HB 4103 — Apalachicola Water and Sewer District, Franklin County
Last action — Chapter No. 2026-225
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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 February 07, 2026. 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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3 sponsors
1 primary, 2 co-sponsors signed on.
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Single-party support
Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).
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Cleared a recorded vote
Passed 4 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
Establishes the Apalachicola Water & Sewer District and outlines its governance and responsibilities.
The bill creates the Apalachicola Water & Sewer District in Franklin County, defines its boundaries and powers, and requires an agreement with the city for service transfer. It also addresses asset management and employee status.
What this means for you
- Workers: Workers may be affected by the transfer of positions and responsibilities related to water and sewer services.
- Families: This may impact families in Apalachicola through changes in water and sewer service management.
Summary
Apalachicola Water and Sewer District, Franklin County; Creates Apalachicola Water & Sewer District; provides district charter; describes boundaries; provides for district board; provides powers of district & district board; prohibits City of Apalachicola from incurring certain additional obligations or indebtedness; requires city & district to enter into interlocal agreement to effectuate transfer of water & sewer service to district; provides for district to take certain actions if city & district do not enter interlocal agreement; provides for transfer of assets, assumption of all lawful debts & other obligations, & continuation of contracts by district; provides for status of certain employees.
Bill Text
What changed in the latest version
275 added · 320 removed275 line(s) added, 320 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/CS/HBCS/HB 4103 2026 A bill to be entitled An act relating to the Apalachicola Water and Sewer District, Franklin County;
prohibitingproviding for the Citytransfer of Apalachicolaassets, fromassumption incurringof certainall additionallawful obligationsdebts orand indebtedness;other obligations, and continuation of contracts by district;
requiringproviding the city and district to enter into an interlocaleffective agreementdate. to effectuate the transfer of water and sewer service to the district;
providing for the district to take certain actions if the city and the district do not enter an interlocal agreement;
providing for the transfer of assets, assumption of all lawful debts and other obligations, and continuation of contracts by the district;
providing for the status of certain employees;
providing effective dates.
The district is organized and exists for all purposes and shall Pagehold 1all ofpowers 12set CODING:forth in this act and chapters 189 and 197, Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided in this act.
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hb4103-02-c2 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/CS/HB 4103 2026 hold all powers set forth in this act and chapters 189 and 197, Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided in this act.
Name and corporate status.- (1) The name of the district is the "Apalachicola Water and Sewer District." (2)Page The1 district shall be an independent special district of the10 StateCODING: of Florida and a body corporate and politic.
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hb4103-01-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 4103 2026 (2) The district shall be an independent special district of the State of Florida and a body corporate and politic.
District boundaries.-The area within the boundaries of the City of Apalachicola and the existing customers presently served by the water and sewer service of the Pagecity. 2 of 12 CODING:
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hb4103-02-c2 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/CS/HB 4103 2026 city.
All members of the board must be legal residents and water and sewer customers of the district.
(2)Page Members2 shall serve 4-year terms, however, the members appointed by the Board of County10 CommissionersCODING: of Franklin County and the City Commission of the City of Apalachicola shall be subject to removal by those governing bodies during their unexpired terms.
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hb4103-01-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 4103 2026 (2) Members shall serve 4-year terms, however, the members appointed by the Board of County Commissioners of Franklin County and the City Commission of the City of Apalachicola shall be subject to removal by those governing bodies during their unexpired terms.
Page(7) 3Requirements offor 12financial CODING:disclosure, meeting notices, reporting, and public records maintenance and shall be as set forth in chapters 112, 119, 189, and 286, Florida Statutes.
Words(8) strickenMembers areof deletions;the boards shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their expenses pursuant to s.
words underlined are additions.
hb4103-02-c2 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/CS/HB 4103 2026 (7) Requirements for financial disclosure, meeting notices, reporting, and public records maintenance shall be as set forth in chapters 112, 119, 189, and 286, Florida Statutes.
(8) Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for their expenses pursuant to s.
