Florida

Senate Bill 320: Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools

Introduced: Senator Corey Simon (R-03)

Summary: This bill relates to administrative efficiency in public schools and proposes to amend multiple sections of Florida Statutes. The bill addresses various aspects of school district operations including rule-making requirements, auditing obligations, reporting requirements, teacher certification and contracts, and educational facilities planning.

Design-Build Impact: When it comes to constructing educational facilities for Florida school districts and Florida College System institutions, the rules adopted must establish uniform prequalification, selection, bidding, and negotiation procedures applicable to construction management contracts and the design-build process. This will likely serve to make the design-build process that is for educational facilities more universalized when comparing the individual projects that would be commenced after the adoption of this bill.

Last Action: January 22, 2026: The bill has passed through the SENATE and into the HOUSE.

Status: Passed Senate into the House

DBIA Position: Support

DBIA Priority Level: Low

Senate Bill 1366: Claims Against the Government

Introduced: Senator Jason Brodeur (R-10)

Summary: Increases the statutory limits on the liability of the state and its agencies and subdivisions for tort claims; requires the Department of Financial Services, beginning on a specified date and every specified years thereafter, to adjust the limitations of liability for claims; limits attorney fees based on the amount of funds recovered; authorizes the Legislature to limit attorney fee awards in a claim bill or reserve any portion of the proceeds of a claim bill to the claimant.

Design-Build Impact: Does not change design-build authority within the state.

Last Action: February 12, 2026: The bill is within the SENATE Committee on APPROPRIATIONS. The bill has a SENATE hearing scheduled for February 12th.

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Neutral

DBIA Priority Level: Medium

Senate Bill 1662: Prohibited Preferences

Introduced: Senator Stan McClain (R-09)

Summary: The bill prohibits executive agencies from using racial or gender set-asides, preferences, or quotas when making certain decisions; revises factors local governments are authorized to consider in making decisions regarding local bids and contracts for public construction works; revises the criteria each agency uses to evaluate professional services.

Design-Build Impact: Does not change design-build authority within the state.

Last Action: February 5, 2026: The bill is within the SENATE Committee on FISCAL POLICY.

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Neutral

DBIA Priority Level: Medium

House Bill 145: Suits Against the Government

Introduced: Representative Fiona McFarland (R-073)

Design-Build Impact: Does not change design-build authority within the state.

Last Action: January 15, 2026: The bill is within the SENATE Committee on RULES.

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Neutral

DBIA Priority Level: Low

House Bill 607: Industries and Professional Activities

Introduced: Representative Taylor Yarkosky (R-025)

Summary: Renames, removes, and redesignates specified boards, commissions, and councils established within DBPR; changes office locations of certain divisions; the bill specifies that certain license application requirements apply only to certain professions, and that licensing authority is provided solely to departments rather than licensing boards.

Design-Build Impact: Design-Build authority within the state is not changed as design-builders and design-build projects remain included within the definition of “contractor” within the state.

Last Action: January 14, 2026: The bill was referred to the HOUSE Committee on COMMERCE.

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Neutral

DBIA Priority Level: Low

House Bill 963: Administrative Efficiency in Public Schools

Introduced: Representative Dave Smith (R-038)

Summary: Revises property building and general provisions relating to school districts, district school boards, K-12 school facilities, funding, teacher certifications and contracts, and Early learning.

Design-Build Impact: The bill will likely allow for the further use of design-build on K-12 facilities within the state.

Last Action: January 13, 2026: The bill is within the HOUSE Committee on EDUCATION and EMPLOYMENT

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Support

DBIA Priority Level: Low

House Bill 1189: Diversity Equity and Inclusion and Affirmative Action

Introduced: Representative Judson Sapp (R-20)

Summary: Removes requirement that Governor consider certain appointees; removes provisions relating to minority participation for lottery retailers; provides for equal employment opportunity; prohibits hiring manager from engaging in certain employment practices; authorizes certain persons to file complaints with Attorney General; revises personnel rules of Department of Management Services.

Design-Build Impact: Does not change design-build authority within the state.

Last Action: January 15, 2026: The bill is within the HOUSE Committee on STATE AFFAIRS

Status: In Committee

DBIA Position: Neutral

DBIA Priority Level: Low

House Bill 1321: Education Facilities

Introduced: Representative William Conerly (R-072)

Summary: Revises provisions related to educational facilities, including duties of doe relating to educational facilities of school districts and State College System institutions; schools district educational facilities plan performance and productivity standards, this includes requirements related to state uniform building code for public educational facilities construction.

Design-Build Impact: The bill will likely allow for the further use of design-build on K-12 facilities within the state.

Last Action: January 15, 2026: The bill is within the HOUSE Committee on EDUCATION and EMPLOYMENT.

DBIA Position: Support

DBIA Priority Level: Low