ADVOCACY

ACEC Florida is the leading advocate for Florida’s engineering community and is working hard to pursue the industry’s interest in Tallahassee. With nearly 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, preparing Florida’s infrastructure for smart growth and development is essential.

The future of engineering is impacted by decisions made by elected officials. State and federal laws and regulations impact day-to-day operations. In order to promote and defend the professional interests of all engineers, ACEC Florida maintains a strong and effective voice with the Legislature. Our mission to promote engineering is made stronger every legislative session by the commitment our members make to personally visit lawmakers in their communities and at the Florida Capitol.

If you are interested in learning more about how to become involved, please contact Laura Heiselman, Director of Governmental & Political Affairs.

Please visit the national American Council of Engineering Companies website to learn more about our federal advocacy efforts.

2026 Legislative Session Wrap-Up

The 2026 Legislative Session delivered meaningful results for Florida’s engineering and infrastructure community, with the Florida Engineering Society and American Council of Engineering Companies of Florida successfully advancing key priorities to protect the public and strengthen the profession. Most notably, a bill developed by our organizations to deter the unlicensed practice of engineering passed with near unanimous bipartisan support. While other initiatives faced challenges in a competitive legislative environment, the session underscored the continued influence and advocacy of Florida’s engineering community. Below is an end-of-session summary of bills from our legislative agenda.

Engineering Bills

Florida Legislature Cracks Down on Unlicensed Engineering Activity

Engineering (SB 800), proposed by FES and ACEC Florida, establishes escalating penalties for repeated violations of the unlicensed practice of engineering. Individuals face higher fines with each subsequent offense, starting at $10,000 for a second violation and ratcheting up to $25,000 for a fifth or later violation.

Unfortunately, a measure to create the Engineering Student Loan Assistance Program failed to gain traction and was removed from the bill. The program, funded with existing fees, would have provided up to four years of financial assistance for student loan repayments to newly licensed engineers who work for state government or water management districts.

The bill, championed by Senator Debbie Mayfield (R-32) and Representative Lauren Melo (R-80), received overwhelming bipartisan support from the Florida legislature, sweeping the Senate with unanimous support, 37-0, and passing the House with just one nay vote, 111-1.

Reform of Uninsurable Contracting Terms Stalled During Legislative Session

Complimentary bills, Professional Services Contracts (SB 888) and Design Professional Contracts (HB 699), attempted to tackle two critical issues to the engineering industry – indemnification and standard of care. FES and ACEC Florida proposed the legislation to right-size liability for engineers and the affordability of insurance.

The bills would have applied the same rules for indemnification to all contracts across Florida, ensuring the public is protected but limiting requirements for insurance coverage to errors, omissions, negligence and recklessness. The bill would have “standardized the standard of care” to the level of skill typically provided by a competent design professional, eliminating the use of vague terms such as “highest” or “best.”

In testimony before the Florida Senate Judiciary Committee in January, Peter Moore, PE, and Chair of the Commission on Legislative & Government Affairs, advocated for these common-sense policies and pro-business reforms. His message that “uninsurable clauses in contracts are bad for business” focused on ensuring projects are eligible for affordable and appropriate insurance to protect Floridians across the Sunshine State.

Senator Jonathan Martin (R-33) and fellow engineer Representative William “Bill” Conerly (R-72) championed the bills in their respective chambers. SB 888 died in the Rules Committee and HB 699 died in the Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee.

Effort to Abolish the Florida Board of Professional Engineers Fails to Cross Finish Line

If it had passed, Industries and Professional Activities (HB 607) would have eliminated several boards, commissions and councils, including the Florida Board of Professional Engineers (FBPE), and shifted responsibility for oversight of the engineering profession to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Of the 22 boards on the chopping block, the FBPE was the only one to avoid immediate dissolution, instead receiving seven years before being sunsetted.

The bill would have also eliminated requirements for engineers to take continuing education courses and established a framework for extending reciprocity to engineers’ licenses outside the United States.

The bill, sponsored by Representative Taylor Yarkosky (R-25), died in the Commerce Committee.

Environment Bills

Stormwater Treatment Goes Regional

Stormwater Treatment (SB 848) establishes a statutory framework for “regional stormwater management systems” to improve treatment of pollution runoff that degrades water quality in natural systems. Permits for a regional system must define the drainage area served by the facility, generally based on Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC-12) sub-basins, and applicants must demonstrate financial responsibility for construction and long-term operation and maintenance for these regional systems.

The bill also requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to adopt rules for Water Quality Enhancement Areas by October 1, 2026. These “nature-based” treatment systems are designed to remove nutrients and generate measurable nutrient “enhancement credits” within a defined service area.

The bill, sponsored by Rules, Environment and Natural Resources, and Senator Keith L. Truenow (R-13), was unanimously passed by both Chambers.

Florida Strengthens Natural Protection for Shorelines

Coastal Reiliency (SB 302) requires FDEP to establish a statewide permitting process for nature-based coastal resiliency projects. These projects may include living shorelines, mangrove restoration and hybrid “green-gray infrastructure” that reduces erosion and stabilizes shorelines.

The bill also authorizes certain dredging and filling activities within the Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve when conducted for coastal resilience and requires public notice before such activities are approved. It also authorizes nature-based solutions within aquatic preserves and directs DEP and local governments to promote public awareness of these approaches.

Sponsored by the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, Environment and Natural Resources, and Senators Ilena Garcia (R-36), Bryan Avila (R-39), and Barbara Sharief (D-35), the bill passed without dissent by both Chambers.

Beginning of the End for Forever Chemicals

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (HB 1019) begins to phase out distribution and use of firefighting foam containing perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly known as PFAS. These synthetic substances are called “forever chemicals” because they persist indefinitely in the environment and can be harmful to human health.

