All Roll Calls
Yes: 168 • No: 0
FloridaSB 422025SenateWALLET
Florida Statutes
Sponsored By: Kathleen Passidomo (Republican)
Signed by Governor
AppropriationRulesHouse Calendar
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.
Court-ordered mental health care gets safeguards
Courts can order involuntary inpatient or outpatient mental health care, which can require treatment without a person’s consent. They must find the required facts by clear and convincing evidence. Findings address mental illness, treatment history, safety risks, likely benefit, and appropriate, available alternatives that limit freedom less. Inpatient rules also address refusal or inability to decide about placement; outpatient rules address treatment participation and safe community living. Petitions, examinations, professional opinions, and service plans must meet legal requirements.
Firefighter pensions use broader pay comparison
Full-time and volunteer firefighters covered by chapter 175 retirement plans get a broader pension pay comparison. The calculation uses the higher of two amounts: the applicable career average or average pay from five selected years. Those are the five best years within the last 10 years of creditable service before retirement, termination, or death. The career average is no longer limited to service since July 1, 1953.
Tax credits for reading program donors
Since October 1, 2021, taxpayers can apply for credits against specified state taxes for qualifying New Worlds Reading Initiative donations. The statewide cap is $10 million for 2021–2022, $30 million for 2022–2023, and $60 million each fiscal year afterward. The Department of Revenue approves applications first come, first served; applications must identify each tax and tax year. Approved credits unused because tax owed is too low can carry forward for up to 10 years. Transfers are generally barred, except with all the taxpayer’s assets or approved same-type transfers within an affiliated corporate group.
Free books for struggling young readers
The New Worlds Reading Initiative provides free books to eligible children in prekindergarten through grade 5 who read below grade level. It also supports reading improvement from prekindergarten through grade 12. Families and teachers get reading resources, and teachers receive professional learning support.
Free reading credential for education workers
Eligible instructional staff, prekindergarten instructors, and child care workers can earn a free early literacy credential through New Worlds Reading. The online program is designed to take no more than 60 hours and may offer an in-person option. Participants earn the credential by showing the required skills. The law required the credential to be available by December 31, 2022.
Longer permits for reclaimed water projects
Water districts, coordinating with Florida’s environmental department, must adopt rules by December 31, 2025, for longer reclaimed-water permits. Projects using reclaimed water that meets advanced nitrogen and phosphorus treatment standards qualify for permits lasting up to 30 years. Applicants must provide compliance data and show measurable savings meeting demand beyond 20 years or supporting an adopted recovery or prevention strategy. Existing permit holders can seek extensions up to 10 years for qualifying projects that reduce withdrawals or help waterbodies under those strategies. Extensions require permit compliance, proven water savings, and demand through the added term; districts retain authority to protect water resources and ecology.
Legacy state workers lose retirement option
The law closes a retirement enrollment route for state officers or employees who rejected state retirement membership before July 1, 1947. It applies to those who kept working without joining the Florida Retirement System and otherwise qualified to join and buy prior service. They can no longer withdraw that rejection through this route to enroll and purchase prior service.
Racketeering law expands to voting offenses
Florida’s definition of racketeering activity now includes the offense of aiding or soliciting a noncitizen in voting. It also covers attempts, conspiracies, and soliciting, coercing, or intimidating another person to commit that offense. This expands the conduct covered by the racketeering framework; it does not make every covered act a standalone racketeering conviction.
New funding formula for training grants
Beginning in fiscal year 2024–2025, Open Door Grant funding goes to eligible institutions through a state-approved formula. The State Board of Education must approve it. The formula must consider the prior year’s funding and the number of eligible applicants who did not receive awards. This can shift funding among institutions; the law sets no new total funding amount or individual student award.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kathleen Passidomo
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/3/2025
House Floor Vote
Yes: 108 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 37 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/12/2025
Rules Vote
Yes: 23 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter No. 2025-6
4/17/2025Approved by Governor
4/10/2025Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
4/10/2025Ordered enrolled
4/3/2025SenatePassed; YEAS 108, NAYS 0
4/3/2025HouseRead 3rd time
4/3/2025HouseAdded to Third Reading Calendar
4/3/2025HousePlaced on 3rd reading
4/3/2025HouseRead 2nd time
4/3/2025HouseSubstituted for HB 7017
4/3/2025House1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
3/27/2025HouseBill added to Special Order Calendar (4/3/2025)
3/27/2025HouseBill referred to House Calendar
3/27/2025HouseIn Messages
3/19/2025HouseImmediately certified -SJ 242
3/19/2025SenatePassed; YEAS 37 NAYS 0 -SJ 233
3/19/2025SenateRead 3rd time -SJ 233
3/19/2025SenateRead 2nd time -SJ 232
3/19/2025SenatePlaced on Special Order Calendar, 03/19/25
3/17/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/12/2025SenateFavorable by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0
3/12/2025SenateOn Committee agenda-- Rules, 03/12/25, 11:00 am, 412 Knott Building
3/7/2025SenateIntroduced
3/4/2025SenateReferred to Rules
2/25/2025SenateFiled
2/24/2025Senate
Bill Text
er
8/15/2025
Filed
2/24/2025