FloridaState agencies can pay invoices for some rural local governments
When covered local governments or districts show financial hardship, state agencies must speed up invoice payment requests when state and federal rules allow.
What it does
Agencies can arrange payment for verified, eligible work under assistance agreements with certain rural counties, municipalities, and districts. They must speed payment requests when those recipients show financial hardship, but only when state and federal rules allow.
The law counts districts within certain smaller counties as rural communities. It also includes independent districts that provide water and wastewater services in a rural area of opportunity.
Argument forCovered local governments and districts could get invoices paid sooner when they show financial hardship, easing pressure while they manage assistance agreements.
Argument againstState or federal rules could prevent agencies from speeding invoice payments, leaving covered local governments and districts waiting for money they need to pay bills.
More detail
An agency may arrange payment of invoices to a covered county, municipality, or special district for eligible work completed under an assistance agreement. This applies to state or federal assistance agreements with a rural county or municipality, a special district located entirely within such a county or municipality, or an independent water and wastewater district in a rural area of opportunity. The work must be verified, eligible, and completed under the agreement. The agency must speed payment requests when the county, municipality, or district shows financial hardship, but only as far as state and federal rules allow. The act takes effect July 1, 2026; this payment provision applies to covered assistance agreements.
The law's definition of a rural community includes certain special districts. This definition is used in the Rural Economic Development Initiative law. A district qualifies if it is within a county that meets the stated population limits, or if it independently provides water and wastewater services within a rural area of opportunity. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.
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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
- Jun 26Chapter No. 2026-167Latest
- Jun 25Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 15Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12Ordered engrossed, then enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12CS passed as amended; YEAS 108, NAYS 0Major
- Mar 12Amendment 625206 Concur
- Mar 12Added to Senate Message List
- Mar 6In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6CS passed as amended; YEAS 34 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 6Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 6Amendment(s) adopted (625206)
- Mar 6Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 6Substituted for CS/CS/SB 214
- Mar 6Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 6Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 4ReceivedMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 4Referred to RulesMinor
- Mar 4In Messages
- Mar 4CS passed; YEAS 83, NAYS 28Passed House
- Mar 4Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 4Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 4Amendment 285203 Failed
- Mar 4Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 261st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable (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 24PCS added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 21Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 21Reported out of Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
- Jan 21Favorable by Housing, Agriculture & Tourism SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 16Added to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 14Now in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 14Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 14Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- 2025
- Nov 4Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Nov 4Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Nov 4Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 4Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Oct 28FiledIntroduced
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