Beginning July 1, 2026, this type of firefighting foam will be prohibited for training and testing and possession of the foam must be reported to FDEP. Beginning July 1, 2027, the sale or distribution of this foam will be prohibited and remaining inventories must be destroyed. Effective July 1, 2029, Florida will prohibit possession or use of this firefighting foam, with limited exceptions for certain aviation, military, and emergency response situations.

The bill also requires public wastewater utilities above a certain size to conduct quarterly sampling of treated effluent and biosolids for PFAS and report results to FDEP. Until PFAS standards are formally adopted, the results can only be used for informational purposes and may not serve as the basis for regulation or enforcement.

The bill, sponsored by the Fiscal Policy and Environment and Natural Resources and Senator Gayle Harrell (R-31), Representative William “Bill” Conerly (R-72) and cosponsored by Senators Keith Truenow (R-13) and Lori Berman (D-26), unanimously passed both chambers.

Stronger Management of Biosolids Coming Soon

Biosolids Management (HB 1245) requires management of Class AA biosolids to promote beneficial use and requires these biosolids that are used as fertilizer or compost to be applied at or below the agronomic rate, which is the level of nutrients needed to achieve optimal crop yields and minimize environmental risks such as water pollution. The bill also requires operators of biosolids application sites to maintain detailed records including quantities applied, site locations, and application dates, for at least five years. FDEP must initiate rulemaking to implement the bill by November 1, 2026.

Additionally, beginning next year, the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) must publish recommended agronomic application rates for biosolids products on a biennial basis.

The bill, sponsored by the State Affairs Committee and Natural Resources & Disasters Subcommittee and Representative Jason Shoaf (R-7), unanimously passed both chambers.

More on Biosolids . . .

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Agency Bill (SB 290 – Biosolids Provision) is a multi-topic agency bill affecting the state agency. Of particular interest to the environmental and wastewater sector, the bill limits land application of biosolids to the Class AA treatment standard and ends the requirement that the Legislature ratify the FDEP biosolids rules.

The bill, sponsored by the Rules and Fiscal Policy and Agriculture and Senator Keith Truenow (R-13), unanimously passed the Senate and earned overwhelming bipartisan support in the House, by a vote of 94 – 10. The bill was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 23.

Budget Bills

It’s Not Over Yet!

The Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on Friday, March 13, without passing the budget for fiscal year 2027, which starts on July 1. While no specific data have been announced, House and Senate leaders announced plans to return to Tallahassee after the Easter and Passover holidays for a Special Session to finalize the state funding bill.

The House and Senate budget proposals remain approximately $1.4 billion apart. In remarks to the Senate prior to adjournment, Senate President Ben Albritton said lawmakers remain significantly divided over budget allocations and that negotiations between House and Senate leadership will continue in the coming weeks. Once joint allocations are finalized, legislators will be called back to Tallahassee to vote on the bill.

Foundational Issues for Florida Engineers

Sustained Funding for Critical Infrastructure

Challenge: Underfunding critical infrastructure increases costs in the long term.Insufficient funding for critical infrastructure threatens public safety and human health. Without sustained funding, communities could face unsafe roads, unreliable transit, poor-quality drinking water, and increased pollution, which impede economic growth and prosperity.

Solution: Sufficient, sustained funding will strengthen our economy.
Robust funding to repair, maintain, and modernize critical infrastructure provides the foundation for a strong economy, which attracts investment and creates high-wage jobs. Maintaining the financial integrity of the Transportation Trust Fund is essential to preserving Florida’s ability to invest in safe, reliable, and future‑ready transportation infrastructure. Safeguarding the fund ensures long term stability for projects that support mobility, economic growth, and community resilience for Floridians.

Long Term Cost Savings for Quality Engineering

Challenge: Pressure to prioritize cost savings over quality engineering in publicly funded infrastructure projects results in higher costs down the road.
Safety risks, project delays, and expensive cost overruns are often the result of selecting underqualified engineering firms that offer below market bids to undercut the more qualified competitors.

Solution: Safeguard the Consultants’ Competitive Negotiation Act (CCNA).
Florida’s CCNA requires governments to select engineering professionals based on qualifications first, with the cost of services introduced in subsequent negotiations. Prioritizing qualifications in the procurement process protects taxpayers’ investment in public infrastructure by ensuring projects are designed to industry standards, which saves money in the long term.

Qualified Oversight of the Engineering Profession

Challenge: Spending taxpayer funds on public infrastructure designed by unqualified engineers will erode public trust.
Weakening licensure or defunding oversight of the engineering profession creates preventable threats to public safety and public health. Unqualified individuals could enter the field, leading to unsafe designs that cost additional time and money to repair and replace.

Solution: Preserve the role of Florida’s Professional Engineering Regulatory Board.
Florida’s Professional Engineering Regulatory Board plays a critical role in protecting public safety and public health by setting high standards and accountability for the profession, which ensures qualified engineers are designing critical infrastructure.

Engineering a Cleaner, Healthier Florida

Challenge: Florida’s water resources face growing strain from population growth, aging infrastructure, pollution, emerging contaminants, and increasing flooding risks.
Limited traditional freshwater supplies, impaired rivers and estuaries, contaminants such as PFAS, and more frequent extreme weather events threaten public health, environmental integrity, and the state’s long-term economic stability.

Solution: Florida’s engineers are delivering integrated, forward-looking solutions that secure water supply, improve water quality, and strengthen community resilience.
Through innovative water reuse, advanced treatment technologies, large-scale ecosystem restoration, and data-driven flood mitigation and resiliency projects, engineers are protecting natural systems while meeting the needs of a growing state.