Major Changes Ahead: Nearly 30 New Florida Laws Go Into Effect Next Week

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Residents and businesses across Florida should prepare for a significant wave of legislative changes as nearly 30 new laws are set to take effect this coming Wednesday, October 1st. The new measures, passed during the last legislative session, span a wide range of issues, from major tax relief for businesses to stricter criminal penalties and new requirements for landlords.

The single most impactful change for the business community will be the repeal of the state sales tax on commercial leases, widely known as the business rent tax. After 57 years, this tax will officially go away on October 1st as part of a sweeping tax package.

Outside of tax policy, many of the new laws focus on enhancing public safety, consumer protections, and criminal justice. Here is a look at several key bills and the full list of the new laws going into effect:

Key Laws Taking Effect October 1st:

• End of the Commercial Lease Sales Tax: The decade-long effort by business groups to eliminate the state sales tax on commercial leases finally comes to fruition, offering significant financial relief to companies across the state.

• Flood Risk Disclosure (SB 948): Landlords will now be legally required to disclose information about flood risks and any past flooding at the property to prospective tenants. Tenants who suffer major flood damage after not receiving the required disclosure may terminate their lease and receive refunds for advance rents paid.

• Increased Penalties for Fleeing Law Enforcement (HB 113): This law significantly increases the criminal penalties for motorists who flee or attempt to elude law-enforcement officers, moving these offenses to a higher severity ranking on the state’s sentencing chart.

• Stricter Animal Cruelty Laws (“Trooper’s Law” – HB 150): Creates a third-degree felony offense of animal cruelty for people who restrain dogs outside during a natural disaster, in an effort to ensure animals are protected during severe weather.

• Harsher Penalties for Repeat Driving Crimes (HB 687): Known as “Trenton’s Law,” this legislation creates stiffer penalties for repeat offenses of crimes such as driving under the influence (DUI) manslaughter, boating under the influence (BUI) manslaughter, and vehicular homicide.

• Strengthening Laws Against Luring Children (HB 777): Makes a series of changes aimed at strengthening laws against luring or enticing children, a key component of the state’s efforts to protect minors.

• Penalties for Assault on Utility Workers (SB 1386): Increases penalties for individuals who commit assault or battery against utility workers, recognizing the essential and sometimes vulnerable nature of their work.

• Death Penalty for Child Sex Trafficking (SB 1804): This law makes the sex trafficking of children under 12 or people who are mentally incapacitated punishable by the death penalty.

• Penalties for Harassing Court Officials (HB 1049): Increases the penalties for harassing or retaliating against judges and other court officials.

Full List of New Florida Laws Effective Wednesday, October 1st:

While not all of the nearly 30 laws had readily available titles or bill numbers in a single list, the following key bills are confirmed to be taking effect:

1. Elimination of Commercial Lease Sales Tax (Part of a wide-ranging tax package)

2. SB 948: Requiring landlords to disclose information about flood risks and past flooding to prospective tenants.

3. HB 113: Increasing criminal penalties for motorists who flee or attempt to elude law-enforcement officers.

4. HB 150 (“Trooper’s Law”): Creating a third-degree felony for animal cruelty for restraining dogs outside during natural disasters.

5. HB 687 (“Trenton’s Law”): Increasing penalties for repeat offenses of DUI manslaughter, BUI manslaughter, and vehicular homicide.

6. HB 777: Making a series of changes aimed at strengthening laws against luring or enticing children.

7. HB 1049: Increasing penalties for harassing or retaliating against judges and other court officials.

8. SB 1386: Increasing penalties for people who commit assault or battery on utility workers.

9. SB 1804: Making sex trafficking of children under 12 or people who are mentally incapacitated punishable by the death penalty.

10. HB 253: Making several changes to state statutes regarding motor vehicle offenses.

11. HB 437: Potentially enhancing punishments for those who tamper with an electronic monitoring device (EMD).

12. HB 479: Allowing a court to order drivers who fled the scene of a crash after striking property to make restitution.

13. HB 693: Allowing juries to consider additional aggravating factors in capital felony cases (e.g., if the victim was gathered for a school, religious, or public government meeting).

14. HB 703: Requiring communications providers to relocate a communications facility upon proper notice from a local government.

15. HB 757: Prohibiting the possession of a “lewd or lascivious image” with intent to promote it, and criminalizing the generation, solicitation, and possession of deepfake pornography.

The remaining laws cover various other technical and regulatory changes across different sectors, including those relating to the mental health treatment in the criminal-justice system, all of which will become effective on Wednesday, October 1st. Florida residents are advised to review the full text of any legislation that may directly impact them.