SESSION WATCH
Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-145

No. SB 168

Public Nuisances
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SPONSOR
Truenow
FILED BY
Keith L. Truenow — District 13, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Public Nuisances; Revising the list of places that may be declared a public nuisance to include the site of a gambling house; revising provisions relating to the assessment and collection of fines for public nuisances; deleting a limit on the total amount of fines that may be imposed on a public nuisance, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Removes the $15,000 cap on public nuisance fines.

The bill removes the $15,000 cap on total fines for public nuisances. Local governments can now impose unlimited daily fines until the nuisance is abated.

It adds gambling houses to the list of activities that can trigger a public nuisance declaration. Sites with repeated violations can now be targeted for abatement.

Fines increase from $250 to $500 per day if the nuisance is not abated within one year. The abatement board considers the gravity of the nuisance and owner actions.

Local governments must authorize foreclosure if a lien remains unpaid for three months. Foreclosure is mandatory if the nuisance activity continues for two years.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Gambling House Nuisance majors. 893.138(2)(i)

AIAdds gambling houses to the list of places that may be declared a public nuisance.

“as the site of a violation of s. 849.01, relating to keeping a gambling house” bill text, line 48 →
§ 2 Fines and Foreclosure majors. 893.138(11)

AIRemoves the $15,000 cap on total fines and mandates foreclosure if a nuisance is unabated after 2 years.

“If the public nuisance activity is unabated after 2 years, the nuisance abatement board must authorize and require the appropriate entity to foreclose on the lien.” bill text, line 89 →
§ 3 Legal Assistant Fees moderates. 893.138(11)(b)

AIRequires the board to award fees for nonclerical legal support provided by legal assistants.

“the nuisance abatement board must also award fees for the time and labor of any legal assistants” bill text, line 67 →
TIMELINE
6/17/2026
Chapter No. 2026-145
6/16/2026
Approved by Governor
6/9/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/17/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/11/2026
Passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time
3/11/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time
3/10/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
3/10/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/11/2026)
3/10/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
1/29/2026
In Messages
1/29/2026
Immediately certified -SJ 236
1/29/2026
Passed; YEAS 35 NAYS 0 -SJ 232
1/29/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 232
1/29/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 232
1/27/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 01/29/26
1/27/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
1/27/2026
Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 22 NAYS 0
1/22/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 01/27/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
1/20/2026
Now in Rules
1/20/2026
Favorable by Community Affairs; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/15/2026
On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 01/20/26, 1:00 pm, 37...
1/13/2026
Introduced
12/9/2025
Now in Community Affairs
12/9/2025
Favorable by Criminal Justice; YEAS 6 NAYS 0
12/1/2025
On Committee agenda-- Criminal Justice, 12/09/25, 10:00 am, 37...
11/3/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice; Community Affairs; Rules
10/14/2025
Filed
23 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 893.138
+224 / −78
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →