March 24, 2025
Good day from our state’s beautiful capitol. Last week concluded the third full week of Florida’s 2025 legislative session. This week I and our incredible members are in Tallahassee advocating for Florida’s construction and development industry. We will be meeting with Senators, Representatives, and their staff to discuss the attached topics while we also remain focused on other bills moving through the legislature. Here is what you should know this week.
- Impact Fees/Art Fees (SB 482/HB 665): Designed to stop local government from circumventing fee caps by defining extraordinary circumstances and prohibiting art fees and government artistic controls. So far this bill is sailing through committees.
- Contractor Fraud (SB 1262). Designed to punish bad actors but it may accidentally entangle reputable builders. FHBA supports its concepts and it working closely with legislators to fine tune its language. The House Bill is no longer moving so if something passes, it will likely be some version of the Senate Bill.
- Mitigation Banking (SB 492/HB 1175): Expands mitigation banking opportunities (including utilizing credits from adjacent basins), offering builders greater flexibility and certainty in meeting environmental requirements. The bill was now passed both of its first committees favorably.
- Distributed Wastewater Treatment System Permits (SB 796/HB 645): New technology definitions for DWTS. Allows installation to proceed without further agency action under certain circumstances. Both the House and Senate Bills are moving smoothly.
- Building Permits for a Single-family Dwelling (SB 1128/HB 1035): The proponents of these bills are incredible supporters of the building industry. FHBA is working closely with them to refine language to achieve the beneficial outcome intended by all. A recent amendment relieves some FHBA concerns. Some of the highlights are now:
- If the work is under $7500, it can be done without permit unless electrical, structural, plumbing, or the like.
- If under $15,000 for electrical, plumbing, structural, etc. and is for an existing structure, local government must issue permit within 5 days.
- If within a disaster area up to 2 years after disaster, local government must provide permit without substantial review time.
- Emergencies (HB 1535): This new omnibus bill covers a wide range of topics including restoring buildings damaged by a natural disaster. It is designed to accelerate the process of restoration and prohibit local government from inserting roadblocks. It is not perfect, but it is a step in the right direction. Among other things it:
- Prohibits impact fees to rebuild a property destroyed by storm provided the size is not being increased.
- Prohibits increased permit fees within 180 days after storm.
- Mandates that building departments operate at a 40 hour workweek following a storm.
- Provides more tools for storm debris management.
- Indicates that replacing windows and roof are not considered improvements that increase property tax.
- Requires expedited permitting.
- Private Providers (SB 1134/HB 1071): Unfortunately, the more comprehensive HB 695/SB 1474 are no longer moving so SB 1134/HB 1071 appear to be the most viable path toward getting something done this session on Private Providers. However, as with all things Tallahassee, last minute surprises do happen. Because of this year’s two special sessions both the Senate and the House are working aggressively to catch up. The House will be holding committee meetings into week six and the Senate is holding double the number of committee meetings it normally holds in the allotted time.
For more information on these topics and other bills filed with the legislature, please view the 
Bill Tracker. Your input and engagement is critical. As Vice Chair I am here to serve you, so please view me both as a resource and as an advocacy messenger. Telephone or email me any time.
I look forward to helping and hearing from you.
Justin R. Zinzow, CEO
Zinzow Law, LLC
ZinDocs, LLC
(727) 787-3121
