House Bill 1185 proposes extensive amendments to Florida statutes, primarily focusing on procurement processes, minority business enterprise participation, and employment practices. The bill repeals section 24.113, which relates to minority participation, and introduces provisions that prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, and disability in employment decisions. It specifically disallows hiring managers from using set-asides or quotas based on race or gender. Additionally, the bill establishes a prohibited vendors list for those convicted of public entity crimes or engaged in discrimination, ensuring that public entities do not contract with such vendors unless they are removed from the list. The Office of Supplier Diversity is renamed to the Office of Supplier Development, reflecting a shift in focus towards supporting Florida-based enterprises rather than specifically minority businesses.

Furthermore, the bill modifies various procurement laws, including the qualifications for contract administrators and the preferences for Florida-based businesses in state contracts. It reduces the experience requirement for managing large contracts and introduces a 5 percent price preference for local vendors. The bill also removes several existing requirements related to minority business enterprise participation, including the need for agencies to report on expenditures and compliance efforts. Overall, HB 1185 aims to streamline regulations, enhance support for small businesses, and shift the focus from minority-specific classifications to broader economic equity and inclusion. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1185 Filed: 24.113, 110.112, 110.12301, 110.605, 217.07, 287.084, 287.09451, 288.7015, 288.702, 288.703, 288.7031, 288.705, 16.615, 43.16, 110.105, 110.116, 110.211, 110.403, 187.201, 212.096, 215.971, 255.0992, 255.20, 282.201, 282.709, 286.101, 287.0571, 287.056, 287.059, 287.0591, 287.138, 288.0001, 288.001, 288.0065, 288.12266, 288.124, 288.776, 290.0057, 320.63, 331.351, 334.045, 338.227, 339.63, 348.754, 376.3072, 376.84, 381.986, 394.47865, 408.045, 409.901, 440.45, 489.125, 570.07, 616.255, 616.256, 625.3255, 627.351, 627.3511, 657.042, 658.67, 947.02, 947.021, 957.09, 1001.706, 1004.435, 1009.70, 1013.45, 1013.46