This bill seeks to dissolve 36 specific soil and water conservation districts in Florida, effective December 31, 2025, with their assets and liabilities being transferred to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It amends various sections of Florida Statutes to allow governmental agencies to publish required information on their official websites, eliminating the need for special districts to publish advertisements and public notices in each county they span. Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that prevent municipalities from taking over services provided by independent special fire control districts in annexed areas, ensuring these districts can continue to levy taxes and fees. It also establishes limitations on liability for independent special districts that provide public access to lands or water areas for outdoor recreation and mandates criminal history screenings for certain individuals associated with these districts.

Moreover, the bill enhances the operational capabilities of independent special districts by allowing them to procure commodities and services from a wider range of entities, provided they follow competitive procurement processes. It requires performance reviews conducted by independent entities and assigns the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to oversee specific districts. The bill also modernizes public notice requirements, allowing legal notices to be published on publicly accessible websites when newspapers are unavailable, and mandates detailed content for these notices. It emphasizes transparency in the electoral process by establishing new procedures for testing automatic tabulating equipment and ensuring public notifications are adequately disseminated. Overall, the bill aims to improve governance, accountability, and operational efficiency within Florida's special districts and local government actions.

Statutes affected:
S 986 Filed: 189.053, 582.19, 582.20