Powers of the district and board.- (1) The district, by and through the board, is authorized andPage empowered:3 of 10 CODING:
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hb4103-01-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 4103 2026 and empowered:
to provide fresh water either within the area described in section 3 or to property located outside the district's boundaries if the district enters into an agreement with affectedeffected property owners, or both;
and to furnish and supply water, sewage, and disposal services to such district or adjoining area and any persons, firms, or corporations,corporation, public or private, in any such area.
(c) To fix and collect rates and charges for water or sewer furnished by said water and sewer systems and to fix and Pagecollect 4charges offor 12making CODING:connections with any water or sewer system.
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hb4103-02-c2 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/CS/HB 4103 2026 collect charges for making connections with any water or sewer system.
and to hold and dispose of all real and personalPage property4 underof its10 control.CODING:
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hb4103-01-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 4103 2026 personal property under its control.
and to fix their compensation, provided, however, that all such expenses Pageshall 5be payable solely from funds made available under the provisions of 12this CODING:act.
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hb4103-02-c2 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/CS/HB 4103 2026 shall be payable solely from funds made available under the provisions of this act.
(i)Page To5 enter on any lands, water, or premises located within the area described in section 3 or, pursuant to an agreement with the property owner or interlocal agreement, land located outside the district's boundaries to make surveys, borings, soundings, or examinations to effectuate the purposes of this10 act.CODING:
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hb4103-01-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 4103 2026 (i) To enter on any lands, water, or premises located within the area described in section 3 or, pursuant to an agreement with the property owner or interlocal agreement, land located outside the district's boundaries to make surveys, borings, soundings, or examinations to effectuate the purposes of this act.
(k) To restrain, enjoin, or otherwise prevent any political subdivision or agency and any person or corporation, public or private, from discharging into any navigable or non- navigable waters within the limits of the district any sewage, Pageindustrial 6waters, or other refuse which would contribute to the pollution of 12such CODING:and to restrain, enjoin, or otherwise prevent the violation of any provision of this act or any resolution, regulation, or rule adopted pursuant to the powers granted by this act.
(l) Subject to such provisions and restrictions as may be set forth in any resolution or trust agreement authorizing or securing any bonds issued under the provisions of this act, to Page 6 of 10 CODING:
hb4103-02-c2hb4103-01-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/CS/HBCS/HB 4103 2026 industrialenter waters,into orcontracts otherwith refusethe whichgovernment wouldof contribute to the pollutionUnited ofStates suchor andthe tostate restrain,or enjoin,any agency or otherwiseinstrumentality preventof theeither violationthereof, ofor with any provisionmunicipality, ofdistrict, thisprivate actcorporation, co- partnership, association, or anyindividual resolution,providing regulation,for or rulerelating adoptedto pursuantsuch towater system or the powerspurchase grantedand bysale thisof act.water or sewer system and the disposal of sewage.
(l) Subject to such provisions and restrictions as may be set forth in any resolution or trust agreement authorizing or securing any bonds issued under the provisions of this act, to enter into contracts with the government of the United States or the state or any agency or instrumentality of either thereof, or with any municipality, district, private corporation, co- partnership, association, or individual providing for or relating to such water system or the purchase and sale of water or sewer system and the disposal of sewage.
Page(2) 7The ofboard 12may CODING:fix and revise from time to time rates and charges for water furnished by any water system and for sewage disposal by any sewer system and charge and collect the same.
Any such rates and charges shall be so fixed and revised as to provide funds, with other funds available for such purpose, sufficient at all times:
(a) To pay the cost of maintaining, repairing, and operating the water and sewer systems of the district, and to Page 7 of 10 CODING:
hb4103-02-c2hb4103-01-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/CS/HBCS/HB 4103 2026 (2)provide Thereserves boardtherefor may fix and revise from time to time rates and charges for waterreplacements, furnisheddepreciation, by any water system and fornecessary sewageextensions disposal by any sewer system and chargeenlargements. and collect the same.
Any such rates and charges shall be so fixed and revised as to provide funds, with other funds available for such purpose, sufficient at all times:
(a) To pay the cost of maintaining, repairing, and operating the water and sewer systems of the district, and to provide reserves therefor and for replacements, depreciation, and necessary extensions and enlargements.
