Legislative Update: 2025 Session nears midway point

By FICPA Governmental Affairs

We're wrapping up Week 4 of the 2025 Session, and the Florida Legislature is operating at full speed, with many of the Session's most significant issues already in motion or just on the horizon.  

During this week’s Senate Rules meeting, committee chair Sen. Kathleen Passidomo informed members that Senate subcommittee agendas will conclude after Week 5. She urged both senators and advocates to advance their bills if they want to have a chance for success in this Session. The Florida House will likely follow a similar timeline, wrapping up subcommittee work in the next week or so. This is a normal part of the legislative process as the number of active bills continues to narrow. 

At this stage, numerous proposed committee bills (PCBs) are also being released. PCBs are filed directly from committees and are not subject to the same submission deadlines or committee structures as member bills. PCBs are normally an indication of leadership priorities and have the potential to move more quickly through the process. Unlike typical policy bills that go through three or four committee stops, PCBs usually have just one or two stops before they advance to the full House or Senate for consideration.  The FICPA is closely monitoring these PCBs, as well as developments related to the budget and state tax package, which are expected to be released soon. 

At the end of Week 4, of the 1,859 bills filed, only 32 general bills have passed the Senate, and only 10 general bills have passed the House. None have passed both chambers for final passage.  

State Budget Process Begins 

This week, the House Budget and Senate Appropriations committees unveiled their respective chairs’ budget recommendations, which will become the House and Senate budget proposals, respectively. These proposals represent the initial documents outlining the state budget, also known as the General Appropriations Act (GAA). The GAA details the allocation of state funds across various government functions, programs and services. The Florida Legislature is constitutionally mandated to pass a balanced budget each fiscal year. 

Both chambers have indicated that they will take a fiscally conservative approach to the budget this year. House Speaker Daniel Perez announced this week that that House’s proposed budget would be less than the final approved budget from the previous year. “For the first time since the Great Recession, we will roll out a budget that actually spends less money than we did in the prior fiscal year,” Speaker Perez said. In addition, the Speaker announced that the Florida House will propose a bill to permanently lower the state’s sales tax by .75%, which would bring the state general sales tax down from 6% to 5.25%. He indicated this will result in a tax cut for Floridians totaling almost $5 billion dollars per year. This will be a significant part of budget and tax negotiations as the process moves forward.  

Next week, the FICPA anticipates the release and consideration of the full budget from both chambers. Afterward, the chambers will engage in negotiations over various details before beginning the Budget Conference, where differences between the proposals are worked out and the final version is presented for review. Once the Legislature passes the General Appropriations Act, the bill is sent to the governor for his review and line-item vetoes. The FICPA closely monitors the political and legislative impacts of budget negotiations, as the state budget remains a key driver of legislative activity.  

Condo Bill Passes First Senate Committee Stop 

On Tuesday, SB 1742 - Condominium and Cooperative Associations by Sen. Bradley advanced through its first committee, Senate Regulated Industries. In explaining the bill, Sen. Bradley said, “Each of these options ensures that milestones are completed, buildings are safe, while providing more flexibility to fund reserves.”  

In the committee, Sen. Bradley offered an amendment to direct associations to provide comprehensive information to the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares & Mobile Homes, including contact details, association characteristics, and financial institution data, updating this within 15 days of any changes. The bill allows associations to pause or reduce reserve funding for up to two years following a milestone inspection to prioritize funding for needed repairs. The bill also requires a board which proposes an annual budget exceeding 115% of the prior year to simultaneously propose for the association’s review a substitute budget that excludes any discretionary spending. Upon a majority vote of the owners, associations may obtain a line of credit in lieu of reserves for all or part of required reserves. The bill permits associations to invest reserve funds in specified financial institutions with restrictions.  

Members of the FICPA CIRA Committee have already issued comments to the sponsor on the bill. The FICPA is grateful to Sen. Bradley for her open door and looks forward to continued discussion. The FICPA will continue to monitor this legislation and offer suggestions along the way. 

