Commerce Committee — Meeting Packet (February 3, 2026)
Summary
This is the meeting packet for the Florida House of Representatives Commerce Committee, Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM in Sumner Hall (404 HOB), with James Buchanan as Chair. The notice lists HB 271 Foreign and Alien Bail Bond Insurers by Valdés, CS/HB 805 Veterinary Medicine, Trust Fund Interest for Purposes Approved by Supreme Court (HB 893, by Koster), CS/HB 919 Commercial Service Airports, and HB 1509 Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement by Johnson. It also lists PCS for CS/HB 881 -- Pari-Mutuel Wagering. The packet includes bill analysis documents and a strike amendment whose title amendment authorizes thoroughbred permitholders to elect not to conduct live racing or games.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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Commerce Committee
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
10:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Sumner Hall (404 HOB)
Meeting Packet
Daniel Perez James Buchanan
Speaker Chair
Committee Meeting Notice
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Commerce Committee
Start Date and Time: Tuesday, February 03, 2026 10:30 AM
End Date and Time: Tuesday, February 03, 2026 01:30 PM
Location: Sumner Hall (404 HOB)
Duration: 3.00 hrs
Consideration of the following bill(s):
HB 271 Foreign and Alien Bail Bond Insurers by Valdés
CS/HB 805 Veterinary Medicine by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee, Melo
HB 893 Trust Fund Interest for Purposes Approved by Supreme Court by Koster
CS/HB 919 Commercial Service Airports by Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee, Weinberger, Kendall
HB 1509 Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement by Johnson
Consideration of the following proposed committee substitute(s):
PCS for CS/HB 881 -- Pari-Mutuel Wagering
NOTICE FINALIZED on 01/30/2026 4:34PM by Marks.Amie
01/30/2026 04:34:17PM Leagis ® Page 1 of 1
HB 271
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 271 COMPANION BILL: SB 642 (Burgess)
TITLE: Foreign and Alien Bail Bond Insurers LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Valdés RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Insurance & Banking Commerce
17 Y, 0 N
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill subjects foreign and alien bail bond insurers transacting in Florida to the current reporting requirements
for domestic bail bond insurers.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
IThe bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on foreign and alien bail bond insurers.
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ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill subjects foreign and alien bail bond insurers doing business in Florida to the current reporting
requirements for domestic bail bond insurers. These include:
reporting direct written premiums for bail bonds minus any amounts retained by licensed bail bond agents
or appointed managing general agents;
establishing that direct written premiums for bail bond insurance may not be reported as less than 6.5% of
the total premiums received by agents for all bonds issued;
applying the same reporting requirements to premiums assumed by foreign and alien bail bond insurers;
keeping complete and accurate record of the total premiums amounts for all bail bonds written; and
disclosing the following information within the insurer’s annual statement filed with the Office of Insurance
Regulation:
o gross bail bond premiums written in each state by the agents of the insurer;
o premium taxes incurred by the insurer in each state;
o total premium withheld by agents and not reported as an expense in the insurer’s financial
statements; and
o the amount of bail bond premiums included as surety in the insurer’s financial statements. (Section
1)
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2026. (Section 2)
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill may have an indeterminate impact on foreign and alien bail bond insurers due to expanded reporting,
recordkeeping, and compliance requirements. Under current law, foreign and alien insurers may report lower
premiums and, as a result, potentially pay less taxes as compared to domestic bail bond insurers.
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HB 271
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Types of Insurers in Florida
The Florida Insurance Code defines three types of insurers. Domestic insurers are insurers that are formed under
the laws of Florida.1 Foreign insurers are insurers formed under the laws of any state, district, territory, or
commonwealth of the United States other than Florida.2 Alien insurers are insurers that are not defined as
domestic or foreign insurers.3
Active Bail Bond Insurers in Florida
According to Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), there are 89 insurers who currently hold Certificates of
Authority4 to issue bail bonds. Of these insurers, 15 are considered domestic insurers and 74 are considered
foreign insurers.5
Annual Statement Reporting Requirements
Authorized insurers in Florida must file annual statements with OIR containing information on their financial
condition, transactions, and affairs. The statements must include information typically included on the insurer’s
financial statements following generally accepted insurance accounting principles and practices (GAAP). Annual
statements must be filed by March 1st for the previous calendar year.6 Each insurer’s annual statement filing must
include: 7
a statement of opinion on loss and loss adjustment expense reserves;
an actuarial opinion summary;8 and
a certificate verifying that the assets required by OIR as a deposit have a market value equal to or in excess
of the required deposit.
Domestic bail bond insurers are also required to provide additional information in the notes of their financial
statements that comprise their annual report. The insurers must provide: 9
the gross bail bond premiums10 written in each state by agents for the company;
the amount of premium taxes incurred by the company in each state;
the total premiums withheld by agents and not reported as an expense in the insurer’s financial
statements; and
the amount of bail bond premiums included as surety in the insurer’s financial statements.
Under current law, foreign and alien bail bond insurers are required to file an annual statement but are not
required to disclose the additional information that domestic bail bond insurers must.
Bail Bond Premiums
When an individual purchases a bail bond, the bail bond agent keeps a portion of the premium earned while the
insurer who financially guarantees the full court-ordered bail amount keeps the remainder.11 Current law states
1 S. 624.06(1), F.S.
2 S. 624.06(2), F.S.
3 S. 624.06(3), F.S.
4“Certificate of Authority” is defined as the regulatory license issued by OIR allowing an insurer to transact insurance in
Florida. S. 624.401(1), F.S.
5 Stubbs, S. (Director of Legislative & Cabinet Affairs, OIR), “RE: Verification of Bail Bond Insurers”, November 13, 2025.
6 S. 624.424(1)(a), F.S.
7 S. 624.411, F.S.
8 S. 624.424(1)(b), F.S.
9 S. 624.4094(4), F.S.
10 “Gross bail bond premiums” means direct premiums written and reinsurance assumed. See s. 624.4095(3), F.S.
11 See s. 624.4094(1), F.S.
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2
HB 271
that the Legislature recognizes that agents typically retain a significant portion of the bail bond premium, not the
insurer.12
In the state of Florida, bail bond premium fees are fixed amounts. Premiums are earned in full and considered
nonrefundable as soon as a defendant is released from jail. For state bonds, premiums are 10% of the court-
ordered bail amount whereas premiums for federal bonds are 15% of the court-ordered bail amount.13 Bail bonds
cannot be executed at a premium rate other than the rate filed and approved by OIR.14
Each domestic bail bond insurer is required to keep a complete and accurate record of the total premium amounts
paid for all bail bonds written.15
Under current law, foreign and alien bail bond insurers are subject to the premium cap, but are not required to
record premiums in the same manner as domestic bail bond insurers.
Reporting Direct Written Premiums
Current law requires domestic bail bond insurers to report direct written premiums as the actual amount of
premiums they receive from the issuance of the bond. This is the total premium minus what agents retain.
Regardless of the premium amount actually collected by the domestic insurer, the direct written premiums
reported to OIR cannot be less than 6.5% of the total collected premiums by any agent on the insurer’s behalf.16
Under current law, foreign and alien bail bond insurers are not subject to these provisions.
Reporting Premiums Assumed
Premiums assumed by a domestic bail bond insurer, either through reinsurance contracts or other risk
arrangements, are also reported net of any amounts retained by agents. When reported to OIR, assumed premiums
also cannot be less than 6.5% of the total collected premiums by an any agent on the insurer’s behalf.17
Under current law, foreign and alien bail bond insurers are not subject to these provisions.
Bail Bond Premium Taxes
The tax base for bail bond insurers is the direct written premiums received for all bail bond policies issued in
Florida excluding the amount kept by agents. Bail bond insurers owe the Florida Department of Revenue an
amount equal to 1.75% of total premiums written in the preceding year, excluding the agent-retained portion, by
March 1st each year.18
Examples of Premium Reporting and Premium Taxes
Below are examples as to how domestic, foreign, and alien bail bond insurers are required to report their
transacted premiums and pay taxes on such premiums under current law.
Domestic Bail Bond Insurers Reporting Premiums Inferior to the 6.5% Minimum Example
An individual purchases a bail bond for $1,000 and the bail bond agent keeps $950 of the $1,000 premium as their
service fee. Even though domestic insurers report direct written premiums minus what the agent retained, the $50
actually retained by the domestic insurer does not satisfy the 6.5% minimum. Therefore, the domestic insurer
must report at least $65 to OIR as the premium for the bail bond. The domestic insurer would then be taxed $1.14,
or 1.75%, for the reported $65 premium.
12 S. 624.4094(1), F.S.
13 Bail Bonds Overview, Florida Department of Financial Services,
https://myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers/understanding-insurance/bail-bonds-overview (last visited Jan. 30, 2026).
14 S. 648.33(2), F.S.
15 S. 624.4094(3), F.S.
16 Id.
17 S. 624.4094(2), F.S.
18 S. 624.509(1)(c), F.S.
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HB 271
Foreign and Alien Bond Insurers Reporting Premiums Example
An individual purchases a bail bond for $1,000 and the bail bond agent keeps $950 of the $1,000 premium as their
service fee. Even though the foreign/alien insurer writes a total of $1,000 in premium, the direct written premium
may be reported as the $50 the foreign/alien insurer actually retained, as it is not subject to the 6.5% minimum
that domestic insurers are. The foreign/alien insurer would then be taxed $0.88, or 1.75%, for the reported $50
premium.
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Insurance & Banking 17 Y, 0 N 1/29/2026 Brackett Veigle
Subcommittee
Commerce Committee Hamon Veigle
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4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 271 2026
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to foreign and alien bail bond
3 insurers; amending s. 624.4094, F.S.; providing duties
4 of certain foreign and alien bail bond insurers
5 relating to reporting bail bond premiums to the Office
6 of Insurance Regulation, keeping records of
7 considerations paid for bail bonds written by the
8 insurers, and disclosing certain information in the
9 financial statements filed with the office; providing
10 an effective date.
11
12 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
13
14 Section 1. Section 624.4094, Florida Statutes, is amended
15 to read:
16 624.4094 Bail bond premiums.—
17 (1) The Legislature finds that a significant portion of
18 bail bond premiums is retained by the licensed bail bond agents
19 or appointed managing general agents. For purposes of reporting
20 in financial statements required to be filed with the office
21 pursuant to s. 624.424, direct written premiums for bail bonds
22 by a domestic, foreign, or alien insurer doing business in this
23 state shall be reported net of any amounts retained by licensed
24 bail bond agents or appointed managing general agents. However,
25 in no case shall the direct written premiums for bail bonds be
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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb271-00
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 271 2026
26 less than 6.5 percent of the total consideration received by the
27 agent for all bail bonds written by the agent. This subsection
28 also applies to any determination of compliance with s.
29 624.4095.
30 (2) Premiums assumed by a domestic, foreign, or alien
31 insurer shall be reported consistent with subsections (1) and
32 (4) for purposes of filing financial statements with the office.
33 (3) Each domestic, foreign, or alien bail bond insurer
34 shall keep complete and accurate records of the total
35 consideration paid for all bail bonds written by such insurer.
36 (4) Each domestic, foreign, or alien bail bond insurer
37 shall disclose the following information in the notes to the
38 financial statement in the insurer's annual statement filed with
39 the office.
40 (a) The gross bail bond premiums written in each state by
41 agents for the company.
42 (b) The amount of premium taxes incurred by the company in
43 each state.
44 (c) Total consideration withheld by agents and not
45 reported as an expense by the insurer in financial statements
46 filed with the office.
47 (d) The amount of bail bond premium included on the surety
48 line of the annual statement filed with the office.
49 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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hb271-00
CS/HB 805
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/HB 805 COMPANION BILL: CS/SB 796 (Bradley)
TITLE: Veterinary Medicine LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Melo RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Industries & Professional Activities Commerce
14 Y, 1 N, As CS
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill amends Florida’s veterinary medical practice act (practice act), creating a new level of veterinary
professional (“veterinary professional associate”) that must be registered with the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation (DBPR) and is allowed to work under a licensed veterinarian. The bill defines the new
position, specifies a formal registration process, and provides authorized duties and prohibitions. The bill also
increases the duration of prescriptions based solely on a veterinary telehealth evaluation, allowing up to 6 months
for flea and tick medications and up to 30 days for all other medications.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on state government and a positive fiscal impact on the private
sector.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
Veterinary Workforce Innovation Act
The bill names the act the “Veterinary Workforce Innovation Act.” (Section 1)
Veterinary Professional Associate
The bill modifies the veterinary medical practice act (practice act), providing that the practice of educated, trained,
and experienced veterinary professional associates will increase consumer access to high-quality veterinary
medical services at a reasonable cost to consumers, while also increasing the efficiency of the practice of veterinary
medicine in this state. (Section 2)
The bill creates a new level of veterinary professional – the veterinary professional associate. The bill defines the
veterinary professional associate as an individual who has graduated with a master's degree or the equivalent in
veterinary clinical care from an accredited institution and who meets the requirements to be registered. (Section
3)
The bill includes registered veterinary professional associates to the exemption in the practice act that applies
when administering medication or rendering auxiliary or supporting assistance under the responsible supervision
of a licensed veterinarian. (Section 5)
The bill creates a registration process for an applicant to be registered as a veterinary professional associate.
Specifically, the bill authorizes a veterinary professional associate to apply to the Department of Business and
Professional Regulation (DBPR) for registration by submitting a form prescribed by the Board of Veterinary
Medicine (Board). In addition, the bill:
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Requires DBPR to consider each qualified veterinary professional associate who has submitted a completed
application and meets the applicable requirements.
Requires DBPR to issue a certificate of registration to each veterinary professional associate who has
graduated from the relevant accredited program and received a passing score on the relevant professional
national competency examination approved by the Board.
Requires DBPR to make the list of registrants available to the public on its website.
Allows DBPR to suspend the registration of any veterinary professional associate who the Board
determines has caused serious harm to an animal due to negligence, incompetence, or misconduct related
to their duties and in a manner inconsistent with the supervising veterinarian's specific direction until the
registrant completes remedial training or education directed by the Board.
Allows DBPR to rescind the registration of any veterinary professional associate who is convicted of animal
cruelty or animal fighting. (Section 6)
The bill prohibits individuals from holding themselves out as a registered veterinary professional associate or in
any other way representing himself or herself as a veterinary professional associate unless he or she has a valid
certificate of registration from DBPR. (Section 6)
The bill allows, unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, registered veterinary professional associates to engage
in the practice of veterinary medicine or veterinary medicine to the extent that he or she is competent and has the
necessary training, current knowledge, and experience to provide such care, as delegated under the responsible
supervision of a licensed veterinarian. (Section 6)
The bill prohibits registered veterinary professional associates from doing any of the following:
Prescribing a controlled substance listed in s. 893.03, F.S., except that a registered veterinary professional
associate may perform humane euthanasia and prepare, log, and administer controlled substances for the
purpose of analgesia, anesthesia, or humane euthanasia, as delegated by a licensed veterinarian and
performed under responsible supervision.
Perform a surgical procedure, except that a veterinary professional associate may perform an
orchiectomy,1 veterinary dental surgery, or veterinary suturing or stapling of skin lacerations, gingival
incisions, or existing surgical incisions. (Section 6)
The bill allows a registered veterinary professional associate to administer rabies vaccinations. (Section 7)
Veterinary Telehealth Prescriptions
The bill increases the timeframe for prescriptions via veterinary telehealth from:
1 month to 6 months for flea and tick medication; and
4 days to 30 days for other animal drugs. (Section 4)
Effective Date
The effective date of the bill is January 1, 2027. (Section 8)
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
Indeterminate. Creating and administering the registration program for veterinary professional associates may
have an indeterminate fiscal impact on DBPR. It is unknown how many people will apply for a certificate of
registration.
1 This procedure is for reproductive sterilization (spay/neuter). It is used to reduce the incidence of the most common canine
prostatic diseases, tumors, and unwanted behaviors. Today’s Veterinary Practice, Update on Orchiectomy,
https://todaysveterinarypractice.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/10/TVP-2022-1112_Orchiectomy.pdf (last visited
January 20, 2026).
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CS/HB 805
PRIVATE SECTOR:
Indeterminate. The bill may have in indeterminate positive economic impact on the private sector. The bill will
allow a new class of midlevel practitioners in veterinary medicine. This may lead to additional jobs, and cost
savings related to improved veterinary care.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Practice of Veterinary Medicine
The Board of Veterinary Medicine (Board) in the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
implements the provisions of ch. 474, F.S., relating to veterinary medical practice (practice act). The purpose of the
practice act is to ensure that every veterinarian practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe
practices to protect public health and safety.2
The practice act provides that the practice of veterinary medicine is potentially dangerous to the public health and
safety if conducted by incompetent and unlicensed practitioners. The practice act ensures that every veterinarian
practicing in this state meet minimum requirements for safe practice. It is the legislative intent that veterinarians
who are not normally competent or who otherwise present a danger to the public must be disciplined or
prohibited from practicing in this state.3
A “veterinarian” is a health care practitioner licensed by the Board to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine
in Florida4 and they are subject to disciplinary action from the Board for various violations of the practice act.5
The practice of “veterinary medicine” is the diagnosis of medical conditions of animals, and the prescribing or
administering of medicine and treatment to animals for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily
injury, or disease, or holding oneself out as performing any of these functions.6
Veterinary medicine includes, with respect to animals:7
Surgery;
Acupuncture;
Obstetrics;
Dentistry;
Physical therapy;
Radiology;
Theriogenology (reproductive medicine); and
Other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.
The practice act does not apply to the following categories of persons:
Veterinary aides, nurses, laboratory technicians, preceptors,8 or other employees of a licensed veterinarian,
who administer medication or provide help or support under the responsible supervision9 of a licensed
veterinarian;
2 S. 474.201, F.S.
3 S. 474.201, F.S.
4 S. 474.202(11), F.S.
5 Ss. 474.213 & 474.214, F.S.
6 See s. 474.202(9), F.S. Also included is the determination of the health, fitness, or soundness of an animal, and the
performance of any manual procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of pregnancy or fertility or infertility of animals.
7 See s. 474.202(13), F.S. Section 474.202(1), F.S., defines “animal” as “any mammal other than a human being or any bird,
amphibian, fish, or reptile, wild or domestic, living or dead.”
8 A preceptor is a skilled practitioner or faculty member who directs, teaches, supervises, and evaluates students in a clinical
setting to allow practical experience with patients. See also https://www.merriam-
webster.com/dictionary/preceptor#medicalDictionary (last visited Jan. 29, 2026).
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CS/HB 805
Certain non-Florida licensed veterinarians who are consulting upon request of a Florida-licensed
veterinarian on the treatment of a specific animal or on the treatment on a specific case of the animals of a
single owner.
Faculty veterinarians when they have assigned teaching duties at accredited10 institutions;
Certain graduated intern/resident veterinarians of accredited institutions;
Certain students in a school or college of veterinary medicine who perform assigned duties by an instructor
or work as preceptors;
Certain doctors of veterinary medicine employed by a state agency or the United States Government;
Persons or their employees caring for the persons’ own animals, as well as certain part-time or temporary
employees, or independent contractors, who are hired by an owner to help with herd management and
animal husbandry tasks; and
Certain entities or persons11 that conduct experiments and scientific research on animals as part of the
development of pharmaceuticals, biologicals, serums, or methods of treatment or techniques to diagnose or
treat human ailments, or in the study and development of methods and techniques applicable to the
practice of veterinary medicine.12
The practice act defines “immediate supervision” to mean that a “licensed doctor of veterinary medicine is on the
premises whenever veterinary services are being provided.”13
Veterinary tasks requiring immediate supervision, include:14
Administering anesthesia and tranquilization by a veterinary aide, nurse, laboratory technician, intern, or
other employee of a licensed veterinarian.
Administering certain vaccinations by a veterinary aide, nurse, technician, intern or other employee of a
licensed veterinarian which is not specifically prohibited.
Veterinary tasks that may be performed without the licensed veterinarian on the premises, include:15
Administering medication and treatment, excluding vaccinations, as directed by the licensed veterinarian;
and
Obtaining samples and the performance of those diagnostic tests, including radiographs, directed by the
licensed veterinarian.
Responsible supervision means “the control, direction, and regulation by a licensed doctor of veterinary medicine
of the duties involving veterinary services which she or he delegates to unlicensed personnel.”16
Veterinary Telehealth
In 2024, the Legislature created and passed the Providing Equity in Telehealth Services Act (PETS act), authorizing
the practice of veterinary telehealth.17 The PETS act allows veterinarians who hold current licenses to practice
veterinary telehealth.18
9 The term “responsible supervision” is defined in s. 474.202(10), F.S., as the “control, direction, and regulation by a licensed
doctor of veterinary medicine of the duties involving veterinary services” delegated to unlicensed personnel.
10 S. 474.203(1)-(2), F.S., provide that accreditation of a school or college must be granted by the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) Council on Education, or the AVMA Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates.
11 See s. 474.203(6), F.S., which states that the exemption applies to “[s]tate agencies, accredited schools, institutions,
foundations, business corporations or associations, physicians licensed to practice medicine and surgery in all its branches,
graduate doctors of veterinary medicine, or persons under the direct supervision thereof ....”
12 See s. 474.203, F.S.
13 S. 474.202(5), F.S.
14 R. 61G18-17.005, F.A.C.
15 Id.
16 S. 474.202(10), F.S.
17 Ch. 2024-260, Laws of Fla. (codified at s. 474.2021, F.S., effective July 1, 2024).
18 Id. Florida law requires the practice of telehealth to be consistent with a veterinarian’s scope of practice and the prevailing
professional standard of practice for a veterinarian who provides in-person veterinary services to patients in Florida, and who
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CS/HB 805
Limitations
The PETS act placed certain limitations on what veterinarians are able to do via telehealth, including:
Requiring veterinarians to provide certain information to the client, including the veterinarian’s name,
license number and contact information;
Requiring veterinarians to prescribe all drugs and medications in accordance with federal and state laws;
Prohibiting veterinarians from ordering or prescribing medicinal drugs or drugs as defined in s. 465.003,
F.S., approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for human use, or compounded
antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, or antiparasitic medications, unless the veterinarian has conducted an
in-person physical examination of the animal or made medically appropriate and timely visits within the
past year to the premises where the animal is kept;
Prohibiting the use of veterinary telehealth to prescribe a controlled substance as defined in ch. 893, F.S.
(Drug Abuse Preventions and Control), unless the veterinarian has conducted an in-person physical
examination of the animal or made medically appropriate and timely visits to the premises where the
animal is kept;
Prohibiting prescribing a drug or other medication for use on a horse engaged in racing or training at a
facility under the jurisdiction of the Florida Gaming Control Commission or on a horse that is a covered
horse, as defined in the federal Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, 15 U.S.C., ss. 3051 et seq.
Telehealth Prescriptions
Prescriptions based solely on a telehealth evaluation may be issued for up to 1 month for products labeled solely
for flea and tick control and up to 14 days of treatment for other animal drugs.19 Prescriptions based solely on a
telehealth evaluation may not be renewed without an in-person examination.20
Veterinary Professional Associates
In 2024, voters of the state of Colorado approved a ballot measure to create a new, state-regulated veterinary
position (Veterinary Professional Associate) that was to address, in part, the shortage of care, especially in rural
areas, for pets.21 Colorado’s proposition directed the creation of a regulatory scheme to license and regulate
Veterinary Professional Associates.
Similar to what is being proposed in the bill, Colorado would provide this Veterinary Professional Associate a
pathway for those who complete a master’s degree in veterinary clinical care, or an equivalent degree determined
by the state board.22 This new Colorado law went into effect on January 1, 2026.23
In 2022, The Lincoln Memorial University-College of Veterinary Medicine created the first-of-its-kind Master of
Veterinary Clinical Care degree.24 Students can obtain this degree fully online and in as little as 3 semesters (30
credit hours).25
In 2025, Colorado State University developed a similar program that is now admitting students.26 According to the
Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, “a veterinary professional
must employ sound, professional judgment to determine whether using veterinary telehealth is an appropriate method for
delivering medical advice or treatment to the patient.
19 Section 474.2021, F.S.
20 Id.
21 Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, State Board of Veterinary Medicine: Proposition 129,
https://dpo.colorado.gov/Veterinary/VeterinaryProfessionalAssociates, (last visited January 13, 2026).
22 Id.
23 Id.
24 Lincoln Memorial University, Master of Veterinary Clinical Care, https://www.lmunet.edu/academics/programs/graduate-
professional/master-of-veterinary-clinical-care, (last visited January 13, 2026).
25 Id.
26 Colorado State University, About the Master of Science in Veterinary Clinical Care, https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vpa/,
(last visited January 13, 2026).
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CS/HB 805
associate is a new role similar to a physician assistant in human medicine. This mid-level role fills a gap between
veterinarians and veterinary technicians and – along with other institutional initiatives – helps address a national
shortage of veterinary care, particularly in rural areas.”27
Currently the University of Florida is the only school in Florida to offer a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program
that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).28
Veterinarian Shortage
According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 70 percent of U.S. households,
or about 90.5 million families, own a pet. This is an increase from 56 percent of U.S. households in 1988, and 67
percent in 2019.29 As a result, experts say there is a shortage of veterinarians in the U.S., which is expected to result
in the need for approximately 15,000 veterinarians by the year 2030.30 A study from Banfield Pet Hospital reveals
an estimated 75 million pets in the U.S. may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030, with an
important factor being a critical shortage of veterinarians.31
The University of Florida’s Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, Dana Zimmel, has indicated that there is a
shortage of veterinarians in Florida, which in addition to pets has “1.7 million beef cattle and dairy cows, more
horses than Kentucky and an alarming decline of manatee.” The state’s only veterinary medical college, the
University of Florida, also reports that due to limited capacity, it must turn away 1,500 qualified candidates a
year.32
According to the AVMA, “retention of veterinary practice staff members and attrition from the profession are
ongoing and increasing.”33 The AVMA found that a midlevel practitioner may not be the best option to address
these concerns, and that more time should be spent on the retention of veterinarians and credentialed veterinary
technicians.34
However, according to a study conducted by the National Library of Medicine:
The projected shortage of veterinarians has created a need to explore alternatives designed to meet
society's future demands. A veterinary professional health care provider, similar to the human medical
profession's physician assistant (PA), is one such alternative. It is suggested that perhaps veterinary
professional associates, modeled after PAs, could be employed to handle routine veterinary care and
27 Colorado State University, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, About the veterinary professional
associate (VPA), https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/vpa/ (last visited Jan. 13, 2026).
28 American Veterinary Medical Association, Accredited Veterinary Colleges, https://www.avma.org/education/center-for-
veterinary-accreditation/accredited-veterinary-colleges (last visited January 13, 2026).
29 Insurance Information Institute, Facts + Statistics: Pet Ownership and Insurance, https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-
statistics-pet-ownership-and-
insurance#:~:text=Seventy%20percent%20of%20U.S.%20households,and%2067%20percent%20in%202019. (last visited
January 13, 2026).
30 Spectrum News 13, Mobile ‘ElleVet’ clinic helps relieve veterinarian shortage,
https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2023/02/03/the-ellevet-project-
#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Experts%20say%20there's%20a%20shortage,States%20may%20not%20get%20care. (last
visited January 13, 2026).
31 Banfield Pet Hospital, 75 million pets may not have access to veterinary care by 2030, New Banfield® study finds,
https://www.banfield.com/en/about-banfield/newsroom/press-releases/2020/75-million-pets-may-not-have-access-to-
veterinary (last visited January 13, 2026).
32 Dana Zimmel, Florida needs more veterinarians | Column, Tampa Bay Times (January 3, 2022),
https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2022/01/03/florida-needs-more-veterinarians-column/ (last visited January 13,
2026).
33 American Veterinary Medical Association, AVMA News, Idea of midlevel practitioner rejected in favor of better support,
engagement of credentialed veterinary technicians (Jan. 10, 2023), https://www.avma.org/news/idea-midlevel-practitioner-
rejected-favor-better-support-engagement-credentialed-veterinary (last visited January 29, 2026).
34 Id.
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6
CS/HB 805
thereby allow veterinarians additional time to focus on the more demanding and challenging aspects of
veterinary medicine. Perhaps a team approach, similar to the physician/PA team, could help the field of
veterinary medicine to better serve both clients and patients. As veterinary medicine directs its attention
toward the new challenges on the horizon, creative solutions will be needed. Perhaps some variation of a
veterinary professional associate is worthy of future discussion.35
Rabies Vaccinations
Currently, all dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or older are required to be vaccinated by a licensed
veterinarian or a person authorized under the indirect supervision of a veterinarian against rabies with a vaccine
that is licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in those species.36 Upon such
vaccination, the licensed veterinarian is required to provide the animal’s owner and the animal control authority
with a rabies vaccination certificate. The veterinarian who administers or supervises the administration of the
vaccination is authorized to affix his or her signature stamp in lieu of an actual signature.37
RECENT LEGISLATION:
YEAR BILL #/SUBJECT HOUSE/SENATE OTHER INFORMATION
SPONSOR(S)
2025 CS/HB 729 - Veterinary Professional Melo/ Bradley The bill passed the House, but
Associates died in the Senate.
2024 HB 849 - Veterinary Practices Killebrew, Buchanan/ The bill became law on July 1,
Bradley 2024.
OTHER RESOURCES:
DBPR: Veterinary Medicine Board Information
USDA: Veterinary Shortage Situations Map
35 Lori Kogan, Sherry Stewart, Veterinary professional associates: does the profession's foresight include a mid-tier professional
similar to physician assistants?, National Library of Medicine (2009), https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19625672/ (last visited
January 29, 2026).
36 S. 828.30(1)(a), F.S.
37 S. 828.30(3), F.S.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
7
CS/HB 805
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
IIndustries & Professional Activities 14 Y, 1 N, As CS 1/20/2026 Anstead Thompson
Subcommittee
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE Removed the licensure and regulatory provisions for veterinary
COMMITTEE: technicians, and veterinary technologists.
Removed the provision that increases the membership of the Board of
Veterinary Medicine.
Removed the provisions regarding administration of medication by
veterinary professional associates, veterinary technicians, and
veterinary technologists.
Removed the provisions regarding liability of the supervising licensed
veterinarian for acts or omissions of registered veterinary professional
associates, veterinary technicians, or veterinary technologists.
Commerce Committee Hamon Thompson
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
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JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
8
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 805 2026
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to veterinary medicine; providing a
3 short title; amending s. 474.201, F.S.; revising
4 legislative findings, intent, and purpose; amending s.
5 474.202, F.S.; defining the term "veterinary
6 professional associate"; amending s. 474.2021, F.S.;
7 increasing the amount of time for which prescriptions
8 based solely on a veterinary telehealth evaluation may
9 be issued for certain drugs; amending s. 474.203,
10 F.S.; revising the applicability of certain
11 exemptions; creating s. 474.2126, F.S.; providing
12 requirements for veterinary professional associates to
13 receive certificates of registration from the
14 Department of Business and Professional Regulation;
15 requiring the department to make a list of veterinary
16 professional associate registrants publicly available
17 on its website; authorizing the department to suspend
18 the registration of a veterinary professional
19 associate upon a certain determination by the Board of
20 Veterinary Medicine; authorizing the department to
21 rescind the registration of a veterinary professional
22 associate under certain circumstances; prohibiting a
23 person from holding himself or herself out as a
24 veterinary professional associate under certain
25 circumstances; authorizing a registered veterinary
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26 professional associate to engage in the practice of
27 veterinary medicine under certain circumstances;
28 prohibiting a registered veterinary professional
29 associate from taking certain actions; providing
30 exceptions; amending s. 828.30, F.S.; conforming
31 provisions to changes made by the act; providing an
32 effective date.
33
34 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
35
36 Section 1. This act may be cited as the "Veterinary
37 Workforce Innovation Act."
38 Section 2. Section 474.201, Florida Statutes, is amended
39 to read:
40 474.201 Legislative findings, intent, and purpose.—
41 (1) The Legislature finds that the practice of veterinary
42 medicine is potentially dangerous to the public health and
43 safety if conducted by incompetent and unlicensed practitioners.
44 The legislative purpose in enacting this chapter is to ensure
45 that every veterinarian practicing in this state meet minimum
46 requirements for safe practice. It is the legislative intent
47 that veterinarians who are not normally competent or who
48 otherwise present a danger to the public shall be disciplined or
49 prohibited from practicing in this state.
50 (2) The Legislature finds that the practice of educated,
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51 trained, and experienced veterinary professional associates will
52 increase consumer access to high-quality veterinary medical
53 services at a reasonable cost to consumers, while also
54 increasing the efficiency of the practice of veterinary medicine
55 in this state.
56 Section 3. Present subsection (14) of section 474.202,
57 Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (15), and a new
58 subsection (14) is added to that section, to read:
59 474.202 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
60 (14) "Veterinary professional associate" means an
61 individual who has graduated with a master's degree or the
62 equivalent in veterinary clinical care from an accredited
63 institution and who meets the requirements to be registered by
64 the department.
65 Section 4. Subsection (4) of section 474.2021, Florida
66 Statutes, is amended to read:
67 474.2021 Veterinary telehealth.—
68 (4) A veterinarian practicing veterinary telehealth:
69 (a) May not engage in the practice of veterinary
70 telehealth unless it is within the context of a
71 veterinarian/client/patient relationship;
72 (b) Shall practice in a manner consistent with his or her
73 scope of practice and the prevailing professional standard of
74 practice for a veterinarian who provides in-person veterinary
75 services to patients in this state and shall employ sound,
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76 professional judgment to determine whether using veterinary
77 telehealth is an appropriate method for delivering medical
78 advice or treatment to the patient;
79 (c) May use veterinary telehealth to perform an initial
80 patient evaluation to establish the veterinarian/client/patient
81 relationship if the evaluation is conducted using synchronous,
82 audiovisual communication. The evaluation may not be performed
83 using audio-only communications, text messaging, questionnaires,
84 chatbots, or other similar means. If a veterinarian practicing
85 telehealth conducts a patient evaluation sufficient to diagnose
86 and treat the patient, the veterinarian is not required to
87 research a patient's medical history or conduct a physical
88 examination of the patient before using veterinary telehealth to
89 provide a veterinary health care service to the patient;
90 (d) If the initial patient evaluation is performed using
91 veterinary telehealth, must provide the client with a statement
92 containing the veterinarian's name, license number, and contact
93 information and the contact information for at least one
94 physical veterinary clinic in the vicinity of the patient's
95 location and instructions for how to receive patient follow-up
96 care or assistance if the veterinarian and client are unable to
97 communicate because of a technological or equipment failure or
98 if there is an adverse reaction to treatment, and inform the
99 client that, if medication is prescribed, the client may obtain
100 a prescription that may be filled at the pharmacy of his or her
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101 choice. The veterinarian shall obtain from the client a signed
102 and dated statement indicating the client has received the
103 required information before practicing veterinary telehealth;
104 (e) Shall prescribe all drugs and medications in
105 accordance with all federal and state laws and the following
106 requirements:
107 1. A veterinarian practicing veterinary telehealth may
108 order, prescribe, or make available medicinal drugs or drugs
109 specifically approved for use in animals by the United States
110 Food and Drug Administration, the use of which conforms to the
111 approved labeling. Prescriptions based solely on a telehealth
112 evaluation may be issued for up to 6 months 1 month for products
113 labeled solely for flea and tick control and up to 30 14 days of
114 treatment for other animal drugs. Prescriptions based solely on
115 a telehealth evaluation may not be renewed without an in-person
116 examination.
117 2. A veterinarian practicing veterinary telehealth may not
118 order, prescribe, or make available medicinal drugs or drugs as
119 defined in s. 465.003 approved by the United States Food and
120 Drug Administration for human use or compounded antibacterial,
121 antifungal, antiviral, or antiparasitic medications, unless the
122 veterinarian has conducted an in-person physical examination of
123 the animal or made medically appropriate and timely visits to
124 the premises where the animal is kept.
125 3. A veterinarian may not use veterinary telehealth to
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126 prescribe a controlled substance as defined in chapter 893
127 unless the veterinarian has conducted an in-person physical
128 examination of the animal or made medically appropriate and
129 timely visits within the past year to the premises where the
130 animal is kept.
131 4. A veterinarian practicing veterinary telehealth may not
132 prescribe a drug or other medication for use on a horse engaged
133 in racing or training at a facility under the jurisdiction of
134 the Florida Gaming Control Commission or on a horse that is a
135 covered horse as defined in the federal Horseracing Integrity
136 and Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. ss. 3051 et seq.;
137 (f) Shall be familiar with available veterinary resources,
138 including emergency resources, near the patient's location and
139 be able to provide the client with a list of nearby
140 veterinarians who may be able to see the patient in person upon
141 the request of the client;
142 (g) Shall keep, maintain, and make available a summary of
143 the patient record as provided in s. 474.2165; and
144 (h) May not use veterinary telehealth to issue an
145 international or interstate travel certificate or a certificate
146 of veterinary inspection.
147 Section 5. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) and subsection
148 (7) of section 474.203, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
149 474.203 Exemptions.—This chapter does not apply to:
150 (5)(a) Any person, or the person's regular employee,
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151 administering to the ills or injuries of her or his own animals,
152 including, but not limited to, castration, spaying, and
153 dehorning of herd animals, unless title is transferred or
154 employment provided for the purpose of circumventing this law.
155 This exemption does not apply to any person licensed as a
156 veterinarian in another state or foreign jurisdiction and
157 practicing temporarily in this state. However, except as
158 provided in s. 474.2126 or s. 828.30, only a veterinarian may
159 immunize or treat an animal for diseases that are communicable
160 to humans and that are of public health significance.
161 (7) Any veterinary aide, nurse, laboratory technician,
162 preceptor, person registered pursuant to s. 474.2126, or other
163 employee of a licensed veterinarian who administers medication
164 or who renders auxiliary or supporting assistance under the
165 responsible supervision of a licensed veterinarian, including
166 those tasks identified by rule of the board requiring immediate
167 supervision, provided that a registered veterinary professional
168 associate is subject to s. 474.2126. However, the licensed
169 veterinarian is responsible for all such acts performed under
170 this subsection by persons under her or his supervision.
171
172 For the purposes of chapters 465 and 893, persons exempt
173 pursuant to subsection (1), subsection (2), or subsection (4)
174 are deemed to be duly licensed practitioners authorized by the
175 laws of this state to prescribe drugs or medicinal supplies.
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176 Section 6. Section 474.2126, Florida Statutes, is created
177 to read:
178 474.2126 Veterinary professional associates;
179 registration.—
180 (1) REGISTRATION.—
181 (a) A veterinary professional associate may apply to the
182 department for registration by submitting a form prescribed by
183 the board. The department shall consider for registration each
184 qualified veterinary professional associate who the department
185 verifies has submitted a completed application and meets the
186 applicable requirements of this subsection.
187 (b) The department shall issue a certificate of
188 registration to each veterinary professional associate applicant
189 who the department verifies has graduated from the relevant
190 accredited program and received a passing score on the relevant
191 professional national competency examination approved by the
192 board.
193 (c) The department shall make a list of registrants
194 available to the public on the department's website.
195 (d) The department may suspend the registration of any
196 veterinary professional associate who the board determines has
197 caused serious harm to an animal due to negligence,
198 incompetence, or misconduct related to duties performed under
199 this section and in a manner inconsistent with the supervising
200 veterinarian's specific direction, until such time as the
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201 registrant has completed remedial training or education directed
202 by the board.
203 (e) The department may rescind the registration of any
204 veterinary professional associate who is convicted of animal
205 cruelty under s. 828.12 or animal fighting under s. 828.122.
206 (2) PROHIBITION.—An individual may not hold himself or
207 herself out as a registered veterinary professional associate or
208 in any other way represent himself or herself as a veterinary
209 professional associate unless he or she has a valid certificate
210 of registration from the department.
211 (3) DUTIES AND ACTIONS OF A REGISTERED VETERINARY
212 PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATE.—
213 (a) Unless otherwise prohibited by federal law, a
214 registered veterinary professional associate may engage in the
215 practice of veterinary medicine as defined in s. 474.202 or
216 veterinary medicine as defined in s. 474.202, to the extent that
217 he or she is competent and has the necessary training, current
218 knowledge, and experience to provide such care, as delegated
219 under the responsible supervision, as defined in s. 474.202, of
220 a licensed veterinarian.
