FloridaHospital board must review lease and sale plans with the public
Before considering a hospital lease or sale, the Highlands County Hospital District board must study its public value and give residents a chance to speak.
What it does
Before leasing the hospital, the board must study the public benefit, invite residents to speak, and post key documents for 30 days before voting.
The board may sell all district assets after studying the public benefit, inviting residents to speak, and posting sale documents for 30 days before voting.
Argument forPublic access to proposals and written reasons could help residents judge whether a lease serves the district's interests.
Argument againstA detailed evaluation and public review could take time and resources before residents learn whether the board will sell the hospital.
More detail
For a lease or management deal covering the hospital, the board must evaluate the public benefit and follow public review and voting steps. These rules apply to leasing or managing the hospital as a whole through a for-profit or nonprofit organization. The board must find that the lease serves the district's public interest and explain the basis for that finding. The agreement must require continued programs, services, and quality care, particularly for people with low incomes or no or limited insurance. The evaluation and related documents must be posted for 30 calendar days before the board votes on the proposed agreement.
The board may sell all district assets, including the hospital, after evaluating the sale and following public review and approval steps. The sale must cover all assets of the Highlands County Hospital District and go to an organization that will continue providing health care. The board must find that the sale serves the district's public interest and explain why. The sale agreement must require continued care for district residents, particularly people with low incomes or no or limited insurance, for as long as the acquiring entity operates, unless it meets the agreement's obligations sooner. If approved, the district must file the agreement with the Department of Commerce within 10 calendar days after the later of required ownership approval or closing. After the completed sale, the district must notify the department within 30 days, and the district dissolves 30 days after the department receives notice. If the board does not approve a sale agreement, the district continues to exist. The evaluation and supporting documents must be posted for 30 calendar days before the board votes on the proposed sale.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-220Latest
- Jun 10Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 25Referred to RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25In Messages
- Feb 25CS passed; YEAS 116, NAYS 0Passed House
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 18Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 18Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 181st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Feb 17CS FiledMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 17Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 17Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 17Favorable with CS by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 13Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Feb 6Now in State Affairs Committee
- Feb 6Reported out of Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee
- Feb 5Favorable by Health Care Facilities & Systems SubcommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable (Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Added to Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 28Now in Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 28Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 26Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 15Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 15Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Referred to Health Care Facilities & Systems SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 9FiledIntroduced
HealthcareGovernment & Ethics