This bill amends section 471.033 of the Florida Statutes to impose escalating fines for individuals who engage in the unlicensed practice of engineering. Specifically, it establishes a new subsection (4) that outlines penalties for repeat offenders, with fines increasing from $10,000 for a second violation to $25,000 for a fifth or subsequent violation. Additionally, the bill creates a new section, 471.056, which establishes the Engineering Student Loan Assistance Program, managed by the Florida Engineers Management Corporation.

The purpose of this program is to encourage qualified engineering graduates to work in areas of Florida experiencing critical engineering shortages by providing financial assistance for loan repayments. Eligible candidates must have graduated from an accredited engineering program and obtained a Florida professional engineer license or professional engineer-in-training status. The program will fund up to $4,000 per year for up to four years to assist with loan principal repayments, contingent upon continued employment in designated state agencies or water management districts. The bill also mandates that the Board of Professional Engineers adopt necessary rules for program administration and specifies that the program will only be implemented if adequately funded. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.