Property taxes emerged as the single most dominant issue leading into the 2026 legislative session. The House convened a Select Committee to study the issue, the Senate engaged staff to conduct its own review and Governor DeSantis discussed property tax relief at nearly every available opportunity. During the regular session, the House passed a joint resolution that would have immediately and permanently eliminated all non-school homestead property taxes, while requiring local governments to maintain public safety funding. The Senate did not take up the measure and the Legislature subsequently convened a special session in June to consider and act on the Governor’s proposed property tax plan.

During the special session, the Legislature approved a constitutional amendment that would make significant changes to Florida’s property tax system. The proposal would increase the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes to $150,000 beginning January 1, 2027 and $250,000 beginning January 1, 2028, with the exemption indexed to inflation beginning in 2029. The proposal would also reduce the annual assessment growth cap for non-homestead property from 10 to 5 percent and establish a five-year residency requirement for new Florida residents before they could receive the enhanced exemption.

The amendment would also establish new constitutional limitations on how local governments may use property tax revenues, generally restricting funding to defined core governmental purposes, including public safety, infrastructure, education, flood control, debt service and core administration. These provisions create uncertainty regarding the continued use of ad valorem revenues for activities such as economic development, parks and recreation, community events and certain social services. The ultimate scope of these restrictions may depend on future legislative and judicial interpretation.

The implementing legislation would further constrain local governments’ ability to increase millage rates. Generally, local governments would be limited to the rolled-back rate, with increases above that rate requiring additional governing-body approval or in certain circumstances, voter approval. Because the new calculation removes the current adjustment for changes in per capita personal income, the changes could reduce the baseline property tax revenue available to many local governments and place additional pressure on local budgets.

The amendment’s ballot language was subsequently challenged in court on the grounds that it was unconstitutionally promotional and misleading. A Leon County judge ordered the Attorney General to revise the ballot language, expressing concerns with the Legislature’s original title, “Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes.” Opponents argued that the title improperly advocated for a “yes” vote and failed to adequately communicate the amendment’s broader fiscal and governmental impacts. The court’s ruling changed the ballot language but did not alter the substance of the proposed constitutional amendment. The Attorney General’s revised ballot title is “Increased Homestead Exemption; Lower Cap on Increases in Non-Homesteaded Property Assessments.”

Amendment 3 remains on the November 3, 2026, General Election ballot with the revised title and summary. Passage requires approval from at least 60 percent of voters. If approved, state economists project that Amendment 3 would reduce local government revenue by nearly $12 billion on a recurring basis. Additionally, the Legislature’s Revenue Estimating Conference projects that local governments collectively could experience an estimated $45.8 billion reduction in property tax collections over five years. As a result, local governments could face difficult decisions regarding how to maintain existing services and staffing levels. Potential responses could include reductions in services or personnel, increased reliance on fees for service or identifying other revenue sources.

A study conducted by Guo and Cheng on behalf of the Florida League of Cities further highlights the potential impact on municipal budgets. According to the study, public safety represents approximately 56 percent of general fund expenditures for Florida municipalities. This could make public safety one of the most significant areas of concern as local governments evaluate how to respond to potential reductions in property tax revenue.

The proposal has also generated concerns among renters and commercial property owners, who argue that reductions in property tax revenue could ultimately result in a shift of costs to other taxpayers and consumers rather than representing an overall reduction in the cost of government.

Recent polling has placed Amendment 3 near or above the 60 percent threshold required for passage. A survey of 800 Florida voters conducted by Sachs Media on August 18, 2026, found that 63 percent support Amendment 3, while 37 percent are opposed. Support was highest among Republican voters, while Democrats were more divided and NPA voters also showed majority support. Following the release of the revised ballot language, support among Democrats and NPA voters increased by six percentage points, reaching 42 percent, while Republican support declined slightly from 89 to 86 percent. Other statewide surveys of Florida voters have shown similar results, with Amendment 3 continuing to poll around or above the 60 percent threshold required for passage.

Regardless of the outcome in November, Gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, House Speaker Designate Sam Garrison and Senate President Designate Jim Boyd have indicated that property tax relief would remain a priority in the 2027 Legislative Session. Each has expressed a commitment to pursuing measures intended to provide relief to Florida residents related to property taxes and insurance costs.

Simultaneously, the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission will begin its constitutionally mandated review of Florida’s tax and budget structure. The 25-member commission convenes every 20 years and is tasked with examining Florida’s taxation, budget and governmental spending practices. The commission may propose statutory changes or amendments to the Florida Constitution for consideration by voters on the 2028 ballot. The commission is composed of 11 members appointed by the Governor who are not current members of the Legislature; seven members appointed by the Speaker of the House who are not current members of the Legislature; seven members appointed by the President of the Senate who are not current members of the Legislature and four non-voting ex officio members who are current legislators. Two of the ex officio members are appointed by the Speaker of the House, including one member of the minority party and two are appointed by the Senate President, including one member of the minority party.

With Amendment 3 on the November ballot and the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission set to convene, Florida’s property tax structure will remain a major topic for local governments, businesses and taxpayers well beyond the 2026 election.

FRM

Kylee Bo, GrayRobinson, is a Government Affairs Advisor specializing in policy and appropriations at both the Florida Capitol and local levels. Based in Orlando, she offers clients strategic insights, summaries of state and local hearings and tailored government affairs updates and reports. Kylee works to strengthen relationships with elected officials across the state and represents GrayRobinson at key board meetings. She also delivers educational briefings to select groups, including college students pursuing careers in the legislative field.

The 2026 Regular Session of the Florida Legislature ended in March, but it closed without completing the one task the Legislature is constitutionally required to finish each year: passage of a state budget.

With all tallies counted, the Legislature’s official statistics show 1,896 total measures filed in the regular session, including 1,691 general bills, 67 local bills, 30 joint resolutions, 6 concurrent resolutions, 97 one-chamber resolutions and 5 memorials. Of those, 237 measures passed both chambers, including 192 general bills and 44 local bills.
■ Total measures filed: 1,896
■ General bills filed: 1,691
■ Measures passed both chambers: 237
■ General bills passed both chambers: 192 (11.4%)

As of the writing of this report, Governor DeSantis has not vetoed a bill from the 2026 legislative session.

Guiding Principles for 2026 Advocacy and Outcomes

Protect Roofing Licensure and Continuing Education
Successfully defeated HB 607 Industries and Professional Activities by Rep. Taylor Yarkosky (R – Clermont).
The sponsor, who carried the bill on behalf of House leadership, committed to kill his bill for the year after meeting with FRSA. He intends to bring back a pared down version of the bill next year that focuses on streamlining continuing education requirements.

Prevent Insurance-Driven Forced Reroofs; Protect Existing Consumer Protections
Successfully defeated HB 815 by Rep. Michael Gottlieb (D – Davie) and SB 808 by Sen. Corey Simon (R – Tallahassee) Roofing Requirements for Property Insurance.
The bill would have promoted roof coatings as a requirement for property owners to enjoy insurance consumer protections. Sen. Simon has asked FRSA to re-write the bill to expand protections for him to run in 2027.

Prevent Discrimination Among Roof Covering Types in the Florida Statutes
Continued efforts across multiple bills to prevent preferential language in statute for specific roof covering types and instead make sure that all Florida Building Code approved coatings are available for consumers.

Push for Predictability in Workers’ Comp Rates and Curb Bad Actors
Advocated on behalf of HB 1243 by Rep. Bill Conerly (R – Lakewood Ranch) and SB 618 by Sen. Keith Truenow (R – Tavares)
Workers’ compensation insurance to increase flexibility for carriers to better price rates to risk in the market. The legislation moved in both the House and the Senate but did not pass this year. Advocate for Workforce Development Initiatives and Promotion of the Trades to Students Advocated for multiple bills that seek to expand trade programs and promote student involvement in handson learning opportunities. Protect Business Interests of the Florida Roofer Advocated for free market principles that drive competition and fairness in the market while keeping regulatory burdens at a minimum.

Bills of Interest That Passed

Senate Bill 290 – Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Sen. Keith Truenow (R – Tavares) and Rep. Danny Alvarez (R – Riverview) Approved by the Governor on March 23, 2026

Dubbed as the Florida Farm Bill, the bill enacts a wide range of reforms to support Florida’s agricultural community and consumers. Among the broad range of initiatives, the bill 1. protects farmers and agricultural freedom; 2. strengthens Florida agriculture; 3. preserves land and rural communities; 4. enhances environmental and water protections; and 5. protects consumers and ensures public safety.

The Farm Bill also includes a consumer protection and public safety focus to support agriculture. The bill criminalizes cheating on commercial driver license (CDL) exams to improve roadway safety; strengthens enforcement against unwanted commercial solicitation to protect homeowner privacy and bans signal jamming devices that can disrupt law enforcement and emergency communications.

The FDACS bill (or “Farm Bill”) is in this report due to the language relating to prompt pay from GCs to Subs and Suppliers. The language below was negotiated by many in the construction industry including FRSA, ABC and FHBA and with the assistance of Sen. Trumbull.

Section 19. Section 489.1295, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 489.1295 Prohibition against nonpayment. (1) A licensed contractor must compensate a subcontractor or supplier, unless there is a bonafide dispute regarding the amount due, if any, for services, labor, or materials: (a) Within 45 days after receiving payment for the services performed or materials supplied by the subcontractor or supplier; or (b) In accordance with the terms of the contract for such services, labor or materials. (2) A licensed contractor who knowingly or willfully violates this section is subject to disciplinary proceedings as provided in s. 489.129.

House Bill 399 – Land Use and Development Regulations
Sen. McClain (R – Ocala) and Rep. Borrero (R – Doral) Approved by the Governor on March 27, 2026
The bill revises land use and development regulations by limiting development permit fees (establishing a “direct and reasonable indirect costs” standard for how much is appropriate), revising standards for application denials and expanding allowances for certain housing types. The bill requires permit fees to reflect actual
processing costs, restricts denials of certain residential applications based on incompatibility, requires local governments to allow offsite constructed homes where permitted and includes additional provisions related to school agreements, large destination resort approvals (allows large resorts like Miami Beach’s Fontainebleau Hotel to bypass Historic Board and other zoning approvals) and compost facility regulations.

Senate Bill 484 – Data Centers
Sen. Avila (R – Hialeah Gardens) and Rep. Griffitts (R – Panama City)
The bill establishes new regulations for large scale data center developments, with a focus on transparency, infrastructure planning and resource protection. The measure also requires local governments to account for high-energy “large load” users in their comprehensive plans to better plan for longterm impacts.

To address utility concerns, the bill directs the Public Service Commission to develop special electric tariffs so large data centers cover the full cost of their energy use, preventing those costs from being shifted to other ratepayers. The bill also eliminates an extra 12-month confidentiality protection for data centers and introduces stricter water use standards, requiring detailed reporting, conservation plans, public hearings and the use of reclaimed water for large scale data centers seeking permits.

Senate Bill 504 – Code Inspector Body Cameras
Sen. Burgess (R – Zephyrhills) and Rep. Partington (R – Daytona Beach)
The bill requires counties and municipalities in Florida that allow code inspectors to wear body cameras to establish formal policies and oversight governing their use. It defines a “body camera” as a portable electronic recording device worn by a code inspector that captures audio and video during official duties and defines
a “code inspector” as a county or municipal employee responsible for enforcing local codes. Local governments that permit the use of body cameras must create policies addressing proper use, maintenance, storage and data management, including guidelines for when cameras may be used and which inspectors are authorized to wear them. The policies must also ensure that inspectors are allowed to record encounters with members of the public while performing official duties.

The bill also requires local governments to provide training for personnel who use, maintain, store or manage body camera equipment and the data collected from it. Recorded audio and video must be retained in accordance with public records retention requirements and governments must periodically review their body camera programs to ensure compliance with their policies. Additionally, the bill exempts body camera recordings made by code inspectors from the restrictions in Florida’s wiretapping and communications privacy law, allowing inspectors to record encounters without obtaining consent from every individual involved. A related measure, SB 506 (see below), creates a public records exemption for these recordings.

Senate Bill 594 – Local Housing Assistance Plans
Sen. Burton (R – Winter Haven) and Rep. Stark (R – St. Cloud)
The bill proposes new provisions for mobile homeowners in local housing assistance, allowing local governments to, under the State Housing Initiative Partnership Program, provide six months of rent subsidies for lot rentals for mobile homeowners and requires local governments to include such funding in their local housing assistance plans. The bill also includes mobile homeowners in housing funding criteria and removes limits on funding for manufactured housing.

Senate Bill 800 – Engineering
Sen. Mayfield (R – Melbourne) and Rep. Melo (R – Naples)
The bill amends s. 471.033, F.S., to provide an escalating fine schedule for second or subsequent violations of engaging in the unlicensed practice of engineering, up to $25,000.

House Bill 803 – Building Permits and Inspections
Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R – St. Petersburg) and Reps. Trabulsy (R – Fort Pierce) and Overdorf (R – Stuart)
The bill creates a uniform application system, streamlines permit procedures and exempts certain minor projects from permit requirements. The bill directs the Florida Building Commission to adopt (by July 1, 2027) uniform commercial and residential building permit applications for statewide use. Among other administrative changes, the bill requires electronic delivery of permits, reduces restrictions on private providers and limits local governments from requiring additional documentation. The bill exempts certain projects valued at less than $7,500 on single-family residential properties, including the installation of temporary residential hurricane and flood protection systems. More specifically, it:
■ Extends the expiration of single-family dwelling building permits to one year or until the next Florida Building Code edition, whichever is later, and allows local governments to grant further extensions.
■ Requires the Department of Management Services to maintain state term contracts for building code inspection services.
■ Authorizes individuals holding valid out-of-state licenses to serve in certain inspecting or plans review roles during declared emergencies under specified conditions.
■ Provides an exemption to permit requirements for work on single-family homes with a construction cost of $7,500 or less. The bill clarifies that any electrical, plumbing, structural (roofing included), mechanical or gas work performed on property containing a single-family dwelling requires a permit regardless of the cost.
■ Prohibits local governments from denying permits for certified residential manufactured buildings and clarifies that such units must be taxed as mobile homes if placed on mobile home lots.
■ Creates new guidelines ensuring that offsiteconstructed residential dwellings are permitted in single-family zoning districts and are not treated more restrictively than site-built homes.
■ Directs the Florida Building Commission to adopt uniform commercial and residential building permit applications statewide by July 1, 2027.
■ Prohibits charging fees for inspections in excess of actual costs, requires permit fee reductions for those using private inspectors and exempts certain low value or temporary projects from permit requirements.
■ Revises private provider procedures to streamline plan reviews and inspections, limit local governments’ ability to add requirements and mandate reduced or zero permit fees where private providers handle inspections.
■ Prohibits homeowners’ associations from requiring proof of a government building permit before conducting their own review of a proposed residential improvement.

House Bill 883 – Protected Cell Captive Insurance Markets
Sen. Leek (R – St. Augustine) and Rep. Fabricio (R – Miami Lakes)
Expand and clarify requirements for protected cell captive insurance companies by updating definitions, adjusting capital thresholds and establishing detailed procedures for their formation and operation.
■ Adds “protected cell captive insurance company” to the definition of captive insurance company and clarifies that a special purpose captive insurance company is one that does not meet any other captive definition.
■ Specifies that protected cell captive insurers may only insure the risks of their protected cell participants.
■ Revises minimum capital, net asset and surplus requirements to include specified dollar thresholds for protected cell captive insurance companies.
■ Adds comprehensive rules for establishing, managing and merging protected cells, including maintaining separate accounting of assets and liabilities, requiring office approval for participant contracts and limiting cross-liability between cells.
■ Details procedures for converting, disaffiliating and merging individual protected cells, with assets and liabilities appropriately transferred, along with preserving the cell formation date.

House Bill 927 – Local Land Planning and Development
Sen. Massullo (R – Inverness) and Rep. Sapp (R – Palatka)
The bill requires counties and cities of a certain size to create and implement a program by January 1, 2027 for the use of qualified, pre-approved private professionals from a local government-maintained registry to perform a pre-application review of permit applications, plan reviews and plat approvals before submission to the local government for final approval. The mechanics of this review as supplementing the local government’s staff resources are to be determined by the governing body.

If an applicant chooses to use this process, the county must, within five days of a pre-application certification, confirm receipt, verify completeness and notify the applicant of completion or deficiencies. The county must then process the complete or deemed-complete application for final action and approve, approve with conditions or deny the application within 45 days. Failure to take final action within 10 days following notice by the applicant results in the application’s automatic approval. Approvals are made through administrative review, without a public hearing or other review.

Each local government must establish and maintain a registry of at least four qualified contractors or two qualified contractor firms free of conflict of interest with the local government, either individually or through agreement with another local government.

House Bill 1134 – Official Actions of Local Government
Sen. Yarborough (R – Jacksonville) and Rep. Black (R – Jacksonville)
This bill prohibits counties and municipalities in Florida from funding, promoting or taking official actions related to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs or policies. In effect, it eliminates DEI initiatives at the local government level and prevents local governments from creating or supporting such programs in the future. Under the bill, counties and cities may not create, enforce, fund or promote ordinances, policies, programs or regulations related to DEI and any existing local DEI programs or policies would become void.

The bill also restricts how public funds may be used in connection with DEI. Local governments would be prohibited from using public funds to establish or maintain DEI offices, employ DEI officers or contract with individuals or organizations to administer DEI initiatives. In addition, public funds could not be used by employees, contractors, vendors, volunteers or agents of a local government to promote DEI activities. Beginning January 1, 2027, individuals or entities seeking a county or municipal contract or grant must certify that they do not require employees to participate in DEI training or materials funded with public money.

House Bill 1175 – Safety Design Standards for Office Surgery Suites
Sen. Rodriguez (R – Doral) and Rep. Redondo (R – Miami)
The bill directs the Florida Building Commission to amend the Florida Building Code and the State Fire Marshal to amend the Florida Fire Prevention Code to, by January 1, 2027, include safety design standards for office surgery suites that must be alternative standards to ambulatory health care occupancies and must allow physicians to provide specified services or treatment for up to six patients simultaneously on an outpatient basis.

House Bill 1329 – Local Government Finances
Sen. DiCeglie (R – St. Petersburg) and Rep. Benarroch (R – Naples)
■ Enhances transparency and accountability in local government finances through expanded budget posting requirements, mandatory reduction exercises and stricter impact fee regulations.
■ Requires counties and municipalities to post tentative budgets online at least five days before public hearings and final budgets must remain posted for at least five years (increased from two).
■ Mandates a budget workshop for both county and municipal governments to explore a 10 percent reduction exercise, with documentation posted online.
■ Obliges counties and municipalities to publish quarterly compensation summaries for all funded employees and to publish annual budget development calendars, detailing key budget deadlines.
■ Updates procedures for county budget amendments, including a five-day notice on proposed changes and extending the required online posting of adopted amendments to five years.
■ Creates new definitions of impact fee and planbased methodology for concurrency and outlines allowable alternative transportation planning options, including explicit use of impact fees.
■ Implements stricter rules on adopting or increasing impact fees, including using a plan-based methodology, limiting the use of data older than four years and capping fee increases beyond certain levels without demonstrating extraordinary circumstances.
■ Establishes refunds or credits for impact fee overpayments, with specific timelines for local governments, school districts and special districts to respond.

Senate Bill 1434 – Infill Redevelopment
Sen. Calatayud (R – Miami) and Rep. Borrero (R – Miami Lakes)
Facilitate the redevelopment of environmentally impacted parcels in large counties by requiring local governments to permit certain residential uses and streamline development approvals. Specifically, the bill:
■ Names the new section the Infill Redevelopment Act and provides legislative findings about housing shortages and the need to remediate urban parcels.
■ Defines key terms such as environmentally impacted land, designated agricultural land, qualifying parcel and recreational facilities.
■ Requires local governments to allow residential development on qualifying parcels, subject to density limits not exceeding the average of adjacent residential districts or 25 units per acre, whichever is lower.
■ Mandates administrative approval of subdivision applications for qualifying parcels and restricts local governments from using subdivision processes to reduce allowable density or intensity.
■ Requires a 20-foot buffer between new development and existing single-family homes or townhouses on all sides, preserving the buffer area as open space or passive recreation.
■ Establishes requirements for qualifying parcels containing former recreational facilities, including demonstrating the facilities were not in operation for at least 12 months, paying double certain impact fees and offering adjacent owners the option to purchase the parcel or a portion of it for recreational use.
■ Mandates administrative approval for development applications meeting these criteria, while still allowing local governments to impose generally applicable architectural design regulations that do not lower authorized density or intensity.
■ Preempts local governments from adopting or enforcing new restrictions on development of qualifying parcels and calls for a liberal interpretation to fulfill the act’s objectives.

Senate Bill 1614 – Enforcement of the Florida Building Code
Sen. Leek (R – St. Augustine) and Rep. Tramont (R – Port Orange)
■ Revise the manner in which local governments must spend excess building permit fee revenues under the Florida Building Code.
■ Removes the option for using surplus funds to construct or house a building code enforcement agency.
■ Maintains allowable uses of surplus funds for fee rebates, technology upgrades or training programs.
■ Authorizes owners, builders or associations with valid building permits to bring a civil action against a local government that is not complying with the revised requirements.

Legislative Next Steps

The Legislature still has much work to do in 2026 prior to election season. In particular, it is expected that the House and Senate will convene in multiple special sessions this year. Topics on the agenda may include:
■ Congressional Redistricting
■ FY 2026-2027 State Budget
■ Property Tax Reform: the Legislature must act to place a constitutional amendment on the 2026 November ballot
■ Revisit Executive Priorities? (Regulation of artificial intelligence, vaccine mandates, etc.)

Election Season on the Horizon

Candidate qualifying for local, state and federal offices is just around the corner. Florida is poised to have a very substantial election with Congressional midterms in the news and a variety of statewide offices on the ballot, including the office of Governor. Critical election dates are:
■ June 8-12, 2026 – Qualifying for statewide candidates (Governor, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture and Chief Financial Officer) and for legislative seats (half of the Florida Senate and all seats in the Florida House of Representatives).
■ August 18, 2026 – Primary Election
■ November 3, 2026 – General Election

FRM

Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. He is credentialed
as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.

Florida’s 2026 Regular Legislative Session opened with a strong emphasis on affordability as Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address. Framing the session around continuing Florida’s “free state” model, the Governor outlined a broad set of priorities that included property tax reform, immigration enforcement, insurance and housing relief, social services and investments in environmental protection and infrastructure. While much of the speech highlighted accomplishments from his terms in office, DeSantis renewed his call for significant property tax cuts and urged legislators to move quickly on his remaining legislative agenda.

Legislative leaders echoed the Governor’s focus on affordability while signaling early areas of tension. In their opening remarks, House Speaker Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton both provided their opening remarks by emphasized the rising cost of living for Floridians and the need to address taxes, insurance and economic growth. Perez reflected on last year’s difficult, extended session, encouraging members to turn the page and focus on governing. Albritton recommitted to a rural economic development initiative and suggested that sweeping property tax changes might be better addressed after session.

During the second and third week, discussions were dominated by debates over property taxes, government spending and the balance of power between state and local governments, alongside continued movement of other policy matters. The DeSantis administration escalated the property tax conversation with the release of a 98-page Department of Government Efficiency report criticizing spending by 13 cities and counties. The report argued that rising salaries and discretionary programs had fueled rapid budget growth amid increasing property tax revenues. Local officials pushed back, calling the report politically motivated; legislators have considered multiple property tax proposals, including HJR 213, which would slow growth under the Save Our Homes cap.