(4) No funds of the district shall be used for any purpose other than those defined in this section and the administration of the affairs and business of the district, or the purpose, Pageacquisition, 8construction, expansion, care, maintenance, upkeep, and operation of 12a CODING:fresh water system and sewer system in the district as the board may determine to be for the best interest of the district and inhabitants thereof.
(5) The board may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds under this act or in any trust agreement securing such bonds that if any water or sewer rates shall not be paid within 30 days from the rendition of any such bills, the Page 8 of 10 CODING:
hb4103-02-c2hb4103-01-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/CS/HBCS/HB 4103 2026 acquisition,district construction,shall expansion,discontinue care,furnishing maintenance,water upkeep,to andsuch operationpremises of a fresh water system and sewer system in the district as the board may determinedisconnect to be for the bestsame interestfrom of the districtwater andsystem. inhabitants thereof.
(5) The board may provide in the resolution authorizing the issuance of bonds under this act or in any trust agreement securing such bonds that if any water or sewer rates shall not be paid within 30 days from the rendition of any such bills, the district shall discontinue furnishing water to such premises and may disconnect the same from the water system.
(b) If any water or sewer rates charges payable to the district shall not be paid within 30 days after the same shall become due and payable, the district may at the expiration of Pagesuch 930 days period disconnect the premises from the water system and the district may proceed to recover the amount of 12any CODING:such delinquent rates or charges, with interest at the highest legal rate, in any court having jurisdiction over claims for money damages.
(6) The powers, functions, and duties of the district relating to bond issuance, other revenue-raising capabilities, budget preparation and approval, liens and foreclosure of liens, Page 9 of 10 CODING:
hb4103-02-c2hb4103-01-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/CS/HBCS/HB 4103 2026 suchuse 30of daystax perioddeeds disconnectand thetax premisescertificates fromas theappropriate waterfor systemnon-ad valorem assessments, and thecontractual districtagreements, mayand proceedthe tomethods recoverfor financing the amountdistrict ofand anyfor suchcollecting delinquentnon-ad ratesvalorem assessments, fees, or service charges, withto interestthe atextent theauthorized highestby legalthis rate,act, shall be as forth in anythis courtcharter, havingin jurisdictionchapters over170, claims189, forand money197, damages.Florida Statutes, and in any applicable general or special law.
(6) The powers, functions, and duties of the district relating to bond issuance, other revenue-raising capabilities, budget preparation and approval, liens and foreclosure of liens, use of tax deeds and tax certificates as appropriate for non-ad valorem assessments, and contractual agreements, and the methods for financing the district and for collecting non-ad valorem assessments, fees, or service charges, to the extent authorized by this act, shall be as forth in this charter, in chapters 170, 189, and 197, Florida Statutes, and in any applicable general or special law.
EffectiveAs uponof thisthe acteffective becomingdate aof law,this theact, Cityall ofproperty, Apalachicolawhether mayreal, notpersonal, incuror anymixed, additionalthat obligationsis owned, possessed, or indebtednesscontrolled relatedby tothe City of Apalachicola for the operationpurposes of itsproviding water and sewer utilitysystems, otheras thanwell expensesas incurredall inother theassets, ordinarycontracts, courseobligations, and liabilities of Pagethe 10City of 12Apalachicola CODING:for such purposes, are hereby transferred and vested in the Apalachicola Water and Sewer District.
WordsAll strickencontracts areand deletions;obligations of the City of Apalachicola for water and sewer systems existing on the effective date of this act shall remain in full force and effect, and this act shall in no way affect the validity of such contracts or obligations.
words underlined are additions.
hb4103-02-c2 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/CS/HB 4103 2026 business and shall avoid wasting its assets.
The City of Apalachicola and the Apalachicola Water and Sewer District must enter into an interlocal agreement by the latter of July 1, 2026, or 30 days after the Governor makes initial appointments to the board to effectuate the transfer of water and sewer service from the city to the district.
Such agreement shall include provisions concerning an assessment of all assets currently held by the city for providing water and sewer service, cooperation in meeting regulatory and permitting requirements for the transfer of the water and sewer utility, the transition of assets and liabilities from the city to the district, and membership of district employees in the Florida Retirement System, as well as any other terms and conditions mutually agreed to by the parties.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the city and the district do not enter into an interlocal agreement by the deadline established by this section, the district shall have the sole authority to make all determinations necessary to effectuate the transfer of water and sewer service, which are binding on both the city and the district.
OnThis Decemberact 1,shall 2026,take alleffect property,upon whetherbecoming real,a personal,law. or mixed, that is owned, possessed, or controlled by the City of Apalachicola for the purposes of providing water and sewer systems, as well as all other assets, contracts, obligations, and liabilities of the City of Page 11 of 12 CODING:
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hb4103-02-c2hb4103-01-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/CS/HB 4103 2026 Apalachicola for such purposes, are hereby transferred and vested in the Apalachicola Water and Sewer District.
All contracts and obligations of the City of Apalachicola for water and sewer systems existing on the effective date of this act shall remain in full force and effect, and this act shall in no way affect the validity of such contracts or obligations.
Current employees of the city employed for the purpose of providing water and sewer service shall become employees of the district pursuant to the interlocal agreement or other determinations made pursuant to section 3 of this act, provided that the district shall ensure that employees continue membership in the Florida Retirement System.
Section 5.
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act, this act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
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hb4103-02-c2
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View plain text versions (4)
- H 4103 c1 View text pdf
- H 4103 c2 View text pdf
- H 4103 er View text Current pdf
- Introduced H 4103 Filed pdf
Action History
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Chapter No. 2026-225
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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 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 794
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Read 3rd time -SJ 794
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Read 2nd time -SJ 794
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Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
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Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785
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Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
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Received
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Referred to Rules
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In Messages
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CS passed; YEAS 107, NAYS 0
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Read 3rd time
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Added to Third Reading Calendar
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Read 2nd time
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Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
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Added to Second Reading Calendar
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1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
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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 State Affairs Committee
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Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
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Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
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1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
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Now in State Affairs Committee
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Referred to State Affairs Committee
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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 Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
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Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
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Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
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1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
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Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
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Referred to State Affairs Committee
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Referred to Commerce Committee
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Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
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Filed
Sponsors
- State Affairs Committee · Primary
- Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee · Cosponsor
- Jason Shoaf · Cosponsor
Sponsorship breakdown
Export CSV (upgrade) →1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 161 not signed on
Sponsors (1)
- State Affairs Committee
Co-sponsors (2)
- Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Shoaf, Jason Republican
Not signed on (161)
161 members have not signed on to this bill.
Show all 161 →"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 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Republican | 26 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| No Party Affiliation | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 36 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| % of votes cast | 92% | 0% | 0% | 8% |
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 | Yea |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| 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 | Not Voting |
| Vacant | Republican | Yea |
| Wright, Tom A. | Republican | Yea |
| Yarborough, Clay | Republican | Yea |
| Party | Yea | Nay | Present | Not Voting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 73 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Democrat | 30 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Unaffiliated | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 107 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| % of votes cast | 91% | 0% | 0% | 9% |
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 4103 do?
- Apalachicola Water and Sewer District, Franklin County; Creates Apalachicola Water & Sewer District; provides district charter; describes boundaries; provides for district board; provides powers of district & district board; prohibits City of Apalachicola from incurring certain additional obligations or indebtedness; requires city & district to enter into interlocal agreement to effectuate transfer of water & sewer service to district; provides for district to take certain actions if city & district do not enter interlocal agreement; provides for transfer of assets, assumption of all lawful debts & other obligations, & continuation of contracts by district; provides for status of certain employees.
- Who sponsors HB 4103?
- HB 4103 is sponsored by State Affairs Committee, Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee, and Shoaf, Jason (Republican).
- What is the current status of HB 4103?
- This bill has been sent to the executive. Introduced February 07, 2026. It awaits signature.
- Where can I track HB 4103?
- Track HB 4103 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.
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