FloridaStarting July 2026, counties must approve some cemetery land-use changes
Starting July 1, 2026, counties and cities must approve compatible land-use changes when a recorded historic African-American cemetery sells excess vacant land to fund upkeep.
What it does
When a recorded historic African-American cemetery sells excess vacant land to fund its long-term upkeep, the county or city must approve a compatible zoning or land-use change.
Argument forCemeteries could use proceeds from selling excess land to fund long-term upkeep of their historic burial grounds.
Argument againstLocal officials may have less room to reject a land-use change, even though they can choose a designation that fits the surrounding area.
More detail
The county or city where the cemetery is located must approve an application to change the land-use designation or zoning. The cemetery must be historic, African-American, and recorded in the Florida Master Site File; the land must be excess vacant land. The cemetery must sell the land, or have a contract to sell it, expressly to fund its long-term maintenance and upkeep. Development must fit with nearby land uses. Local officials may use reasonable discretion to choose a designation that fits the surrounding area. The law 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
- May 22Chapter No. 2026-87Latest
- May 21Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 6Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 12In Messages
- Mar 12CS passed; YEAS 39 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 12Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 12Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/12/26
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 5ReceivedMinor
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 5Referred to RulesMinor
- Mar 5In Messages
- Mar 5CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0Passed House
- Mar 5Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 5Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 21st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Mar 2Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/5/2026)
- Mar 2Bill referred to House Calendar
- Mar 2CS FiledMinor
- Mar 2Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Mar 2Reported out of Commerce Committee
- Feb 26Favorable with CS by Commerce CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Committee Substitute (Commerce Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 24Added to Commerce Committee agenda
- Feb 20Now in Commerce Committee
- Feb 20Referred to Commerce CommitteeMinor
- Feb 191st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Feb 19CS FiledMinor
- Feb 19Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 19Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Feb 18Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 16PCS added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- 2025
- Nov 24Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Nov 24Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Nov 24Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 24Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Nov 14FiledIntroduced
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