In week four, tensions came to a head midweek when budget negotiations stalled after the House and Senate failed to agree on releasing their respective chairman’s proposals. Senate leaders opted to delay the release of the 2026–2027 budget by one week to remain aligned with the House, canceling all Senate budget meetings until the following Thursday.
While leadership insisted that communication remained open and that no formal conflict existed, divisions persisted over budget timing and available revenue. Senate budget committees are now expected to begin reviewing the plan, with the full Appropriations Committee scheduled to take it up. If the chambers remain unable to coordinate on budget release, legislators could be headed toward a budget-focused special session in May or June. Prior to the week four budget update, Chair Hooper had continued to warn and inform legislators that they will likely need to agree on a budget that cuts spending levels by at least $1 billion from the current year’s plan and may need to cut up to $4 billion.

Special Session

DeSantis announced in early January that legislators would return to Tallahassee after the regular session ends in March to consider a mid-decade redistricting. The Governor cited a pending U.S. Supreme Court case from Louisiana that could change how states are allowed to consider races when drawing congressional maps. Supporters of redrawing Florida’s lines argue the current districts rely on racial considerations to create minority-access districts. Albritton said the expected Supreme Court ruling should provide clearer guidance on how redistricting should be handled moving forward.

Property Taxes

The DeSantis administration's 98-page report criticized spending by 13 cities and counties, accusing local governments of lacking budget discipline and allowing spending to grow rapidly due to rising property tax revenues. The report targets increase in salaries, mental health and homelessness programs, arts funding, overtime pay and what it describes as improper or unlawful spending on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as investments in electric vehicle programs, climate efforts, bike lanes and public art. It argues that personnel costs are a major driver of growth, noting that compensation in Florida’s 10 largest cities rose by $1 billion over four years, outpacing both population growth and inflation. The report recommends placing limits on municipal salaries, requiring public posting of salaries, reviewing whether some of Florida’s 411 cities should be consolidated or eliminated, banning local green energy mandates, expanding restrictions on DEI efforts and making permanent the state CFO’s authority to audit local government spending. Local officials, particularly in St. Petersburg, pushed back and argued the report is politically motivated and designed to justify property tax cuts that could reduce funding for essential services like police and fire.

HJR 203 proposes a phased elimination of non-school property taxes for homestead properties by increasing the exemption by $100,000 each year for ten years, with full exemption beginning in 2037. The bill also prohibits counties and municipalities from reducing law enforcement funding below recent funding levels. Supporters, alongside the sponsor, argued the proposal would make homeownership more affordable, forcing local governments to find efficiencies and prioritize public safety funding. Opponents raised significant concerns about long-term impacts on local government revenues, warning that the loss of a stable funding source could lead to service reductions, higher fees or cost shifts to renters, businesses and non-homesteaded property owners. Local governments, counties, labor groups, housing advocates, environmental representatives and faith-based organizations testified that the proposal lacks an implementation plan and could undermine core services, including fire protection, water management, housing programs and disaster response. Fire service organizations supported an amendment aimed at protecting first responder funding, though broader concerns remained. The bill passed the committee on a party-line vote, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against it.

E-Verify

The House approved a measure (HB 197) that would require the use of the federal E-Verify system to ensure new hires are legally authorized to work. Sponsored by Republican Representatives Jacques and Michael, this legislation would extend to small employers with 25 or less employees. The bill passed on an 80-30 vote with two Republicans voting against it: Representative J.J. Grow and Representative Susan Plasencia. The bill has now been referred to rules in the Senate for further consideration.

Workplace Law

Minimum Wage Requirements (HB 221), sponsored by Republican Representative Chamberlin, has passed its second committee and is awaiting its final committee stop. The highly debated measure creates an exemption from Florida’s state minimum wage requirements for employees participating in structured work-based learning programs who voluntarily choose to opt out. It allows employers to offer internship, pre-apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities to inexperienced workers in exchange for skill development and career training, with the goal of improving long-term earning potential. Under the bill, these programs are limited to a maximum of 252 days or two semesters, with shorter limits for
minors. Participants must still be paid at or above the federal minimum wage during the program and the state minimum wage once it ends. For workers under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign the opt-out waiver. During committee review, members questioned whether employees could legally waive their constitutional right to minimum wage, how the policy would be enforced and whether it could lead to worker exploitation. Supporters argued that the bill would expand training opportunities and accelerate career development, while opponents warned that it could conflict with constitutional protections and weaken wage standards. The bill advanced on a party-line vote, with Republicans in favor and Democrats in opposition.

FRM

Kylee Anzueto, GrayRobinson, is a Government Affairs Advisor specializing in policy and appropriations at both the Florida Capitol and local levels. Based in Orlando, she offers clients strategic insights, detailed summaries of state and local hearings and tailored government affairs updates and reports. Anzueto works diligently to strengthen relationships with
elected officials across the state and represents GrayRobinson at key board meetings. She also delivers educational briefings to select groups, including college students pursuing careers in the legislative field.

Following the conclusion of committee weeks in mid-December, lawmakers went home for the holidays and returned for the legislative session on January 13. During the final round of committee meetings, legislators addressed a wide-ranging agenda that included major health care reform proposals, expansive education regulations, developing policy framework for data centers and preliminary discussions on redistricting. The breadth and intensity of these discussions underscore the likelihood of a highly active session ahead, particularly as tensions rise and power dynamics continue to evolve between the House, Senate and Governor.

DeSantis’ Final Budget Proposal

Governor Ron DeSantis released his final budget recommendation to the Legislature, outlining a $117 billion spending plan for Florida’s 2026-2027 fiscal year. The proposal, roughly $2.2 billion higher than the current budget, includes pay raises for teachers and state law enforcement officers and allocates funding to support small counties that could face revenue
shortfalls if voters approve statewide property tax cuts next year.

The budget proposes an increase of nearly $300 in per-student K-12 funding and commits approximately $201 million toward teacher salary increases, though the state’s teachers’ union contends the funding does not sufficiently address rising living costs. Additional investments include increased funding for the state prison system; a five percent pay raise for law enforcement officers and a two percent across-the-board raise for other state employees.

Notably, the governor recommends setting aside $300 million to fully reimburse Florida’s 32 “fiscally constrained” counties for potential revenue losses stemming from property tax reductions. While the proposal serves as a starting point for negotiations, lawmakers are free to revise or reject individual components as they craft the final budget. DeSantis will retain line-item veto authority over the final spending plan.

Proposed Property Tax Relief Amendment

The House Ways & Means Committee voted 10 to 5 to advance a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at providing significant property tax relief to homeowners, despite warnings from Democrats and local government advocates that the measure could result in substantial budget shortfalls for local communities.

The joint resolution (HJR 209), sponsored by Representative Demi Busatta, is a top priority for House leadership and is now poised for a floor vote. If approved by lawmakers, the measure would appear on the November general election ballot and would create a new homestead exemption shielding $200,000 of a home’s assessed value from non-school property taxes, provided the property is insured.

The committee also adopted an amendment designed to protect funding for firefighters and first responders from budget cuts should property tax revenues decline. Under the amendment, those budgets would be required to remain at either 2025-2026 or 2026-2027 levels, whichever is higher. Some Democrats raised questions about whether 911 dispatchers would be included but Busatta said those details would be addressed later through implementing language if voters approve the amendment.

Busatta defended the proposal by arguing that some local governments “continue to fund their political wants on the backs of hardworking Floridians,” citing an unnamed rural county where the administrator earns $177,000 annually. Critics, including local government organizations, warned the amendment could severely undermine essential services. Florida
League of Cities described the potential loss of homestead taxable value as catastrophic, noting that Port St. Lucie could lose up to 80 percent of its homestead tax base, while DeLand could see losses as high as 85 percent. Opponents also cautioned that any short-term tax relief could be offset by sharply increased fees as local governments struggle to maintain operations and critical services.

Rural Renaissance

The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously advanced a sweeping “Rural Renaissance” package aimed at expanding access to health care, education, transportation and economic development in rural communities. The bill (SB 250), sponsored by Senator Corey Simon, is a top priority for Senate President Ben Albritton and is expected to reach the Senate floor during the first week of the 2026 regular legislative session.

The Senate passed a similar measure last year, though it ultimately stalled in the House. The current proposal would establish an Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce, create incentives to attract physicians and other health care providers to underserved areas and dedicate funding to repair and modernize rural roadways. It would also
prioritize rural communities for certain land-planning technical assistance grants, revise the criteria for counties to be deemed “fiscally constrained” and allocate millions toward upgrading farm-to-market roads.

The roughly $218 million package would further establish a community block grant program to provide flexible funding to rural areas, among other initiatives. A related, though not identical, House companion bill (HB 723) was filed December 10 by Representative Shane Abbott.

FRM

Kylee Anzueto, GrayRobinson, is a skilled Government Affairs Advisor specializing in policy and appropriations at both the Florida Capitol and local levels. Based in Orlando, she offers clients strategic insights, detailed summaries of state and local hearings and tailored government affairs updates and reports. Kylee works diligently to strengthen relationships with elected officials across the state and represents GrayRobinson at key board meetings. She also delivers educational briefings to select groups, including college students pursuing careers in the legislative field.

Four major property tax proposals advanced through the House State Affairs Committee in early December, signaling the House’s leading approaches to statewide tax relief this session. These measures now stand as the most prominent contenders among the property tax reforms under consideration. The Senate has yet to produce any of their own recommendations.

Accrued "Save Our Homes" Property Tax Benefit for Non-School Property Tax

HB 211 (Overdorf) passed with an 18–7 vote and proposes a constitutional amendment allowing homeowners to transfer the full value of their accrued “Save Our Homes” tax benefit to a new homestead for non-school property taxes, helping preserve lower taxable values when they relocate. The bill also requires counties and municipalities to maintain law-enforcement funding at no less than the highest amount budgeted in FY 2025–2026 or 2026–2027, preventing reductions due to shifting tax revenues. During questions, members asked how law-enforcement funding would be protected, whether an implementing bill would be required, whether voters would understand the proposal without one and what services might experience reduced funding. Representative Overdorf explained that the constitutional requirement preserves law-enforcement budgets, that additional details will come in future legislation and that any fiscal impact on local governments would be minimal. He confirmed that the measure does not apply to EMS or fire services, that “Save Our Homes” benefits split upon divorce and that first-time home buyers are not addressed. In debate, Representative Overdorf argued that homeowners should retain the value of the “Save Our Homes” benefit wherever they choose to move.

Property Insurance Relief Homestead Exemption of Non-School Property Tax

HB 209 (Busatta) passed 18–7 and proposes a constitutional amendment increasing the homestead exemption for all ad valorem taxes, excluding school levies, by $100,000 for homeowners who carry a comprehensive multi-peril insurance policy. The measure includes the same requirement that counties and municipalities maintain law-enforcement funding at the higher of their FY 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 budget levels beginning in FY 2027–2028. Member questions focused on the definition of comprehensive multiperil insurance, potential alternatives such as capping insurance rates and how the exemption would apply to seniors or individuals dropped by insurers mid-season. Representative Duggan clarified that qualifying policies must cover multiple perils such as wind, fire or storm; that the bill does not address insurance rate caps and that homeowners without a valid policy would not qualify. Concerns were also raised about the exclusion of seniors who cannot afford insurance and the lack of fraud-prevention language. In debate, supporters emphasized that the measure gives voters a say in addressing insurance affordability, while opponents argued that the bill disproportionately disadvantages lower-income homeowners, retirees on fixed incomes and potentially undermines services such as storm management.

