show a letter of
  517  exemption from the department before a local business tax
  518  receipt to engage in business as a seller of travel may be
  519  issued or reissued. If the department fails to issue a letter of
  520  exemption on a timely basis, the seller of travel shall submit
  521  to the department, through certified mail, an affidavit
  522  containing her or his name and address and an explanation of the
  523  exemption sought. Such affidavit may be used in lieu of a letter
  524  of exemption for the purpose of obtaining a business tax
  525  receipt. In any civil or criminal proceeding, the burden of
  526  proving an exemption under this section is on the person
  527  claiming such exemption. A letter of exemption issued by the
  528  department may not be used in, and has no bearing on, such
  529  proceedings.
  530         Section 32. Section 559.939, Florida Statutes, is amended
  531  to read:
  532         559.939 State preemption.—No municipality or county or
  533  other political subdivision of this state shall have authority
  534  to levy or collect any registration fee or tax, as a regulatory
  535  measure, or to require the registration or bonding in any manner
  536  of any seller of travel who is registered or complies with all
  537  applicable provisions of this part, unless that authority is
  538  provided for by special or general act of the Legislature. Any
  539  ordinance, resolution, or regulation of any municipality or
  540  county or other political subdivision of this state which is in
  541  conflict with any provision of this part is preempted by this
  542  part. The provisions of this section do not apply to any local
  543  business tax levied pursuant to chapter 205.
  544         Section 33. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section
  545  559.955, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  546         559.955 Home-based businesses; local government
  547  restrictions.—
  548         (2) A home-based business that operates from a residential
  549  property as provided in subsection (3):
  550         (c)Is only subject to applicable business taxes under
  551  chapter 205 in the county and municipality in which the home
  552  based business is located.
  553         Section 34. Section 616.12, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  554  read:
  555         616.12 Licenses upon certain shows; distribution of fees;
  556  exemptions.—
  557         (1) Each person who operates any traveling show,
  558  exhibition, amusement enterprise, carnival, vaudeville, exhibit,
  559  rodeo, theatrical, game or test of skill, riding device,
  560  dramatic repertoire, other show or amusement, or concession,
  561  including a concession operating in a tent, enclosure, or other
  562  temporary structure, within the grounds of, and in connection
  563  with, any annual public fair held by a fair association shall
  564  pay the license taxes provided by law. However, if the
  565  association satisfies the requirements of this chapter,
  566  including securing the required fair permit from the department,
  567  the license taxes and local business tax authorized in chapter
  568  205 are waived and the department shall issue a tax exemption
  569  certificate. The department shall adopt the proper forms and
  570  rules to administer this section, including the necessary tax
  571  exemption certificate, showing that the fair association has met
  572  all requirements and that the traveling show, exhibition,
  573  amusement enterprise, carnival, vaudeville, exhibit, rodeo,
  574  theatrical, game or test of skill, riding device, dramatic
  575  repertoire, other show or amusement, or concession is exempt.
  576         (2) Any fair association securing the required annual fair
  577  permit from the department is exempt from local business tax as
  578  defined by chapter 205, occupational permit fees, or any
  579  occupational taxes assessed by any county, municipality,
  580  political subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof.
  581         Section 35. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.