5 Florida State Laws You Need To Know for 2024

5 Florida State Laws Taking Effect in 2024 That You Need To Know.

Although there are several more, these directly effect us in Palm Coast and Flagler County.

• SB-744: Enhanced Ethics Mandates for Public Officials

Local elected officials are obligated to reveal their financial transactions. This legislation has prompted a notable surge in resignations statewide, as numerous officials have chosen to step down. The mandate extends the current financial disclosure requirements already applicable to the governor, lawmakers, county commissioners, school board members, and sheriffs.

For Flagler County, Florida this means the new transparency law mandates full financial disclosure for local candidates.

In 2024, a forthcoming Florida transparency law will necessitate candidates running for local elected office in Flagler County and Florida to submit a comprehensive and publicly accessible disclosure at the time of qualification. Additionally, candidates will be required to provide their federal tax returns. This legislation, identified and introduced in 2023 as SB 774 and focusing on ethics requirements, is set to be enforced starting January 1, 2024

Under SB 774, sponsored by Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Lake Mary, candidates for specified local offices must submit a more detailed Form 6 financial disclosure, replacing the current Form 1 requirement. Form 6 imposes a heightened level of detail and reduces the reporting threshold for financial information.

Those Pushing Back. The new financial transparency SB 774 law has led some elected commissioners and council members in Florida to threaten resignation rather than release the required details, WPTV in West Palm Beach reported in December.

“I think that’s a complete invasion of your privacy,” Loxahatchee Groves Mayor Laura Danowski said.

State Rep. Spencer Roach, R-North Fort Myers, who supports the bill, told the station:

“To those people who are contemplating resigning, or have resigned, I would have one simple question for them: ‘What is it that you are trying to hide? Or what is it that you don’t want your constituents to know?’ And I would posit that those are probably the very officials that this bill is designed to target.”

• HB-109: Exclusive State Park Campsite Booking for Florida Residents

Commencing January 1 2024, Florida residents gain priority in reserving cabins, campsites, and RV spots at state parks. Residents can secure their bookings online 11 months in advance of their preferred date, providing them with a one-month lead over non-residents, who can start reservations 10 months prior to their desired dates. Enjoy the advantage of living in Florida with early planning for your state park getaway!

• HB-1627: Pretrial Release and Detention

Enacts modifications to Florida's bail and pretrial detention systems.
Strengthens pretrial release criteria for specific felony offenders, taking into account their criminal history.
Mandates the Florida Supreme Court to create a bond schedule and limits lower courts from setting bail amounts below those outlined in the schedule.