TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida lawmakers have filed a slate of latest proposals for the upcoming 2026 legislative session that will impose strict licensing necessities on THC-infused drinks, broaden long-term most cancers advantages for retired firefighters, and grant native governments the authority to enact their very own firearms laws.
New license can be required for Florida companies to promote THC-infused drinks
What it does: HB 801 authorizes the Florida Division of Alcoholic Drinks and Tobacco to problem particular licenses for the retail sale of THC-infused drinks, successfully regulating their sale in a way just like alcoholic drinks.
- Underneath the invoice, THC-infused drinks could solely be offered at retail by entities holding both a quota license or a particular particular license issued by the division.
- The particular license authorizes the sale of those drinks for consumption on the premises of licensed eating places.
- The laws defines a “THC-infused beverage” as any beverage supposed for human consumption containing hemp-derived delta-9-THC or some other intoxicating cannabinoid, no matter whether or not it comprises alcohol.
- Promoting these drinks with out the required license is classed as unlicensed exercise and can be punished in the identical method because the unlawful sale or service of alcohol.
Sponsor: The invoice is being carried by Republican Rep. Robert Brackett. A Senate invoice has but to be filed.
If handed, the act is scheduled to take impact on July 1, 2026.
Extending most cancers and dying advantages for retired firefighters
What it does: HB 813 amends current Florida regulation to reinforce and make clear the obligatory cancer-related advantages supplied to firefighters by their employers, together with necessities for former employers to increase protection for as much as a decade after a firefighter leaves the service.
- Underneath the invoice, A firefighter can be entitled to a one-time money fee of $25,000 upon an preliminary most cancers analysis, which former employers should present for as much as 10 years after employment termination.
- Former employers should make employer-sponsored well being plan advantages out there for 10 years following a firefighter’s termination, supplied the firefighter meets particular eligibility standards and isn’t subsequently employed as a firefighter elsewhere.
- Beneficiaries of firefighters who die because of most cancers or its therapy are entitled to particular dying advantages, which former employers should make out there for one yr following the firefighter’s termination.
- To qualify for these advantages, a firefighter should have been employed for at the very least 5 steady years, haven’t used tobacco merchandise for at the very least the previous 5 years, and never have held some other place in that timeframe confirmed to have a better most cancers threat.
- The invoice removes the earlier requirement for the Division of State Hearth Marshal to undertake guidelines for establishing employer most cancers prevention greatest practices.
Sponsor: Republican Rep. Demi Busatta is carrying the Home invoice. A Senate invoice has not but been filed.
If handed, the laws is scheduled to take impact on July 1, 2026.
Enable native governments to set their very own gun and ammunition legal guidelines
What it does: SB 954 seeks to repeal Florida’s broad preemption of firearm and ammunition legal guidelines, probably permitting native governments to enact their very own laws on the acquisition, sale, and possession of weapons.
- The laws would repeal a part of Florida Statutes, which at the moment prevents native jurisdictions from creating their very own firearm ordinances and reserves all regulatory energy for the state legislature.
- By eradicating the preemption, cities and counties may theoretically go native gun management measures which are at the moment prohibited, reminiscent of bans on firearms in public parks or particular zoning restrictions for gun retailers.
- The invoice maintains current protections that prohibit private and non-private employers from stopping clients or workers from preserving legally owned firearms locked inside their personal automobiles in parking tons.
- It preserves the availability that employers can’t inquire about or search personal automobiles of their parking tons to find out if a firearm is current, besides by regulation enforcement with due course of.
- The act continues to ban employers from conditioning employment on a person’s authorization to hold a hid weapon or discriminating towards those that train their proper to bear arms.
Sponsors: The Senate invoice is being carried by Democratic Sen. Tina Polsky. Democratic Rep. Dan Daley is carrying an equivalent invoice, HB 6017, within the Home.
If accredited, the repeal and conforming adjustments would take impact on July 1, 2026.
The 2026 Florida Legislative Session is scheduled to start Jan. 13.
