SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-189

No. CS/HB 4005

City of Naples Airport Authority, Collier County
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SPONSOR
Government Operations Subcommittee; Botana
FILED BY
Adam Botana — District 80, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
4/6/2026

Filed under Transportation.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

City of Naples Airport Authority, Collier County; Removes provisions relating to City of Naples Airport Authority's members' duties & responsibilities; removes provisions that prohibit officers & employees of city from being authority members; removes provisions that prohibit authority members from receiving compensation; provides for authority memberships by election rather than by appointment; provides requirements for elections; provides authority membership terms & qualifications; provides interim services & vacancy fillings.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Replaces appointed airport board with elected members and removes compensation bans.

The Naples Airport Authority shifts from city-appointed commissioners to five members elected by Collier County voters starting in 2026. This change removes the city council's direct control over board composition.

The bill deletes the existing prohibition against authority members receiving compensation. Elected members may now be paid for their services, a significant change from the previous unpaid status.

New candidates must prove five years of experience in financial management, small business, or aerospace. This requirement applies to all future elections for the authority.

The city council no longer needs to pass a resolution declaring the need for the authority to function. The board can operate immediately without this specific legislative trigger.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Elected Members majors. 1, line 28

AIReplaces city council appointments with direct elections by Collier County voters.

“All members shall be elected by the qualified electors of Collier County.” bill text, line 75 →
§ 2 Term Structure moderates. 1, line 28

AIEstablishes staggered 4-year terms with initial 2-year terms for even-numbered seats.

“members elected from odd-numbered seats for a term of 4 years and even-numbered seats for a term of 2 years”
§ 3 Professional Qualifications moderates. 1, line 28

AIMandates 5 years of experience in financial management, small business, or aerospace for candidates.

“Each member must have spent at least 5 years engaged in financial management, small business operations, or aerospace” bill text, line 83 →
§ 4 Governor Fills Vacancies moderates. 1, line 28

AITransfers vacancy-filling power from city council to the Governor.

“A vacancy occurring during a term of a member shall be filled only for the balance of the unexpired term, such appointments to be made by the Governor” bill text, line 95 →
§ 5 Compensation Prohibition Removed moderates. 1, line 28

AIDeletes the ban on paying members, allowing the authority to set compensation.

“A commissioner shall receive no compensation for his services” bill text, line 66 →
§ 6 City Employee Ban Removed moderates. 1, line 28

AIDeletes the prohibition on city officers or employees serving on the authority.

“No commissioner of the authority may be an officer or employee of the city” bill text, line 60 →
§ 7 Council Removal Power Removed moderates. 1, line 28

AIDeletes the city council's authority to remove members for inefficiency or misconduct.

“a commissioner of the authority may be removed by an affirmative vote of five (5) members of the city council” bill text, line 124 →
TIMELINE
7/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-189
4/6/2026
Approved by Governor
3/31/2026
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 112, NAYS 1
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)
1/27/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
1/27/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
1/27/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
1/27/2026
Favorable by State Affairs Committee
1/23/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/22/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/22/2026
Now in State Affairs Committee
1/22/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
1/21/2026
CS Filed
1/21/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/21/2026
Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee
1/21/2026
Favorable with CS by Government Operations Subcommittee
1/16/2026
Added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/9/2026
Added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda
12/2/2025
Now in Government Operations Subcommittee
12/2/2025
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
12/2/2025
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
11/4/2025
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
11/4/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
11/4/2025
Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee
11/4/2025
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
10/27/2025
Filed
37 EARLIER →
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