This bill introduces several amendments and new regulations related to construction and environmental standards in Florida. It establishes a new section, 125.572, which defines "synthetic turf" and mandates the Department of Environmental Protection to create minimum installation standards for synthetic turf on single-family residential properties of one acre or less. Local governments are prohibited from enacting any regulations that conflict with these standards or from preventing property owners from installing compliant synthetic turf. Additionally, the bill creates section 218.755, requiring local governmental entities to promptly approve or deny contractor price quotes for change orders, with specific requirements for denial notices.

Further amendments include prohibiting state or local governments from penalizing or rewarding bidders based on the volume of construction work performed, revising the definition of "certified alarm system contractor," and requiring the Florida Building Commission to amend the Florida Building Code to recognize tall mass timber as an allowable construction material. The bill also restricts local governments from requiring copies of contracts or associated documents for building permit applications and provides exemptions from the Florida Building Code for certain structures, including those within spaceport territories. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 712 Filed: 553.79
S 712 c1: 489.505, 553.79, 497.271