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Legislative Update: FICPA bill passes second Senate Committee stop

March 07, 2025

By FICPA Governmental Affairs

On Tuesday morning, the Florida Legislature convened for the opening of its 2025 Legislative Session. Opening Day carries ceremonial significance, with the members of the Legislature, the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Cabinet all in attendance. With the Florida House and Senate officially gaveled in, Speaker Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton addressed their respective chambers. President Albritton reaffirmed his commitment to the agriculture industry, while Speaker Perez delivered passionate remarks on the property insurance market. 

With Session now officially underway, the House and Senate convened in the House Chamber for Gov. Ron DeSantis' annual State of the State address, highlighting his administration's accomplishments and the policies he has championed over the past six years. With the ceremonies complete, the Legislature began its work for the year. 

The 2025 Regular Session lasts 60 days and will end May 2. While the FICPA is focused on passing our priority legislation, the Governmental Affairs team will also continue to monitor all bills that could impact the CPA profession.

FICPA Priority Legislation Advances to Final Senate Committee Stop 

On Wednesday, Senate Bill 160 – Public Accountancy by Senator Joe Gruters, CPA, was on the agenda in its second committee of reference: Appropriations on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. The FICPA Governmental Affairs team - and longtime external lobbyist Jennifer Green from Liberty Partners of Tallahassee - were in attendance to ensure the bill moved successfully. 

Sen. Gruters presented the bill, and FICPA Chief External Affairs Officer Jason Harrell shared his support in front of the committee. SB 160 then passed unanimously.

The FICPA's priority bill will modernize the CPA profession for the future and serve as a model for an effective, efficient licensure and mobility structure. 

The bill has now passed two committees unanimously, building great momentum heading to its final committee stop: Senate Rules. Advancing to a final committee this early into Session is a significant accomplishment. Once the bill passes through its final committee, the proposed legislation will be eligible for full consideration by the Florida Senate, as the House companion bill awaits its first hearing.

  Session Snapshot: Statistics  

With Session now underway, 1,832 bills have been filed in the Legislature. More bills will likely come in the form of PCBs, Proposed Committee Bills, which are filed directly by committees and are not regulated by the regular-member, bill-filing deadline. In addition, during each Session, hundreds of amendments are filed. You can  rest assured that the FICPA reads and monitors all bills and amendments for their potential impacts on the CPA profession. 

Currently, we're tracking:

  • 137 proposed changes to tax law. As a reminder most tax bills do not pass individually and will be vetted during the process to be combined into the annual state tax package.  
  • 9 bills which would open Ch. 473, the CPA practice act. The FICPA Governmental Affairs team is closely monitoring every bill that would open Ch. 473. 
  • 10 bills which would open Ch. 455, the DBPR general licensing statute, which also includes the CPA profession.  
  • 64 bills which either propose new audit requirements for CPAs or amend an existing audit process of interest to the profession.  
  • 26 bills which could be of interest to CPAs practicing in the CIRA space, including reserve requirements for Condominium Associations.
  • 48 bills which impact CPAs practicing in state and local government, including local bills and tax bills.
  • 30 bills which have requirements in the public and private sector to use CPAs for specified duties.  
  • 226 bills that propose changes to professional licensure, demonstrating the Legislature's strong focus on regulated professions.  

Condo Legislation Filed in Both Chambers

While back in their districts ahead of Session, Florida's legislators filed 830 bills just last week, and the FICPA has read and monitored them all. Of interest to CPAs practicing in CIRA, Sen. Jennifer Bradley and Rep. Vicki Lopez each filed large condominium packages.

Senate Bill 1742 – Condominium and Cooperative Associations by Sen. Bradley allows boards to invest reserve funds into depository accounts. The bill creates guidelines for investing reserves, including the creation of an investment committee, rules for investment portfolio managers and the creation of an investment policy statement.

House Bill 913 – Condominium Associations by Rep. Lopez allows voting members of the association by majority to approve a line of credit of up to 35% of the amount required to meet reserve funding schedules with respect to items with an estimated remaining useful life of greater than 10 years.

At this moment, there are significant differences between the proposed House draft and proposed Senate draft. These changes in the governance of condominium associations are being closely monitored by the FICPA. The Government Affairs team is already working with both FICPA CIRA Committee members and legislators on these issues.

