The bill CS/CS/HB 1009 amends various sections of the Florida Statutes to enhance the definition and procedures surrounding public notices and legal advertisements. It expands the definition of "governmental agency" to include clerks of the circuit court, tax collectors, and water management districts, while also clarifying the definition of "publicly accessible website" to encompass both county official websites and designated private websites for legal notices. The bill mandates that legal notices related to government activities be published continuously for at least two weeks and allows certain counties and municipalities to utilize publicly accessible websites for these publications. Additionally, it requires public bid advertisements to be accessible without charge and introduces provisions for governmental agencies to notify residents about legal advertisements via first-class mail or email.

Furthermore, the bill includes significant amendments to streamline public notice requirements for various governmental actions, including budget hearings and public-private partnerships. It mandates that school districts advertise their intent to adopt tentative budgets on publicly accessible websites or in newspapers, and it requires notices for proposed transportation projects to be published in both qualified newspapers and on websites. The bill also reenacts provisions related to forfeiture proceedings and school board meetings, ensuring that notices are published for two consecutive weeks and are accessible to the public. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing transparency and public engagement in governmental processes.

Statutes affected:
H 1009 c1: 50.0311
H 1009 c2: 50.0311