House Bill 1185 proposes extensive amendments to Florida's procurement laws and employment practices, primarily focusing on the management of minority business enterprises and the promotion of small businesses. The bill repeals section 24.113, which pertains to minority participation, and removes various references to minority business enterprises throughout the statutes, replacing them with a broader focus on small businesses. It establishes a prohibited vendors list, requiring vendors to certify that their goods or services have not been produced using forced labor and prohibits public entities from contracting with vendors convicted of public entity crimes or engaged in discrimination. Additionally, the bill mandates that agencies adopt utilization plans for minority business activities and designates senior-level employees to oversee compliance.

Furthermore, the bill modifies health insurance benefits for surviving spouses and dependent children of law enforcement officers and firefighters, streamlines procurement processes, and enhances support for Florida-based enterprises, particularly small and veteran-owned businesses. It introduces provisions for electronic certification and recertification for veteran business enterprises and emphasizes the importance of local business participation in state contracts. The bill also outlines new requirements for procurement, including the posting of solicitations and the evaluation of professional services, while removing previous mandates regarding minority business enterprise certifications in the selection process. Overall, HB 1185 aims to foster economic growth and inclusivity within Florida's business landscape while enhancing transparency and accountability in state contracting.

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