2025 Bill Tracker 

Here are some of the key bills of interest the FICPA is monitoring ahead of Session: 

Mobility and licensure and education

House Bill 133 – Public Accountancy by Rep. Caruso / Senate Bill 160 – Public Accountancy by Sen. Gruters. The FICPA’s priority legislation seeks to modernize the CPA licensure for the future by opening new alternative pathways to licensure: 

  • Current Path: 150 semester hours, one year of experience, and pass the CPA exam. 
  • New Pathway 1: Master’s degree in accounting/finance, one year of experience, and pass the CPA exam. 
  • New Pathway 2: Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance, two years of experience, and pass the CPA exam. 
  • New Pathway 3: Bachelor’s degree in any field, with coursework in accounting/finance, two years of experience, and pass the CPA exam. 

The bill also streamlines practice privileges for out-of-state CPAs who seek to practice in Florida by introducing the concept of automatic mobility. Out-of-state CPAs who hold a license, graduated with at least a bachelor's degree, and passed the CPA licensure exam will be granted practice privileges in the state with no notice and no fee. The bill also streamlines the licensure by endorsement process, creating the most efficient system in the nation. 

  • HB 133 has been referred to the Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee in the House of Representatives. 
  • SB 160 passed the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. The bill now moves to the Senate Rules Committee, its third and final stop before full consideration of the Senate.  

House Bill 1461 – Department of Business and Professional Regulation by Rep. Yarkosky/Senate Bill 1452 Department of Business and Professional Regulation by Sen. Truenow. The bill modifies various aspects of professional regulations and practices including repealing specific statutes, renaming and redesignating boards, and amending requirements related to accessibility, employment eligibility verification, continuing education, and various professional practices. 

  • HB 1461 has been referred to the Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee in the House of Representatives. 
  • SB 1452 has been referred to the Regulated Industries Committee in the Senate.

Senate Bill 1038 – Proration of or not Requiring Continuing Education by Sen. Gruters/House Bill 1059 Proration of or not Requiring Continuing Education by Rep. Esposito/Senate Bill 740 Continuing Education Requirements by Sen. Harrell. These bills introduce new provisions for veterinarians, building code administrators and inspectors, stating that these professions are no longer exempt from continuing education as part of licensure renewal. As you may recall from last year, this provision already applies to the CPA profession. The FICPA will continue to monitor the bill to ensure that the continuing education requirements for CPAs remain unaffected. 

  • SB 1038 has been referred to the Regulated Industries Committee in the Senate. 
  • HB 1059 has been referred to the Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee in the House of Representatives. 
  • SB 740 has been referred to the Regulated Industries Committee in the Senate. 

House Bill 195 – Education in Correctional Facilities for Licensed Professions by Rep. Chambliss. The bill requires professional boards regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to ensure that inmates in a correctional institution who take classes that meet the necessary curriculum requirements receive credit toward licensure requirements for the successful completion of classes. 

  • HB 195 passed out of the Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee. It will be sent to its third committee of reference, the House Judiciary Committee.  
  • SB 472 passed out of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. It will be sent to its second committee of reference, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice.

House Bill 1185 – Department of Management Services by Rep. Sapp/Senate Bill 1532 Executive Branch by Sen. McClain. The bill amends various Florida statutes to remove provisions related to business enterprises and to promote the engagement of small businesses in various state sectors. Additionally, it revises multiple definitions, agency responsibilities, programs, evaluation measures, and reporting requirements throughout these statutes.  

  • HB 1185 has been referred to the House Government Operations Subcommittee.
  • SB 1532 has been referred to the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee.

Senate Bill 320 – Licensure Requirements for Surveyors and Mappers by Sen. Gaetz/House Bill 339 – Licensure Requirements for Surveyors and Mappers by Rep. Abbott. The bill creates alternative pathways to licensure for Surveyors and Mappers. Similarly to the CPA profession, surveyors are licensed and regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). While the bill does not impact the CPA profession, the FICPA will continue to monitor changes in professional and occupational licensure which may impact the profession. 

  • SB 320 passed out of the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee. It will be sent to its second committee of reference, Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.
  • HB 339 passed out of the Industries and Professional Activities Subcommittee in the House. It will be sent to its second committee of reference Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee.

Audit/Tax/Industry 

Senate Bill 354 – Public Service Commission by Sen. Gaetz. The bill requires a certified public accountant sit on the Public Service Commission.  

  • SB 354 has been referenced to Regulated Industries in the Senate.

Senate Bill 282 – Home and Service Warranty Association Financial Requirements by Sen. Truenow. The bill makes changes to the regulation of home and service warranty association financial requirements by requiring an association licensed under 634.3077 to meet requirements by providing "one of" the following options, rather than both, the annual audited financial statements and the Form 10-K, Form 10-Q, or Form 20-F. 

  • SB 282 passed out of the Banking and Insurance Committee in the Senate. It will be sent to its second committee of reference, the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee.  
  • HB 367 passed out of the Insurance and Banking Subcommittee in the House. It will be sent to its second committee of reference, the House Commerce Committee.  

Senate Bill 192 – Revenue Administration by Sen. Gruters/House Bill 1303 – Revenue Administration. The bill amends multiple Florida statutes to adapt revenue administration, specifying tax terms and assessment procedures, and repealing redundant sections. Grants revised powers to county legislative bodies regarding tax levies and municipal service assessments.  

  • SB 192 has been referred to Senate Community Affairs Committee.
  • HB 1303 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Senate Bill 852 – Study on the Elimination of Property Taxes by Sen. Martin. The bill requires the Office of Economic and Demographic Research to study the elimination and replacement of property taxes. The bill requires the study to also develop a plan of compensating for the lost revenue.  

  • SB 852 is awaiting committee references.  

House Bill 503 – Local Business Taxes by Rep. Botana. This bill enhances auditing and compliance processes for local business taxes in Florida and revises tax rate structures and conditions. Requires the Auditor General to contact non-compliant local governments regarding local business taxes, requesting evidence of corrective actions within specified timeframes, and notifying the Legislative Auditing Committee if compliance is not achieved. Authorizes specified entities to continue levying certain taxes, prohibits the repeal or modification of some tax ordinances after a future date, and provides exceptions. Revises conditions imposed on taxing authorities regarding the levy of specified taxes and introduces new provisions for recalculating and capping revenue from certain local business taxes. 

  • HB 503 has been referred to House Ways and Means Committee. 

House Bill 771 – Local Government Assessment by Rep.Steele. This bill removes special assessments as a funding source from several clauses, preventing counties from using them for services like fire protection, law enforcement, and more within municipal service taxing or benefit units. Ensures the removal of text allowing counties to levy special assessments for debt service on outstanding agricultural land bonds after a specified date. Creates a new law requiring local governments to reimburse landowners for fees or taxes assessed on land development projects that involve conservation easements. 

  • HB 771 has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Condos/HOAs 

Senate Bill 1742–Condominium and Cooperative Associations by Sen. Bradley. The bill creates many new policies in the operation of Condominiums and Cooperative Associations. The bill mandates electronic delivery as an option for distributing the most recent financial report to association members. The bill permits associations to invest reserve funds in specified financial institutions with restrictions. Stipulates that associations form an investment committee that will document and record all meetings.  

  • SB 1742 is awaiting committee references. 

House Bill 913 – Condominium Associations by Rep. Lopez (V). The bill makes several changes in the governance of condominium associations. The bill requires Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to deny insurance to condominium associations and unit owners unless specific inspection requirements are met. Sets terms for board member delinquency based on failure to meet payment deadlines as specific in governing documents.  

  • HB 913 has been referred to the Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee.

Senate Bill 368 – Community Associations by Sen. Garcia. The bill creates the Condominium and Homeowners’ Association Economic Crime, Fraud, and Corruption Investigation Pilot Program under the Department of Legal Affairs. It gives the Department the power to issue subpoenas and conduct audits for investigations in furtherance of the pilot program and administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, and compel the production of books, papers, or other records relevant to such investigations. If, after reviewing a complaint filed under the pilot program, the department finds sufficient evidence for criminal prosecutions, it must refer the case to the appropriate state attorney for prosecution. 

  • SB 368 has been referred to Regulated Industries in the Senate.

Senate Bill 586 – Actions by Condominium Associations by Sen. Leek/House Bill 6005 – Statute of Repose for Actions by Condominium Associations. This bill revises limitations on actions that condominium and cooperative associations can undertake, specifying that the statute of limitations for any legal actions begins only after unit owners elect a majority of the board members.  Removes references to the statute of repose in the context of condominium and cooperative associations’ ability to take legal action. Establishes that the statute of limitations on any legal or equitable actions available to these associations starts when the majority of the board is elected by the unit owners. 

  • SB 586 has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
  • HB 6005 has been referred to the Civil Justice and Claims Subcommittee.