The bill amends Florida Statutes to improve transparency and efficiency in the commercial construction sector, particularly in the bidding and permitting processes. It requires that sealed bids for public construction projects be opened during public meetings, either virtually or in person, and allows for the advertisement of competitive bids on publicly accessible websites rather than just in newspapers. A significant addition is the prohibition of governmental entities from enforcing contract provisions that restrict a contractor's rights to compensation or time extensions for delays caused by the entity itself. Furthermore, the bill mandates the adoption of a uniform commercial building permit application by the Florida Building Commission by the end of 2027, ensuring that permit fees reflect actual processing costs.

Additionally, the bill introduces specific glazing requirements for new commercial or mixed-use buildings, stipulating that the primary facade must have over 15 percent of its surface area glazed for the first 10 feet above the ground floor, with exceptions for historic structures. It also modifies the permit fee structure for building inspections when a private provider is involved, requiring local jurisdictions to reduce fees by at least 25 percent for plans review or building inspection services and by at least 50 percent if all services are provided by a private entity. Other amendments include recommendations for incorporating standards for commercial pool construction into the Florida Building Code and clarifications regarding mausoleum standards and local enforcement agencies. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 405 c2: 553.791, 497.271, 553.902
H 405 e1: 255.0518, 255.0525, 553.791, 497.271, 553.902