SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-87

No. CS/CS/HB 425

Historic Cemeteries Program
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SPONSOR
Commerce Committee; Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee; Aristide
FILED BY
Wallace Aristide — District 107, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
PROVIDED SUMMARY

Historic Cemeteries Program; Requires local governments to approve applications from historic African-American cemeteries to change land use category & zoning district of excess vacant land under certain conditions to allow development consistent & compatible with adjacent land uses.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Mandates local approval for rezoning excess cemetery land.

Local governments must approve rezoning applications from historic African-American cemeteries selling excess land. This requirement applies specifically to sales intended to fund long-term maintenance and upkeep.

The new zoning must be consistent and compatible with adjacent land uses. Local officials retain reasonable discretion in determining the specific designation.

This change creates a mandatory administrative approval process for a specific subset of cemetery land transactions. It does not alter rules for other cemetery lands or sales.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Administrative Approval for Rezoning majors. 267.21(3)

AICreates a mandatory duty for local governments to approve rezoning applications from historic African-American cemeteries selling excess land for maintenance.

“must administratively approve an application to rezone or change the land use designation of such land” bill text, line 23 →
§ 2 Permissive Discretion on Zoning Designation moderates. 267.21(3)

AIGrants local governments discretion to select the specific zoning or land use designation, subject to a compatibility standard.

“may use reasonable discretion in determining the new zoning or land use designation” bill text, line 26 →
§ 3 Compatibility Requirement for New Designation moderates. 267.21(3)

AILimits the local government's discretion by requiring the new designation to be consistent and compatible with the surrounding area.

“provided that the zoning or land use designation is consistent and compatible with the surrounding area” bill text, line 27 →
§ 4 Preemption of Other Law moderates. 267.21(3)

AIOverrides conflicting state or local laws regarding land use changes for these specific cemetery sales.

“Notwithstanding any other provision of law” bill text, line 17 →
TIMELINE
5/22/2026
Chapter No. 2026-87
5/21/2026
Approved by Governor
5/6/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/12/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/12/2026
In Messages
3/12/2026
CS passed; YEAS 39 NAYS 0 -SJ 842
3/12/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 842
3/12/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 842
3/11/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/12/26 -SJ 780
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 780
3/5/2026
Received
3/5/2026
Referred to Rules
3/5/2026
In Messages
3/5/2026
CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0
3/5/2026
Read 3rd time
3/5/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/5/2026
Read 2nd time
3/2/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
3/2/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/5/2026)
3/2/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
3/2/2026
CS Filed
3/2/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
3/2/2026
Reported out of Commerce Committee
2/26/2026
Favorable with CS by Commerce Committee
2/24/2026
Added to Commerce Committee agenda
2/20/2026
Now in Commerce Committee
2/20/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
2/19/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2/19/2026
CS Filed
2/19/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/19/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/18/2026
Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
2/16/2026
PCS added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
11/24/2025
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
11/24/2025
Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
11/24/2025
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
11/14/2025
Filed
34 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 267.21
+117 / −0
s. 267.21
+0 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES