The proposed bill, titled the "Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act," aims to safeguard historic monuments and memorials in Florida from removal, damage, or destruction by local governments. It establishes a new section in the Florida Statutes, defining key terms and asserting the state's preemption over any local ordinances or regulations that would contradict this protection. The bill declares that any such local actions are void and outlines the liabilities for local governments and officials who violate this preemption. It also stipulates that courts must invalidate any conflicting local regulations and may impose civil penalties on officials who knowingly violate the law.

Additionally, the bill mandates that local governments are responsible for restoring or relocating any historic monument or memorial that they unlawfully remove or damage, with a specified timeframe of three years for compliance. If a local government lacks the necessary funds for restoration, the state is required to step in and cover the costs, withholding certain funding from the local government until reimbursement is made. The legislation allows for temporary removal of monuments under specific circumstances, such as military necessity or construction projects, but requires that they be returned to a similar prominent location afterward. The Department of State is authorized to adopt rules to implement these provisions, ensuring a structured approach to the protection of Florida's historic monuments and memorials.