HB 273 — Special District Funding
Last action — Chapter No. 2026-167
-
✓Introduced
-
✓In Committee
-
✓Passed House
-
✓Passed Senate
-
5To Executive
-
6Enacted
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced October 28, 2025. It awaits signature.
Signed by Governor Ron DeSantis (Republican) on June 15, 2026.
Next likely step: the executive signs it into law or issues a veto.
Odds of enactment
Moderate chanceBased on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a moderate chance of becoming law.
Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.
A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.
Prognosis
-
To Executive
Current position in the legislative process.
-
2 sponsors
1 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.
-
Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).
-
Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 3 recorded votes so far.
Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.
In plain language
The bill allows special districts to receive expedited state financial assistance for payment of invoices.
This legislation revises agreements for state financial assistance to include special districts as eligible recipients. It also requires state agencies to expedite payment requests from certain counties, municipalities, and special districts.
What this means for you
- Small Business: If you work with special districts, you may benefit from faster payments for services rendered.
Summary
Special District Funding; Revising agency agreements that provide state financial assistance to recipients or subrecipients to include specified special districts as an entity to which such agency may provide for the payment of invoices under specified circumstances; providing construction; requiring state agencies to expedite payment requests from certain counties, municipalities, and special districts for a specified purpose, etc.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
149 added · 92 removed149 line(s) added, 92 removed.
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 2,273 Engrossed 1 2026 A bill to be entitled An act relating to special districtdistricts; funding;
transferring, renumbering, and amending s.
189.056, F.S.;
defining the term "downtown development district";
providing that the boundaries of a downtown development district may only be changed in a specified manner;
requiring the adopted budget of a downtown development district to contain specified information;
prohibiting certain expenditures from exceeding a specified percentage of such budget;
defining the term "administrative and overhead expenditures";
requiring such budget to be approved in a specified manner;
requiring state agencies to expedite payment requests from certain counties, municipalities, and special districts for a specified purpose;
revising the definition of the term "rural community" to include specified special districts;
Section 189.056, Florida Statutes, is transferred, renumbered as section 189.0211, Florida Statutes, Page 1 of 6 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb273-01-c1 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 273 2026 and amended to read:
189.0211 189.056 Downtown development districts;
ad valorem taxation.— (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to encourage the revitalization of downtown areas within large municipalities where the societal ills associated with urban blight are most prevalent.
However, in recognition of the traditionally broad home rule power exercised by charter counties, the Legislature intends that this section apply only to certain counties.
(2) As used in this section, the term "downtown development district" means a special district created for the purpose of planning, coordinating, and assisting in the implementation, revitalization, and redevelopment of a specific downtown area The governing body of a municipality with a population of more than 400,000, as determined by the Office of Economic and Demographic Research, and located in a county as defined in s.
125.011(1).
(3) The boundaries of a downtown development district may only be changed by an ordinance of the governing body of the municipality conditioned to take effect upon approval by a majority vote of the qualified electors of the area to be added to the district voting in a referendum held at a general election as defined in s.
97.021.
(4) A downtown development district may, by ordinance of the governing body of the municipality that created the Page 2 of 6 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb273-01-c1 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 273 2026 district, levy an ad valorem tax of up to 0.475 mill on the taxable value of all real and personal property located in a downtown development district to help finance the operation of the district.
The district's millage may not exceed 0.475 mill and may not exceed the limitations contained in s.
200.001(8)(d) for dependent special districts.
(5) The annual budget adopted by a downtown development district pursuant to s.
189.016 must identify the specific projects and initiatives to be funded, including estimates, costs, timelines, and the geographic location of each project within the boundaries of the district.
Such projects and initiatives must directly benefit properties and businesses located within the boundaries of the district.
(6) Administrative and overhead expenditures made by a downtown development district may not exceed 10 percent of such district's total annual budget.
For purposes of this subsection, the term "administrative and overhead expenditures" includes salaries and benefits for district employees, professional services, marketing, and consulting expenses.
(7) The annual budget of a downtown development district and any amendment thereto must be approved by a majority vote of the governing body of the municipality.
Section 2.
215.971 Agreements funded with federal or state assistance.—Page (1)3 Anof agency6 agreementCODING: that provides state financial assistance to a recipient or subrecipient, as those terms are defined in s.
215.97, or that provides federal financial assistance to a subrecipient, as defined by applicable United Page 1 of 4 CODING:
hb273hb273-01-c1 -02-e1 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 2,273 Engrossed2026 1assistance.— 2026(1) StatesAn Officeagency ofagreement Managementthat andprovides Budgetstate circulars,financial mustassistance includeto alla ofrecipient theor following:subrecipient, as those terms are defined in s.
215.97, or that provides federal financial assistance to a subrecipient, as defined by applicable United States Office of Management and Budget circulars, must include all of the following:
288.0656(2)288.0656(2), or a special district locatedthe entirelygeographic withinarea of which, in whole or in part, is located in such county or municipalitymunicipality, or an independent special district that provides water and wastewater services within a rural area of opportunity as that term is defined in s.
Show all 55 changed lines (15 more)
288.0656(2), a provision allowing the agency to provide for the payment of invoices to such the county, municipality, or special district rural area of opportunity as that term is defined in s.
288.0656(2), or special district for verified and eligible performance that has been completed in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement.
TheThis provision is notincluded intended to requirealleviate reimbursementthe tofinancial hardships that such county,certain municipality,rural counties, and municipalities, or special districtdistricts forencounter invoiceswhen paid,administering butagreements, toand allowmust be exercised by the agency toif providewhen fora county, or municipality, special district the paymentgeographic area of invoiceswhich, due.in whole or in Page 4 of 6 CODING:
The agency shall expedite payment requests in order to facilitate the timely payment of invoices received by such county, municipality, or special district.
This provision is included to alleviate the financial hardships that such certain rural counties, and municipalities, or special districts encounter when administering agreements, and must be exercised by the agency if when a county, or municipality, or special district located entirely within such county or Page 2 of 4 CODING:
hb273hb273-01-c1 -02-e1 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 2,273 Engrossed2026 1part, 2026is municipalitylocated in such county or anmunicipality, or independent special district that provides water and wastewater services within a rural area of opportunity,opportunity as that term is defined in s.
288.0656(2),288.0656(2) demonstrates financial hardship, to the extent that federal or state law, rule, or other regulation allows such payments.
Section 2.3.
5.Page 5 of 6 CODING:
An independent special district that provides water and Page 3 of 4 CODING:
hb273hb273-01-c1 -02-e1 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 2,273 Engrossed 1 2026 wastewater5. services within a rural area of opportunity.
An independent special district that provides water and wastewater services within a rural area of opportunity.
Section 3.4.
Page 46 of 46 CODING:
hb273hb273-01-c1 -02-e1
Show all 55 changed rows (15 more)
View plain text versions (4)
- H 273 c1 View text pdf
- H 273 e1 View text pdf
- H 273 er View text Current pdf
- Introduced H 273 Filed pdf
Action History
-
Chapter No. 2026-167
-
Approved by Governor
-
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
-
Ordered engrossed, then enrolled
-
CS passed as amended; YEAS 108, NAYS 0
-
Amendment 625206 Concur
-
Added to Senate Message List
-
In Messages
-
CS passed as amended; YEAS 34 NAYS 0 -SJ 674
-
Read 3rd time -SJ 674
-
Amendment(s) adopted (625206) -SJ 673
-
Read 2nd time -SJ 673
-
Substituted for CS/CS/SB 214 -SJ 673
-
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
-
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 673
-
Received
-
Referred to Rules
-
In Messages
-
CS passed; YEAS 83, NAYS 28
-
Read 3rd time
-
Added to Third Reading Calendar
-
Amendment 285203 Failed
-
Read 2nd time
-
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
-
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/4/2026)
-
Bill referred to House Calendar
-
CS Filed
-
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
-
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
-
Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
-
PCS added to State Affairs Committee agenda
-
Now in State Affairs Committee
-
Reported out of Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
-
Favorable by Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
-
Added to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee agenda
-
Now in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
-
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
-
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
-
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
-
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
-
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
-
Referred to State Affairs Committee
-
Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
-
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
-
Filed
Sponsors
- Chad Johnson · Cosponsor
- State Affairs Committee · Primary
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 162 not signed on · 28 voted No
Sponsors (1)
- State Affairs Committee
Co-sponsors (1)
- Johnson, Chad Republican
Not signed on (162)
162 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 162 →"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.
