HB 359 — Search Warrants
Last action — Chapter No. 2026-177
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✓Introduced
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✓In Committee
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✓Passed House
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✓Passed Senate
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5To Executive
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6Enacted
This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced November 05, 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
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To Executive
Current position in the legislative process.
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7 sponsors
1 primary, 6 co-sponsors signed on.
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Bipartisan support
Sponsored across 2 parties (5 R · 1 D) — cross-party backing.
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 5 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 updates laws concerning search warrants for deceased bodies and certain technology.
This legislation allows search warrants to be issued for recovering deceased bodies and permits drone usage in searches. It also updates regulations regarding the timeliness of executing warrants and allows law enforcement to gather data from devices after specified periods.
Summary
Search Warrants; Authorizes search warrant to be issued to recover deceased body; revises time within which certain search warrants must be returned to court; specifies time period within which search warrant issued for certain devices is considered timely executed; specifies that law enforcement agency may review data or information contained in certain devices after specified periods if devices were timely seized; provides that judge may authorize law enforcement officer applying for search warrant to appear remotely; provides that judge may authorize law enforcement officer applying for search warrant or court order to appear remotely; defines "audio-video communication technology"; authorizes law enforcement agency to obtain search warrant to use drone to conduct search in certain circumstances.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
68 added · 72 removedPlain-language change summary
The amendments made to HB 359 clarify the definitions related to electronic devices and the timeframe for law enforcement to return seized items to the court. Specifically, the bill now focuses on the "computer," "computer system," and "electronic device" without including references to any data stored within them. This change is significant because it streamlines the process for law enforcement, giving them more time to conduct their investigations without the pressure of returning digital content within a strict deadline. Overall, the amendments aim to balance the prompt return of seized property with the practical realities of digital data analysis.
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 3,359 Engrossed 1 2026 A bill to be entitled An act relating to search warrants;
hb359hb359-01-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 3,359 Engrossed 1 2026 Section 1.
hb359hb359-01-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 3,359 Engrossed 1 2026 within 20 days.
(c) For a computer, a computer system, or an electronic device, and any data or information contained in such computer, computer system, or electronic device as those terms are defined in s.
(3) If a search warrant is issued to search for and seize a computer, a computer system, or an electronic device, and any data or information contained in sucha computer, computer system, or electronic device, such warrant is considered timely executed if the computer, computer system, or electronic device was seized by a law enforcement agency within 10 days of the issuance of the search warrant, not including the date of issuance.
(4) This section does not require a law enforcement agency to complete the analysis or review of data or information contained in a computer, computer system, or electronic device within the period provided in subsection (2) if such computer, computer system, or electronic device was timely seized by a law Pageenforcement 3agency ofunder 5subsection CODING:(3).
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb359 -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 , Engrossed 1 2026 enforcement agency under subsection (3).
SectionPage 3.3 of 5 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb359-01-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 359 2026 Section 3.
Section 934.025, Florida Statutes, is created Pageto 4read: of 5 CODING:
934.025 Search warrants and court orders;
remote appearance authorized.—A judge may authorize a law enforcement officer applying for a search warrant or court order pursuant to Page 4 of 5 CODING:
hb359hb359-01-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 ,359 Engrossed2026 1this 2026chapter to read:appear remotely using audio-video communication technology.
934.025 Search warrants and court orders;
remote appearance authorized.—A judge may authorize a law enforcement officer applying for a search warrant or court order pursuant to this chapter to appear remotely using audio-video communication technology.
hb359hb359-01-c1 -02-e1
View plain text versions (4)
- H 359 c1 View text pdf
- H 359 e1 View text pdf
- H 359 er View text Current pdf
- Introduced H 359 Filed pdf
Action History
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Chapter No. 2026-177
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Approved by Governor
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Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
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Ordered enrolled
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In Messages
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CS passed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 562
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Read 3rd time -SJ 562
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Read 2nd time -SJ 562
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Substituted for CS/SB 442 -SJ 562
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Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
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Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 561
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Received
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Referred to Rules
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In Messages
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CS passed as amended; YEAS 115, NAYS 0
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Read 3rd time
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Added to Third Reading Calendar
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Amendment 213119 adopted
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Read 2nd time
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Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
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Added to Second Reading Calendar
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1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
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Bill referred to House Calendar
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CS Filed
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Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
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Reported out of Judiciary Committee
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Favorable with CS by Judiciary Committee
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PCS added to Judiciary Committee agenda
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1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
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Now in Judiciary Committee
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Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
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Favorable by Criminal Justice Subcommittee
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Added to Criminal Justice Subcommittee agenda
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Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
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Referred to Judiciary Committee
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Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
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Filed
Sponsors
- Judiciary Committee · Primary
- James Vernon "Jim" Mooney Jr. · Cosponsor
- Adam Anderson · Cosponsor
- Michael "Mike" Gottlieb · Cosponsor
- Susan Plasencia · Cosponsor
- Jason Shoaf · Cosponsor
- Kevin M. Steele · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 6 co-sponsors · 157 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- Judiciary Committee
Co-sponsors (6)
- Mooney Jr., James Vernon "Jim" Republican
- Anderson, Adam Republican
- Gottlieb, Michael "Mike" Democrat
- Plasencia, Susan Republican
- Shoaf, Jason Republican
- Steele, Kevin M. Republican
Not signed on (157)
157 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 157 →"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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 32 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Republican | 79 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unaffiliated | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 115 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (117)
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrat | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Republican | 27 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| No Party Affiliation | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 37 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 95% | 0% | 0% | 5% |
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 | Yea |
| Rouson, Darryl Ervin | Democrat | Yea |
| Sharief, Barbara | Democrat | Yea |
| 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 | Yea |
| 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 | 83 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Democrat | 31 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Unaffiliated | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 115 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| % of votes cast | 98% | 0% | 0% | 2% |
How each member voted (117)
Roll call published as PDF — view source.
Roll call published as PDF — view source.
Subjects
Frequently asked questions
- What does HB 359 do?
- Search Warrants; Authorizes search warrant to be issued to recover deceased body; revises time within which certain search warrants must be returned to court; specifies time period within which search warrant issued for certain devices is considered timely executed; specifies that law enforcement agency may review data or information contained in certain devices after specified periods if devices were timely seized; provides that judge may authorize law enforcement officer applying for search warrant to appear remotely; provides that judge may authorize law enforcement officer applying for search warrant or court order to appear remotely; defines "audio-video communication technology"; authorizes law enforcement agency to obtain search warrant to use drone to conduct search in certain circumstances.
- Who sponsors HB 359?
- HB 359 is sponsored by Judiciary Committee, Mooney Jr., James Vernon "Jim" (Republican), Anderson, Adam (Republican), Gottlieb, Michael "Mike" (Democrat), Plasencia, Susan (Republican), Shoaf, Jason (Republican), and Steele, Kevin M. (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 359?
- This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced November 05, 2025. It awaits signature.
- Where can I track HB 359?
- Track HB 359 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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