221 (b) A registered veterinary professional associate may not
222 do any of the following:
223 1. Prescribe a controlled substance listed in s. 893.03,
224 except that a registered veterinary professional associate may
225 perform humane euthanasia and prepare, log, and administer
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226 controlled substances for the purpose of analgesia, anesthesia,
227 or humane euthanasia, as delegated by a licensed veterinarian
228 and performed under responsible supervision.
229 2. Perform a surgical procedure, except that a veterinary
230 professional associate may perform the following surgical
231 procedures:
232 a. Orchiectomy;
233 b. Veterinary dental surgery; or
234 c. Veterinary suturing or stapling of skin lacerations,
235 gingival incisions, or existing surgical incisions.
236 Section 7. Paragraph (a) of subsection (1) and subsection
237 (3) of section 828.30, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
238 828.30 Rabies vaccination of dogs, cats, and ferrets.—
239 (1)(a) All dogs, cats, and ferrets 4 months of age or
240 older must be vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian or a person
241 authorized under paragraph (b) or s. 474.2126 against rabies
242 with a vaccine that is licensed by the United States Department
243 of Agriculture for use in those species.
244 (3) Upon vaccination against rabies, the licensed
245 veterinarian shall provide the animal's owner and the animal
246 control authority with a rabies vaccination certificate. Each
247 animal control authority and veterinarian shall use the "Rabies
248 Vaccination Certificate" of the National Association of State
249 Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV) or an equivalent form
250 approved by the local government that contains all the
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251 information required by the NASPHV Rabies Vaccination
252 Certificate. The veterinarian who administers the rabies
253 vaccination or who supervises the administration of the rabies
254 vaccination as provided in paragraph (1)(b) or s. 474.2126 to an
255 animal as authorized under this section may affix his or her
256 signature stamp in lieu of an actual signature.
257 Section 8. This act shall take effect January 1, 2027.
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HB 893
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 893 COMPANION BILL: SB 1000 (Grall)
TITLE: Trust Fund Interest for Purposes Approved by LINKED BILLS: None
Supreme Court RELATED BILLS: None.
SPONSOR(S): Koster
Committee References
Insurance & Banking Judiciary Commerce
16 Y, 0 N 20 Y, 0 N
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill expressly authorizes a financial institution to hold funds in an interest-bearing trust account of a lawyer or
law firm. The bill requires financial institutions to remit any interest and dividends earned on these accounts to
Florida Supreme Court authorized entities for the purposes of providing free legal services or for other purposes
expressly authorized by the Florida Supreme Court. The bill establishes required interest rates for these accounts.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have an indeterminate impact on the private sector.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill expressly authorizes a financial institution to hold funds in an interest-bearing trust account of a lawyer or
law firm, commonly referred to as an “Interest on Trust Account” or “IOTA.” (Section 1).
The bill requires financial institutions to remit any interest or dividends earned on IOTAs to an entity established
by the Florida Supreme Court for the purpose of providing free legal services to low-income individuals or for
other purposes expressly authorized by the Florida Supreme Court. (Section 1).
The bill requires financial institutions holding IOTAs to pay, net of all fees and charges assessed by the financial
institution, interest or dividends at the Wall Street Journal Prime rate in effect on the first business day of each
month, less 300 basis points, with a floor of 0.25 percent and a ceiling of 1.5 percent. (Section 1).
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2026. (Section 2).
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
PRIVATE SECTOR:
The bill may have an indeterminate impact on the private sector. The bill’s limits on interest rates may encourage
more financial institutions to hold interest-bearing trust accounts of a lawyer or law firm. Further, entities such as
the Funding Florida Legal Aid foundation may see a change in interest revenue as a result of the interest rate limits.
STORAGE NAME: h0893d.COM
DATE: 1/30/2026
1
HB 893
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Financial Institution:
Under Florida’s financial institutions codes, a “financial institution” means a state or federal savings or thrift
association, bank, savings bank, trust company, international bank agency, international banking corporation,
international branch, international representative office, international administrative office, international trust
entity, international trust company representative office, qualified limited service affiliate, credit union, or an
agreement corporation operating pursuant to s. 25 of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C. ss. 601 et seq. or Edge Act
corporation organized pursuant to s. 25(a) of the Federal Reserve Act, 12 U.S.C. ss. 611 et seq. 1
Regulation of lawyers:
The Florida Constitution grants the Florida Supreme Court the exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the admission of
persons to the practice of law and the discipline of persons admitted. 2
The Florida Supreme Court has established the “authority and responsibilities of The Florida Bar” through the
Rules Regulating the Florida Bar. 3 Chapter 5 of the Rules contains the “Rules Regulating Trust Accounts,” which all
attorneys who maintain trust accounts must abide by.
The IOTA program:
Under Rule 5-1.1(a)(1) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, lawyers must hold in trust, separate from the
lawyer’s own property, funds and property of clients or third persons that are in the lawyer’s possession in
connection with representation. 4
Lawyer trust accounts generally contain funds such as retainer payments, discovery or litigation costs paid in
advance, filing fees, or settlement awards. Often the amount of money that a lawyer handles for a single client is
small or held for only a short period of time, and therefore cannot earn interest for the client in excess of the costs
incurred to collect said interest. 5 Traditionally, lawyers have placed these funds into pooled trust accounts
containing other nominal or short-term client funds. 6
In 1981, the Florida Supreme Court implemented the nation’s first IOTA program. 7 According to the American Bar
Association, these programs now exist in all 50 states, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 8
Under Rule 5-1.1(g)(2) of the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, all nominal or short-term funds belonging to clients
or third persons that are placed in trust with any member of The Florida Bar in the state of Florida must be
deposited into one or more IOTA accounts, unless the funds may earn income for the client or third person in
excess of the costs incurred to secure the income. 9 Under the IOTA program, lawyers handling nominal or short-
term funds that cannot earn net income for clients place these funds into a single, pooled, interest-bearing trust
account. 10
1 S. 655.005(1)(i), F.S.
2 FLA. CONST. art. V, s. 15.
3 The Florida Bar, Rules Regulating the Florida Bar, https://www-media.floridabar.org/uploads/2025/12/2026_06-DEC-
RRTFB-12-5-2025.pdf (last visited Jan. 27, 2026).
4 R. Regulating Fla. Bar Rule 5-1.1(a)(1).
5 American Bar Association, Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts,
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/interest_lawyers_trust_accounts/overview/ (last visited Jan. 27, 2026).
6 Id.
7 In re Interest on Trust Accounts, 356 So.2d 799 (Fla. 1978).
8 American Bar Association, Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts,
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/interest_lawyers_trust_accounts/overview/ (last visited Jan. 27, 2026).
9 R. Regulating Fla. Bar Rule 5-1.1(g)(2).
10 American Bar Association, Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Accounts,
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/interest_lawyers_trust_accounts/overview/ (last visited Jan. 27, 2026).
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
HB 893
Funding Florida Legal Aid:
In 1956, the Florida Bar created a non-profit organization, The Florida Bar Foundation, and subsequently changed
the name of the foundation to “Funding Florida Legal Aid” (“Foundation”) in 2023. 11 The principal support for the
Foundation is derived from the interest and dividends earned on IOTAs. 12
IOTA interest rates:
On March 16, 2023, the Florida Supreme Court adopted amendments to the Rules Regulating the Florida Bar,
including provisions regulating trust fund accounts. The 2023 amendments:
Expanded the definition of an interest or dividend-bearing account to include a business or consumer
deposit account, non-maturing deposit, an investment product, a daily financial institution repurchase
agreement or a money market account. 13
Required eligible institutions to maintain IOTA accounts that pay the highest interest rate or dividend
generally available from the institution to its non-IOTA business or consumer account customers when
IOTA accounts meet or exceed the same minimum balance qualifications. 14
Mandated that eligible institutions tie minimum interest rates for IOTA accounts to the Wall Street Journal
Prime Rate (indexed rate). 15
The Florida Supreme Court’s 2023 amendments implemented the following formula for determining the required
interest rate for IOTAs:
When the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate (“indexed rate”) is between 325 and 499 basis points (3.25% and
4.99%), the minimum interest rate paid net of all fees and service charges (“yield”) must be no less than
300 basis points (3.00%) below the indexed rate in effect on the first business day of each month.
When the indexed rate is 500 basis points (5.00%) or above, the yield must be no less than 40% of the
indexed rate in effect on the first business day of each month. 16
Following the change in interest rate calculation, funds for the Foundation increased by over $200 million. 17
Wall Street Journal Prime Rate:
The Wall Street Journal Prime Rate is an index used by banks to set rates on consumer lending products. 18 To
establish this rate, the Wall Street Journal regularly surveys the 30 largest banks in the United States to determine
what interest rate they are charging their customers with the highest-rated credit for short-term loans. 19 When 75
percent of the 30 banks change their prime rate, the Wall Street Journal changes its rate. 20
11 FFLA, Funding Florida Legal Aid, Leadership and Funding for Justice in Florida, https://fundingfla.org/about-
ffla/fflaoverview/ (last visited Jan. 27, 2026).
12 Id.
13 R. Regulating Fla. Bar Rule 5-1.1(g)(1)(E).
14 R. Regulating Fla. Bar Rule 5-1.1(g)(5)(A).
15 R. Regulating Fla. Bar Rule 5-1.1(g)(5)(B).
16 Id.
17 FFLA, Financial Stewardship, https://fundingfla.org/about-ffla/ffla-finances/ (last visited Jan. 27, 2026).
18 Bankrate, Wall Street Journal Prime rate https://www.bankrate.com/rates/interest-rates/wall-street-prime-rate/ (last
visited Jan. 27, 2026).
19 Id.
20 Id.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
HB 893
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Insurance & Banking 16 Y, 0 N 1/21/2026 Brackett Highsmith
Subcommittee
Judiciary Committee 20 Y, 0 N 1/27/2026 Kramer Mawn
Commerce Committee Hamon Highsmith
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 893 2026
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to trust fund interest for purposes
3 approved by the Supreme Court; creating s. 655.98,
4 F.S.; authorizing financial institutions to hold funds
5 in specified trust accounts used for specified
6 purposes expressly authorized by Supreme Court rule;
7 requiring certain entities to use interest and
8 dividends for specified purposes; requiring certain
9 financial institutions to pay specified interest or
10 dividends; providing an effective date.
11
12 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
13
14 Section 1. Section 655.98 Florida Statutes, is created to
15 read:
16 655.98 Lawyer or law firm trust account interest rates.—A
17 financial institution may hold funds in an interest-bearing
18 trust account of a lawyer or law firm in which the institution
19 remits interest or dividends on the balance of the deposited
20 funds to an entity established by the Supreme Court. Such entity
21 shall use the interest or dividends to provide or facilitate the
22 provision of free legal services to low-income individuals or
23 for such other purposes as may be expressly authorized by rule
24 of the Supreme Court. If the financial institution holds such an
25 account, it must pay, net of all fees and charges assessed by
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hb893-00
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 893 2026
26 the financial institution, interest or dividends at the Wall
27 Street Journal prime rate in effect on the first business day of
28 each month, less 300 basis points, with a floor of 0.25 percent
29 and a ceiling of 1.5 percent.
30 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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hb893-00
CS/HB 919
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: CS/HB 919 COMPANION BILL: CS/SB 706 (Mayfield)
TITLE: Commercial Service Airports LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Weinberger and Kendall RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Economic Infrastructure Commerce
12 Y, 3 N, As CS
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill preempts to the state the naming of major commercial service airports. The bill renames the Palm Beach
International Airport as the "Donald J. Trump International Airport," subject to certain approvals and execution of
certain agreements, but retains the current names for all other major commercial service airports, including
Orlando International Airport, Miami International Airport, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport,
Tampa International Airport, Southwest Florida International Airport, and Jacksonville International Airport. The
bill requires an annual review to identify airports that may be added or removed from this list based on a change in
status as a major commercial service airport.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill appears to have a negative impact on local government expenditures associated with renaming the Palm
Beach International Airport.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill expressly preempts to the state the naming of major commercial service airports. The bill defines a major
commercial service airport as an airport providing commercial service which is a medium or large hub airport
under the classification criteria established by the Federal Aviation Administration. (Section 1)
The bill provides that the major commercial service airports in the state are named as follows: (Section 1)
The airport located at One Jeff Fuqua Boulevard in Orlando is named “Orlando International Airport.”
The airport located at 2100 NW 42nd Avenue in Miami is named “Miami International Airport.”
The airport located at 100 Terminal Drive in Fort Lauderdale is named “Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood
International Airport.”
The airport located at 4100 George J. Bean Parkway in Tampa is named “Tampa International Airport.”
The airport located at 11000 Terminal Access Road in Fort Meyers is named “Southwest Florida
International Airport.”
The airport located at 1000 James L Turnage Boulevard in West Palm Beach is named “Donald J. Trump
International Airport,” subject to the approval of the Federal Aviation Administration and execution of an
agreement granting Palm Beach County the perpetual and unrestricted right to use the name at no cost for
all airport-related purposes.
The airport located at 2400 Yankee Clipper Drive in Jacksonville is named “Jacksonville International
Airport.”
The bill provides that each name remains valid if an airport no longer meets the classification criteria to be a major
commercial service airport. The bill requires the department to review this list annually to identify airports that
STORAGE NAME: h0919b.COM
DATE: 1/30/2026
1
CS/HB 919
may be added or removed based on a change in status as a major commercial service airport. If the department
identifies such a change in status for any airport, it must notify the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives 60 days before the next regular legislative session. (Section 1)
The bill requires government records created on or after July 1, 2026, to use the airport names provided in the bill.
(Section 1)
The bill provides clarification regarding construction of, and compliance with, the provisions of the bill.
Specifically, the bill:
Provides that for purposes of the bill, airport names are branding designations only and may not be
construed to require the creation of a new legal entity.
Does not require a political subdivision1 to amend any existing agreements solely to update references to
the airport name or require a political subdivision to contract in the name of the airport provided in the
bill.
Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a political subdivision may not be construed to
be in violation of any state law for using the airport name provided in the bill.
Provides that a political subdivision is in compliance with the requirements of the bill if it diligently
pursues all necessary approvals and agreements to implement the name change required by the bill and
timely commences2 signage and branding changes upon receipt of such approvals. (Section 1)
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2026. (Section 2)
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
The bill appears to have a negative impact on local government expenditures associated with renaming the Palm
Beach International Airport.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Local Government Authority
The Florida Constitution grants county and municipal governments broad home rule authority. Specifically, non-
charter county governments may exercise those powers of self-government that are provided by general or special
law.3 Those counties operating under a county charter have all powers of self-government not inconsistent with
general law or special law approved by vote of the electors.4 Likewise, municipalities5 have those governmental,
corporate, and proprietary powers enabling them to conduct municipal government, perform their functions and
provide services, and exercise any power for municipal purposes, except as otherwise provided by law.6
1 The bill provides that, for purposes of the bill, the term “political subdivision” means a political subdivision as defined in s.
333.01, F.S., which owns and controls an airport listed in the bill.
2 The bill provides that, for purposes of the bill, the term “timely commences” means to initiate planning, procurement, and
implementation within a reasonable period after receiving all necessary approvals, taking into account the availability of
budgeted funds and the timeframes necessary to comply with applicable procurement laws, regulations, and procedures.
3 Art. VIII, s. 1(f), Fla. Const.
4 Art. VIII, s. 1(g), Fla. Const.
5 A municipality is a local government entity created to perform functions and provide services for the particular benefit of the
population within the municipality, in addition to those provided by the county. The term “municipality” may be used
interchangeably with the terms “town,” “city,” and “village.”
6 Art. VIII, s. 2(b), Fla. Const. See also s. 166.021(1), F.S.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
CS/HB 919
A “special district” is a unit of local government created for a particular purpose, with jurisdiction to operate within
a limited geographic boundary.7 Special districts are created by general law,8 special act,9 local ordinance,10 or by
rule of the Governor and Cabinet.11 A special district has only those powers expressly provided by, or reasonably
implied from, the authority provided in the district’s charter. Special districts provide specific municipal services in
addition to, or in place of, those provided by a municipality or county.12 As of January 25, 2026, there are 601 active
dependent13 special districts and 1,486 active independent special districts in Florida.14
State Preemption
Local governments have broad authority to legislate on any matter that is not inconsistent with federal or state
law. A local government enactment may be inconsistent with state law if (1) the Legislature "has preempted a
particular subject area" or (2) the local enactment conflicts with a state statute. State preemption precludes a local
government from exercising authority in that particular area.15
Florida law recognizes two types of preemption: express and implied. Express preemption requires a specific
legislative statement; it cannot be implied or inferred.16 Express preemption of a field by the Legislature must be
accomplished by clear language stating that intent.17 In cases where the Legislature expressly or specifically
preempts an area, there is no problem with ascertaining what the Legislature intended.18 In cases determining the
validity of ordinances enacted in the face of state preemption, the effect has been to find such ordinances null and
void.19
Federal Classification of Airports
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees the planning and development of airports across the nation
with a focus on safety and security. The FAA classifies all airports based on the type of service provided and the
number of passengers that board aircraft (passenger boardings).20 Each commercial service airport is further
classified by hub type based on the percentage or number of annual U.S. commercial passenger boardings that the
airport receives, as shown in the table below.
7 See Halifax Hospital Medical Center v. State of Fla., et al., 278 So. 3d 545, 547 (Fla. 2019).
8 S. 189.031(3), F.S.
9 Id.
10 S. 189.02(1), F.S.
11 S. 190.005(1), F.S. See, generally, s. 189.012(6), F.S.
12 Local Gov’t Formation Manual, p. 56,
https://www.flhouse.gov/Sections/Documents/loaddoc.aspx?PublicationType=Committees&CommitteeId=3304&Session=20
25&DocumentType=General+Publications&FileName=Local+Government+Formation+Manual+%5b2024-2026%5d.pdf (last
visited Jan. 25, 2026).
13 Dependent special districts are under some control by a single county or municipality. S. 189.012(2), F.S. An independent
special district is any district that is not a dependent special district. S. 189.012(3), F.S. A special district that includes more
than one county is independent unless it lies wholly within the boundaries of a single municipality.
14 Florida Department of Commerce, Official List of Special Districts,
https://specialdistrictreports.floridajobs.org/OfficialList/CustomList (last visited Jan. 25, 2026).
15 Wolf, The Effectiveness of Home Rule: A Preemptions and Conflict Analysis, 83 Fla. B.J. 92 (June 2009),
https://www.floridabar.org/the-florida-bar-journal/the-effectiveness-of-home-rule-a-preemption-and-conflict-analysis/ (last
visited Jan. 25, 2026).
16 See City of Hollywood v. Mulligan, 934 So. 2d 1238, 1243 (Fla. 2006); Phantom of Clearwater, Inc. v. Pinellas County, 894 So. 2d
1011, 1018 (Fla. 2d DCA 2005), approved in Phantom of Brevard, Inc. v. Brevard County, 3 So. 3d 309 (Fla. 2008).
17 Mulligan, 934 So. 2d at 1243.
18 Sarasota Alliance for Fair Elections, Inc. v. Browning, 28 So. 3d 880, 886 (Fla. 2010).
19 See, e.g., Nat’l Rifle Ass’n of Am., Inc. v. City of S. Miami, 812 So.2d 504 (Fla. 3d DCA 2002).
20 49 U.S.C. § 47102. Passenger boardings are defined as revenue passenger boardings in the United States in the prior
calendar year on an aircraft in service in air commerce. 49 U.S.C. § 47102(15).
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
CS/HB 919
Commercial Service Airport Classifications21
Hub Type (Percentage /
Number of Annual U.S. Common Name
Passenger Boardings)
Commercial Service Primary Large (1% or more) Large Hub
Publicly owned airports More than 10,000
with at least 2,500 passenger Medium (0.25% to 1%) Medium Hub
passenger boardings boardings each year
each year and that Small (0.05% to 0.25%) Small Hub
receive scheduled
passenger service Nonhub (More than 10,000 Nonhub Primary
but less than 0.05%)
Nonprimary Nonhub - At least 2,500 and Nonhub Nonprimary
no more than 10,000
Large and Medium Hub Airports in Florida
Under the FAA’s classification system, Florida is home to four large hub airports and three medium hub airports.22
Florida’s large hub airports are:
Orlando International Airport,
Miami International Airport,
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, and
Tampa International Airport.
Florida’s medium hub airports are:
Southwest Florida International Airport,
Palm Beach International Airport, and
Jacksonville International Airport.
Each of these airports is owned and operated by a unit of local government.23
21 Federal Aviation Administration, Airport Categories, https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/categories (last
visited Jan. 25, 2026). See also 49 U.S.C. § 47102.
22 Federal Aviation Administration, List of NPIAS Airports, Oct 2024,
https://www.faa.gov/sites/faa.gov/files/airports/planning_capacity/npias/current/ARP-NPIAS-2025-2029-Appendix-A.pdf
(last visited Jan. 25, 2026).
23 Orlando International Airport is operated by the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, an independent special district. See Ch,
98-492, L.O.F.; see also Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, History of MCO, https://flymco.com/airport-business/mcohistory/
(last visited Jan. 25, 2026). Miami International Airport is owned by Miami-Dade County and operated by the Miami-Dade
Aviation Department. See Miami International Airport, About Us, https://www.miami-airport.com/about_us.asp (last visited
Jan. 25, 2026). Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is owned by Broward County and operated by the Broward
County Aviation Department. See Broward.Org, Airport,
https://www.broward.org/Airport/Business/about/Pages/default2.aspx (last visited Jan. 25, 2026). Tampa International
Airport is operated by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, an independent special district. See Ch. 2022-252, L.O.F.;
see also Tampa International Airport, About HCAA, https://www.tampaairport.com/business/airport-administration/about-
hcaa (last visited Jan. 25, 2026). Southwest Florida International Airport is operated by the Lee County Port Authority, a
dependent special district of Lee County. See Lee County Port Authority, About LCPA, https://www.flylcpa.com/about-
lcpa/lee-county-port-authority/ (last visited Jan. 25, 2026). Palm Beach International Airport is operated by the Palm Beach
County Department of Airports. See Palm Beach International Airport, History, https://www.pbia.org/about/history/ (last
visited Jan. 25, 2026). Jacksonville International Airport is owned and operated by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority, a
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
CS/HB 919
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
IEconomic Infrastructure 12 Y, 3 N, As CS 1/28/2026 Keating Ray
Subcommittee
THE CHANGES ADOPTED BY THE Provided that renaming of a certain airport is subject to the approval of
COMMITTEE: the Federal Aviation Administration and execution of an agreement for
naming rights.
Provided construction and clarifies effect of the bill.
Provided a definition of the term “political subdivision” for purposes of
the bill.
Clarified that a political subdivision is in compliance with the bill if it
diligently pursues all necessary approvals and agreements to
implement the name change required by the bill.
Commerce Committee Hamon Rubottom
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THIS BILL ANALYSIS HAS BEEN UPDATED TO INCORPORATE ALL OF THE CHANGES DESCRIBED ABOVE.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
dependent special district of the City of Jacksonville. See Jacksonville International Airport, About JAA,
https://flyjacksonville.com/content.aspx?id=67 (last visited Jan. 25, 2026).
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
5
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 919 2026
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to commercial service airports;
3 amending s. 332.0075, F.S.; defining the term "major
4 commercial service airport"; preempting the naming of
5 major commercial service airports to the state;
6 providing names for major commercial service airports;
7 providing that renaming a specified airport is subject
8 to approval of the Federal Aviation Administration and
9 execution of a certain agreement; providing that such
10 airport names continue to be valid under certain
11 circumstances; requiring the Department of
12 Transportation to annually review provisions naming
13 major commercial service airports for a certain
14 purpose; requiring the department to provide certain
15 notice to the Legislature; providing requirements for
16 such notice; requiring that certain government records
17 created on or after a certain date use such airport
18 names; specifying that airport names are branding
19 designations; providing construction; defining the
20 terms "political subdivision" and "timely commences";
21 providing that a political subdivision is in
22 compliance with certain provisions under specified
23 circumstances; providing an effective date.
24
25 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 919 2026
26
27 Section 1. Paragraph (e) is added to subsection (1) of
28 section 332.0075, Florida Statutes, and subsection (7) is added
29 to that section, to read:
30 332.0075 Commercial service airports; transparency and
31 accountability; penalty.—
32 (1) As used in this section, the term:
33 (e) "Major commercial service airport" means an airport
34 providing commercial service which is a medium or large hub
35 airport under the classification criteria established by the
36 Federal Aviation Administration.
37 (7)(a) The naming of major commercial service airports is
38 preempted to the state.
39 (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the major
40 commercial service airports are named as follows:
41 1. The airport located at One Jeff Fuqua Boulevard in
42 Orlando, or nearest thereto, is the "Orlando International
43 Airport."
44 2. The airport located at 2100 NW 42nd Avenue in Miami, or
45 nearest thereto, is the "Miami International Airport."
46 3. The airport located at 100 Terminal Drive in Fort
47 Lauderdale, or nearest thereto, is the "Fort Lauderdale-
48 Hollywood International Airport."
49 4. The airport located at 4100 George J. Bean Parkway in
50 Tampa, or nearest thereto, is the "Tampa International Airport."
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
CS/HB 919 2026
51 5. The airport located at 11000 Terminal Access Road in
52 Fort Myers, or nearest thereto, is the "Southwest Florida
53 International Airport."
54 6. The airport located at 1000 James L Turnage Boulevard
55 in West Palm Beach, or nearest thereto, currently known as the
56 "Palm Beach International Airport," shall be renamed as the
57 "Donald J. Trump International Airport," subject to approval of
58 the Federal Aviation Administration and execution of an
59 agreement with the rights holder authorizing the commercial use
60 of "Donald J. Trump International Airport" by Palm Beach County,
61 which must, at a minimum, grant Palm Beach County the perpetual
62 and unrestricted right to use the name "Donald J. Trump
63 International Airport," as well as reasonable abbreviations
64 thereof or deviations therefrom, at no cost, in signage,
65 advertising, marketing, merchandising, and promotions and for
66 the branding of the airport and its operations, services, and
67 amenities, and all related purposes.
68 7. The airport located at 2400 Yankee Clipper Drive in
69 Jacksonville, or nearest thereto, is the "Jacksonville
70 International Airport."
71 (c) If an airport listed in paragraph (b) no longer meets
72 the classification criteria to be a major commercial service
73 airport, the airport name continues to be valid.
74 (d) The department shall review paragraph (b) annually to
75 identify airports that may be added to or removed from paragraph
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CS/HB 919 2026
76 (b) based on any change in status as a major commercial service
77 airport. If the department identifies any such airport, it must
78 notify the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House
79 of Representatives 60 days before the next regular legislative
80 session. The notice must include the name of the airport and
81 specify the reasons for the airport's change in status.
82 (e) Government records created on or after July 1, 2026,
83 which refer to airports listed in paragraph (b) must use the
84 airport names provided in paragraph (b). For purposes of this
85 subsection, airport names are branding designations only and do
86 not create or require the creation of a new legal entity. This
87 paragraph does not require a political subdivision to amend any
88 existing agreement with any person or entity solely to update
89 references to the airport name or require a political
90 subdivision to contract in the name of the airport listed in
91 paragraph (b).
92 (f) For purposes of this subsection, the term "political
93 subdivision" means a political subdivision as defined in s.
94 333.01 that owns and controls an airport listed in paragraph
95 (b). Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a political
96 subdivision does not violate any state law, including, but not
97 limited to, chapter 495 and s. 540.08, by using the airport name
98 provided in paragraph (b).
99 (g) A political subdivision is in compliance with this
100 subsection if it diligently pursues all necessary approvals and
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CS/HB 919 2026
101 agreements to implement an airport name change required under
102 this subsection and timely commences signage and branding
103 changes upon receipt of such approvals. For purposes of this
104 paragraph, the term "timely commences" means to initiate
105 planning, procurement, and implementation within a reasonable
106 period after receiving all necessary approvals, taking into
107 account the availability of budgeted funds and the timeframes
108 necessary to comply with applicable procurement laws,
109 regulations, and procedures.
110 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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HB 1509
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 1509 COMPANION BILL: SB 1708 (Gaetz)
TITLE: Veterinarian Licensure by Endorsement LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): Johnson RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Industries & Professional Activities Commerce
16 Y, 0 N
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill revises the requirement for veterinarian licensure by endorsement, removing the requirement that such
applicants have held a valid, active license for the three years immediately preceding their application, and instead,
requiring the applicants to hold a valid, active license "in good standing" to practice veterinary medicine in another
state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
Indeterminate. The bill may have a positive fiscal impact on the private sector.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill revises the provision in the veterinary medical practice (practice act) that governs veterinary licensure by
endorsement, by removing the requirement that the applicant’s out-of-state license be held for the three years
immediately preceding the application for licensure, and instead, requires the applicant’s out-of-state license to be
in good standing. (Section 1)
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2026. (Section 2)
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
PRIVATE SECTOR:
Indeterminate. The bill may allow additional veterinarians to be eligible to practice in the state, which will increase
access to veterinary care for animal owners and patients.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Practice of Veterinary Medicine
The Board of Veterinary Medicine (Board), created within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation
(DBPR), implements the provisions of ch. 474, F.S., relating to the veterinary medical practice act (practice act).
The purpose of the practice act is to ensure that every veterinarian practicing in this state meets minimum
requirements for safe practices to protect public health and safety.1
1 S. 474.201, F.S.
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1
HB 1509
A “veterinarian” is a health care practitioner licensed by the Board to engage in the practice of veterinary medicine
in Florida.2 Veterinarians are subject to disciplinary action from the Board for various violations of the practice
act.3 Veterinary establishments must have a premises permit issued by DBPR.4 Veterinarian licenses are renewed
every two years,5 however premises permits have no expiration date.
Veterinary medicine includes, with respect to animals:6
Surgery;
Acupuncture;
Obstetrics;
Dentistry;
Physical therapy;
Radiology;
Theriogenology (reproductive medicine); and
Other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine.
The “practice of veterinary medicine” is the diagnosis of medical conditions of animals, and the prescribing or
administering of medicine and treatment to animals for the prevention, cure, or relief of a wound, fracture, bodily
injury, or disease, or holding oneself out as performing any of these functions.7
The practice act defines a “patient” as any animal for which the veterinarian practices veterinary medicine.8
The practice act defines a “veterinarian/client/patient relationship” (VCPR) as one in which a veterinarian has
assumed responsibility for making medical judgments regarding the health of an animal and its need for medical
treatment.9
Veterinarians are required to hold a valid, active license to practice veterinary medicine.10 Pathways to licensure
include licensure by:
Examination;11
Endorsement;12 or
Temporary licensure.13
Licensure by Examination
Licensure by examination requires the applicant to take the following examinations, as chosen by the Board:14
North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) developed by the International Council for
Veterinary Assessment (ICVA); and
Laws and rules related to the practice of veterinary medicine (the Florida laws and rules examination)15.
2 S. 474.202(11), F.S.
3 Ss. 474.213 and 474.214, F.S.
4 S. 474.215(1), F.S.
5 S. 474.211, F.S.
6 See s. 474.202(13), F.S. Section 474.202(1), F.S., defines “animal” as “any mammal other than a human being or any bird,
amphibian, fish, or reptile, wild or domestic, living or dead.”
7 See s. 474.202(9), F.S. Also included is the determination of the health, fitness, or soundness of an animal, and the
performance of any manual procedure for the diagnosis or treatment of pregnancy or fertility or infertility of animals.
8 S. 474.202(8), F.S.
9 S. 474.202(12), F.S.
10 S. 474.213(1)(i), F.S.
11 See s. 474.207, F.S.
12 See s. 474.217, F.S.
13 See s. 474.2125, F.S.
14 R. 61G18-11, F.A.C.
15 DBPR, Veterinary Medicine Examinations, https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/examination-information/veterinary-
medicine-examinations/ (Last visited Jan. 29, 2026).
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
HB 1509
DBPR is required to license each applicant who the Board certifies has:16
Completed the application form and remitted an examination fee set by the Board.17
Successfully completed the examination or an examination determined by the Board to be equivalent.
Demonstrated knowledge of the laws and rules governing the practice of veterinary medicine in Florida in
a manner designated by rules of the Board.
Applicants are required to have graduated from a college of veterinary medicine in order to qualify for licensure by
examination.18 The college of veterinary medicine must be:
Accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education; or
Listed in the American Veterinary Medical Association Roster of Veterinary Colleges of the World and
obtained a certificate from the Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates or the Program for
the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence.
Licensure by Endorsement
DBPR must issue a license by endorsement to applicants who pay the required fee and successfully complete the
Florida laws and rules examination.19 Applicants who have never had disciplinary action taken against any
professional license by any jurisdiction may, in lieu of taking the Florida laws and rules examination, complete a
Board approved 2 hour continuing education course on Florida’s laws and rules as set forth in r. 61G18-16.002(2),
F.A.C.20 In addition, an applicant for endorsement must either:
Hold, and have held for the three years immediately preceding the application for licensure, a valid,
active license to practice veterinary medicine in another state of the United States, the District of Columbia,
or a territory of the United States, provided that the applicant has successfully completed a state, regional,
national, or other examination that is equivalent to or more stringent than the examination required by the
board; or
Have graduated from a college of veterinary medicine and:
o Successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other examination which is equivalent to or
more stringent than the DBPR examination; and
o Passed the Board’s clinical competency examination or another clinical competency examination.
Temporary Licensure
The Board must adopt rules21 providing for the issuance of a temporary license to a veterinarian licensed in
another state, who would qualify for licensure by endorsement, to provide veterinary medical services in this
state22 In order to be issued a temporary license, an applicant must demonstrate to the Board that the veterinarian
meets the following qualifications:23
Has filed an application identifying the name and address of the owner of the animals to be treated, the
type of animals to be treated and their injury or disease, the location the treatment is to be performed, and
the names, addresses, and titles of all persons entering the state with the applicant to perform the
treatment, or has filed an application and is responding to an emergency as defined in s. 252.34(2), F.S., for
the treatment of animals of multiple owners;
Has paid the temporary licensure fee;
Holds an active license to practice veterinary medicine in another state of the United States and that any
license to practice veterinary medicine that he has ever held has never been revoked, suspended or
16 S. 474.207(2), F.S.
17 R. 61G18-12, F.A.C.
18 S. 474.207(2)(b), F.S.
19 R. 61G18-14.002(4), F.A.C.
20 R. 61G18-14.002(5), F.A.C.
21 R. 61G18-25.001, F.A.C.
22 S. 474.2125(1), F.S.
23 R. 61G18-25.001(1), F.A.C.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
HB 1509
otherwise acted against by the licensing authority. For the purposes of this rule, the Board interprets the
phrase "valid license" as requiring an active license;
Is neither the subject of any pending prosecution nor has he ever been convicted of any offense which is
related to the practice of veterinary medicine; and
Satisfies the qualifications for licensure by endorsement, except for having demonstrated knowledge of the
laws and rules of veterinary medicine in this State as required by s. 474.217(1)(a), F.S.
Temporary licenses are valid for no more than 30 days after issuance. After the expiration of 30 days, a new license
is required.24
Veterinarian Shortage
Pets
According to a survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association, 70 percent of U.S. households, or about
90.5 million families, own a pet. This is an increase from 56 percent of U.S. households in 1988, and 67 percent in
2019.25 As a result, experts say there is a shortage of veterinarians in the U.S., which is expected to result in the
need for approximately 15,000 veterinarians by the year 2030.26 A study from Banfield Pet Hospital reveals an
estimated 75 million pets in the U.S. may not have access to the veterinary care they need by 2030, with an
important factor being a critical shortage of veterinarians.27
Livestock
According to a study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, the U.S. has lost 90 percent of its large animal and
livestock veterinarians since the end of World War II.28 The University of Florida’s Dean of the College of Veterinary
Medicine, Dana Zimmel, has indicated that there is a shortage of veterinarians in Florida, which in addition to pets
has “1.7 million beef cattle and dairy cows, more horses than Kentucky and an alarming decline of manatee.” The
state’s only veterinary medical college, the University of Florida, also reports that due to limited capacity, it must
turn away 1,500 qualified candidates a year.29 According to the United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture, two factors are largely responsible for the shortage: the cost of
obtaining a doctor of veterinary medicine degree and the pay disparity between companion animal veterinarians
and large animal veterinarians. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), “the shortage
has proven to be an especially salient issue for rural communities across the country and has broad implications
for livestock health, economic stability in the agricultural sector, and America’s food security.”30
24 S. 474.2125(1), F.S.
25 Insurance Information Institute, Facts + Statistics: Pet Ownership and Insurance, https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-
statistics-pet-ownership-and-
insurance#:~:text=Seventy%20percent%20of%20U.S.%20households,and%2067%20percent%20in%202019. (last visited
January 13, 2026).
26 Spectrum News 13, Mobile ‘ElleVet’ clinic helps relieve veterinarian shortage,
https://www.mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2023/02/03/the-ellevet-project-
#:~:text=%E2%80%94%20Experts%20say%20there's%20a%20shortage,States%20may%20not%20get%20care. (last
visited January 13, 2026).
27 Banfield Pet Hospital, 75 million pets may not have access to veterinary care by 2030, New Banfield® study finds,
https://www.banfield.com/en/about-banfield/newsroom/press-releases/2020/75-million-pets-may-not-have-access-to-
veterinary (last visited January 13, 2026).
28 Lisa M. Weltzien Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future, THE LIVESTOCK VETERINARIAN SHORTAGE IMPLICATIONS FOR
FOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY, https://clf.jhsph.edu/sites/default/files/2023-06/the-livestock-veterinarian-shortage.pdf (last
visited Jan. 20, 2026).
29 Dana Zimmel, Florida needs more veterinarians | Column, Tampa Bay Times (January 3, 2022),
https://www.tampabay.com/opinion/2022/01/03/florida-needs-more-veterinarians-column/ (last visited January 13,
2026).
30 National Conference of State Legislatures, Large Animal Veterinary Shortage, https://www.ncsl.org/environment-and-
natural-resources/large-animal-veterinary-shortage (last visited Jan. 20, 2026).
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4
HB 1509
OTHER RESOURCES:
DBPR: Veterinary Medicine Board Information
USDA: Veterinary Shortage Situations Map
NCSL: Large Animal Veterinary Shortage
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Industries & Professional Activities 16 Y, 0 N 1/28/2026 Anstead Thompson
Subcommittee
Commerce Committee Hamon Thompson
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
5
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 1509 2026
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to veterinarian licensure by
3 endorsement; amending s. 474.217, F.S.; revising
4 requirements for licensure by endorsement as a
5 veterinarian; providing an effective date.
6
7 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
8
9 Section 1. Subsection (1) of section 474.217, Florida
10 Statutes, is amended to read:
11 474.217 Licensure by endorsement.—
12 (1) The department shall issue a license by endorsement to
13 any applicant who, upon applying to the department and remitting
14 a fee set by the board, demonstrates to the board that she or
15 he:
16 (a) Has demonstrated, in a manner designated by rule of
17 the board, knowledge of the laws and rules governing the
18 practice of veterinary medicine in this state; and
19 (b)1. Holds, and has held for the 3 years immediately
20 preceding the application for licensure, a valid, active license
21 in good standing to practice veterinary medicine in another
22 state of the United States, the District of Columbia, or a
23 territory of the United States, provided that the applicant has
24 successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other
25 examination that is equivalent to or more stringent than the
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hb1509-00
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
HB 1509 2026
26 examination required by the board; or
27 2. Meets the qualifications of s. 474.207(2)(b) and has
28 successfully completed a state, regional, national, or other
29 examination which is equivalent to or more stringent than the
30 examination given by the department and has passed the board's
31 clinical competency examination or another clinical competency
32 examination specified by rule of the board.
