SESSION WATCH
Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-40

No. SB 490

Public Records/E-mail Addresses Collected by the Department of Highway Safety for Providing Renewal Notices
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SPONSOR
Massullo
FILED BY
Ralph E. Massullo, Jr. — District 11, Republican
EFFECTIVE
10/1/2026

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Public Records/E-mail Addresses Collected by the Department of Highway Safety for Providing Renewal Notices ; Expanding an exemption from public records requirements for e-mail addresses collected by the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles for providing renewal notices to include e-mail addresses collected for use as a method of notification generally and not only for the purpose of providing renewal notices; expanding the exemption to include e-mail addresses collected for use as a method of notification related to vessel registrations; providing retroactive applicability; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Expands public records exemption for email addresses collected by the Department of Highway.

The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles will keep customer email addresses private from public records requests. This prevents the release of personal contact information that could be used for identity theft or unwanted solicitations.

The privacy protection now covers all email addresses collected for any notification, not just renewal notices. This includes emails used for vessel registrations and other departmental communications, significantly broadening the scope of protected data.

The exemption applies retroactively, meaning emails collected before the law takes effect are also protected. This ensures that historical data remains private and cannot be released in response to past or future public records requests.

The law includes a sunset clause requiring legislative review in 2031. If the Legislature does not reenact the exemption, it will automatically expire, ensuring periodic oversight of this privacy protection.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Vessel Registration Coverage moderates. 119.0712(2)(c)

AIAdds vessel registration email addresses to the exemption, extending privacy protection to boaters.

“or s. 328.30 are exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s. 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution” bill text, line 26 →
§ 2 Retroactive Application moderates. 119.0712(2)(c)

AIApplies the exemption to email addresses collected before the law takes effect.

“This exemption applies retroactively” bill text, line 27 →
§ 3 Sunset Repeal Date moderates. 119.0712(2)(c)

AIMandates repeal of the exemption in 2031 unless the Legislature re-enacts it.

“shall stand repealed on October 2, 2031, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment” bill text, line 30 →
TIMELINE
4/22/2026
Chapter No. 2026-40 , companion bill(s) passed, see SB 488 (Ch. 2026-39 )
4/21/2026
Approved by Governor
4/21/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/17/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/9/2026
Passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0
3/9/2026
Read 3rd time
3/9/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
3/9/2026
Read 2nd time
3/5/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
3/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/9/2026)
3/5/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/19/2026
In Messages
2/19/2026
Immediately certified -SJ 356
2/19/2026
Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 2 -SJ 350
2/19/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 350
2/19/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 350
2/17/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/19/26
2/5/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/5/2026
Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 14 NAYS 1
2/2/2026
On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/05/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
1/21/2026
Now in Fiscal Policy
1/21/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism,...
1/16/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation,...
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/12/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
1/12/2026
Favorable by Transportation; YEAS 8 NAYS 0
1/5/2026
On Committee agenda-- Transportation, 01/12/26, 4:00 pm, 37 Senate Building
12/1/2025
Referred to Transportation; Appropriations Committee on...
11/13/2025
Filed
23 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 119.0712
+39 / −1
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →