FloridaFlorida military records remain exempt from public release through 2031
Florida’s Department of Military Affairs keeps certain defense-related records from public release, with the exemption scheduled to end on October 2, 2031, unless lawmakers renew it.
What it does
Certain defense-related records held by Florida’s Department of Military Affairs are exempt from public records requests. Other information may be released only after legally required redactions.
Argument forKeeping defense-related information exempt could help protect sensitive records held by Florida’s Department of Military Affairs.
Argument againstKeeping these records exempt could make it harder for the public to learn what defense-related information the department holds.
More detail
The law exempts certain Department of Military Affairs records from public records requests. The exemption covers information held by the Department of Military Affairs that is stored in a U.S. Department of Defense records system, sent over a Defense network or device, or concerns the Defense Department. Other information may be disclosed only after the department makes redactions required by federal and state law. The exemption is scheduled to end on October 2, 2031, unless the Legislature reviews it and reenacts it.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 12Chapter No. 2026-117Latest
- Jun 10Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- Jun 9Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 17Ordered enrolledMinor
- Mar 9CS passed; YEAS 105, NAYS 0Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 9Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 9Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Mar 9Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)
- Feb 16Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 101st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Feb 10Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/19/2026)
- Feb 10Bill referred to House Calendar
- Jan 29In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 29Immediately certified
- Jan 29CS passed; YEAS 32 NAYS 3Passed Senate
- Jan 29Read 3rd timeMinor
- Jan 29Read 2nd timeMinor
- Jan 27Placed on Special Order Calendar, 01/29/26
- Vote recorded Favorable. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 27Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Jan 27Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 21 NAYS 1Minor
- Jan 22On Committee agenda-- Rules, 01/27/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
- Jan 14Now in Rules
- Jan 13CS by Governmental Oversight and Accountability read 1st time
- Jan 13IntroducedMinor
- Jan 13Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
- Jan 12CS by Governmental Oversight and Accountability; YEAS 9 NAYS 0
- Vote recorded Favorable with Committee Substitute. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 5On Committee agenda-- Governmental Oversight and Accountability, 01/12/26, 1:30 pm, 110 Senate Building
- 2025
- Nov 4Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; RulesMinor
- Vote recorded Submitted and Reported Favorably as Committee. Result: pass.Upper
- Nov 4FiledMinor
- Nov 4Submitted as Committee Bill and Reported Favorably by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security; YEAS 5 NAYS 0
- Oct 27On Committee agenda-- Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic Security, 11/04/25, 10:00 am, 301 Senate Building
- Oct 27Submitted for consideration by Military and Veterans Affairs, Space, and Domestic SecurityIntroduced
- Nov 4Referred to Governmental Oversight and Accountability; RulesMinor
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