33 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1509-00
PCS for CS/HB 881
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: PCS for CS/HB 881 COMPANION BILL: SB 1564 (DiCeglie)
TITLE: Pari-Mutuel Wagering LINKED BILLS: None
SPONSOR(S): RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Orig. Comm.: Commerce
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
The bill removes live racing requirements for thoroughbred permitholders under certain conditions, and allows
certain thoroughbred permitholders that do not conduct live racing to retain the ability to continue to hold and/or
apply for a slot machine and/or cardroom license. The bill revises requirements related to thoroughbred purses
and certain agreements related to live racing. The bill creates a pathway for certain thoroughbred permitholders to
operate racing at a licensed thoroughbred training center under certain conditions.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact on state government and the private sector.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
Live Racing Requirements
The bill removes live racing requirements, under certain conditions, for certain thoroughbred permitholders.
(Section 1)
The bill provides that a thoroughbred permitholder that does not conduct live racing:
Retains its permit;
Is a pari-mutuel facility;
If such permitholder has been issued a slot machine license, the facility where such permit is located:
o Remains an eligible slot machine facility;
o Continues to be eligible for a slot machine license; and
o Is exempt from thoroughbred horse racing purses and awards agreement requirements, and slot
machine gaming area requirements;
Is eligible, but not required, to be a guest track; and
Remains eligible for a cardroom license. (Section 1)
The bill requires thoroughbred permitholders to give notice prior to ending live racing and to continue to offer a
full schedule of live racing until the end of such notice period. The notice cannot be made prior to July 1, 2027, and
the term of the notice must ensure that live racing continues for at least three (3) years after the date of the notice.
Thus, the earliest date that a thoroughbred permitholder may elect to end live racing is July 1, 2030. (Section 1)
Escheated Thoroughbred Horse Permits
The bill removes the authority of the Florida Gaming Control Commission (Commission) to reissue escheated
thoroughbred horse permits for failure of the permitholder to pay the required tax on handle for live
performances. (Section 3)
STORAGE NAME: PCS0881.COM
DATE: 1/30/2026
1
Thoroughbred Purses and Awards
The bill requires purse supplements to be given to the owners of Florida-bred racehorses as breeders' awards, and
given as stallion awards to be used to incentivize the ownership and the breeding of registered Florida-bred
horses, and requires the awards to be given at a uniform rate pursuant to an annual plan developed by the
Commission. The plan must be developed with input from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
(DACS), the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, and the public, and must be published in the Florida
Register by January 1 for implementation during the next licensed racing year. (Section 5)
Permitholders must make payments for awards to the Commission to be deposited in the Pari-mutuel Wagering
Trust Fund by the 5th day of each month, which will be made available for distribution according to the
Commission’s annual plan, as follows:
.955% of pari-mutuel pools from wagering on race meets, including intertrack, interstate simulcast and
Breeder’s Cup races conducted outside the state.
3.475% of gross revenue from host tracks for live racing in this state that is broadcast out-of-state. (Section
5)
The bill sets standards for registering horses in order to be considered for certain breeder’s awards and allows the
Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association to charge a fee of $75 for registration. The bill disqualifies stallions
that are removed from the state for any period of time between February 1 and June 15 of any year from receiving
a Florida stallion award. The bill provides exceptions for prescribed medical treatment. (Section 5)
Purses are required to be funded from pari-mutuel pools conducted by the permitholder and the bill provides for
discipline by the Commission for failure to do so. A thoroughbred permitholder must pay as purses during its race
meets an amount equal to 7.0 percent of all wagers placed as purses during its current race meet. (Section 5)
The bill requires the Commission, rather than the horsemen’s association, to maintain complete records related to
races conducted at thoroughbred tracks. The bill allows the Commission to adopt emergency rules for purposes of
implementation. (Section 5)
The bill requires any funds in the possession of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association related to
payments from thoroughbred permitholders, or by DACS, to be paid to the Commission for deposit into the Pari-
mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. (Section 5)
Horseracing, Minimum Purse Requirement, and Florida Breeders’ and Owners’ Awards
The bill repeals s. 550.2625, F.S., which governs the purse structure and the availability of breeder awards in horse
racing meets in this state. (Section 6)
Limited Thoroughbred Racing Permits
For thoroughbred permitholders that hold a limited thoroughbred permit, the bill creates a pathway for such
thoroughbred permitholders to operate racing at a licensed thoroughbred training center. The bill prohibits a
training center from operating a cardroom. A permitholder operating a training center may not be issued a
cardroom operating license unless such permitholder held a valid cardroom license before January 1, 2026. A
training center may not operate a slot machine facility, and a permitholder operating the training center may not
be issued a slot machine facility operating license. (Section 9)
The bill revises one of the designating authorities of the board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation that the
holder of such permits is required to operate under to require the Commission to appoint four of the members
instead of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. (Section 9)
Intertrack Wagering, Purses, Breeders’ Awards
The bill repeals s. 550.625, F.S., which governs the purse amounts from intertrack wagering for certain host tracks.
(Section 11)
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
Slot Machine Licensing
The bill removes live racing requirements and makes conforming changes for thoroughbred permitholders with a
slot machine license. (Section 13)
Cardroom Licensing
The bill removes the requirement for live racing for thoroughbred permitholders with a cardroom license. Such
permitholders are no longer required to conduct at least 90 percent of the live performances during the initial year
of licensure. (Section 14)
Effective Date
The effective date of the bill is July 1, 2026. (Section 15)
RULEMAKING:
The bill allows the Commission to adopt emergency rules for purposes of implementation and exempts the
Commission from making certain findings.
The bill authorizes the Commission to adopt rules for the licensing and oversight of thoroughbred training centers.
Lawmaking is a legislative power; however, the Legislature may delegate a portion of such power to executive
branch agencies to create rules that have the force of law. To exercise this delegated power, an agency must
have a grant of rulemaking authority and a law to implement.
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The bill may have an insignificant impact on state government revenues. It is unknown how many thoroughbred
permitholders will elect to terminate live racing.
PRIVATE SECTOR:
Individuals and businesses associated with thoroughbred horse racing will experience an indeterminate impact
associated with the election by thoroughbred permitholders to conduct or not conduct live racing. Removing live
race requirements for such permitholders may reduce certain expenditures related to these activities.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Gambling Overview
Gambling is generally prohibited in Florida, unless specifically authorized. Gambling is defined in Florida law as
playing or engaging in any game at cards, keno, roulette, faro or other game of chance, at any place, by any device
whatever, for money or other thing of value.1 The standard jury instructions for criminal cases in Florida provide
that in order to prove the crime of gambling, the state must prove the following three elements beyond a
reasonable doubt:2
Playing or engaging in a game of chance.
Risking money or property on the outcome of the game.
Expecting to gain or lose money or property as a result of the game.
Gambling in Florida is highly regulated, and wagers on games that are not specifically authorized by law are
considered illegal.
1 S. 849.08, F.S.
2 The Florida Bar, Criminal Jury Instructions Chapter 22, 22.1 Gambling, https://www.floridabar.org/rules/florida-standard-
jury-instructions/criminal-jury-instructions-home/criminal-jury-instructions/sji-criminal-chapter-22/ (last visited Jan. 30,
2026).
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
Section 7, Art. X, of the Florida Constitution prohibits lotteries, other than pari-mutuel pools, from being conducted
in Florida.
Slot machines that are not operated by a licensed pari-mutuel facility or in accordance with a tribal compact or
specific law are illegal in Florida.
Chapter 849, F.S., includes prohibitions against slot machines, keeping a gambling house, engaging in bookmaking,
and running a lottery. However, a constitutional amendment approved by voters in 1986 authorized state-
operated lotteries, and a constitutional amendment in 2004 authorized slot machines in Miami-Dade and Broward
Counties.
The following gaming activities are also authorized by law and regulated by the state:
Pari-mutuel3 wagering;4
Gaming on tribal reservations in accordance with the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and the 2021
Gaming Compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida;
Slot machine gaming at certain licensed pari-mutuel locations in Miami-Dade County and Broward County;5
and
Cardrooms6 at certain pari-mutuel facilities.
Under the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act,7 gambling proceeds, paraphernalia, and property may be seized as
contraband. For example, a vehicle used for transporting an illegal slot machine is subject to seizure.8
Chapter 849, F.S., also authorizes, under specific and limited conditions, the conduct of penny-ante games,9 bingo,10
charitable drawings,11 game promotions (sweepstakes),12 bowling tournaments,13 and skill-based amusement
games and machines at specified locations.14
Pari-mutuel Wagering Permitting and Licensure
The Florida Pari-mutuel Wagering Act (Act)15 provides specific permitting and licensing requirements for the
conduct of the pari-mutuel industry.16 Pari-mutuel wagering activities are limited to operators who have received a
permit from the Division, which is then subject to ratification by county referendum.17 Permitholders apply for an
operating license annually to conduct pari-mutuel wagering activities.18 Certain permitholders are also authorized
to operate cardrooms19 and slot machines at their facility.20
3 “Pari-mutuel” is defined in Florida law as “a system of betting on races or games in which the winners divide the total amount
bet, after deducting management expenses and taxes, in proportion to the sums they have wagered individually and with
regard to the odds assigned to particular outcomes. See s. 550.002(22), F.S.
4 See ch. 550, F.S., relating to the regulation of pari-mutuel activities.
5 See FLA. CONST., art. X, s. 23, and ch. 551, F.S.
6 S. 849.086(2)(c), F.S., defines “cardroom” to mean “a facility where authorized card games are played for money or anything
of value and to which the public is invited to participate in such games and charged a fee for participation by the operator of
such facility.”
7 Ss. 932.701-932.706, F.S., comprise the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act.
8 S. 849.36, F.S.
9 S. 849.085, F.S.
10 S. 849.0931, F.S.
11 S. 849.0935, F.S.
12 S. 849.094, F.S., authorizes game promotions in connection with the sale of consumer products or services.
13 S. 849.141, F.S.
14 S. 546.10, F.S.
15 Ch. 550, F.S.
16 S. 550.054(1), F.S.
17 S. 550.054(2), F.S.
18 S. 550.0115, F.S.
19 S. 849.086, F.S.
20 S. 551.104, F.S.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
The Act generally requires that any transfer or assignment of a permit receive prior approval21 by the Commission,
which must determine the eligibility22 of persons and entities to hold a permit. Similarly, if a permit is held by a
corporation or business entity other than an individual, the transfer of ten percent or more of the stock or other
evidence of ownership or equity in the permitholder may not be made without the prior approval of the transferee
by the Commission.23
The Act restricts pari-mutuel permitholders from being issued an operating license to conduct pari-mutuel
wagering, slot machine gaming, or the operation of a cardroom if the permitholder did not hold an operating
license for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.24
The Act restricts pari-mutuel permitholders from holding a permit to conduct pari-mutuel wagering and
associated cardroom or slot machine licenses25 unless the permitholder, other than a limited thoroughbred
permitholder, held an operating license for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering for Fiscal year 2020-2021.26
The Act specifies that permits held on January 1, 2021 are deemed valid,27 but new permits for pari-mutuel
wagering may not be approved or issued.28
The Commission is required to revoke the permit of any permitholder, other than a limited thoroughbred
permitholder, who did not hold an operating license for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering for fiscal year 2020-
2021. A permit revoked under this provision is void and may not be reissued.29
Live Racing Requirements
Currently, only thoroughbred permitholders are required to conduct live racing in order to operate other PMW
activities.30 For example, in order to hold a cardroom license, thoroughbred permitholders are required to run a
certain number of live races each year.
The Act defines “full schedule of live racing or games” as follows: 31
Jai alai permitholders: the conduct of a combination of at least 100 live evening or matinee performances
during the preceding year;
Converted permitholders: the conduct of a combination of at least 100 live evening and matinee wagering
performances during either of the 2 preceding years;
Jai alai permitholder who does not operate slot machines: who has conducted at least 100 live
performances per year for at least 10 years after December 31, 1992, and whose handle on live jai alai
games conducted at its pari-mutuel facility has been less than $4 million per state fiscal year for at least 2
consecutive years after June 30, 1992, the conduct of a combination of at least 40 live evening or matinee
performances during the preceding year;
Jai alai permitholder who operates slot machines: the conduct of a combination of at least 150
performances during the preceding year;
Harness permitholder: the conduct of at least 100 live regular wagering performances during the
preceding year;
21 There is one exception to the prior-approval requirement in s. 550.054(11)(a), F.S., which is that the holder of a permit
converted to a jai alai permit “may lease or build anywhere within the county in which its permit is located.” As of 2021, such
conversions are prohibited. See s. 550.054(15)(d), F.S.
22 See s. 550.1815, F.S.
23 S. 550.054(11)(b), F.S.
24 S. 550.01215(1)(d), F.S.
25 Under s. 551.114(4), F.S., designated slot machine gaming areas must be located at the address specified in the licensed
permitholder's slot machine license issued for Fiscal Year 2020-2021.
26 S. 550.054(15)(a), F.S.
27 S. 550.054(15)(b), F.S.
28 S. 550.054(15)(c), F.S.
29 S. 550.054(9)(c), F.S.
30 S. 550.01215(1)(b), F.S.
31 S. 550.002(10), F.S.
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5
Quarter horse permitholder at its facility: unless an alternative schedule of at least 20 live regular
wagering performances is agreed upon by the permitholder and either the Florida Quarter Horse Racing
Association or the horsemen's association representing the majority of the quarter horse owners and
trainers at the facility and filed with the commission along with its annual date application, in the 2010-
2011 fiscal year, the conduct of at least 20 regular wagering performances, in the 2011-2012 and 2012-
2013 fiscal years, the conduct of at least 30 live regular wagering performances, and for every fiscal year
after the 2012-2013 fiscal year, the conduct of at least 40 live regular wagering performances;
Quarter horse permitholder leasing another licensed racetrack: the conduct of 160 events at the
leased facility; and for a thoroughbred permitholder, the conduct of at least 40 live regular wagering
performances during the preceding year.
Greyhound permitholders are prohibited from conducting live racing.
Jai alai permitholders, harness horse racing permitholders, and quarter horse racing permitholders have the
option to conduct live racing or games but are not required to do so.32
A greyhound permitholder, jai alai permitholder, harness horse racing permitholder, or quarter horse racing
permitholder that does not conduct live racing or games:33
Retains its permit;
Is a pari-mutuel facility as defined in s. 550.002(23), F.S.;
Is eligible, but not required, to be a guest track, and if the permitholder is a harness horse racing
permitholder, is eligible to be a host track for purposes of intertrack wagering and simulcasting pursuant to
ss. 550.3551, 550.615, 550.625, and 550.6305, F.S.;
Remains eligible for a cardroom license; and
If previously issued a slot machine license, remains eligible for such license.
Pari-mutuel Wagering Permitting and Licensure
The Florida Pari-mutuel Wagering Act (Act)34 provides specific permitting and licensing requirements for the pari-
mutuel industry.35 Permitholders apply for an operating license annually to conduct pari-mutuel wagering
activities.36 Certain permitholders are also authorized to operate cardrooms37 and slot machines at their facility.38
Currently, there are three pari-mutuel operating licenses that were issued for fiscal year 2025-2026 to conduct live
thoroughbred racing performances. These licenses and their locations include:39
Gulfstream Park Racing Association Inc., operates at Gulfstream Park in Broward County.
Gulfstream Park Thoroughbred After Racing Program, Inc., operates at Gulfstream Park in Broward
County.
Tampa Bay Downs, Inc., operates at Tampa Bay Downs in Hillsborough County.
Slot Machine Licensing
In order to apply to conduct slot machine gaming a permitholder must first obtain permission from the voters of
the county where the applicant’s facility is located by referendum as specified in s. 23, Art. X of the State
Constitution.40 Currently, slot machines are only authorized in eight licensed PMW facilities41 located in Miami-
32 S. 550.01215(1)(b)1., F.S.
33 Id.
34 See ch. 550, F.S.
35 S. 550.054(1), F.S.
36 S. 550.0115, F.S.
37 S. 849.086, F.S.
38 S. 551.104, F.S.
39 Florida Gaming Control Commission, Tracks and Frontons, https://flgaming.gov/pmw/tracks-frontons/ (last visited Jan. 30,
2026).
40 S. 551.104(2), F.S.
41 S. 551.104(3), F.S.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
6
Dade and Broward counties, and are also authorized by Compact on the Seminole Tribe of Florida’s tribal
property.42
Thoroughbred permitholders are required to conduct a full schedule of live racing, as defined in s. 550.002(10),
F.S., in order to maintain their slot machine license.43
Cardroom Licensing
On order to apply for a cardroom license an applicant must first obtain a majority vote of the governing body of the
municipality or county the facility is located in.44
Municipalities are authorized to prohibit the establishment of a cardroom on or after July 1, 2021, within their
jurisdiction. This does not apply to a licensed pari-mutuel permitholder who held an operating license for the
conduct of pari-mutuel wagering for fiscal year 2020-2021 in the municipality’s jurisdiction or to a cardroom that
was previously approved by the municipality.45
A cardroom license may only be issued to a licensed pari-mutuel wagering permitholder, and operated at the same
facility at which the permitholder is authorized to conduct pari-mutuel wagering activities.46
A pari-mutuel permitholder, other than a converted quarter horse to thoroughbred permitholder or a purchaser,
transferee, or assignee holding a valid permit for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering, may not be issued a license
for the operation of a cardroom if the permitholder did not hold an operating license for the conduct of pari-mutuel
wagering for fiscal year 2020-2021.47
In order for an initial cardroom license to be issued to a converted quarter horse to thoroughbred permitholder,
the applicant must have requested, as part of its pari-mutuel annual license application, to conduct at least a full
schedule of live racing.48
Currently, in order for a cardroom license to be renewed by a thoroughbred permitholder, it must conduct at least
90 percent of the total number of live performances conducted by such permitholder during either the state fiscal
year in which its initial cardroom license was issued or the state fiscal year immediately prior thereto if the
permitholder ran at least a full schedule of live racing or games in the prior year.49
Thoroughbred Purses and Awards
A slot machine license may not be issued, or renewed, to an applicant holding a permit to conduct pari-mutuel
wagering meets of thoroughbred racing unless the applicant has on file with the Commission a binding written
agreement between the applicant and the:50
Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., governing the payment of purses on live
thoroughbred races conducted at the licensee’s pari-mutuel facility.
Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, Inc., governing the payment of breeders’, stallion, and special
racing awards on live thoroughbred races conducted at the licensee’s pari-mutuel facility.
The agreements may direct the payment of such purses and awards from revenues generated by any wagering or
gaming the applicant is authorized to conduct under Florida law. All purses and awards are subject to the terms of
chapter 550, F.S. All sums for breeders’, stallion, and special racing awards are remitted monthly to the Florida
42 S. 551.101, F.S.
43 S. 551.104(4)(c), F.S.
44 S. 849.086(16)(a), F.S.
45 S. 849.086(16)(b), F.S.
46 S. 849.086(5)(a), F.S.
47 S. 849.086(5)(c), F.S.
48 Id.
49 Id.
50 S. 551.104(10)(a)1., F.S.
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Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, Inc., for the payment of awards subject to the administrative fee authorized
in s. 550.2625(3), F.S.51
“Purse” means the cash portion of the prize for which a race or game is contested.52 “Breeders’ and stallions’
awards” means financial incentives paid to encourage the agricultural industry to breeding racehorses in this
state.53
Current law provides that “the purse structure and the availability of breeder awards are important factors in
attracting the entry of well-bred horses in racing meets in this state which in turn helps to produce maximum
racing revenues for the state and the counties.”54 Each permitholder conducting a horserace meet is required to
pay from the takeout withheld on pari-mutuel pools a sum for purses in accordance with the type of race
performed.55 Each horseracing permitholder conducting any thoroughbred race is required to pay a sum on all
pari-mutuel pools conducted during any such race for the payment of breeders’, stallion, or special racing awards.56
Escheated Thoroughbred Horse Permits
Currently, the tax on handle for thoroughbred horserace performances is 0.5 percent of handle per performance.57
The permit of a thoroughbred permitholder who is conducting thoroughbred performances and who does not pay
tax on handle for any such performances conducted during any 2 consecutive state fiscal years is void and may not
be reissued unless such failure to operate and pay tax on handle was the direct result of fire, strike, war, hurricane,
pandemic, or other disaster or event beyond the ability of the permitholder to control. Financial hardship does not
constitute just cause for failure to operate and pay tax on handle.58
The Commission is authorized to reissue an escheated thoroughbred horse permit to a qualified applicant for the
issuance of an initial permit without having to satisfy the referendum requirements for a pari-mutuel permit. As
specified in the application and upon approval by the Commission, the new permitholder is authorized to operate a
thoroughbred horse facility anywhere in the same county in which the escheated permit was authorized to be
operated, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 550.054(2), F.S., relating to mileage limitations.59
Limited Thoroughbred Racing Permits
Currently, a holder of a quarter horse racing permit may, within 1 year after the effective date of this law, which
became effective in 2009, apply to the Commission for a transfer of the quarter horse racing permit to a not-for-
profit corporation, designated by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, to request that the Commission
convert the quarter horse racing permit to a permit authorizing the holder to conduct thoroughbred racing.60
The quarter horse racing permit nor its conversion to a limited thoroughbred permit are subject to the mileage
limitation or the ratification election as set forth under s. 550.054(2) or s. 550.0651, F.S. After the conversion
issuance of the initial license to conduct thoroughbred racing, the not-for-profit corporation is required to annually
apply to the Commission for a thoroughbred racing license.61
Racing under the permit may take place only at the location for which the original quarter horse racing permit was
issued, which may be leased by the not-for-profit corporation for that purpose; however, the not-for-profit
corporation may, without the conduct of any ratification election pursuant to s. 550.054(13) or s. 550.0651, F.S.,
51 Id.
52 S. 550.002(28), F.S.
53 S. 550.002(2), F.S.
54 S. 550.2625(1), F.S.
55 See s. 550.2625(2)(a), F.S.
56 See s. 550.2625(3), F.S.
57
S. 550.09515(2)(a), F.S.
58
S. 550.09515(3)(a), F.S.
59
S. 550.09515(3)(b), F.S.
60 S. 550.3345(1), F.S.
61 S. 550.3345(2), F.S.
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move the location of the permit to another location in the same county provided that such relocation is approved
under the zoning and land use regulations of the applicable county or municipality.62
A converted permit and a license issued to the not-for-profit corporation under chapter 849 are not eligible for
transfer to another person or entity.63
Unless otherwise provided, after conversion, the permit and the not-for-profit corporation are treated under the
laws of this state as a thoroughbred permit and as a thoroughbred permitholder, respectively, with the exception
of certain tax on handle and intertrack wagering requirements in ss. 550.09515(3) and 550.6308, F.S.64
Intertrack Wagering, Purses, Breeders’ Awards
Currently, a host track racing under either a thoroughbred or quarter horse permit is required to pay an amount
equal to 7.0 percent of all wagers placed pursuant to intertrack wagering, as purses during its current race meet.
However, up to 0.50 percent of these wagers placed may, at the option of the host track, be deducted from the
amount retained by the host track for purses to supplement the awards program for owners of Florida-bred
horses.65
A host track racing under a harness permit is required to pay an amount equal to 7 percent of all wagers placed
pursuant to intertrack wagering as purses during its current race meet. If a host track underpays or overpays
purses, the provisions of s. 550.2625, F.S., apply to the overpayment or underpayment.66
Of all wagers placed pursuant to intertrack wagering, if the host track is:67
A thoroughbred track, an amount equal to 0.75 percent is paid to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’
Association, Inc., for the payment of breeders’ awards;
A harness track, an amount equal to 1 percent is paid to the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners
Association, Inc., for the payment of breeders’ awards, stallion awards, stallion stakes, additional purses,
and prizes for, and the general promotion of owning and breeding, Florida-bred standardbred horses; or
A quarter horse track, an amount equal to 1 percent is paid to the Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and
Owners Association, Inc., for the payment of breeders’ awards and general promotion.
The law also provides certain requirements for payment to a breeders’ organization with regard to any other
amounts received by the respective breeders’ and owners’ associations as so designated.68
DACS Distribution of Funds for Florida Thoroughbred Breeding and Racing
Current law relating to the promotion of Florida thoroughbred breeding and racing at Florida thoroughbred tracks,
outlines the distribution of funds to encourage these activities. The law encourages the agricultural activity of
breeding thoroughbred racehorses in Florida and thoroughbred racing at Florida tracks.69
DACS is responsible for distributing funds from the Florida Agricultural Promotional Campaign Trust Fund to
achieve these goals. The law provides:70
Purses or purse supplements for Florida-bred or Florida-sired horses registered with the association that
participate in Florida thoroughbred races.
Stallion Awards to the owners of thoroughbred stallions appropriately registered with the association and
siring association for registered Florida-breds that finish first in a listed stakes race at a Florida
thoroughbred track.
62 S. 550.3345(2)(d), F.S.
63 S. 550.3345(2)(e), F.S.
64 S. 550.3345(3), F.S.
65 S. 550.625(1), F.S.
66 Id.
67 S. 550.625(2), F.S.
68 S. 550.625(3), F.S.
69 See s. 571.265, F.S.
70 S. 571.265(3), F.S.
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Recipients of such funds must submit a report to DACS detailing how all funds were used in the prior fiscal year.71
RECENT LEGISLATION:
YEAR BILL # HOUSE SPONSOR(S) SENATE SPONSOR OTHE
INFORMA
2021A CS/CS/HB 7A - Gaming Latvala, Robinson, W./ The bill became law on May
Hutson 25, 2021.
2025 CS/HB 1467 - Gambling Snyder, Anderson/ The bill passed the House, but
Burgess died in the Senate.
OTHER RESOURCES:
Florida Gaming Control Commission
Florida Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association
Gulfstream Park
Tampa Bay Downs
BILL HISTORY
STAFF
DIRECTOR/ ANALYSIS
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE POLICY CHIEF PREPARED BY
Orig. Comm.: Commerce Committee Hamon Thompson
71 S. 571.265(4), F.S.
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
PCS for CS/HB 881 ORIGINAL YEAR
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to pari-mutuel wagering; amending s.
3 550.01215, F.S.; authorizing thoroughbred
4 permitholders to elect not to conduct live racing or
5 games; specifying that such permitholders retain
6 certain permits, eligibility, exemptions, and
7 licenses; providing that certain permitholders are
8 eligible to be a guest track; requiring certain
9 thoroughbred permitholders to continue to offer live
10 racing until providing a specific notification to the
11 commission; providing notice requirements; providing
12 applicability; amending s. 550.0351, F.S.; conforming
13 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
14 550.09515, F.S.; prohibiting reissuance of horse
15 permits to certain permitholders who do not pay tax on
16 handle for live races for a specified period; removing
17 provisions requiring reissuance of escheated horse
18 permits; amending s. 550.2614, F.S.; conforming
19 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
20 550.26165, F.S.; providing legislative purpose;
21 requiring certain moneys to be used for a specified
22 purpose; requiring awards be given at a uniform rate
23 pursuant to a specified plan; requiring such plan be
24 published in the Florida Administrative Register by a
25 date certain; authorizing the commission to use
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26 flexibility in the development and implementation of a
27 certain program; providing the source of amounts
28 available for distribution; requiring permitholders to
29 make certain payments by a specified date; revising
30 thoroughbred breeders' awards; providing eligibility
31 requirements for awards; requiring a specified
32 association to maintain certain records; authorizing
33 such association to require a fee for specified
34 services; requiring purses be funded in a specified
35 manner and paid at a specified rate; requiring awards
36 to be paid by a certain time; requiring the Florida
37 Gaming Control Commission maintain certain records;
38 requiring a certain association to immediately remit
39 specified funds to the state; requiring such funds to
40 be placed in a specified account; authorizing awards
41 to be paid for races in other states or countries;
42 requiring the commission to adopt certain rules;
43 providing underpayment requirements for permitholders;
44 authorizing the commission to adopt emergency rules;
45 repealing s. 550.2625, F.S., relating to Horseracing,
46 minimum purse requirement, Florida breeders' and
47 owners' awards; amending ss. 550.2633 and 550.26352,
48 F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the
49 act; amending s. 550.3345, F.S.; revising the
50 composition of a certain board of directors; revising
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51 provisions relating to the conversion of quarter horse
52 permits to a limited thoroughbred permit; authorizing
53 such permit locations to be moved to a licensed
54 thoroughbred training center that meets certain
55 requirements; providing for the licensing of
56 thoroughbred training centers; prohibiting such
57 centers from being issued certain licenses; providing
58 an exception; authorizing the commission to adopt
59 rules for such licensing and oversight; providing for
60 board membership of the not-for-profit corporation;
61 providing legislative findings; preempting certain
62 local laws, charters, ordinances, resolutions,
63 regulations, policies, initiatives, or referendums;
64 providing application; amending s. 550.3551, F.S.;
65 revising the entity responsible for approving changes
66 to live racing minimums; repealing s. 550.625, F.S.,
67 relating to intertrack wagering, purses, and breeders'
68 awards; amending s. 550.6305, F.S.; revising the
69 entity to be paid certain breeders' awards; amending
70 s. 551.104, F.S.; revising specified requirements for
71 thoroughbred permitholders who have certain slot
72 machine licenses; amending s. 849.086, F.S.; revising
73 requirements for certain permitholders who have
74 cardroom licenses; providing an effective date.
75
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76 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
77 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
78 550.01215, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
79 550.01215 License application; periods of operation;
80 license fees; bond.—
81 (1) Each permitholder shall annually, during the period
82 between January 15 and February 4, file in writing with the
83 commission its application for an operating license for a pari-
84 mutuel facility for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering during
85 the next state fiscal year, including intertrack and simulcast
86 race wagering. Each application for live performances must
87 specify the number, dates, and starting times of all live
88 performances that the permitholder intends to conduct. It must
89 also specify which performances will be conducted as charity or
90 scholarship performances.
91 (b)1. A greyhound permitholder may not conduct live
92 racing. A jai alai permitholder, thoroughbred permitholder,
93 harness horse racing permitholder, or quarter horse racing
94 permitholder may elect not to conduct live racing or games. A
95 thoroughbred permitholder must conduct live racing. A greyhound
96 permitholder, jai alai permitholder, thoroughbred permitholder,
97 harness horse racing permitholder, or quarter horse racing
98 permitholder that does not conduct live racing or games retains
99 its permit; is a pari-mutuel facility as defined in s.
100 550.002(23); if such permitholder has been issued a slot machine
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101 license, the facility where such permit is located remains an
102 eligible facility as defined in s. 551.102(4), continues to be
103 eligible for a slot machine license pursuant to s. 551.104(3),
104 and is exempt from ss. 551.104(10) ss. 551.104(4)(c) and (10)
105 and 551.114(2); is eligible, but not required, to be a guest
106 track and, if the permitholder is a harness horse racing
107 permitholder or a thoroughbred permitholder, to be a host track
108 for purposes of intertrack wagering and simulcasting pursuant to
109 ss. 550.3551, 550.615, 550.625, and 550.6305; and remains
110 eligible for a cardroom license. A thoroughbred permitholder who
111 operates a slot machine facility or cardroom shall offer a full
112 schedule of live racing until such permitholder notifies the
113 commission that it will no longer offer live racing. Notice
114 under this subparagraph is not valid unless it is delivered on
115 or after July 1, 2027, and contains the date on which the
116 permitholder will no longer offer live racing, which may not be
117 earlier than 3 years after the date of the notice. The
118 permitholder is not required to deliver such notice when
119 relocating under s. 550.3345.
120 2. A permitholder or licensee may not conduct live
121 greyhound racing or dogracing in connection with any wager for
122 money or any other thing of value in the state. The commission
123 may deny, suspend, or revoke any permit or license under this
124 chapter if a permitholder or licensee conducts live greyhound
125 racing or dogracing in violation of this subparagraph. In
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126 addition to, or in lieu of, denial, suspension, or revocation of
127 such permit or license, the commission may impose a civil
128 penalty of up to $5,000 against the permitholder or licensee for
129 a violation of this subparagraph. All penalties imposed and
130 collected must be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to
131 the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
132 Section 2. Subsection (4) of section 550.0351, Florida
133 Statutes, is amended to read:
134 550.0351 Charity days.—
135 (4) The total of all profits derived from the conduct of a
136 charity day performance must include all revenues derived from
137 the conduct of that performance, including all state taxes that
138 would otherwise be due to the state, except that the daily
139 license fee as provided in s. 550.0951(1) and the breaks for the
140 promotional trust funds as provided in s. 550.2625(3), (4), (5),
141 (7), and (8) shall be paid to the commission. All other revenues
142 from the charity performance, including the commissions, breaks,
143 and admissions and the revenues from parking, programs, and
144 concessions, shall be included in the total of all profits.
145 Section 3. Subsection (3) of section 550.09515, Florida
146 Statutes, is amended to read:
147 550.09515 Thoroughbred horse taxes; abandoned interest in
148 a permit for nonpayment of taxes.—
149 (3)(a) The permit of a thoroughbred horse permitholder who
150 is conducting live thoroughbred horse performances and who does
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151 not pay tax on handle for live thoroughbred horse performances
152 for a full schedule of live races during any 2 consecutive state
153 fiscal years shall be void and shall not be reissued escheat to
154 and become the property of the state unless such failure to
155 operate and pay tax on handle was the direct result of fire,
156 strike, war, or other disaster or event beyond the ability of
157 the permitholder to control. Financial hardship to the
158 permitholder shall not, in and of itself, constitute just cause
159 for failure to operate and pay tax on handle.
160 (b) In order to maximize the tax revenues to the state,
161 the commission shall reissue an escheated thoroughbred horse
162 permit to a qualified applicant pursuant to the provisions of
163 this chapter as for the issuance of an initial permit. However,
164 the provisions of this chapter relating to referendum
165 requirements for a pari-mutuel permit shall not apply to the
166 reissuance of an escheated thoroughbred horse permit. As
167 specified in the application and upon approval by the commission
168 of an application for the permit, the new permitholder shall be
169 authorized to operate a thoroughbred horse facility anywhere in
170 the same county in which the escheated permit was authorized to
171 be operated, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 550.054(2)
172 relating to mileage limitations.
173 Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 550.2614, Florida
174 Statutes, is amended to read:
175 550.2614 Distribution of certain funds to a horsemen's
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176 association.—
177 (1) Each licensee that holds a permit for thoroughbred
178 horse racing in this state shall deduct from the purses required
179 by s. 550.2625, an amount of money equal to 1 percent of the
180 total purse pool and shall pay that amount to a horsemen's
181 association representing the majority of the thoroughbred
182 racehorse owners and trainers for its use in accordance with the
183 stated goals of its articles of association filed with the
184 Department of State.
185 Section 5. Section 550.26165, Florida Statutes, is amended
186 to read:
187 (Substantial rewording of section.
188 See s. 550.26165, F.S., for present text.)
189 550.26165 Breeders' incentives, purses, and special racing
190 awards plan.—
191 (1) A purse structure for racehorse owners which is
192 competitive with the purses offered in other states is an
193 important factor in attracting the entry of well-bred horses in
194 race meets in this state. The availability of awards to the
195 owners and the breeders of Florida-bred racehorses, including
196 the owners of Florida-based stallions, is an important factor
197 used to incentivize the purchase of Florida-bred horses at
198 auction and to induce well-bred stallions and mares to engage in
199 breeding activities in the state. In turn, the availability of
200 these financial awards help to ensure the continuing viability
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201 of the thoroughbred industry in the state while simultaneously
202 producing maximum revenues from licensed racing activity for the
203 state and the counties. The purpose of this section is to
204 encourage the agricultural activity of owning, breeding, and
205 racing Florida-bred racehorses.
206 (2) Moneys dedicated in this chapter for use as purse
207 supplements to the owners of Florida-bred racehorses as
208 breeders' awards and stallion awards are to be used to
209 incentivize the ownership and the breeding of registered
210 Florida-bred horses. Such awards shall be given at a uniform
211 rate pursuant to an annual plan developed by the commission. The
212 annual plan shall be developed with input from the Department of
213 Agriculture and Consumer Services, stakeholders in the
214 thoroughbred racing and breeding industry, and the general
215 public and published in the Florida Administrative Register by
216 January 1 for implementation during the next licensed racing
217 year. The awards programs described in this chapter must be
218 responsive to rapidly changing incentive programs in other
219 states and to accomplish this goal, the commission is authorized
220 to use flexibility in the design and implementation of a
221 competitive awards programs. The plan approved by the commission
222 shall allocate, for distribution by category, breeders' awards,
223 stallion awards, and Florida-bred purse supplements available
224 for distribution in the ensuing licensing year. The amount
225 available for distribution shall be derived from the following
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226 sources:
227 (a) A minimum amount equal to 0.955 percent on all pari-
228 mutuel pools conducted on all wagering during each race meet,
229 including any intertrack race taken pursuant to ss. 550.615-
230 550.6305 or any interstate simulcast taken pursuant to s.
231 550.3551(3). This paragraph also applies to all Breeder's Cup
232 races conducted outside this state taken pursuant to s.
233 550.3551(3).
234 (b) A minimum amount equal to 3.475 percent of the gross
235 revenue derived by the thoroughbred permitholder when serving as
236 the host track for wagering on any race originating live in this
237 state which is broadcast out-of-state to any location at which
238 wagers are accepted pursuant to s. 550.3551(2).
239
240 The permitholder conducting the races shall make the payments
241 authorized in this section to the commission for deposit into
242 the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund. The permitholder shall
243 remit to the commission such payments by the 5th day of each
244 calendar month for such sums accruing during the preceding
245 calendar month and provide any corresponding reporting as
246 prescribed by the commission. Such payments together with any
247 interest earned shall be used exclusively for the payment of
248 breeders', stallion, or special racing awards in accordance with
249 the plan established pursuant to this section.
250 (3) In order for a breeder of a Florida-bred thoroughbred
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251 horse to be eligible to receive a breeder's award, the horse
252 must have been registered as a Florida-bred horse with the
253 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Jockey Club
254 certificate for the horse must show that the horse has been duly
255 registered as a Florida-bred horse. The Florida Thoroughbred
256 Breeders' Association may charge the registrant a reasonable fee
257 for this verification and registration not to exceed $75 per
258 horse.
259 (4) In order for an owner of the sire of a thoroughbred
260 horse winning a stakes race to be eligible to receive a stallion
261 award, the stallion must have been registered with the Florida
262 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the live breeding of the
263 registered Florida-bred horse must have occurred in this state.
264 The stallion must be standing permanently in this state between
265 February 1 and June 15 of each year or, if the stallion is dead,
266 must have stood permanently in this state for a period of at
267 least 1 year immediately before its death. The removal of a
268 stallion from this state during the period of time between
269 February 1 and June 15 of any year for any reason other than
270 exclusively for prescribed medical treatment, as approved by the
271 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, renders the owner or
272 owners of the stallion ineligible to receive a stallion award
273 under any circumstances for offspring sired before removal;
274 however, if a removed stallion is returned to this state, all
275 offspring sired subsequent to the return make the owner or
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276 owners of the stallion eligible for the stallion award but only
277 for those offspring sired subsequent to such return to this
278 state. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association shall
279 maintain complete records showing the date the stallion arrived
280 in this state for the first time, whether or not the stallion
281 remained in the state permanently, the location of the stallion,
282 and whether the stallion is still standing in this state and
283 complete records showing awards earned, received, and
284 distributed. The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association may
285 charge the stallion owner a reasonable fee for this service not
286 to exceed $75 per stallion.
287 (5) Purses shall be funded from the pari-mutuel pools
288 conducted by the permitholder. A thoroughbred permit shall pay
289 as purses during its race meets an amount equal to 7 percent of
290 all wagers placed pursuant to s. 550.615 as purses during its
291 current race meet.
292 (6) A permitholder conducting a thoroughbred horse race
293 under this chapter shall, within 30 days after the end of the
294 race meet during which the race is conducted, certify to the
295 commission such information relating to the thoroughbred horses
296 winning a stakes or other horserace at the meet as may be
297 required to determine the eligibility for payment of breeders',
298 stallion, and special racing awards.
299 (7) The commission shall maintain complete records showing
300 the starters and winners in all races conducted at thoroughbred
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301 tracks in this state and shall maintain complete records showing
302 awards earned, received, and distributed.
303 (8) Any funds in the possession of the Florida
304 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association which had been paid by any
305 thoroughbred permitholder as required by any provision of
306 chapter 550 or chapter 551 in effect when the payment was made
307 or by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
308 Services as required by any provision of chapter 571 in effect
309 when the payment was made shall be immediately paid to the
310 commission for deposit to the Pari-mutuel Wagering Trust Fund.
311 The commission shall authorize payment from such funds to any
312 breeder or stallion owner entitled to an award that has not been
313 previously paid by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders'
314 Association in accordance with the applicable plan of
315 distribution.
316 (9) Breeders' awards or stallion awards authorized under
317 this chapter, if authorized by a rule of the commission, may be
318 paid with respect to thoroughbred horse races taking place in
319 other states or countries.
320 (10) The commission shall adopt reasonable rules to ensure
321 the timely and accurate payment of all amounts withheld by
322 horserace permitholders regarding the distribution of purses,
323 owners' awards, and other amounts collected for payment to
324 owners and breeders pursuant to this section and this chapter.
325 (11) Each permitholder that fails to pay out all moneys
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326 collected for payment to owners and breeders shall, within 10
327 days after the end of the meet during which the permitholder
328 underpaid purses, deposit an amount equal to the underpayment
329 into a separate interest-bearing account established by the
330 commission, which moneys shall be distributed to owners and
331 breeders in accordance with commission rules.
332 (12) The commission may at any time adopt emergency rules
333 pursuant to s. 120.54 to implement this section. The Legislature
334 finds that such emergency rulemaking power is necessary for the
335 preservation of the rights and welfare of the people in order to
336 provide additional funds to benefit the statewide thoroughbred
337 racing and breeding industry. The Legislature further finds that
338 the unique nature of breeding and racing operations require,
339 from time to time, that the commission respond as quickly as is
340 practicable to changes in the marketplace. Therefore, in
341 adopting such emergency rules, the commission need not make the
342 findings required by s. 120.54(4)(a). Emergency rules adopted
343 under this section are exempt from s. 120.54(4)(c) and shall
344 remain in effect until replaced by other emergency rules or by
345 rules adopted under the nonemergency rulemaking procedures of
346 the Administrative Procedure Act.
347 Section 6. Section 550.2625, Florida Statutes, is
348 repealed.
349 Section 7. Subsection (2) of section 550.2633, Florida
350 Statutes, is amended to read:
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351 550.2633 Horseracing; distribution of abandoned interest
352 in or contributions to pari-mutuel pools.—
353 (2) All moneys or other property which has escheated to
354 and become the property of the state as provided herein and
355 which is held by a permitholder authorized to conduct pari-
356 mutuel pools in this state shall be paid annually by the
357 permitholder to the recipient designated in this subsection
358 within 60 days after the close of the race meeting of the
359 permitholder. Section 550.1645 notwithstanding, the moneys shall
360 be paid by the permitholder as follows:
361 (a) Funds from any harness horse races shall be paid to
362 the Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association and
363 shall be used for the payment of breeders' awards, stallion
364 awards, stallion stakes, additional purses, and prizes for, and
365 for the general promotion of owning and breeding of, Florida-
366 bred standardbred horses, as provided for in s. 550.2625.
367 (b) Funds from quarter horse races shall be paid to the
368 Florida Quarter Horse Breeders and Owners Association and shall
369 be allocated solely for supplementing and augmenting purses and
370 prizes and for the general promotion of owning and breeding of
371 racing quarter horses in this state, as provided for in s.
372 550.2625.
373 Section 8. Subsection (7) of section 550.26352, Florida
374 Statutes, is amended to read:
375 550.26352 Breeders' Cup Meet; pools authorized; conflicts;
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376 taxes; credits; transmission of races; rules; application.—
377 (7) The permitholder conducting the Breeders' Cup Meet
378 shall be exempt from the payment of purses and other payments to
379 horsemen on all on-track, intertrack, interstate, and
380 international wagers or rights fees or payments arising
381 therefrom for all races for which the purse is paid or supplied
382 by Breeders' Cup Limited. The permitholder conducting the
383 Breeders' Cup Meet shall not, however, be exempt from breeders'
384 awards payments for on-track and intertrack wagers as provided
385 in ss. 550.2625(3) and 550.625(2)(a) for races in which the
386 purse is paid or supplied by Breeders' Cup Limited.
387 Section 9. Subsection (2) of section 550.3345, Florida
388 Statutes, is amended, and subsections (4) and (5) are added to
389 that section, to read:
390 550.3345 Conversion of quarter horse permit to a limited
391 thoroughbred permit.—
392 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the holder
393 of a quarter horse racing permit issued under s. 550.334 may,
394 within 1 year after the effective date of this section, apply to
395 the commission for a transfer of the quarter horse racing permit
396 to a not-for-profit corporation formed under state law to serve
397 the purposes of the state as provided in subsection (1). The
398 board of directors of the not-for-profit corporation must be
399 comprised of 11 members, 4 of whom shall be designated by the
400 applicant, 4 of whom shall be designated by the commission
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401 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, and 3 of whom shall
402 be designated by the other 8 directors, with at least 1 of these
403 3 members being an authorized representative of another
404 thoroughbred permitholder in this state. The not-for-profit
405 corporation shall submit an application to the commission for
406 review and approval of the transfer in accordance with s.
407 550.054. Upon approval of the transfer by the commission, and
408 notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the
409 not-for-profit corporation may, within 1 year after its receipt
410 of the permit, request that the commission convert the quarter
411 horse racing permit to a permit authorizing the holder to
412 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing.
413 Neither the transfer of the quarter horse racing permit nor its
414 conversion to a limited thoroughbred permit shall be subject to
415 the mileage limitation or the ratification election as set forth
416 under s. 550.054(2) or s. 550.0651. Upon receipt of the request
417 for such conversion, the commission shall timely issue a
418 converted permit. The converted permit and the not-for-profit
419 corporation shall be subject to the following requirements:
420 (a) All net revenues derived by the not-for-profit
421 corporation under the thoroughbred horse racing permit and any
422 license issued to the not-for-profit corporation under chapter
423 849, after the funding of operating expenses and capital
424 improvements, shall be dedicated to the enhancement of
425 thoroughbred purses and breeders', stallion, and special racing
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426 awards under this chapter; the general promotion of the
427 thoroughbred horse breeding industry; and the care in this state
428 of thoroughbred horses retired from racing.
429 (b) From December 1 through April 30, no live thoroughbred
430 racing may be conducted under the permit on any day during which
431 another thoroughbred permitholder is conducting live
432 thoroughbred racing within 125 air miles of the not-for-profit
433 corporation's pari-mutuel facility unless the other thoroughbred
434 permitholder gives its written consent.
435 (c) After the conversion of the quarter horse racing
436 permit and the issuance of its initial license to conduct pari-
437 mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing, the not-for-profit
438 corporation shall annually apply to the commission for a license
439 pursuant to s. 550.5251.
440 (d) Racing under the permit may take place only at the
441 location for which the original quarter horse racing permit was
442 issued, which may be leased by the not-for-profit corporation
443 for that purpose; however, the not-for-profit corporation may,
444 without the conduct of any ratification election pursuant to s.
445 550.054(13) or s. 550.0651, move the location of racing under
446 the permit to either:
447 1. Another location in the same county provided that such
448 relocation is approved under the zoning and land use regulations
449 of the applicable county or municipality; or.
450 2. A licensed thoroughbred training center located in a
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451 county which has previously authorized pari-mutuel wagering. In
452 order to be licensed as a thoroughbred training center, it must
453 be designed and operated for the purpose of training, boarding,
454 and caring for thoroughbred racehorses and be capable of
455 providing instruction for sundry equestrian activities related
456 to such horses. The facility must have permanent stabling for at
457 least 1,000 horses and operate multiple racecourses of varying
458 surfaces for the training of thoroughbred racing. Each
459 racecourse must be at least 50 feet wide and 3,200 feet in
460 length. The training facility may include riding arenas, viewing
461 stands, pastures, grooming and veterinary care areas, and
462 related amenities. Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
463 such training center may not operate a cardroom, and such
464 permitholder operating the training center may not be issued a
465 cardroom operating license unless such permitholder held a valid
466 cardroom license issued before January 1, 2026. Notwithstanding
467 any other provision of law, such training center may not operate
468 a slot machine facility, and such permitholder operating the
469 training center may not be issued a slot machine facility
470 operating license.
471 (e) A permit converted under this section and a license
472 issued to the not-for-profit corporation under chapter 849 are
473 not eligible for transfer to another person or entity.
474 (4) In order to foster and protect the statewide
475 importance and impact of thoroughbred racing and breeding
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476 throughout the state, the commission may adopt rules for the
477 licensing and oversight of thoroughbred training centers in
478 Florida which host live thoroughbred racing in conjunction with
479 their training activities. Racing at such facilities shall only
480 be conducted by a permit converted under this section that has
481 provided sufficient evidence to the commission that the
482 governance of the not-for-profit corporation is controlled by
483 board comprised of three appointees from owner of the training
484 center, an individual appointed by the chair of the commission,
485 and an individual appointed by the Commissioner of the
486 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The board
487 members may expand the board membership and make additional
488 appointments to the board from time to time pursuant to the
489 bylaws of the corporation.
490 (5) The Legislature finds and declares that it has
491 exclusive preemptive authority over the conduct of all aspects
492 of the business operations conducted at licensed thoroughbred
493 training centers authorized under this section to conduct pari-
494 mutuel wagering activities at such facilities, including, but
495 not limited to, the regulation of all equestrian activities, all
496 wagering activities, and land use. As provided by law, only the
497 commission shall administer this section and regulate the
498 equestrian and pari-mutuel wagering activities conduced at, and
499 land use applicable to, licensed thoroughbred training centers
500 as authorized in this section and the rules adopted by the
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501 commission with respect thereto. Any provision of a local law, a
502 charter, an ordinance, a resolution, a regulation, a policy, an
503 initiative, or a referendum which is in conflict with this
504 section and which existed before, on, or after July 1, 2026, is
505 prohibited, void, and expressly preempted to the state.
506 Section 10. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) and paragraphs
507 (a) and (b) of subsection (6) of section 550.3551, Florida
508 Statutes, are amended to read:
509 550.3551 Transmission of racing and jai alai information;
510 commingling of pari-mutuel pools.—
511 (3) Any horse track licensed under this chapter may
512 receive broadcasts of horseraces conducted at other horse
513 racetracks located outside this state at the racetrack enclosure
514 of the licensee, if the horse track conducted a full schedule of
515 live racing during the preceding state fiscal year, or if the
516 horse track does not conduct live racing as authorized under s.
517 550.01215.
518 (c) All forms of pari-mutuel wagering are allowed on races
519 broadcast under this section, and all money wagered by patrons
520 on such races shall be computed as part of the total amount of
521 money wagered at each racing performance for purposes of
522 taxation under ss. 550.0951, 550.09512, and 550.09515. Section
523 550.2625(2)(a), (b), and (c) does not apply to any money wagered
524 on races broadcast under this section. Similarly, The takeout
525 shall be increased by breaks and uncashed tickets for wagers on
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526 races broadcast under this section, notwithstanding any contrary
527 provision of this chapter.
528 (6)(a) A permitholder conducting live races or games may
529 not conduct fewer than eight live races or games on any
530 authorized race day except as provided in this subsection. A
531 thoroughbred permitholder may not conduct fewer than eight live
532 races on any race day without the written approval of the
533 Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Florida
534 Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., unless
535 it is determined by the commission that another entity that
536 represents a majority of the thoroughbred racehorse owners and
537 trainers conducting racing during the licensed meet in the
538 state. If conducting live racing, a harness permitholder may
539 conduct fewer than eight live races on any authorized race day.
540 Any harness horse permitholder may receive full-card broadcasts
541 of harness horse races conducted at harness racetracks outside
542 this state at the harness track of the permitholder and accept
543 wagers on such harness races.
544 (b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,
545 any harness horse permitholder accepting broadcasts of out-of-
546 state harness horse races when such permitholder is not
547 conducting live races must make the out-of-state signal
548 available to all permitholders eligible to conduct intertrack
549 wagering and shall pay to guest tracks located as specified in
550 ss. 550.615(6) and 550.6305(9)(d) 50 percent of the net proceeds
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551 after taxes and fees to the out-of-state host track on harness
552 race wagers which they accept. A harness horse permitholder
553 shall be required to pay into its purse account 50 percent of
554 the net income retained by the permitholder on account of
555 wagering on the out-of-state broadcasts received pursuant to
556 this subsection. Nine-tenths of a percent of all harness
557 wagering proceeds on the broadcasts received pursuant to this
558 subsection shall be paid to the Florida Standardbred Breeders
559 and Owners Association under the provisions of s. 550.2625(4)
560 for the purposes provided therein.
561 Section 11. Section 550.625, Florida Statutes, is
562 repealed.
563 Section 12. Paragraphs (a), (b), and (e) of subsection (9)
564 of section 550.6305, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
565 550.6305 Intertrack wagering; guest track payments;
566 accounting rules.—
567 (9) A host track that has contracted with an out-of-state
568 horse track to broadcast live races conducted at such out-of-
569 state horse track pursuant to s. 550.3551(5) may broadcast such
570 out-of-state races to any guest track and accept wagers thereon
571 in the same manner as is provided in s. 550.3551.
572 (a) For purposes of this section, "net proceeds" means the
573 amount of takeout remaining after the payment of state taxes,
574 purses required pursuant to s. 550.0951(3)(c)1., the cost to the
575 permitholder required to be paid to the out-of-state horse
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576 track, and breeders' awards paid to the commission Florida
577 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and the Florida Standardbred
578 Breeders and Owners Association, to be used as set forth in this
579 chapter s. 550.625(2)(a) and (b).
580 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the
581 contrary the provisions of subsection (1) and s. 550.625(1) and
582 (2)(a), the distribution of the net proceeds that are retained
583 by a thoroughbred host track from the takeout on an out-of-state
584 race rebroadcast under this subsection shall be as follows:
585 1. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
586 paid to the guest track;
587 2. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
588 retained by the host track; and
589 3. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
590 paid by the host track as purses at the host track.
591 (e) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the
592 contrary the provisions of subsection (1) and s. 550.625(1) and
593 (2)(b), the proceeds that are retained by a harness host
594 facility from the takeout on a race broadcast under this
595 subsection shall be distributed as follows:
596 1. Of the total intertrack handle on the broadcast, 1
597 percent shall be deducted from the proceeds and paid to the
598 Florida Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association, Inc., to
599 be used as set forth in s. 550.625(2)(b);
600 2. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
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601 paid to the guest facility;
602 3. One-third of the remainder of such proceeds shall be
603 retained by the host facility; and
604 4. One-third of the remainder of said proceeds shall be
605 paid by the host facility as purses at the host facility.
606 Section 13. Paragraphs (d) through (j) of subsection (4)
607 of section 551.104, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
608 paragraphs (c) through (i), respectively, and paragraph (c) of
609 subsection (4) and subsection (10) of that section are amended
610 to read:
611 551.104 License to conduct slot machine gaming.—
612 (4) As a condition of licensure and to maintain continued
613 authority for the conduct of slot machine gaming, the slot
614 machine licensee shall:
615 (c) If a thoroughbred permitholder, conduct no fewer than
616 a full schedule of live racing or games as defined in s.
617 550.002(10). A permitholder's responsibility to conduct live
618 races or games shall be reduced by the number of races or games
619 that could not be conducted due to the direct result of fire,
620 strike, war, hurricane, pandemic, or other disaster or event
621 beyond the control of the permitholder. Beginning July 1, 2025,
622 each thoroughbred permitholder in compliance with this chapter
623 is not required to pay an annual license fee to the commission
624 as a condition of renewal.
625 (10)(a)1. No slot machine license or renewal thereof shall
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626 be issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
627 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing unless
628 the applicant has on file with the commission a binding written
629 agreement between the applicant and the Florida Horsemen's
630 Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., governing the
631 payment of purses on live thoroughbred races conducted at the
632 licensee's pari-mutuel facility. In addition, no slot machine
633 license or renewal thereof shall be issued to such an applicant
634 unless the applicant has on file with the commission a binding
635 written agreement between the applicant and the Florida
636 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Inc., governing the payment
637 of breeders', stallion, and special racing awards on live
638 thoroughbred races conducted at the licensee's pari-mutuel
639 facility. The agreement governing purses and the agreement
640 governing awards may direct the payment of such purses and
641 awards from revenues generated by any wagering or gaming the
642 applicant is authorized to conduct under Florida law. All purses
643 and awards shall be subject to the terms of chapter 550. All
644 sums for breeders', stallion, and special racing awards shall be
645 remitted monthly to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders'
646 Association, Inc., for the payment of awards subject to the
647 administrative fee authorized in s. 550.2625(3).
648 2. No slot machine license or renewal thereof shall be
649 issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
650 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of quarter horse racing
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651 unless the applicant has on file with the commission a binding
652 written agreement between the applicant and the Florida Quarter
653 Horse Racing Association or the association representing a
654 majority of the horse owners and trainers at the applicant's
655 eligible facility, governing the payment of purses on live
656 quarter horse races conducted at the licensee's pari-mutuel
657 facility. The agreement governing purses may direct the payment
658 of such purses from revenues generated by any wagering or gaming
659 the applicant is authorized to conduct under Florida law. All
660 purses shall be subject to the terms of chapter 550.
661 (b) The commission shall suspend a slot machine license if
662 one or more of the agreements required under paragraph (a) are
663 terminated or otherwise cease to operate or if the commission
664 determines that the licensee is materially failing to comply
665 with the terms of such an agreement. Any such suspension shall
666 take place in accordance with chapter 120.
667 (c)1. If an agreement required under paragraph (a) cannot
668 be reached prior to the initial issuance of the slot machine
669 license, either party may request arbitration or, in the case of
670 a renewal, if an agreement required under paragraph (a) is not
671 in place 120 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the
672 slot machine license, the applicant shall immediately ask the
673 American Arbitration Association to furnish a list of 11
674 arbitrators, each of whom shall have at least 5 years of
675 commercial arbitration experience and no financial interest in
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676 or prior relationship with any of the parties or their
677 affiliated or related entities or principals. Each required
678 party to the agreement shall select a single arbitrator from the
679 list provided by the American Arbitration Association within 10
680 days of receipt, and the individuals so selected shall choose
681 one additional arbitrator from the list within the next 10 days.
682 2. If an agreement required under paragraph (a) is not in
683 place 60 days after the request under subparagraph 1. in the
684 case of an initial slot machine license or, in the case of a
685 renewal, 60 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the
686 slot machine license, the matter shall be immediately submitted
687 to mandatory binding arbitration to resolve the disagreement
688 between the parties. The three arbitrators selected pursuant to
689 subparagraph 1. shall constitute the panel that shall arbitrate
690 the dispute between the parties pursuant to the American
691 Arbitration Association Commercial Arbitration Rules and chapter
692 682.
693 3. At the conclusion of the proceedings, which shall be no
694 later than 90 days after the request under subparagraph 1. in
695 the case of an initial slot machine license or, in the case of a
696 renewal, 30 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the
697 slot machine license, the arbitration panel shall present to the
698 parties a proposed agreement that the majority of the panel
699 believes equitably balances the rights, interests, obligations,
700 and reasonable expectations of the parties. The parties shall
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701 immediately enter into such agreement, which shall satisfy the
702 requirements of paragraph (a) and permit issuance of the pending
703 annual slot machine license or renewal. The agreement produced
704 by the arbitration panel under this subparagraph shall be
705 effective until the last day of the license or renewal period or
706 until the parties enter into a different agreement. Each party
707 shall pay its respective costs of arbitration and shall pay one-
708 half of the costs of the arbitration panel, unless the parties
709 otherwise agree. If the agreement produced by the arbitration
710 panel under this subparagraph remains in place 120 days prior to
711 the scheduled issuance of the next annual license renewal, then
712 the arbitration process established in this paragraph will begin
713 again.
714 4. In the event that neither of the agreements required
715 under subparagraph (a)1. or the agreement required under
716 subparagraph (a)2. are in place by the deadlines established in
717 this paragraph, arbitration regarding each agreement will
718 proceed independently, with separate lists of arbitrators,
719 arbitration panels, arbitration proceedings, and resulting
720 agreements.
