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FloridaHB 41052026House

Port St. Joe Port Authority, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, and Liberty Counties

Sponsored By: Jason Shoaf (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationState Affairs CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Local governments shielded from port debts

The authority cannot bind or commit Port St. Joe or Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, and Liberty Counties. Those governments are not responsible for the authority’s debts, obligations, actions, or failures to act. Anyone dealing with the authority is on notice of these limits.

Port authority expands across four counties

The Port St. Joe Port Authority now covers all of Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, and Liberty Counties. Its charter uses those same boundaries. Six Governor-appointed commissioners govern it: one from Port St. Joe, two from Gulf County, and one from each other county. Members must live in the area they represent, and the Port St. Joe member chairs the board. Regular terms last four years from the previous term’s expiration. Existing members’ terms ended when the law took effect, but they can serve until successors are appointed. To stagger terms, one new Gulf County member and the new Gadsden County member serve two-year terms. The authority can acquire property through purchases, leases, easements, gifts, government transfers, or eminent domain. It can build and run port, storage, shipbuilding, repair, rail, bridge, and related commercial and industrial facilities. It can also contract or lease with public or private parties to run facilities and maintain shipping and port improvements. The law requires no particular project and took effect upon becoming law.

Port workers excluded from civil service

Port authority employees are excluded from local civil service laws covering Port St. Joe and the four counties. The authority can hire an executive director, lawyers, a secretary, technical experts, and other staff. It sets staff qualifications, duties, and pay; commissioners set the executive director’s pay by resolution. The law specifies no replacement civil service protections or required pay change.

Local governments can fund port operations

Franklin, Gadsden, and Liberty Counties can now join Gulf County and Port St. Joe in funding port operating expenses. Contributions are optional, and the law sets no amount. Payments require a request signed by the authority chair and any two other members. Gulf County can pledge its second gas tax revenue or levy a property tax to finance the authority. Port St. Joe can also levy a property tax for it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jason Shoaf

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • State Affairs Committee

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 142 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 36 • No: 0

House vote • 3/3/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 106 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter No. 2026-226

    7/1/2026

  2. Approved by Governor

    6/30/2026

  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

    3/3/2026Senate

  13. Referred to Rules

    3/3/2026Senate

  14. In Messages

    3/3/2026Senate

  15. CS passed; YEAS 106, NAYS 2

    3/3/2026House

  16. Read 3rd time

    3/3/2026House

  17. Added to Third Reading Calendar

    3/3/2026House

  18. Read 2nd time

    3/3/2026House

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

    2/26/2026House

  20. Added to Second Reading Calendar

    2/26/2026House

  21. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

    2/25/2026House

  22. Bill referred to House Calendar

    2/25/2026House

  23. CS Filed

    2/24/2026House

  24. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

    2/24/2026House

  25. Reported out of State Affairs Committee

    2/24/2026House

Bill Text

  • er

    6/30/2026

    PDF

  • c1

    2/24/2026

    PDF

  • Filed

    2/14/2026

    PDF

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