The bill amends Florida statutes to enhance property rights and streamline the removal of unauthorized occupants from residential and commercial properties. It modifies section 82.036 to clarify the requirements for a verified complaint for removing unauthorized persons from residential properties and grants sheriffs the authority to use reasonable force for such removals. Additionally, a new section, 82.037, is introduced, allowing property owners or their agents to request immediate removal of unlawful occupants from commercial properties under specific conditions, such as the absence of a valid lease. The bill also establishes criminal penalties for unlawful detainment or trespassing on commercial properties and for fraudulent sales or leases of real property, while ensuring that sheriffs and property owners are protected from liability for damages, provided the removal is conducted according to the new provisions.

Furthermore, the bill expands the definition of "racketeering activity" to include a broader range of crimes, such as aiding noncitizens in voting, Medicaid fraud, and environmental control violations. It specifies that certain offenses, like sexual battery and prostitution, are included in the racketeering definition only if committed with the intent to benefit a criminal gang. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, providing a timeline for the implementation of these changes.

Statutes affected:
S 322 Filed: 806.13, 817.0311
S 322 c1: 82.036, 806.13, 817.0311
S 322 c2: 82.036, 689.03, 806.13, 817.0311
S 322 er: 82.036, 689.03, 806.13, 817.0311