Elimination of Non-School Property Tax for Homesteads for Persons Age 65 or Older

HB 205 (Porras) passed 18–7 and proposes a constitutional amendment eliminating all non-school ad valorem property taxes for homestead properties owned by individuals aged 65 or older. Like the other bills, it prohibits reductions in law-enforcement funding below local governments’ FY 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 levels beginning in FY 2027–2028. During
questions, Representative Porras confirmed that the exemption applies only to law-enforcement services and to seniors with homesteaded properties, with no income cap. He explained that seniors 65 years of age and older experience the greatest vulnerability to property tax pressures. Members raised concerns about potential reductions to local senior services and whether new residents aged 65-plus would qualify. Representative Porras responded that any qualifying senior with a Florida homestead would receive the exemption and that the proposal applies beyond all existing homestead exemptions. In debate, supporters highlighted the relief this measure could provide for seniors still active in the workforce and emphasized that it ultimately leaves the decision to voters. Opponents expressed concern about the absence of an income cap, the potential shift of tax burdens onto renters and the possibility of reduced funding for senior services.

Elimination of Non-School Property Tax for Homesteads

HB 201 (Steele) passed 18–5 and proposes a broader constitutional amendment eliminating all non-school ad valorem property taxes for homesteaded properties. It also includes the same mandate preventing local governments from reducing law-enforcement funding below FY 2025–2026 or 2026–2027 levels starting in FY 2027–2028. During member questions, concerns centered on the exclusion of firefighters, EMS and 911 dispatchers from the protected categories; the ability of rural counties to meet required funding levels; the impact on water-management districts and whether local governments might raise sales taxes to offset lost revenue. Stelle argued that most counties have sufficient non-homestead revenue to absorb the changes and noted that specific concerns could be addressed through future legislation. He also emphasized that the proposal applies only to law-enforcement services due to prior defunding concerns. Opponents cautioned that the bill overlooks critical public-safety services such as fire protection, EMS, stormwater and youth water programs. Additional concerns included potential cuts to essential local services, substantial impacts to water-management district budgets, the risk of shifting tax burdens to working-class families and the lack of benefits for renters.

AI Bill of Rights

Ahead of the Legislature’s AI-focused committee week, Governor Ron DeSantis is urging lawmakers to adopt comprehensive state-level regulations on artificial intelligence to safeguard Floridians. His proposed framework would target exploitative uses of AI, prohibit the use of Chinese-developed AI tools by state and local agencies, restrict attorneys from relying on AI to generate legal filings and strengthen parental rights regarding their children’s interactions with AI platforms. The proposal also includes robust data-privacy protections by requiring that all information used to train or operate AI systems remain secure and private and by prohibiting the sale or sharing of personal data.

Governor DeSantis has emphasized that AI oversight should remain a state responsibility, pushing back on recent comments from President Trump indicating the federal government may move to preempt state action. A few elements of the Governor’s proposal align with legislation already filed by Republicans Senator Jennifer Bradley and Representative Hillary
Cassel (SB 202, HB 527). Their legislation would require a qualified human professional to review and approve any insurance claim denial involving AI. Representative Cassel’s bill is scheduled for its first hearing next week (committee week 6) in the House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee.

There will be numerous discussions next week on the evolving role of AI, with particular focus on its applications in workforce development, behavioral health and the insurance sector. These conversations are expected to shape policymakers’ understanding of both the opportunities and challenges ahead.

FRM

Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. He is credentialed as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.

In October, the Revenue Estimating Conference met to discuss the impact of several proposed changes to property taxes. The Conference discussed the methodologies used by the Department of Revenue to reach impact estimates. Specifically, the Conference discussed the following proposed legislation:

HJR 201 (immediately eliminates non-school property taxes on homesteads)
■ The Conference adopted the high estimate, which has a statewide recurring impact of $18,289,515,902.

HJR 203 (gradually phases out non-school property taxes on homesteads, fully eliminating them in 2037)
■ The Conference adopted the high estimate, which has a statewide recurring impact of $13,272,938,219.
■ The estimate does not fully capture the effect of new home constructions, home sales and switching homesteads.
■ This amendment fully eliminates non-school property taxes on homesteads in 2037 but this does not show up anywhere in the estimates because 2037 is beyond the forecast window.

HJR 205 (provides a full exemption for non-school homestead property taxes for residents aged 65 or older)
■ The Conference adopted the middle estimate, which has a statewide recurring impact of $6,688,355,044.
■ The Conference expressed concerns that the methodology adopted may not reflect an accurate distribution of the value of homes owned by seniors. The Conference discussed whether there is any methodology that could account for that discrepancy and concluded there was no way to do so. They also concluded there was no way to know whether the estimate would overrepresent low-value or high-value homes.

HJR 207 (introduces a new 25 percent CPI adjusted homestead exemption applied after existing exemption)
■ The Conference adopted the high estimate, which has a statewide recurring impact of $4,602,775,850.
■ There was only a high and low estimate for this proposed amendment.

HJR 209 (adds a $100,000 homestead exemption for properties with a multiperil insurance policy)
■ The Conference did not adopt an estimate for this proposed amendment and will consider it again at a later conference.
■ The estimates rely on an ambiguous or unknown definition of “multiperil insurance,” so the Conference waited to adopt any methodology to see if there can be a new methodology that uses a clearer definition.

HJR 211 (removes the $500,000 cap on the transferable “Save Our Homes” property tax benefit for all non-school property taxes)
■ The Conference adopted the estimate, which has a statewide recurring impact of $336,848,018.
■ There was only one estimate provided for this proposed amendment.

HJR 213 (makes homestead property assessments for non-school property occur once every three years and changes the maximum assessment to 15 percent once every three years)
■ The Conference did not adopt an estimate for this proposed amendment and will consider it again at a later conference.
■ The Conference believed that the methodology could not account for certain effects portability may have on taxable values. The Conference waited to adopt any methodology to see if that effect could be accounted for in a new estimate.

HB 215 (allows married couples to combine up to $500,000 of their "Save Our Homes" benefits from their previous homes before their marriage and requires millage rate increases to be approved by a two-thirds vote of the local governing body)
■ The Conference did not adopt an estimate for this proposed amendment at this time.
■ Since this proposed bill has two separate components, the Conference decided to split the bill into two separate, partial bill write-ups.
■ The estimate for this proposed bill relied on reasonable but arbitrary guesses on how many married couples would be able to take advantage of the proposed benefit, but the Conference agreed there was no better way of making the estimate. However, the estimate may include some non-marital households or others who would not actually benefit from the statute.
■ The Conference agreed that the provision in the statute that requires a two-thirds vote for millage rate increases would have an impact of zero.

The Conference assumed, for purposes of estimates, that all the proposed amendments would be self-executing and all the estimates may underestimate the true impact of the proposed changes. There is no impact if a piece of proposed legislation is not passed. For most proposed changes, the Department of Revenue provided the conference with three different methodologies to produce a high, middle and low estimate. The estimates all assume that only the proposed change being considered will be passed. There are no estimates of the impact of multiple changes being adopted.

In Other News

Senate President Jim Boyd
Republican Senator Jim Boyd has been chosen by his colleagues to serve as the next President of the Florida Senate, succeeding President Ben Albritton after the November 2026 elections. Currently, Senate Majority Leader Boyd brings extensive experience as both a lawmaker and business leader.

Speaker Sam Garrison
Republican Representative Sam Garrison was sworn in as the next Speaker of the Florida House. His widely praised address emphasized humility, reflection and accountability, warning Republicans against complacency amid their current supermajority of 85 out of 120 seats. Garrison reminded members that Democrats once held power for 122 years, urging unity
amid recent intra-party tensions. As he prepares to lead the 2027 and 2028 sessions, he noted that while the legislative process can be messy, the focus must remain on producing results and a balanced budget that reflects Florida’s priorities.

Central Florida Infrastructure and Transportation
Governor Ron DeSantis announced several major Central Florida transportation projects aimed at reducing congestion and improving infrastructure. Plans include 17 miles of new express lanes on I-4, a 100-space truck parking facility to enhance freight safety and the nation’s first Advanced Air Mobility vertiport. Many projects are being expedited under the state’s Moving Florida Forward Infrastructure Initiative.

State Manufacturing
Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly warned legislators that the state’s manufacturing workforce is aging rapidly, with over half of workers older than 45 and retirements outpacing new entrants. He stressed that while Florida ranks third nationally among manufacturing companies, sustaining growth will require attracting and developing new talent to maintain the industry’s competitiveness.

Audit of DBPR Reviewed
An audit presented to the House State Administration Budget Subcommittee uncovered major oversight failures within the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) related to Florida’s prescription drug supply chain. The report found weak compliance controls, inaccurate registries and lapses in IT security. DBPR Secretary Melanie Griffin acknowledged the deficiencies but attributed them in part to staff and leadership turnover during the review period. She emphasized that corrective measures have been implemented and that no consumer harm was reported. Lawmakers from both parties called for stronger accountability, cybersecurity measures and systemic reforms to prevent future failures.

FRM

Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. He is credentialed as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has announced a 6.9 percent reduction in workers’ comp rates. This is the ninth consecutive year of rate decreases. New rates will go into effect beginning on January 1, 2026 or whenever your workers’ comp policy is renewed.

Each year, FRSA testifies before the OIR, asking for stability in the rates or a rate freeze for roofing classification code 5551. Mark Askins, CEO of BrightFund, FRSA’s workers’ comp program, warned that the continued rate cuts have discouraged most insurers from writing workers’ comp for high-risk professions, such as roofing.

“The underwriters don’t feel that they are able to get the necessary premium to pay for the loss costs over time,” Askins said at the hearing. “It’s because of this that we’ve seen in the past five to 10 years that carriers are determining the viability of making money in a particular class code has driven them out of the state.”

Only a handful of carriers now write high-risk classifications in Florida, he said. He predicted that the lower rates will mean those carriers will increase their minimum premium per employer to at least $25,000 – a level that will prove costly for some small businesses. That leaves professional employer organizations (PEOs) and the assigned risk market as the only viable options for some roofers in Florida, Askins said.

Assigned risk policies carry a “scarlet letter” stigma for employers who may want to return to the voluntary market someday and paperwork for the assigned risk market is a difficult process for agents and employers alike, he added.

“We’re hoping to avoid that and be able to continue to offer, as we have for the past 70 years, well-priced, well-serviced policies for loyal customers in the roofing industry,” Askins stated.

Our concern is two-fold: rates that continue to drop are not sustainable for insurance providers who see roofing as a high-risk industry with little return on premium. We don’t want insurance providers to stop writing workers’ comp coverage and follow the same path as homeowners’ insurance coverage. Second, an unintended consequence of lower workers’ comp rates is the increase in experience modification rates. With higher mods, it makes it more difficult for contractors to bid on many jobs as building owners and GCs often require a mod rate below a certain level.

The good news is that the roofing contractors will be paying 11.04 percent less on the classification code 5551 for the 2026 year.

FRM

Looking for workers’ comp insurance with exceptional customer service, a drug-free workplace program and the potential for dividends? Call 800-767-3772 ext. 206 and speak with Alexis at BrightFund.

Florida politics is never short on shake-ups and heading into the 2026 session is no exception. Governor DeSantis has shuffled the deck with key appointments; House members have stepped into new roles and fresh faces are jumping into races for open seats. This month, we will dive deeper into this game of musical chairs and how it could set the tone for Florida’s 2026 legislative session.

Senate District 11
Ingoglia’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer created a vacancy in his Gulf Coast Senate seat. In the September special primary, former Republican State Representative Ralph Masullo, secured a decisive victory over Anthony Brice with 87 percent of the vote. He will advance to face Democrat Ash Marwah in the special general election on December 9th.

Senate District 15
Following the passing of Senator Geraldine Thompson, her mentee, State Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, vacated her House seat to run for her late mentor’s Senate seat. After securing a special primary victory over her brother, Randolph Bracy, she went on to win the special general election with nearly 73 percent of the vote against Republican William Montague. Now serving in the Senate, Bracy Davis plans to continue her leadership on behalf of Orange County as she heads into the 2026 session.

House District 40
RaShon Young has made a successful leap from aide to legislator after winning the special election for House District 40. Formerly the chief legislative aide to Representative LaVon Bracy Davis, Young entered the race after Bracy Davis vacated her seat to pursue a Senate run. Young defeated former Democratic Representative Travaris McCurdy in the primary and went on to capture more than 75 percent of the vote in the special general election against Republican Tuan Le. At 26 years old, Young became the first Democratic member of Gen Z elected to the Florida House.

