SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-188

No. CS/HB 4003

City of Marco Island, Collier County
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SPONSOR
Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Benarroch
FILED BY
Yvette Benarroch — District 81, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
This act shall take effect only upon its approval by a majority vote of qualified electors residing in the City of Marco Island voting in a referendum held on November 3, 2026, concurrent with the 2026 general election, except that section 2 and this section shall take effect June 25, 2026.

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

City of Marco Island, Collier County; Requires special election be held to fill any vacancy on city council upon resolution adopted by council; provides exception for vacancies occurring within 1 year before general election; revises circumstances under which Governor is required to fill vacancies; provides for Governor to call special election in certain circumstances; requires referendum.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Replaces council appointments with special elections for most vacancies.

Marco Island voters will choose most new council members via special elections instead of council appointments.

The city clerk must call the special election within 130 days of a vacancy.

Council may only appoint a replacement if the vacancy occurs within one year of a general election.

The Governor steps in if the council fails to act within 30 days.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Special Election for Council Vacancies majors. 3.05(3)(a)

AIAdds a new requirement that the city clerk must call a special election within 130 days to fill any Council vacancy, replacing the previous system where the Council appointed a replacement.

“A vacancy on the Council shall be filled by holding a special election for the unexpired term to be called by the city clerk upon a resolution adopted by the Council.” bill text, line 23 →
§ 2 Exception for Vacancies Near General Elections majors. 3.05(3)(a)

AIAdds an exception allowing the Council to appoint a citizen to hold office until the next general election if the vacancy occurs within one year of that election, bypassing the special election requirement.

“unless the vacancy occurs within one (1) year before a general election of city officials, in which event the Council shall, within 60 days after the occurrence of such vacancy, by” bill text, line 27 →
§ 3 Governor Fills Vacancies if Council Fails to Act majors. 3.05(3)(b)

AIAdds a new provision requiring the Governor to fill vacancies if four or more occur at once, or if the Council fails to appoint a citizen within 60 days when an appointment is required.

“If four or more Council vacancies occur at one time or the Council does not appoint a qualified citizen to fill a vacancy within 60 days when appointment is required by paragraph (” bill text, line 33 →
§ 4 Governor Calls Special Election if Council Fails to Adopt Resolution majors. 3.05(3)(c)

AIAdds a new provision requiring the Governor to call a special election within 10 days if the Council fails to adopt a resolution to call one within 30 days of a vacancy.

“If the Council does not adopt a resolution to call a special election within 30 days after the occurrence of the vacancy when a special election is required by paragraph (a), the” bill text, line 38 →
§ 5 Removal of 28-Month Appointment Threshold moderates. 3.05(3)(a)

AIDeletes the previous rule that required the Council to appoint a replacement for the remainder of the term if it was 28 months or less, and to appoint until the next election if it exceeded 28 months.

“If a vacancy occurs and the remainder of the unexpired term is 28 months or less, the remaining Council Members shall, within sixty (60) days following the occurrence of such” bill text, line 43 →
§ 6 Removal of Governor's Role in Mass Vacancies moderates. 3.05(3)(c)

AIDeletes the previous provision that required the Governor to fill vacancies only if four or more occurred at one time, which is now replaced by a broader trigger including failure to appoint.

“If four or more Council vacancies occur at one time, the Governor shall fill such vacancies until successors are chosen at the next regular election.” bill text, line 55 →
TIMELINE
7/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-188
6/25/2026
Approved by Governor
6/12/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/11/2026
In Messages
3/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 786
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 786
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 786
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785
3/9/2026
Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
2/18/2026
Received
2/12/2026
Referred to Rules
2/12/2026
In Messages
2/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 114, NAYS 0
2/11/2026
Read 3rd time
2/11/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/11/2026
Read 2nd time
2/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
1/22/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
1/22/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
1/22/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
1/22/2026
Favorable by State Affairs Committee
1/20/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
12/10/2025
Now in State Affairs Committee
12/10/2025
Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee
12/10/2025
Favorable by Government Operations Subcommittee
12/3/2025
Added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
11/20/2025
Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
11/20/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
11/20/2025
Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee
11/19/2025
CS Filed
11/19/2025
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
11/19/2025
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
11/18/2025
Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
11/10/2025
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
10/21/2025
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
10/21/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
10/21/2025
Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee
10/21/2025
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
10/16/2025
Filed
37 EARLIER →
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