Votes
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 75 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unaffiliated | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Democrat | 30 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Total | 108 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
How each member voted (117)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Republican | 26 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| No Party Affiliation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 34 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| % of votes cast | 87% | 0% | 0% | 13% |
How each member voted (39)
| Member | Party | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| Arrington, Kristen Aston | Democrat | Yea |
| Berman, Lori | Democrat | Yea |
| Bernard, Mack | Democrat | Yea |
| Bracy Davis, LaVon | Democrat | Yea |
| Davis, Tracie | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" | Democrat | Yea |
| Osgood, Rosalind | Democrat | Yea |
| Polsky, Tina Scott | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Rouson, Darryl Ervin | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharief, Barbara | Democrat | Not Voting |
| Pizzo, Jason W. B. | No Party Affiliation | Yea |
| Albritton, Ben | Republican | Yea |
| Boyd, Jim | Republican | Yea |
| Bradley, Jennifer | Republican | Yea |
| Brodeur, Jason | Republican | Yea |
| Burgess, Danny | Republican | Yea |
| Burton, Colleen | Republican | Yea |
| Calatayud, Alexis | Republican | Yea |
| DiCeglie, Nick | Republican | Yea |
| Gaetz, Don | Republican | Yea |
| Garcia, Ileana | Republican | Yea |
| Grall, Erin | Republican | Yea |
| Gruters, Joe | Republican | Not Voting |
| Harrell, Gayle | Republican | Yea |
| Hooper, Ed | Republican | Yea |
| Leek, Thomas J. "Tom" | Republican | Yea |
| Martin, Jonathan | Republican | Yea |
| Massullo, Ralph E., Jr. | Republican | Yea |
| Mayfield, Debbie | Republican | Yea |
| McClain, Stan | Republican | Yea |
| Passidomo, Kathleen | Republican | Yea |
| Rodriguez, Ana Maria | Republican | Yea |
| Simon, Corey | Republican | Yea |
| Smith, David | Republican | Yea |
| Truenow, Keith L. | Republican | Yea |
| Trumbull, Jay | Republican | Yea |
| Vacant | Republican | Not Voting |
| Wright, Tom A. | Republican | Yea |
| Yarborough, Clay | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 76 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Unaffiliated | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 3 | 28 | 0 | 3 |
| Total | 83 | 28 | 0 | 6 |
| % of votes cast | 71% | 24% | 0% | 5% |
How each member voted (117)
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 273 do?
- Special District Funding; Revising agency agreements that provide state financial assistance to recipients or subrecipients to include specified special districts as an entity to which such agency may provide for the payment of invoices under specified circumstances; providing construction; requiring state agencies to expedite payment requests from certain counties, municipalities, and special districts for a specified purpose, etc.
- Who sponsors HB 273?
- HB 273 is sponsored by Johnson, Chad (Republican) and State Affairs Committee.
- What is the current status of HB 273?
- This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced October 28, 2025. It awaits signature.
- Where can I track HB 273?
- Track HB 273 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
Make your voice heard on HB 273
Find the representatives who decide this bill and tell them where you stand — for yourself, or mobilize your whole list in one click with One Click Politics advocacy software.
Stay ahead of HB 273
Last checked for changes about 2 months ago · updated continuously
One Click Politics tracks every bill in Congress and all 50 states.
Track this bill →