SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/HB 401

Security for Nominees and Officers-elect to the Offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Send via email
SPONSOR
State Affairs Committee; Sirois
FILED BY
Tyler Sirois — District 31, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
DIED IN
Rules

Filed under Elections.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Security for Nominees and Officers-elect to the Offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor; Requires FDLE to provide certain nominees & officers-elect with protective security detail for specified time period.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Requires police protection for major-party governor and lieutenant governor nominees.

FDLE must provide a protective security detail to every major-party nominee for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, but not to nominees of minor political parties. Protection starts the moment primary election results are certified.

That protection continues through the general election, ending only when the nominee concedes or the general election results are certified, whichever happens first. Whoever wins keeps a security detail as officer-elect until taking office.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 FDLE must protect every major-party governor and lt. governor nominee majors. 99.122

AIThe Department of Law Enforcement is required to provide a protective security detail to every nominee of a political party running for Governor or Lieutenant Governor.

“The Department of Law Enforcement must provide a protective security detail to all nominees of a political party” bill text, line 15 →
§ 2 Minor-party nominees are explicitly excluded from protection majors. 99.122

AIThe mandate does not extend to a nominee of a minor political party seeking Governor or Lieutenant Governor, no matter how competitive the race.

“other than the nominees of a minor political party, to the offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor” bill text, line 17 →
§ 3 Protection must begin the moment the primary is certified majors. 99.122

AISecurity coverage must start immediately once the Elections Canvassing Commission adjourns the meeting certifying the primary election results, the moment a candidate formally becomes the nominee.

“must be provided immediately upon the adjournment of the meeting of the Elections Canvassing Commission certifying the results of the primary election” bill text, line 19 →
§ 4 Protection ends at concession or general-election certification, whichever is first majors. 99.122

AIA nominee's mandated protection during the general election campaign ends either when that nominee concedes the race or when the general election results are certified, whichever happens sooner.

“until the relevant nominee concedes the general election or upon adjournment of the meeting of the Elections Canvassing Commission certifying the results” bill text, line 22 →
§ 5 Officers-elect keep protection through inauguration moderates. 99.122

AIAfter the general election is certified, the Department of Law Enforcement must keep providing a security detail to the winning officers-elect until they are sworn into office.

“must continue to provide a protective security detail to the officers-elect until the officers-elect assume office” bill text, line 26 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Rules
2/26/2026
Received
2/26/2026
Referred to Rules
2/25/2026
In Messages
2/25/2026
CS passed; YEAS 116, NAYS 0
2/25/2026
Read 3rd time
2/25/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/25/2026
Read 2nd time
2/19/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
2/10/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/10/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/10/2026
Reported out of Budget Committee
2/10/2026
Favorable by Budget Committee
2/6/2026
Added to Budget Committee agenda
2/3/2026
Now in Budget Committee
2/3/2026
Reported out of Judiciary Committee
2/3/2026
Favorable by Judiciary Committee
1/30/2026
Added to Judiciary Committee agenda
1/23/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/23/2026
Now in Judiciary Committee
1/23/2026
Referred to Budget Committee
1/23/2026
Referred to Judiciary Committee
1/22/2026
CS Filed
1/22/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/22/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
1/22/2026
Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
1/20/2026
PCS added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
11/18/2025
Now in State Affairs Committee
11/18/2025
Referred to Budget Committee
11/18/2025
Referred to Judiciary Committee
11/18/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
11/12/2025
Filed
27 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 99.122
+125 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES