FloridaFlorida’s Digital Service provides cybersecurity aid to local governments
Starting July 1, 2026, Florida’s Digital Service provides cybersecurity tools and services to eligible local governments, which may also buy through its contracts at their own cost.
What it does
Florida’s Digital Service provides eligible local governments with cybersecurity technology and services through a grant program to help them manage cyber risks.
Local governments may buy from the state’s cybersecurity contracts without receiving a grant, but they must pay the full cost themselves.
The Florida Digital Service reports each year on grant applications, awards, and funded services, and may accept federal money for the program.
Argument forEligible local governments could get state-provided cybersecurity tools and services to help manage risks from attacks such as ransomware.
Argument againstLocal governments that buy services through the state contracts could face costs they must cover themselves.
More detail
The Florida Digital Service runs a grant program that provides cybersecurity technology and services directly to eligible local governments. The program covers eligible local governments. The program uses objective rules to decide eligibility and evaluate applications. The technology and services are for developing or improving local cybersecurity risk management programs. Grants are awarded by December 1 each year. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
Local governments may buy technology and services from contracts managed by the Florida Digital Service. This option is available to local governments. A local government may buy through these contracts even if it does not apply for or receive a grant. The local government pays all costs of its purchases. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.
The Florida Digital Service reports on the grant program and may seek federal funds for it. The reporting duty applies to the Florida Digital Service and covers the grant program. The report covers applications, grants awarded or denied, funded services, and federal or other funds received and used. The Florida Digital Service may apply for and accept federal funds or grants for the program. The first report is due December 15, 2027, and each year after that, covering the prior fiscal year. The law is set to end July 1, 2031, unless lawmakers renew it.
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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
- May 26Chapter No. 2026-115Latest
- May 22Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 21Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Returning Messages. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12In Messages
- Mar 12CS passed as amended; YEAS 39 NAYS 0Major
- Mar 12Concurred in House amendment(s) to Senate amendment(s) (137421)
- Mar 12In returning messages
- Mar 12CS passed as amended; YEAS 104, NAYS 1Major
- Mar 12Concurred in Senate amendment 606354 as amended
- Mar 12Amendment 137421 adopted
- Mar 12Added to Senate Message List
- Mar 11In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11CS passed as amended; YEAS 37 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Amendment(s) adopted (606354)
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Substituted for CS/SB 576
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 4ReceivedMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Referred to RulesMinor
- Mar 4In Messages
- Mar 4CS passed; YEAS 109, NAYS 0Passed House
- Mar 4Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 4Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 4Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 261st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 26Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/4/2026)
- Feb 26Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 26CS FiledMinor
- Feb 26Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 26Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 26Favorable with CS by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Feb 24Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Feb 5Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Education Administration Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 5Reported out of Education Administration Subcommittee
- Feb 5Favorable by Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Feb 3Added to Education Administration Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 301st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Jan 30Now in Education Administration Subcommittee
- Jan 30Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 30Referred to Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 29CS FiledMinor
- Jan 29Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 29Reported out of Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee
- Jan 28Favorable with CS by Information Technology Budget & Policy SubcommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 26Added to Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Now in Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee
- Jan 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Information Technology Budget & Policy SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 6FiledIntroduced
TechnologyPublic Safety