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FloridaHB 40912026HouseWALLET

Sarasota and Manatee Counties

Sponsored By: William "Bill" Conerly (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationIntergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeWays & Means CommitteeState Affairs CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

District landowners face assessments and collection risks

The district can charge landowners assessments for construction, upkeep, and services, but the law sets no assessment rate. Parcels under one acre count as one acre; larger parcels round to whole acres, with half an acre rounding up. Assessments, penalties, and collection costs become property liens with the same priority as county-tax liens until paid. County-tax penalties, discounts, tax sales, certificates, deeds, and redemption rules apply; collection can also include attorney fees. County appraisers, tax collectors, and court clerks receive payment under general law, with no amount or cost allocation stated.

District cannot tax owners on property value

The district cannot levy property taxes based on property value. This ban does not remove its separate authority to charge assessments for facilities, services, and operations.

Condo conversions allow limited district boundary changes

The district can remove commercial or multifamily land converted to residential condominium use. The conversion must be recorded with the county clerk, and the board must approve removal by a supermajority vote. The board must adopt a resolution describing and mapping the change and send it to the specified county officials. Municipalities cannot annex land inside the district. Only a special act of the Florida Legislature can amend the district's charter.

Landowners elect supervisors with public accountability rules

Eligible landowners elect five supervisors with one vote per acre; voters cannot be exempt or immune from taxes or assessments. A landowner meeting needs a majority of taxable acreage present or represented by proxy; three supervisors form a board quorum. Supervisors must be Florida residents and U.S. citizens, with initial one-, two-, or three-year terms and three-year terms afterward. Annual elections and activity and financial reports begin in June 2026; remaining supervisors fill vacancies until the next annual meeting. Officials must follow state rules for public meetings, notices, records, reporting, financial disclosures, and per diem expenses.

New improvement district serves University Town Center

The law creates the University Town Center Improvement District across about 1,469.651 acres in Sarasota and Manatee Counties. It excludes the MOTE parcel, ID 0036010002, and hospital district parcel, ID 0014002020. Authorized services include drainage, flood control, stormwater, mosquito control, roads, sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, irrigation, signs, and conservation areas. The district can acquire or transfer property, accept grants, and make agreements, but cannot take property through eminent domain. Creation and boundaries took effect upon becoming law; remaining provisions require majority approval by eligible landowners within 20 days after Section 6 became law, followed by required organization steps.

District projects gain borrowing and fee authority

The district can borrow and issue assessment or revenue bonds without a stated dollar cap to finance infrastructure. It can also issue refunding and general obligation bonds; repayment can use project income, assessments, user charges, or other pledged sources. Bond anticipation notes require prior bond authorization and cannot exceed the authorized bond issue. Revenue bonds require qualified-voter approval only when additionally backed by the district's full faith and credit and taxing power. The district can set service rates, fees, rentals, fares, and other charges after a public hearing, with reasonable delinquency penalties and attorney fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William "Bill" Conerly

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • State Affairs Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Ways & Means Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 146 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 110 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-222

    7/1/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/16/2026

  3. Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

    6/15/2026

  4. Ordered enrolled

    3/11/2026House

  5. In Messages

    3/11/2026House

  6. CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 794

    3/11/2026Senate

  7. Read 3rd time -SJ 794

    3/11/2026Senate

  8. Read 2nd time -SJ 794

    3/11/2026Senate

  9. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

    3/11/2026Senate

  10. Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785

    3/11/2026Senate

  11. Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26

    3/9/2026Senate

  12. Received

    3/4/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules

    3/4/2026Senate

  14. In Messages

    3/4/2026Senate

  15. CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0

    3/4/2026House

  16. Read 3rd time

    3/4/2026House

  17. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/4/2026House

  18. Read 2nd time

    3/4/2026House

  19. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)

    2/26/2026House

  20. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/4/2026)

    2/26/2026House

  21. Bill referred to House Calendar

    2/26/2026House

  22. CS Filed

    2/26/2026House

  23. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

    2/26/2026House

  24. Reported out of State Affairs Committee

    2/26/2026House

  25. Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee

    2/26/2026House

Bill Text

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