721 5. With respect to the agreements required under paragraph
722 (a) governing the payment of purses, the arbitration and
723 resulting agreement called for under this paragraph shall be
724 limited to the payment of purses from slot machine revenues
725 only.
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726 (d) If any provision of this subsection or its application
727 to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity
728 does not affect other provisions or applications of this
729 subsection or chapter which can be given effect without the
730 invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions
731 of this subsection are severable.
732 Section 14. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) and paragraph
733 (d) of subsection (13) of section 849.086, Florida Statutes, are
734 amended to read:
735 849.086 Cardrooms authorized.—
736 (5) LICENSE REQUIRED; APPLICATION; FEES.—No person may
737 operate a cardroom in this state unless such person holds a
738 valid cardroom license issued pursuant to this section.
739 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a pari-
740 mutuel permitholder, other than a permitholder issued a permit
741 pursuant to s. 550.3345 or a purchaser, transferee, or assignee
742 holding a valid permit for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering
743 approved pursuant to s. 550.054(15)(a), may not be issued a
744 license for the operation of a cardroom if the permitholder did
745 not hold an operating license for the conduct of pari-mutuel
746 wagering for fiscal year 2020-2021. In order for an initial
747 cardroom license to be issued to a thoroughbred permitholder
748 issued a permit pursuant to s. 550.3345, the applicant must have
749 requested, as part of its pari-mutuel annual license
750 application, to conduct at least a full schedule of live racing.
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751 In order for a cardroom license to be renewed by a thoroughbred
752 permitholder, the applicant must have requested, as part of its
753 pari-mutuel annual license application, to conduct at least 90
754 percent of the total number of live performances conducted by
755 such permitholder during either the state fiscal year in which
756 its initial cardroom license was issued or the state fiscal year
757 immediately prior thereto if the permitholder ran at least a
758 full schedule of live racing or games in the prior year.
759 (13) TAXES AND OTHER PAYMENTS.—
760 (d)1. Each jai alai permitholder that conducts live
761 performances and operates a cardroom facility shall use at least
762 4 percent of such permitholder's cardroom monthly gross receipts
763 to supplement jai alai prize money during the permitholder's
764 next ensuing pari-mutuel meet.
765 2. Each thoroughbred permitholder or harness horse racing
766 permitholder that conducts live performances and operates a
767 cardroom facility shall use at least 50 percent of such
768 permitholder's cardroom monthly net proceeds as follows: 47
769 percent to supplement purses and 3 percent to supplement
770 breeders' awards during the permitholder's next ensuing racing
771 meet.
772 2.3. No cardroom license or renewal thereof shall be
773 issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
774 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of quarter horse racing and
775 conducting live performances unless the applicant has on file
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776 with the commission a binding written agreement between the
777 applicant and the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association or
778 the association representing a majority of the horse owners and
779 trainers at the applicant's eligible facility, governing the
780 payment of purses on live quarter horse races conducted at the
781 licensee's pari-mutuel facility. The agreement governing purses
782 may direct the payment of such purses from revenues generated by
783 any wagering or gaming the applicant is authorized to conduct
784 under Florida law. All purses shall be subject to the terms of
785 chapter 550.
786 Section 15. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
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COMMERCE COMMITTEE
PCS CS/HB 881 by Rep. Anderson
Pari-Mutuel Wagering
AMENDMENT SUMMARY
February 3, 2026
Amendment #: PCS Strike1 by Rep. Anderson (Strike-all):
• Removes live racing requirements for thoroughbred permitholders and makes
conforming changes.
• Allows a thoroughbred permitholder that does not conduct live racing to retain the ability
to maintain a slot machine and cardroom license.
• Exempts thoroughbred permitholders with a slot machine license from certain
thoroughbred horse racing purses and awards requirements.
• Removes the authority of the Gaming Control Commission to reissue escheated
thoroughbred horse permits for failure of the permitholder to pay the required tax on
handle for live performances.
COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE ACTION
ADOPTED (Y/N)
ADOPTED AS AMENDED (Y/N)
ADOPTED W/O OBJECTION (Y/N)
FAILED TO ADOPT (Y/N)
WITHDRAWN (Y/N)
OTHER
1 Committee/Subcommittee hearing bill: Commerce Committee
2 Representative Anderson offered the following:
3
4 Amendment (with title amendment)
5 Remove everything after the enacting clause and insert:
6 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section
7 550.01215, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
8 550.01215 License application; periods of operation;
9 license fees; bond.—
10 (1) Each permitholder shall annually, during the period
11 between January 15 and February 4, file in writing with the
12 commission its application for an operating license for a pari-
13 mutuel facility for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering during
14 the next state fiscal year, including intertrack and simulcast
15 race wagering. Each application for live performances must
16 specify the number, dates, and starting times of all live
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COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
17 performances that the permitholder intends to conduct. It must
18 also specify which performances will be conducted as charity or
19 scholarship performances.
20 (b)1. A greyhound permitholder may not conduct live
21 racing. A jai alai permitholder, thoroughbred permitholder,
22 harness horse racing permitholder, or quarter horse racing
23 permitholder may elect not to conduct live racing or games. A
24 thoroughbred permitholder must conduct live racing. A greyhound
25 permitholder, jai alai permitholder, thoroughbred permitholder,
26 harness horse racing permitholder, or quarter horse racing
27 permitholder that does not conduct live racing or games retains
28 its permit; is a pari-mutuel facility as defined in s.
29 550.002(23); if such permitholder has been issued a slot machine
30 license, the facility where such permit is located remains an
31 eligible facility as defined in s. 551.102(4), continues to be
32 eligible for a slot machine license pursuant to s. 551.104(3),
33 and is exempt from ss. 551.104(4)(c) and (10) and s. 551.114(2);
34 is eligible, but not required, to be a guest track and, if the
35 permitholder is a harness horse racing permitholder, to be a
36 host track for purposes of intertrack wagering and simulcasting
37 pursuant to ss. 550.3551, 550.615, 550.625, and 550.6305; and
38 remains eligible for a cardroom license.
39 2. A permitholder or licensee may not conduct live
40 greyhound racing or dogracing in connection with any wager for
41 money or any other thing of value in the state. The commission
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COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
42 may deny, suspend, or revoke any permit or license under this
43 chapter if a permitholder or licensee conducts live greyhound
44 racing or dogracing in violation of this subparagraph. In
45 addition to, or in lieu of, denial, suspension, or revocation of
46 such permit or license, the commission may impose a civil
47 penalty of up to $5,000 against the permitholder or licensee for
48 a violation of this subparagraph. All penalties imposed and
49 collected must be deposited with the Chief Financial Officer to
50 the credit of the General Revenue Fund.
51 Section 2. Subsection (3) of section 550.09515, Florida
52 Statutes, is amended to read:
53 550.09515 Thoroughbred horse taxes; abandoned interest in
54 a permit for nonpayment of taxes.—
55 (3)(a) The permit of a thoroughbred horse permitholder who
56 is conducting live thoroughbred horse performances and who does
57 not pay tax on handle for live thoroughbred horse performances
58 for a full schedule of live races during any 2 consecutive state
59 fiscal years shall be void and shall not be reissued escheat to
60 and become the property of the state unless such failure to
61 operate and pay tax on handle was the direct result of fire,
62 strike, war, or other disaster or event beyond the ability of
63 the permitholder to control. Financial hardship to the
64 permitholder shall not, in and of itself, constitute just cause
65 for failure to operate and pay tax on handle.
66 (b) In order to maximize the tax revenues to the state,
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
67 the commission shall reissue an escheated thoroughbred horse
68 permit to a qualified applicant pursuant to the provisions of
69 this chapter as for the issuance of an initial permit. However,
70 the provisions of this chapter relating to referendum
71 requirements for a pari-mutuel permit shall not apply to the
72 reissuance of an escheated thoroughbred horse permit. As
73 specified in the application and upon approval by the commission
74 of an application for the permit, the new permitholder shall be
75 authorized to operate a thoroughbred horse facility anywhere in
76 the same county in which the escheated permit was authorized to
77 be operated, notwithstanding the provisions of s. 550.054(2)
78 relating to mileage limitations.
79 Section 3. Subsection (1) and paragraph (a) of subsection
80 (2) of section 550.5251, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
81 550.5251 Florida thoroughbred racing; certain permits;
82 operating days.—
83 (1) If a thoroughbred permitholder elects to conduct live
84 racing, the each thoroughbred permitholder shall annually,
85 during the period commencing January 15 of each year and ending
86 February 4 of the following year, file in writing with the
87 commission its application to conduct one or more thoroughbred
88 racing meetings during the thoroughbred racing season commencing
89 on the following July 1. Each application shall specify the
90 number and dates of all performances that the permitholder
91 intends to conduct during that thoroughbred racing season. On or
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
92 before April 15 of each year, the commission shall issue a
93 license authorizing each permitholder to conduct performances on
94 the dates specified in its application. Up to March 28 of each
95 year, each permitholder may request and shall be granted changes
96 in its application to conduct performances; but thereafter, as a
97 condition precedent to the validity of its license and its right
98 to retain its permit, each permitholder must operate the full
99 number of days authorized on each of the dates set forth in its
100 license.
101 (2)(a) If a thoroughbred permitholder elects to conduct
102 live racing, the each licensed thoroughbred permitholder in this
103 state must run an average of one race per racing day in which
104 horses bred in this state and duly registered with the Florida
105 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association have preference as entries
106 over non-Florida-bred horses, unless otherwise agreed to in
107 writing by the permitholder, the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders'
108 Association, and the association representing a majority of the
109 thoroughbred racehorse owners and trainers at that location. All
110 licensed thoroughbred racetracks shall write the conditions for
111 such races in which Florida-bred horses are preferred so as to
112 assure that all Florida-bred horses available for racing at such
113 tracks are given full opportunity to run in the class of races
114 for which they are qualified. The opportunity of running must be
115 afforded to each class of horses in the proportion that the
116 number of horses in this class bears to the total number of
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
117 Florida-bred horses available. A track is not required to write
118 conditions for a race to accommodate a class of horses for which
119 a race would otherwise not be run at the track during its meet.
120 Section 4. Paragraphs (d) through (j) of subsection (4) of
121 section 551.104, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
122 paragraphs (c) through (i), respectively, and paragraph (c) of
123 subsection (4) and subsection (10) of that section are amended
124 to read:
125 551.104 License to conduct slot machine gaming.—
126 (4) As a condition of licensure and to maintain continued
127 authority for the conduct of slot machine gaming, the slot
128 machine licensee shall:
129 (c) If a thoroughbred permitholder, conduct no fewer than
130 a full schedule of live racing or games as defined in s.
131 550.002(10). A permitholder's responsibility to conduct live
132 races or games shall be reduced by the number of races or games
133 that could not be conducted due to the direct result of fire,
134 strike, war, hurricane, pandemic, or other disaster or event
135 beyond the control of the permitholder. Beginning July 1, 2025,
136 each thoroughbred permitholder in compliance with this chapter
137 is not required to pay an annual license fee to the commission
138 as a condition of renewal.
139 (10)(a)1. No slot machine license or renewal thereof shall
140 be issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
141 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of thoroughbred racing unless
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
142 the applicant has on file with the commission a binding written
143 agreement between the applicant and the Florida Horsemen's
144 Benevolent and Protective Association, Inc., governing the
145 payment of purses on live thoroughbred races conducted at the
146 licensee's pari-mutuel facility. In addition, no slot machine
147 license or renewal thereof shall be issued to such an applicant
148 unless the applicant has on file with the commission a binding
149 written agreement between the applicant and the Florida
150 Thoroughbred Breeders' Association, Inc., governing the payment
151 of breeders', stallion, and special racing awards on live
152 thoroughbred races conducted at the licensee's pari-mutuel
153 facility. The agreement governing purses and the agreement
154 governing awards may direct the payment of such purses and
155 awards from revenues generated by any wagering or gaming the
156 applicant is authorized to conduct under Florida law. All purses
157 and awards shall be subject to the terms of chapter 550. All
158 sums for breeders', stallion, and special racing awards shall be
159 remitted monthly to the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders'
160 Association, Inc., for the payment of awards subject to the
161 administrative fee authorized in s. 550.2625(3).
162 2. No slot machine license or renewal thereof shall be
163 issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
164 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of quarter horse racing
165 unless the applicant has on file with the commission a binding
166 written agreement between the applicant and the Florida Quarter
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
167 Horse Racing Association or the association representing a
168 majority of the horse owners and trainers at the applicant's
169 eligible facility, governing the payment of purses on live
170 quarter horse races conducted at the licensee's pari-mutuel
171 facility. The agreement governing purses may direct the payment
172 of such purses from revenues generated by any wagering or gaming
173 the applicant is authorized to conduct under Florida law. All
174 purses shall be subject to the terms of chapter 550.
175 (b) The commission shall suspend a slot machine license if
176 one or more of the agreements required under paragraph (a) are
177 terminated or otherwise cease to operate or if the commission
178 determines that the licensee is materially failing to comply
179 with the terms of such an agreement. Any such suspension shall
180 take place in accordance with chapter 120.
181 (c)1. If an agreement required under paragraph (a) cannot
182 be reached prior to the initial issuance of the slot machine
183 license, either party may request arbitration or, in the case of
184 a renewal, if an agreement required under paragraph (a) is not
185 in place 120 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the
186 slot machine license, the applicant shall immediately ask the
187 American Arbitration Association to furnish a list of 11
188 arbitrators, each of whom shall have at least 5 years of
189 commercial arbitration experience and no financial interest in
190 or prior relationship with any of the parties or their
191 affiliated or related entities or principals. Each required
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
192 party to the agreement shall select a single arbitrator from the
193 list provided by the American Arbitration Association within 10
194 days of receipt, and the individuals so selected shall choose
195 one additional arbitrator from the list within the next 10 days.
196 2. If an agreement required under paragraph (a) is not in
197 place 60 days after the request under subparagraph 1. in the
198 case of an initial slot machine license or, in the case of a
199 renewal, 60 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the
200 slot machine license, the matter shall be immediately submitted
201 to mandatory binding arbitration to resolve the disagreement
202 between the parties. The three arbitrators selected pursuant to
203 subparagraph 1. shall constitute the panel that shall arbitrate
204 the dispute between the parties pursuant to the American
205 Arbitration Association Commercial Arbitration Rules and chapter
206 682.
207 3. At the conclusion of the proceedings, which shall be no
208 later than 90 days after the request under subparagraph 1. in
209 the case of an initial slot machine license or, in the case of a
210 renewal, 30 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the
211 slot machine license, the arbitration panel shall present to the
212 parties a proposed agreement that the majority of the panel
213 believes equitably balances the rights, interests, obligations,
214 and reasonable expectations of the parties. The parties shall
215 immediately enter into such agreement, which shall satisfy the
216 requirements of paragraph (a) and permit issuance of the pending
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COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
217 annual slot machine license or renewal. The agreement produced
218 by the arbitration panel under this subparagraph shall be
219 effective until the last day of the license or renewal period or
220 until the parties enter into a different agreement. Each party
221 shall pay its respective costs of arbitration and shall pay one-
222 half of the costs of the arbitration panel, unless the parties
223 otherwise agree. If the agreement produced by the arbitration
224 panel under this subparagraph remains in place 120 days prior to
225 the scheduled issuance of the next annual license renewal, then
226 the arbitration process established in this paragraph will begin
227 again.
228 4. In the event that neither of the agreements required
229 under subparagraph (a)1. or the agreement required under
230 subparagraph (a)2. are in place by the deadlines established in
231 this paragraph, arbitration regarding each agreement will
232 proceed independently, with separate lists of arbitrators,
233 arbitration panels, arbitration proceedings, and resulting
234 agreements.
235 5. With respect to the agreements required under paragraph
236 (a) governing the payment of purses, the arbitration and
237 resulting agreement called for under this paragraph shall be
238 limited to the payment of purses from slot machine revenues
239 only.
240 (d) If any provision of this subsection or its application
241 to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
242 does not affect other provisions or applications of this
243 subsection or chapter which can be given effect without the
244 invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions
245 of this subsection are severable.
246 Section 5. Paragraph (c) of subsection (5) and paragraph
247 (d) of subsection (13) of section 849.086, Florida Statutes, are
248 amended to read:
249 849.086 Cardrooms authorized.—
250 (5) LICENSE REQUIRED; APPLICATION; FEES.—No person may
251 operate a cardroom in this state unless such person holds a
252 valid cardroom license issued pursuant to this section.
253 (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a pari-
254 mutuel permitholder, other than a permitholder issued a permit
255 pursuant to s. 550.3345 or a purchaser, transferee, or assignee
256 holding a valid permit for the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering
257 approved pursuant to s. 550.054(15)(a), may not be issued a
258 license for the operation of a cardroom if the permitholder did
259 not hold an operating license for the conduct of pari-mutuel
260 wagering for fiscal year 2020-2021. In order for an initial
261 cardroom license to be issued to a thoroughbred permitholder
262 issued a permit pursuant to s. 550.3345, the applicant must have
263 requested, as part of its pari-mutuel annual license
264 application, to conduct at least a full schedule of live racing.
265 In order for a cardroom license to be renewed by a thoroughbred
266 permitholder, the applicant must have requested, as part of its
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
267 pari-mutuel annual license application, to conduct at least 90
268 percent of the total number of live performances conducted by
269 such permitholder during either the state fiscal year in which
270 its initial cardroom license was issued or the state fiscal year
271 immediately prior thereto if the permitholder ran at least a
272 full schedule of live racing or games in the prior year.
273 (13) TAXES AND OTHER PAYMENTS.—
274 (d)1. Each jai alai permitholder that conducts live
275 performances and operates a cardroom facility shall use at least
276 4 percent of such permitholder's cardroom monthly gross receipts
277 to supplement jai alai prize money during the permitholder's
278 next ensuing pari-mutuel meet.
279 2. Each thoroughbred permitholder or harness horse racing
280 permitholder that conducts live performances and operates a
281 cardroom facility shall use at least 50 percent of such
282 permitholder's cardroom monthly net proceeds as follows: 47
283 percent to supplement purses and 3 percent to supplement
284 breeders' awards during the permitholder's next ensuing racing
285 meet.
286 2.3. No cardroom license or renewal thereof shall be
287 issued to an applicant holding a permit under chapter 550 to
288 conduct pari-mutuel wagering meets of quarter horse racing and
289 conducting live performances unless the applicant has on file
290 with the commission a binding written agreement between the
291 applicant and the Florida Quarter Horse Racing Association or
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COMMITTEE/SUBCOMMITTEE AMENDMENT
Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
292 the association representing a majority of the horse owners and
293 trainers at the applicant's eligible facility, governing the
294 payment of purses on live quarter horse races conducted at the
295 licensee's pari-mutuel facility. The agreement governing purses
296 may direct the payment of such purses from revenues generated by
297 any wagering or gaming the applicant is authorized to conduct
298 under Florida law. All purses shall be subject to the terms of
299 chapter 550.
300 Section 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
301
302 -----------------------------------------------------
303 T I T L E A M E N D M E N T
304 Remove everything before the enacting clause and insert:
305 An act relating to pari-mutuel wagering; amending s.
306 550.01215, F.S.; authorizing thoroughbred
307 permitholders to elect not to conduct live racing or
308 games; specifying that such permitholders retain
309 certain permits, eligibility, exemptions, and
310 licenses; providing that certain permitholders are
311 eligible to be a guest track; amending s. 550.09515,
312 F.S.; prohibiting reissuance of horse permits to
313 certain permitholders who do not pay tax on handle for
314 live races for a specified period; removing provisions
315 requiring reissuance of escheated horse permits;
316 amending s. 550.5251, F.S.; conforming provisions to
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Bill No. PCS for CS/HB 881 (2026)
Amendment No.
317 changes made by the act; amending s. 551.104, F.S.;
318 revising specified requirements for thoroughbred
319 permitholders who have certain slot machine licenses;
320 amending s. 849.086, F.S.; revising requirements for
321 certain permitholders who have cardroom licenses;
322 providing an effective date.
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