FICPA offers helpful feedback

On Wednesday, SB 480 - Nonprofit Agricultural Organization Medical Benefit Plans by Sen. DiCeglie was presented to the Senate Rules Committee. While the bill is primarily focused on allowing nonprofit agricultural organizations to provide medical benefit plans to their members, it also holds significance for CPAs. One key provision of the bill mandates that a CPA must conduct an annual financial audit. However, the bill initially required CPAs to perform this audit in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which was noted as an error by the FICPA Governmental Affairs Team.  

In response, CPA Lawmaker Sen. Joe Gruters proposed an amendment to change the requirement to generally accepted auditing standards (GAAS). This amendment was deemed as a technical and friendly amendment that passed unanimously. While the bill does not introduce many substantive changes for CPAs, the FICPA took action to correct the language and ensure the bill aligns with proper standards.  

The FICPA Government Affairs team also provided the same information to the sponsor on the House companion bill, HB 497 – Nonprofit Agricultural Organization Medical Benefit Plans, by Rep. Grow. While the bill had not yet reached its final committee of reference, it was crucial to ensure that the language aligns. 

Ensuring that any language related to the practice of public accountancy is accurate and appropriately represents the profession is one of the many responsibilities of the FICPA’s Governmental Affairs Team. The FICPA will continue to monitor and engage with all legislation that impacts the CPA profession. 

FICPA 2025 Legislative Priorities Update 

As was shared last week, SB 160 by Sen. Gruters passed the Senate unanimously on March 19 and is now in messages to the Florida House. SB 160 is one of only 32 general bills that have passed the Senate thus far. The FICPA is now working on getting a companion measure in the proper posture in the House, so that the Senate Bill can be heard. That work continues, and it may be a few weeks before we have further updates.  

Looking Ahead 

Next week the Legislature will return to Tallahassee for Week 5. Expect to see the full House and Senate budgets move forward and more details on the state tax package proposal emerge.  Wednesday, April 2, will mark the official halfway point of Session. Both the House and Senate will hold floor sessions, during which more bills will be considered.  

2025 Bill Tracker 

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

Mobility and licensure and education

Senate Bill 160 - Public Accountancy by Sen. Gruters / House Bill 133 - Public Accountancy by Rep. Caruso. 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 unanimously off the Senate floor. It will now be sent in messages to await the House companion.

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 / Senate Bill 472 – Education in Correctional Facilities for Licensed Professions by Sen. Truenow. The bill requires professional boards regulated by DBPR 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 House Judiciary Committee. The bill now sits on the House calendar to await presentation. 
• SB 472 passed out of its final committee of reference, the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee. The bill now sits on the Senate calendar to await presentation.  

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 852 – Study on the Elimination of Property Taxes. 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 has been referred to Senate Community Affairs Committee.

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

• SB 354 passed out of Senate Regulated Industries. It will be sent to its second committee of reference Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.  

HJR 1325 – Succession to the Office of the Governor, Auditing, and Government Efficiency by Rep. Sirois / SJR 1756 – Succession to the Office of the Governor, Auditing, and Government Efficiency by Sen. Fine  The House Joint Resolution (HJR)/Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) proposes a constitutional amendment that would be placed on the ballot in 2026 that would amongst other things create the Commissioner of Government Efficiency as a Cabinet officer responsible for investigating and reporting on fraud, waste, and abuse and also eliminates the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.  

• HJR 1325 passed out of House Government Operations Subcommittee. It will now be sent to its second and final committee House State Affairs.  
• SJR 1756 passed out of the Senate Government Oversight and Accountability committee. It will now be sent to its second committee, Senate Appropriations.  

Senate Bill 282 – Home and Service Warranty Association Financial Requirements by Sen. Truenow / House Bill 367 – Home and Service Warranty Association Financial Requirements by Rep. Partington. 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 Senate Rules Committee. It will now be placed on the calendar to await presentation on the Senate floor.  
• HB 367 passed out of the House Commerce Committee. It will be placed on the calendar to await presentation on the House floor. 

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.

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 passed out of the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee. It will now be sent to its third and final committee of reference, the House State Affairs 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 passed out of the Senate Regulated Industries Committee. It will now be sent to its second committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government.  

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 passed out of the Housing, Agriculture, and Tourism Subcommittee. It will now be sent to the House Commerce Committee.  

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.