PROVIDED SUMMARY
Port St. Joe Port Authority, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, and Liberty Counties; Expands Port St. Joe Port Authority to include Franklin, Gadsden, & Liberty Counties; revises membership of governing body of authority; provides for transition; provides for staggered terms.
Full bill text →
Plain English Summary
AI-GENERATED
Expands port authority to four counties and restructures its board.
The Port St. Joe Port Authority now covers all of Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, and Liberty Counties, not just Gulf County. This expands the geographic area where the port can operate and acquire property.
The governing board grows from five to six commissioners. The Governor appoints all members, with specific residency requirements for each seat, including one from each of the three newly added counties.
Current board members' terms end immediately upon the bill's effective date. They may continue serving until the Governor appoints successors, with two initial two-year terms to stagger future elections.
KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1
Expanded Geographic Boundaries
majors. 1
AIThe port authority's jurisdiction expands from a single county to four counties.
“The boundaries of the Port St. Joe Port Authority shall embrace and include all of Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, and Liberty Counties.”
bill text, line 22 →
§ 2
Staggered Terms
moderates. 2
AIInitial appointments include two-year terms to establish staggered four-year terms.
“one (1) member who is a resident of Gulf County and one (1) member who is a resident of Gadsden County initially appointed to the authority after the effective date of this act”
bill text, line 61 →
§ 3
Operational Jurisdiction
moderates. 4
AIThe authority may contract for port improvements across all four counties.
“To enter into contracts for furthering the business, operation, and maintenance of shipping facilities and harbor and port improvements within the boundaries of the authority”
bill text, line 96 →
TIMELINE
7/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-226
6/30/2026
Approved by Governor
6/15/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/11/2026
CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 794
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 794
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 794
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Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785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
3/3/2026
Referred to Rules
3/3/2026
CS passed; YEAS 106, NAYS 2
3/3/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/26/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
2/26/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/25/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/25/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/24/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/24/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
2/24/2026
Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
2/20/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
2/16/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
2/16/2026
Now in State Affairs Committee
2/16/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
25 EARLIER →
STAFF ANALYSES