House District 52
Republican Representative John Temple has been unanimously selected by the Lake-Sumter State College Board of Trustees to serve as the institution’s next President. Since his election to the Florida House in 2022, Temple continued to work as the Vice President of Workforce Programs at the College. Following his appointment, he announced his resignation from the Legislature. Temple’s district covered Sumter County and portions of Hernando County. As of the end of September, the only candidate to enter the race for his seat is Republican Samantha Scott. Receiving a notable endorsement from AIF, Scott is a business owner, DeSantis appointee and current Chair of the Republican Party of Sumter County.

House District 87
Effective in August, Republican Representative Mike Caruso was appointed by Governor DeSantis to serve as Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller. Caruso had represented Palm Beach County in the Legislature since 2018, serving in both Districts 87 and 89. Throughout his tenure, he became known as a strong ally of the Governor. Tensions between Republican House leadership and the Governor during the 2025 session placed Caruso in a unique position; in a near-unanimous vote, he cast the sole vote against immigration enforcement legislation opposed by the Governor. Shortly thereafter, House leadership removed him as Chair of the Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee and reassigned his office to the so-called “basement.”

Before entering public service, Caruso owned Caruso & Caruso, Inc., a Certified Public Accounting Firm. He has noted that this professional experience will serve him well in his new role as the first Republican Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller.

With his resignation, House District 87 is now vacant and a special election is anticipated. Candidates already in the race include Republicans Gretchen Miller Feng and Jon Maples as well as Democrats Emily Gregory and Laura Levites. As of mid-September, Maples led the fundraising field, with his opponents trailing by more $30,000. He also secured a notable endorsement from neighboring Representative Meg Weinberger of District 94, widely known as “MAGA Meg” for her close alignment with the Trump administration.

House District 90
The September primary election for House District 90 resulted in Maria Zack securing the Republican nomination by a margin of 159 votes over Bill Reicherter. She will proceed to the special general election on December 9th, where she will face Democrat Rob Long, Vice Mayor of Delray Beach and NPA candidate Karen Yeh. This special election was necessitated by the passing of Representative Joe Casello during the 2025 legislative session.

FRM

Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. He is credentialed as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.

Tile roof installations utilizing roof tile adhesives have specific requirements for the placement and minimum amounts of adhesive that need to be installed in order to meet the product approval and, in doing so, meet the Florida Building code.

Through onsite training and troubleshooting, we believe that there are a concerning number of cases where significantly less than the required amount of foam adhesive is being installed and that due to the local inspection practices this is going undetected. Where only a final visual inspection is performed, there is no way to ensure the required amount of foam adhesive has been applied under the tile just from the code official’s inspection.

It is possible that half the foam adhesive is installed and the other half is resold. This concerns us because these products have a shelf life and contractors may be purchasing expired product.

On this page are several Facebook Marketplace listings for Tile Bond roof tile adhesive and APOC Polyset AH-160 kits at a fraction of the retail price.

It is possible that these are simply one-off situations where a few extra tanks are sold. However, there have been postings similar to this consistently on Marketplace for over a year. We also hear from suppliers, especially in Miami, lamenting the loss of business on projects that they have developed to “other sources” and “private individuals.”

We are more concerned that there are homeowners along the coast that believe they have the secure roof they paid for where inadequate adhesive may have been used. This will likely not surface until the next major wind event and, if there is a failure, who will they seek out? Not the inspector, most likely the roofer whose name is on the permit.

Our advice to roofing contractors: When using any of the foam adhesives on the market, ensure that the roof tile adhesive you paid for and provided for the installation is installed per the manufacturer’s instructions and the product approvals.

FRSA highly recommends purchasing your adhesive products from an authorized distributor.

ABC Supply announced its fundraising effort for the nonprofit Homes For Our Troops (HFOT) raised more than $5.2 million, considerably over the $4 million it set out to achieve.

“We are so grateful and thrilled for the overwhelming support HFOT and our nation’s veterans received. At ABC Supply, giving back is a fundamental part of who we are and we are proud to celebrate our country by honoring veterans in such a remarkable way,” Mike Jost, Chief Operating Officer at ABC Supply, said.

HFOT builds and donates specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 veterans, enabling them to rebuild their lives; since 2004, HFOT has built 380 specially adapted homes.

“We are beyond grateful for ABC Supply’s sponsor-
ship and support during the 2024 Indy 500,” said HFOT President and CEO Brigadier General (Ret) Tom Landwermeyer. “Their generous $1 million match was key to raising over $5.2 million and gave incredible visibility to our mission of building homes and rebuilding lives.”

This is the third year ABC Supply has championed the month-long fundraiser and donated the design for AJ Foyt Racing’s No. 14 Chevy, driven this year by Santino Ferrucci, who finished eighth place in the Indy 500.

Akzonobel Invests in Expanding Coil Coatings Production in North America

AkzoNobel is investing $3.6 million at its coil and extrusion coatings manufacturing facility in Garcia, Mexico to increase production capacity and efficiency for its customers across North America.

This investment follows the previously announced $70 million investments in the company’s other industrial coatings manufacturing site in North America in Huron, Ohio and in its manufacturing and R&D facilities at High Point, N.C. These groundbreaking advancements support the company in achieving industrial excellence, enhancing product offerings and accelerating time-to-market.

The investment in the Garcia site will enable the plant to increase production of coatings by approximately 35 percent by the third quarter of 2024, meeting the growth ambitions of customers while delivering superior supply performance.

“Our customers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, durability and performance and demand for coil and extrusion coatings is projected to increase over the next few years. By expanding production and increasing efficiency at our facilities, we’re able to continue growing with our customers, while driving innovation and delivering high-quality products,” said Manoel Rodrigues, AkzoNobel’s Regional Commercial Director for Coil Americas.

Crowther Roofing Joins Roofing Corp of America Portfolio

Crowther Roofing & Cooling, a large roofing and mechanical outfit based on Florida’s Southern Gulf Coast – celebrating its 50th anniversary this year – has joined Roofing Corp of America’s portfolio of contracting firms.

The multi-generational, family-owned company, founded in 1974 and based in Fort Myers, has since evolved its services, expanding into HVAC and mechanical contracting, lightweight insulating concrete installation and light-gauge metal truss fabrication and installation. Crowther also has offices in Sarasota as well as in Jupiter on the state’s East coast.

“Crowther was founded 50 years ago by my father, Lee J. Crowther, on a shared vision of creating an organization based on quality and hard work to deliver the best possible roofing contractor services to commercial and residential clients in Southwest Florida,” Lee Scott Crowther, co-founder and CEO, said. “This vision continues to be the cornerstone of our entire organization and partnering with Roofing Corp of America will enable Crowther to continue expanding its capabilities and geographic presence to deliver its full suite of best-in-class roofing and HVAC services throughout Florida."

DuPont Plans to Separate into Three Companies

Technology-based materials and solutions manufacturer DuPont has revealed its plan to separate into three independent, publicly traded companies. Under the plan, New DuPont will continue to operate as an industrial company, with new electronics and water businesses.

As independent entities, the company anticipates these businesses will gain increased focus and agility in their respective industries, with strong balance sheets, financial profiles and growth opportunities.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity to deliver long-term, sustainable shareholder value through the creation of three strong, industry-leading companies,” said Ed Breen, DuPont Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

New DuPont is described as a diversified industrial company powered by materials science, application engineering expertise, innovation and manufacturing capabilities. This will include brands such as Tyvek, Kevlar and Nomex. Markets covered by New DuPont will include healthcare end-markets, electric vehicles, safety, construction, aerospace and other industrial-
based end-markets.

Duro-Last Names Darren Schulz as New President

Duro-Last, a member of Holcim Building Envelope, is pleased to announce the appointment of Darren Schulz as its new President. As a building products and roofing veteran, Schulz will lead strategic growth initiatives and operations for Duro-Last’s comprehensive line of commercial roofing solutions.

Born in Australia and holding dual U.S. citizenship, Darren brings a wealth of experience and a global perspective to Duro-Last. His extensive experience in the construction materials and building products industry includes key leadership roles within the Boral Limited Group of Companies, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer. He has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Boral North America, President of the Boral Roofing Division and Executive General Manager of Boral Limited Building Products Division. Additionally, Schulz led the Roof Tile Group at Fletcher Building Limited as President and Group General Manager.

“Darren is a dynamic leader with proven success in the construction products industry,” said Jamie Gentoso, President of Holcim Building Envelope and Global Head, Holcim Solutions & Products. “His expertise and enthusiasm make him a perfect fit to lead Duro-Last’s exciting growth initiatives while upholding the company’s long-standing commitment to custom roofing solutions, vertical integration and direct-to-contractor approach. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the team.”

Darren earned a Bachelor of Business in Accounting from the University of Technology in Sydney, Australia, a Chartered Accountant designation from The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia and a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.

“I am honored to join the Duro-Last team as we embark on this exciting journey of expansion and innovation,” Schulz said. “Duro-Last has long been a leader in the commercial roofing industry with an outstanding network of professionals who define its unique culture and success. I look forward to connecting, learning and growing with the remarkable people who have contri-
buted to Duro-Last’s journey as we work together to achieve the ambitious goals that lie ahead.”

In addition to Duro-Last, Schulz will lead the operations of sister brands EXCEPTIONAL Metals, Plastatech Engineering, Oscoda Plastics, TIP-TOP Screw Manufacturing and Anvil Paints & Coatings.

Grand Opening of Commercial Roofing Specialties, Inc. Location in Orlando

Commercial Roofing Specialties, Inc. (CRS) marks a significant expansion with the grand opening of its latest branch in Orlando. This strategic move not only underscores CRS’s dedication to enhancing customer service and accessibility, it also symbolizes its unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction and growth. The branch will be led by Doug Moore, a seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in the commercial roofing and metal industries, who has served in various roles within CRS since 2013 in the Nashville and Jacksonville branches. Doug will be supported by Troy Hunnicutt, Assistant Branch Manager, as well as Todd Rauktis, a long-time Orlando market expert and the branch’s lead commercial salesperson. “I’m excited to lead the CRS initiative in Central Florida. Our branch’s experienced and knowledgeable team is ready to service the Orlando roofing market,” said Moore.

The Orlando location boasts the largest single warehouse in the CRS network, at over 72,000 square feet and will stock Carlisle, GAF, Siplast and Atlas Insulation commercial products as well as the full lines of GAF and CertainTeed residential products. In addition, the branch will stock a wide selection of Petersen Aluminum products and all the equipment and hardware a commercial or residential roofer will need to finish even the most complex jobs. With nine branches across the Southeast, CRS is committed to delivering unparalleled quality and service to clients across the region. “We are fortunate to be able to field such a strong team in this important new branch,” said Brett Burns, President of CRS. “Combining this level of expertise with a deep and specialized inventory means that they will be prepared to make an impact in Orlando from day one.”

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply Launches Brand Refresh

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, the nation’s largest metal deck distributor, is launching its rebranding campaign with an updated logo, website, digital newsletter and all new marketing and promotional materials.

“After 26 years, we decided it was time to update our branding while still maintaining our identity” said Carm Termini, Marketing Director of A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply. “Our new logo better suits the marketing demands of a digital era, better reflects our products and resonates well with the industries we serve.”

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply has over 54 years of experience in the industry and a complete inventory of metal roof deck, form deck and composite floor decks in stock now at 15 locations including: Albany, N.Y.; Atlanta, Ga.; Aurora, Ill.; Columbus, Ohio, Fort Worth, Tex.; Greensboro, N.C.; Hagerstown, Md.; Houston, Tex.; Indianapolis, Ind.; Jacksonville; Kansas City, Mo.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Orlando; San Antonio, Tex. and St. Louis, Mo.

Tremco CPG Celebrates Graduation of First Achieve Green Cohort

Tremco Construction Products Group (Tremco CPG) proudly announces the graduation of its first cohort of students from Achieve Green, a Rising Stars program that creates avenues for young people to gain the skills and perspective needed to pursue a career within various green construction fields.

The cohort students followed the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) Appren-ticeship Pathway. Having met the requirements of the IUPAT District Council 35 Boston and the Finishing Trades Institution of New England (FTI) pre-apprenticeship program, graduates Raymondo Antoine, Chris Lewis Coppin, John Herrera, Jonathan Montiero and Mhesaih Thompson are now eligible to complete the final steps toward becoming apprentice glaziers.

“There is a critical need across our nation for skilled workers in the construction industry,” stated Tremco CPG Rising Stars Program Director, David Hutchinson. “Tremco CPG’s Rising Stars Program was developed in response to this issue and is proud to work with affiliate programs across the nation, including Achieve Green, to provide a viable pathway for young adults interested in learning a skilled trade.”

Supported by Tremco CPG, the Rising Stars Program aims to cultivate a strong, well-rounded workforce in the construction industry through supporting youth in vocational programs, as well as minority- and women-owned businesses. Its programs offer hands-on education with subject matter experts to develop diverse skill sets, increase access to resources and ultimately drive success for those emerging in the industry.

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SRS Distribution Inc. (SRS) announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with The Home Depot to be acquired for $18.250 billion. Under the terms of the agreement, SRS Distribution will operate as an independent business unit within The Home Depot.

The proposed acquisition will clear a path for accelerated growth with the residential and commercial professional customer by expanding The Home Depot’s Pro capabilities, combining online, retail and wholesale. The combined platform will open new opportunities for existing suppliers and partners by providing access to SRS’ expert workforce focused on specialty verticals, as well as The Home Depot’s cross-project expertise, product mix, network and digital assets.

Under the agreement, the SRS senior leadership team will remain with the company to guide its ambitious growth plans. Dan Tinker, President and CEO of SRS, will continue to lead SRS operations, reporting to The Home Depot CEO Ted Decker.

“We are proud to be combining with The Home Depot to continue our growth journey with the additional resources and capabilities they will put behind us,” said Tinker. “We set out to find the optimal strategic outcome for the business and we strongly believe we have achieved just that. With this combination, the future has never been brighter for our supplier partners, our Pro customers and our team.”

“SRS’ ability to build leadership positions in each of its trade verticals while generating significant revenue growth is a testament to its strong vision, leadership, culture and execution,” said Decker. “SRS’ branch network, coupled with The Home Depot’s 2,000-plus U.S. stores, distribution centers and product offering provide the residential and commercial Pro customer with more fulfillment and service options than ever before. I look forward to welcoming Dan and the entire SRS team to The Home Depot and capturing the exciting opportunity ahead.” The transaction is expected to close by the end of fiscal 2024 and is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Carlisle Companies to Acquire MTL Holdings

Carlisle Companies Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MTL Holdings from GreyLion Partners, a leading U.S. private equity firm. Under the terms of the agreement, Carlisle Companies will purchase MTL Holdings for $410 million.

MTL Holdings is a provider of prefabricated perimeter edge-metal systems and noninsulated architectural metal wall systems for commercial, institutional and industrial buildings. The company generated revenue of $132 million during the 12 months ending February 29.

“The acquisition of MTL is consistent with Vision 2030 and our intent to build on our strategic pivot to a pure-play building products company with increased investment in innovation, a continued emphasis on synergistic mergers and acquisitions, attracting and retaining top talent and fulfilling our sustainability commitments,” said Chris Koch, Chair, President and CEO of Carlisle Companies. “By acquiring MTL and leveraging the Carlisle operating system across the business, I am confident that we will create significant value for all our stakeholders. We look forward to welcoming Tony Mallinger and MTL’s talented team to Carlisle.” The acquisition is expected to close during the second quarter of 2024.

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Gulf Coast Supply & Manufacturing, the trusted name for metal roofing for over 25 years, announced the promotion of three company executives.

Shawn Kirk, who has served as Vice President of Operations and played a pivotal role in the company’s operations since June 2018, has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations. His deep understanding of the manufacturing processes will continue to drive efficiency and innovation across its operations.

Craig Mohr, who has served as Director of Sales and Marketing, has been promoted to Vice President of Sales and Marketing. His strategic vision and leadership have been key factors in the company’s sales growth since he joined in January 2021.

Jordan Graham, who has served as Manager of Accounting and Finance since July 2021, has been promoted to Vice President of Finance. His financial acumen and leadership have been vital to improving the company’s financial processes and performance.

“We are thrilled to announce these well-deserved promotions within our company,” said Gulf Coast Supply President Harry Yeatman. “Each have demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication to our company. I look forward to their continued contributions to Gulf Coast’s success.”

Eagle Roofing Products Celebrates 35 Years

From humble beginnings to becoming the largest privately held USA-Made, USA-Owned concrete roof tile manufacturer in the U.S., Eagle Roofing Products has been the company of choice for its customers and partners for over three decades. Founded in 1989 in Rialto, Ca., it is a well-known and trusted leader in concrete roof tile manufacturing, offering resilient and sustainable solutions to the residential, institutional and commercial building construction sectors. A family-owned and operated company, it has expanded its roots from coast to coast with four manufacturing plants, two stocking yards and nine design centers since its genesis to provide products and services throughout the U.S. and Canada.

What started with a single high-pressure concrete tile extrusion machine and five employees has grown into a corporation with over 500 employees and a reputable product offering. With over 150 tile color options, seven profile options and dozens of roofing components, Eagle has created a portfolio of versatile, elegant and energy-efficient products with every type of new construction build and reroof project in mind.

“Over the years, Eagle has stood firm in our resolve to do right by our people and the best interest of our customers and the roofing industry in general. When issues arise in society, business or the economy, we remain loyal to our mission of providing quality products no matter what,” stated Vice President of Sales and Marketing, John Campbell. “The future may seem uncertain but with the right resources and our steadfast commitment of team members, we are confident in the new heights we will reach.”

Its plans for Eagle's future include expanding their roof tile and components offerings, as well as creating a robust internal learning initiative designed to strengthen employee skills. “We have a ton of new internal and external projects in the works. We recently launched an online reservation system, Time Is Money, to better help our customers with reduced truck turnaround times and now we are rolling out Order Eagle 2.0, a new and improved ordering platform to benefit distributors, roofers and dispatchers. We are also creating meaningful roof tile systems with our products and updated components that help our roofing partners simplify the selling process. There is a lot in the works and our goal is to help our customers in every way we can,” Campbell stated.

Eagle attributes its success to its unwavering commitment to stellar customer service. Regardless of role or status, the company has firmly developed a company culture that prioritizes transparency, reliability and quality to ensure that each customer’s needs are met. “We wouldn’t have gotten this far without our team members and it is because of them that we’ll celebrate another 35 years and more,” Campbell noted.

NRCA Announces New Slate of Officers

Doug Duncan, President of Nations Roof, Villa Park, Ill., was elected Chairman of the Board and Alex Hernandez, President of Clark Roofing Company, Broadview, Ill., was elected Chairman of the Board-elect. Chad Collins, President of Bone Dry Roofing Co., Bogart, Ga., David Hesse, Vice President of Kalkreuth Roofing and Sheet Metal Inc., Wheeling, W. Va. and Tim Stephens, Vice President of Operations for Architectural Sheet Metal Inc., Orlando, Fla., were elected Vice Chairmen for two-year terms. Tupac de la Cruz, Founder of Roofing Solutions LLC, Prairieville, La., was elected Vice Chairman for a one-year term.

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Gulfeagle Supply announces changes in leadership as they continue to expand. Miriam Mata will be taking on an expanded leadership role as National Operations and Training Manager includes operations training, implementing Gulfeagle best practices nationally and supporting future greenfield and acquisition onboarding. Miriam will lead her team of Branch Training Specialists, ensuring all new and existing branches have the training and support necessary to continue Gulfeagle's nationwide growth.

Mike Bily will be moving into a Branch Training Specialist role. Mike brings tremendous value to the organization with 14 years of experience as Branch Manager, Regional Operations Manager and most recently, Regional Manager.

Holcim Building Envelope Names Pagano Senior Vice President

Holcim Building Envelope has named Lauren Pagano as Senior Vice President of the Adhesives, Coatings and Sealants (ACS) business unit, which encompasses Gaco and a portfolio of recognized brands for commercial, industrial and residential applications. Pagano will provide leadership for the business unit, including responsibility for strategy, marketing, sales, operations and technology, supply chain, customer service and planning.

“As our business grows, we continue to focus on bringing innovative and sustainable building solutions to the market and we are pleased to have Lauren assume the important role of spearheading the strategic direction of the ACS business,” said Jamie Gentoso, President, Holcim Building Envelope and Global Head, Holcim Solutions & Products. “There are many opportunities to expand in our current markets and beyond and we believe Lauren is uniquely qualified to lead this strategic business to new heights.”

Lauren most recently served as Global Business Director at Trinseo, with previous executive roles at Worthington Industries, H.B. Fuller and James Hardie Building Products. As an accomplished commercial leader, she brings a broad array of experience from across various facets of the building materials industry to her new role.

UF Takes First Place as The Roofing Alliance Announces Student Competition Winners

During the International Roofing Expo in February, NRCA held a presentation for the Student Compet-ition. The five finalist teams gave oral presentations as the final step of the 10th Anniversary Roofing Alliance Construction Management Student Competition. This year, the teams were tasked with submitting a qualified bid package for the Formula 1 Paddock Building, Las Vegas. The oral presentation scores were combined with the teams’ written proposal scores to determine the winning team.

Top Three Construction Management Schools

• First place: University of Florida
• Second place: Colorado State University
• Third place: TIE – Auburn University, Bradley University

Best Individual Presenters:

• Nick Hanson, University of Florida
• John Falavolito, Texas A&M University

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Roofing Community Unites at Tampa Bay Sporting Clays

In the heart of Tampa Bay, the West Coast Roofing Contractors Association’s (WCRCA) 7th Annual Sporting Clays Event unfolded as a resounding success last month. The picturesque Tampa Bay Sporting Clays venue set the stage for an exceptional day of camaraderie, competition and community engagement, bringing together 155 shooters from the roofing industry and beyond.

Roofers’ Big Hearts Shine Through

The event underscored the generosity and compassion inherent in the roofing industry. As the roofers assembled, it was evident that their commitment extended beyond professional endeavors. The collective spirit of giving back to the community and supporting local businesses became a focal point, creating an atmosphere of unity and a shared purpose.

Honoring Heroes: Veterans, Gold Star Families and First Responders

A heart-felt aspect of the event was the sponsorship of 20 veterans, four Gold Star Family members and four First Responders, emphasizing the industry’s dedication to acknowledging and supporting those who have made significant sacrifices. The outing not only provided these individuals with a day of recreation but also served as a heartfelt tribute to their service.

Behind the Scenes: Dedicated Volunteers Make It Happen

Eight dedicated volunteers worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the seamless execution of the event. Their commitment and hard work played a pivotal role in the day’s success, embodying the roofing community’s collaborative and supportive ethos.

Generous Support from Sponsors

The overwhelming support from sponsors was a testament to the industry’s collective commitment. Over 25 businesses and organizations contributed generously to the event, showcasing a shared dedication to positively impacting the community. Their financial contributions culminated in an impressive $5,000 raised for the Black Dagger Military Hunt Club.

Commemorative Challenge Coins: A Symbol of Unity

Each shooter was presented with a commemorative challenge coin as a lasting token of the event. These coins serve as tangible reminders of the collective effort made by the roofing industry to support a worthy cause and unite in creating a meaningful difference in the lives of those who have served our country.

Looking Ahead: Anticipation for the 8th Annual Event

The success of the 7th Annual Sporting Clays Event has set the stage for an even brighter future. Plans are already in motion for the 8th annual event in 2025, with aspirations to surpass this year’s achievements and continue the tradition of positively impacting the community. The legacy of this remarkable charity event will undoubtedly serve as an enduring source of inspiration for the roofing industry, fostering a spirit of collaboration and compassion for years to come.

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FRSA has 12 Affiliate chapters throughout Florida
with membership open to contractors, manufacturers
and suppliers in the industry. For more information
on Affiliate locations, please visit www.floridaroof.com/affiliate-council/.

Nationwide Protective Coatings, a leader in the protective coatings industry, proudly commemorates its 60th Anniversary manufacturing in the USA, marking six decades of innovation, dedication and unparalleled service. Established in 1964, the company has consistently set the standard for quality paints and coatings that safeguard infrastructure.

One of the key pillars of Nationwide Protective Coatings’ success has been its unwavering focus on innovation. Over the past 60 years, the company has continuously invested in research and development, staying at the forefront of technological advancements in protective coatings. This commitment has not only ensured the longevity and durability of its products but has also allowed the company to address emerging challenges in various industries.

With a global footprint spanning numerous countries, Nationwide Protective Coatings has played a pivotal role in protecting critical infrastructure worldwide. From bridges and pipelines to industrial facilities and commercial buildings, Nationwide’s extensive coating lineup delivers reliability and longevity anywhere in the world.

DuPont Tedlar Scholarship Awarded to STEM Students

DuPont Tedlar and the SPE (Society of Plastic Engineers) Foundation announced that two students have been awarded the DuPont Tedlar Scholarship for academic study focused on plastics engineering. Each scholarship recipient received $2,500 to support their studies in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). The scholarships are part of a year-long partnership between DuPont Tedlar and SPE to support the Foundation’s three-pronged approach to enrich and develop the future workforce for the plastics industry.

“It’s extremely rewarding to support these two very deserving students in their academic pursuits of making an impact in the plastics industry,” said Corynn Sheridan, Global Marketing Director, DuPont Tedlar. “I’m inspired by the passion and dedication of the recipients and hope that our DuPont Tedlar scholarship will continue to play a positive role in supporting the next generation of STEM workers for years to come.”

The two scholarship recipients are Cameron Sawicki, a junior at Ferris State University majoring in Plastics and Polymer Engineering Technology and Michael Quinn, Jr., a senior at Penn State Behrend majoring in Plastics Engineering Technology.

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ICP Group has named Jason Fretz, a building and construction industry sales leader with more than 20 years of experience, as its new Vice President of Sales for Roofing & Waterproofing Retail and Distribution.

In this role, Jason will lead sales strategies for the portfolio of APOC, Pli-Dek and exclusive brands in roofing and waterproofing solutions, focusing on growing sales and expanding the business’s reach to roofing professionals throughout North America.

“We’re excited to add Jason, whose established sales excellence and strategic approach make him an optimal leader for roofing and waterproofing sales, to the team as we continue to grow the business,” said Jay Doubman, President and CEO, ICP Group. “His experience in the building products space will enable him to elevate our high-performance roofing and waterproofing solutions in the marketplace, further establishing APOC and Pli-Dek as the premier roofing and waterproofing brands for professionals everywhere.”

As part of its ongoing dedication to better serving roofing professionals everywhere, APOC recently launched its new Contractor Pro Program, which enables regular purchasers of APOC roofing solutions to unlock exclusive perks, tools and resources.

“We are continuously looking for ways to help our contractor customers grow their businesses,” Doubman adds. “We’re doing it by appointing people like Jason, with our supplemental support like the Contractor Pro Program and, of course, with high-quality APOC professional solutions.”

ABC Supply Co., Inc. Announces Q3 2023 Manager Promotions

ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and other select exterior and interior building products in North America, is proud to announce that 12 leaders have been promoted to branch manager positions at locations throughout the company in the third quarter of 2023. Florida promotions include:

JT Thomason was named Manager of the Daytona Beach branch. Thomason previously worked for Norandex Building Materials Distribution for more than 16 years before ABC Supply acquired the company in 2015. He was named Managing Partner in 2020 while at the Tallahassee branch before being named to his current role.

Patrick Story was named Manager of the Ocala branch. Story came to ABC Supply in 2019 as an inside sales representative at the Jacksonville branch before becoming an outside sales representative at the same location in 2021.

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Celebrating 40 years in business, Advanced Roofing Inc.’s (ARI) journey from a modest beginning to one of the nation’s leading roofing and solar contractors is shared narrative crafted with the trust and dedication of esteemed customers and hardworking employees.

In 1983, Rob Kornahrens founded Advanced Roofing, Ft. Lauderdale with a clear vision for its future. Beginning with just a pickup truck and a $15,000 loan and a dedicated team of employees – that has now grown to over 650 professionals – is a dream that has become a reality. “Our path, marked by challenges like recessions, hurricanes, labor shortages and global pandemic was navigated with resilience,” states Kornahrens.

“The community we serve has always been at the forefront of our mission. Over the years, the company’s Tarpeddlers bike team and myriad other initiatives have contributed over $3,000,000 towards noble causes like the Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, Winterfest Boat Parade and Broward Heart Walk. At Advanced, community service isn’t an obligation but a passion fueling us to make a difference,” notes Kornahrens.

In honor of this 40-year journey, ARI celebrated with many longtime customers, employees, friends and family at the Seminole Hardrock Hotel in October. Reflecting on their 40-year journey, Kornahrens stated, “It’s the faith of our clients and the dedication of our team that has shaped ARI’s legacy. Here’s to many more years of crafting success stories together.”

APOC’s ProProgram Offers Impactful Ways for Roofing Pros to Succeed

APOC continues to help professional roofing contractors everywhere take their business to new heights with its new Contractor ProProgram, enabling regular purchasers of APOC roofing solutions to unlock exclusive perks, tools and resources.

With three tiers to suit any contractor’s needs, the goal of the program is to provide loyal APOC customers with additional support beyond the brand’s complete portfolio of proven professional roofing solutions. Rewards include redeemable points for purchases, access to newsletter insights, marketing support, lead generation and more.

“We are always working to help our professional contractor customers grow their business and we launched the APOC Contractor ProProgram in service of that goal,” said Sara Jonas, Vice President, Marketing, ICP Group. “We know that when our customers do better, win more bids and take on more successful projects with APOC professional roofing solutions, it’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

“We wanted this program to be accessible to all of our customers, no matter the size of their business,” stated Jonas.

ABC Supply Co., Inc. Announces CFO Transition

ABC Supply Co., Inc., announced the appointment of Jim Anderson as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Anderson will succeed Todd Buehl, who has held the role since 2014 and is being promoted to Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of an affiliated investment entity. Buehl will continue to serve on ABC Supply’s Board of Directors, where he has been a member since 2008.

Anderson is an accomplished finance leader with deep industrial expertise, having previously served as CFO of both the engineered products and climate and sustainability technologies segments of Dover Corporation. Anderson spent nearly 22 years with Dover, holding multiple finance and accounting positions with increasing responsibility. Prior to joining Dover, Anderson spent four years in public accounting and he holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a BBA in accounting from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.

“Jim is a seasoned leader and we are excited to welcome him to ABC Supply,” said Keith Rozolis, President and CEO of ABC Supply. “I also want to thank Todd for his 10 years of service and we look forward to continuing to work with him in his new capacity.”

Duro-Last Promotes Gehrls and Jenison to Leadership Positions

Duro-Last, a member of Holcim Building Envelope, announces the recent promotions of Molly Gehrls to Director of National Accounts and Troy Jenison to Director of Sales, Western District.

“Molly Gehrls and Troy Jenison have spent many years building strong relationships within the roofing industry and are invaluable assets to Duro-Last’s continued growth,” said Jason Dark, Duro-Last Vice President of Sales. “Gehrls has been a leader in our National Accounts department for a long time and she has made it her passion to ensure the team continues to thrive.”

“Jenison has an unwavering commitment to the industry and always prioritizes the best interests of Duro-Last contractors, sales representatives and the company. There is no doubt that both will excel in their new positions and I look forward to seeing what they accomplish.”

Gehrls began her career at Duro-Last in 2016 as a member of the Leaders of Today and Tomorrow program. Since then, she earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and management in 2016, followed by her MBA in 2019, both from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. As Director of National Accounts, Gehrls will oversee the growth and development of Duro-Last’s multi-location national account partners network, an essential component of Duro-Last’s future growth plan.

Jenison has spent his entire 20-year career in the construction industry, for the past 10 years leading sales in the Pacific northwest for Duro-Last. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington. In the Director of Sales role, Jenison will oversee and execute the strategies and initiatives to grow revenue and service Duro-Last customers throughout the western U.S.

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Chris Dawson, Attorney, GrayRobinson

The Legislature is slowly preparing for the 2024 Regular Session and October saw the commencement of committee weeks with a slew of agency reports and budget forecast updates. Bill drafts are starting to trickle in for consideration and members in the Florida House of Representatives face a November 14 deadline to file their annual legislative appropriation requests. This month, we will review a few tidbits that are driving the policies and politics of Tallahassee in advance of what is widely expected to be a slow legislative session come January.

Property Insurance Reform Likely Off the Menu

While property insurance costs continue to dominate headlines – and ravage pocketbooks – across the state, the Legislature is not expected to take up significant reform legislation during the 2024 Regular Session. Instead, the Legislature is satisfied to give time for generational reform efforts advanced in 2023 to take hold and eventually stabilize the market. There are some positive signs on the horizon, including a softening reinsurance market and proposals for depopulation of policies from Citizens Insurance Corporation. Of course, property insurance is a highly volatile market and one speedbump could rush the Legislature to further action in the near term.

New Leadership Crowned in the House and Senate

In recent weeks, the Republican majorities in both chambers of the legislature have designated their leaders for the 2025-2026 legislative cycle. Representative Danny Perez (R – Miami) was selected by his peers to serve as the Speaker of the House for that term. Further, he will chair efforts by Republicans to protect and bolster their supermajority in the House during the 2024 elections. Across the rotunda, Senator Ben Albritton (R – Bartow) has been designated by Senate Republicans to preside as the Senate President in 2025-2026. Similarly, he will head their campaign efforts to protect and expand the Republican supermajority in the Senate during the 2024 election cycle.

2024 State Elections in Focus

While legislators prepare for an upcoming session, the campaign machinery in Florida politics never sleeps. Recent campaign finance reporting shows that Florida legislators have been hard at work out on the campaign trail in preparation for the 2024 election season. Candidates in both chambers faced reporting deadlines in recent weeks and the resultant data shows strong fundraising numbers for both Representatives and Senators alike. The top hauls in both chambers are listed in the tables at left.

Fundraising Leaders in the Florida House and Senate House of Representatives

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Chris Dawson is an Attorney and professional Lobbyist for GrayRobinson’s Orlando office and is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Alabama. He primarily focuses on lobbying and government relations for public and private sector clients at the executive and legislative levels of state government. He is credentialed as a Designated Professional Lobbyist by the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. Chris also holds two degrees in Civil Engineering and has experience in construction litigation and design professional malpractice defense.

FRSA Members Deliver PAC Checks to Candidates

Pictured L-R: FRSA Legislative Counsel Chris Dawson.

Lee Collier, Sen. Corey Simon and Ralph Davis, President, Streamline Roofing & Construction Inc.

Pictured L-R: David Crowther, President CFS, Rep. Tiffany Esposito and Tammy Hall, CFS Director of Marketing. Rep. Tiffany Esposito stopped at CFS Roofing Services to tour their offices and was presented with a campaign check from FRSA’s Political Action Committee.

Founded in 1986, McCurdy-Walden, a roofing contractor serving North Florida, has been acquired by CORE Roofing Systems. McCurdy-Walden is a full-service roofing contractor that provides roof replacements, roof repair and roof maintenance plans for commercial properties with more than 70 skilled employees and an arsenal of tools, including over 30 trucks, motorized roofing equipment, elastomeric coatings, spray rigs, cranes and roll-off dumpsters.

CORE Roofing Systems is a fully licensed and bonded commercial roofing contractor focusing on projects primarily in the Southeast. CORE is a portfolio company of Shoreline Equity Partners, a private equity firm headquartered in Jacksonville, that invests in companies in the Southeast.

The acquisition of McCurdy-Walden represents CORE’s first since partnering with Shoreline Equity Partners in November. The partnership expands CORE’s presence within Florida and highlights the platform’s aggressive growth strategy to continue building a leading commercial roofing service provider across the Southeast and nationally.

Heritage Capital Group served as the exclusive financial advisor and intermediary to McCurdy-Walden. “The Heritage team was with us every step of the way,” said Mark and Jon Walden, owners of McCurdy-Walden. “They advised us and helped us understand aspects of the transaction which were completely new to us. The sale of our family business, which had been an integral part of our lives for nearly four decades, held profound personal significance. The Heritage team not only grasped the deeply personal nature of our decision to sell, but also diligently secured the highest value and most favorable terms for us.”

A.C.T. Metal Deck Now Open in Orlando

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply, the nation’s largest metal deck distributor, announces the opening of its newest location in Orlando, Fla. This opening increases its network to 15 distribution centers to better serve the construction industry.

“This location will help us serve our customers in the entire state of Florida,” said Carm Termini, Marketing Director of A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply. “When a customer has a short lead time or a roofing contractor runs into rusted deck while replacing a leaking roof, they need metal deck right now and we have it in stock for immediate use.”

A.C.T. Metal Deck Supply has over 53 years of experience in the industry and a complete inventory of metal roof deck, form deck and composite floor decks in stock now at 15 locations throughout the U.S.

SRS Distribution Acquires Sunniland Corp.

SRS Distribution Inc. announced that it has acquired Sunniland Corporation, a distributor of residential and commercial roofing products and related accessories. The company also provides professional grade fertilizers to the landscape supply market.

Headquartered in Sanford, Fla., Sunniland was founded in 1884 and is currently owned and operated by Tom Moore. The company has a branch network of 22 locations across Florida and South Georgia. Moore and the rest of the company’s leadership team will continue to lead Sunniland’s dedicated employee base under the existing brand, ensuring continuity and consistency for customers, suppliers and employees.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Tom and the Sunniland team to the SRS family. The company is one of the most respected independents in the industry and will be an excellent fit within our existing branch network in the important Florida market,” said Dan Tinker, President and CEO of SRS. “We have known Tom and admired his business for many years and are truly excited for what we can now accomplish together.”

“My family and I have spent over 40 years building Sunniland’s brand, reputation and culture. We have always prided ourselves on being an independent distributor, so the decision to join forces with SRS was not taken lightly,” Moore said. “SRS’ employee-first mentality and family atmosphere has created a truly unique platform where promoting exceptional customer service is at the heart of everything they do. I firmly believe SRS is the best home for our people and the business we’ve built and am confident that the future is bright for our two great companies.”

ABC Supply Co., Inc. Announces Manager Promotions

ABC Supply Co., Inc., the largest wholesale distributor of roofing and other select exterior and interior building products in North America, has announced that 15 leaders have been promoted to branch manager positions at locations throughout the company in the second quarter of 2023. Promotions within Florida include:

Jesse Pickerill was named Manager of the Naples location. Pickerill began his career with ABC Supply in 2015 as a delivery driver at the Wichita, Kans., location before becoming the Branch Manager of a greenfield location in Junction City, where he earned managing partner status. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Pickerill holds a master’s degree in business administration.

Josh Martin was named Branch Manager of the Hudson location on US Highway 19. Martin started his career with ABC Supply in 2020 as an inside sales associate at the Springfield, Va. location before his promotion and relocation to the Hudson location. He has earned a bachelor’s degree.

Mule-Hide Products Co. Promotes Mark Malin to National Product Manager

Mule-Hide Products Co. Inc., manufacturer of low-slope roofing products and systems, promoted Mark Malin to National Product Manager. In his new role, Malin has nationwide responsibility for the company’s portfolio of commercial roofing products, including single-ply membranes, modified bitumen, roof coatings, sealants, adhesives, insulation, underlayments, fasteners and accessories. He also spearheads the development and implementation of strategic opportunities for new and existing markets, products and systems.

Malin joined Mule-Hide Products in 2021 as Territory Manager for the Louisiana-Arkansas-Missouri district after a nearly 17-year career as an Outside Sales Associate with ABC Supply Co. Inc. He started his career in roofing 28 years ago, working as a crew member for his grandfather’s commercial roofing business and then managing that firm.

“Malin grew up in the roofing industry and has worked in virtually every facet of it,” said Dan Williams, Mule-Hide Products Managing Director. “That breadth and depth of experience has given him the leadership skills, technical expertise and industry knowledge needed in this role, ensuring that Mule-Hide will remain at the forefront of commercial roofing and continue to offer industry-leading solutions for our contractors and their customers.”

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FRSA’s fiscal year has just ended and it has been another incredibly successful year for the Association. I used to comment that each year we had just completed was one of the busiest ever – now I realize it’s the new normal for us. Not only did we have one of the most financially profitable years but we also passed new milestones.

As we were beginning our new year, Hurricane Ian made landfall near Cayo Costa in southwest Florida as a dangerous Category 4 storm. This storm, with its intense winds, heavy rainfall and catastrophic 12-to-18 foot storm surge devastated much of the area. It then proceeded to work its way across the middle of the state and exited near Jacksonville. This was Florida’s third-costliest weather disaster on record. Forty-three days later, Hurricane Nicole made landfall on the east coast, just south of Vero Beach, as a Category 1 storm. Nicole’s large wind field meant that tropical storm-force winds covered most of the state and brought strong winds, rainfall and storm surge that affected some of the areas already hit by Ian. We are a state rebuilding in many areas.

FRSA and the industry raced to get the word out through our “Hire Smart” campaign to the media and public about the dangers of hiring unlicensed contractors. By utilizing social media and posting information on our website, we urged homeowners to do their homework and avoid fraudulent scams. We received calls from homeowners throughout the state looking for licensed contractors they could trust and many visited our website and selected a contractor in their area. As a reminder to members, you can add information to your member listing on our website to include the counties in which you work, areas of roofing you specialize in and up to three pictures with your profile. Visit www.floridaroof.com to view your company information and reach out to Anna (anna@floridaroof.com) to update your profile.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) proposed another workers’ comp rate decrease for the roofing industry. We reached out to members asking them to contact the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to ask for consistency in the rates. NCCI used data on workers’ comp injuries from the COVID years – a time when not all industries were back to work – to ascertain that workplace injuries had declined. And since Florida’s construction industry were deemed essential workers, we felt these numbers were incorrect. FRSA’s President, Matt Criswell, testified virtually before the OIR asking for consistency in the rates. With so many new employees in the construction industry and medical costs rising, there was concern that a continued drop in the rates would mean that, once current data was analyzed, rates could face a potential swing in the opposite direction – creating an unbudgeted expense for many contractors bidding out future work. The OIR approved an 8.4 percent overall rate decrease and a 7.36 percent rate decrease for the roofing classification code (5551).

FRSA’s Codes Subcommittee, a small group of volunteer members, worked with Technical Director, Mike Silvers, CPRC to submit Florida Building Code (FBC) code modifications for the 2023 code. Among the many code modifications submitted and approved were the options to include a self-adhering underlayment direct-to-deck and other enhanced underlayments for use in the HVHZ, adding industry standards for tile underlayment requirements and test methods statewide, adding a requirement for clearance of lines, pipes, conduit and cables from the underside of the deck, replacing important repair language that was inadvertently removed from the code and changing the language “replaced” to “replaced or recovered” to clarify portions of the 25% Rule. In addition, the FRSA-TRI tile installation manual was updated to include the new ASCE 7-22 standard; an ambitious and lofty goal that benefited all roofing contractors throughout the state.

FRSA continued to push for insurance reform, the elimination of assignment of benefits (AOBs) and one-way attorney’s fees. Unfortunately, a few disreputable companies and attorneys had continued to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners with the promise of a new roof at no cost to them. FRSA received many calls from homeowners who had signed an AOB asking for advice, seeking assistance and options for correcting shoddy work and help in reporting a contractor who received funds from the insurance company but still had not completed their roof. Statewide, roofing contractors were blamed for the rising costs in the homeowner’s insurance market. A black eye and bad publicity for the roofing industry because of a few unscrupulous contractors.

In March, FRSA held the first Roofing Day in Tallahassee event where a small group of members headed to the Capitol to meet with representatives and senators to discuss items of importance to the industry. This event mirrored NRCA’s very successful Roofing Day in D.C. Chris Dawson arranged nine meetings between attendees and members of Congress. Senator Keith Perry, an FRSA contractor member, welcomed the group along with Senate President, Kathleen Passidomo. The event was extremely successful and helped FRSA build relationships with members of the Florida Legislature.

During the 2023 Legislative session, one of Governor DeSantis’ top priorities was to pass immigration reform, which he had been advocating since his first gubernatorial campaign in 2018. Although the Governor called for the strictest version of the bill, FRSA’s Legislative Counsel, Chris Dawson, was able to work with his team and other industry partners to add flexibility to the bill, including the carve out for E-Verify for companies with 25 or less employees and the Safe Harbor provision.

In April, FRSA participated in NRCA’s Roofing Day in D.C. and attendees were able to meet with members of Congress in their districts, emphasizing the need for apprenticeship programs and funding to support career and technical training. This year was by far the most productive for our group.

With the current limited workforce, developing and implementing training programs has never been more important. FRSA’s Educational Foundation Worker Training Subcommittee is nearing the completion of a multi-year project creating a worker training manual for those new to the industry. When complete, the program will be provided free of charge to members for use as a training tool within their own companies.

FRSA’s Convention and Expo experienced another great year with over 4,500 registrations, standing-room-only seminars and a sold-out Expo floor with 462 booths. For the second year in a row, we sold out an expanded Expo floor for the next year. There were 31 seminars held, serving the largest number of attendees in our history. Attendees continued to be extremely generous, raising $25,000 for the 2023 Charity of Choice, The Faine House. Many thanks to those who contributed!

Membership numbers have exceeded 960 companies, setting another new milestone for the Association. There’s strength in numbers and we’re proud to represent over 57,000 roofing professionals and their employees in Florida. If you’re not a member and would like to join, please contact Anna at 800-767-3772 ext. 142 or by email at anna@floridaroof.com.

The Credit Union continues to do well and has loaned more than $8.8 million dollars to customers of FRSA members who are looking to finance roofing projects. The Credit Union Board expanded the criteria of the Roof Loan Program by allowing members to include work on gutters, solar panels, air conditioning, painting or any other service that a member company offers to its customers. Be sure to keep them in mind as a means to fund projects when you provide proposals to your residential customers. In addition, the Credit Union has some of the lowest vehicle financing rates available and is part of a shared branching network with over 5,000 locations.

The Self Insurers Fund (SIF) also had a banner year and distributed $3.5 million to Fund members in dividends at the Convention, adding to over $190 million distributed since 1992. One of the key components considered when deciding on dividend returns is individual company safety records. The SIF has four safety consultants who continually meet with members in their area to train, review and recommend areas that need improvements, making employee safety job a priority. Not a Fund member? Contact Alexis at 800-767-3772 ext. 206 or by email at alexis@frsasif.com to see if you qualify.

FRSA’s Legal Counsel Trent Cotney, Adams and Reese LLP, continues to represent FRSA on the legal front. Trent and his team do an amazing job looking out for the best interests of the industry, developing and teaching industry related seminars and providing valuable content for the magazine.

Although not all roofing contractors are members of FRSA, we continue to represent all contractors as we work for the betterment of the industry. For over 101 years, we’ve led the industry in Florida, earning it the respect and professionalism our members deserve. If you’d like to know more about FRSA, please visit www.floridaroof.com.

FRM