SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-31

No. CS/CS/HB 679

Registration of Trademarks
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SPONSOR
Commerce Committee; Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee; Greco
FILED BY
Sam Greco — District 19, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
PROVIDED SUMMARY

Registration of Trademarks; Removes provisions relating to classification of goods and services for trademark purposes; requires DOS to use international schedule of classes of goods and services; requires department to establish & maintain secure Internet website that allows submission of online trademark registration application and renewal application; provides website requirements; requires department to make online application system available by specified date; provides online application requirements.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Creates an online portal for filing and renewing Florida trademarks.

The Department of State must build a secure website where trademark applicants can file registration and renewal applications online, submit an electronic drawing and specimen, and pay fees, available no later than December 31, 2027.

Florida drops its own 45-class list of goods and services and instead adopts whatever classification schedule the federal government uses, so future federal updates apply automatically without new state action.

Applications may now be verified electronically under Florida's e-signature law. Paper filings still need three physical specimens of the mark, while online filings need only one electronic copy meeting the department's requirements.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Adopts the federal schedule as Florida's trademark classification system majors. 495.111

AIRepeals Florida's own detailed list of 45 goods-and-services classes and replaces it with a directive to use the federal classification regulation instead, so Florida's classes now track that federal schedule directly.

“The department shall use the international schedule of classes of goods and services as set forth in 37 C.F.R. s. 6.1” bill text, line 22 →
§ 2 Requires a secure online trademark filing and renewal portal majors. 495.0315

AICreates a new statute requiring the Department of State to build and maintain a secure website letting applicants file trademark registrations and renewals online, including electronic specimens, drawings, and fee payment.

“The department shall establish and maintain a secure Internet website that allows an applicant to submit an online trademark registration application” bill text, line 202 →
§ 3 Sets a December 31, 2027 deadline for the online system moderates. 495.0315

AIGives the department a firm date by which the new online application system must be up and running, rather than leaving the rollout timeline open-ended.

“The department shall make the online application system required by this section available no later than December 31, 2027” bill text, line 214 →
§ 4 Allows electronic verification of trademark applications moderates. 495.031

AILets an applicant's required verification be completed electronically under Florida's existing electronic-signature law, instead of only by traditional signature.

“Verification must be made in accordance with s. 92.525 and may be accomplished electronically in compliance with ss. 668.001-668.006” bill text, line 223 →
§ 5 Splits specimen requirements between paper and online filings moderates. 495.031

AIAn online applicant may submit one electronic specimen meeting the department's requirements, while a paper applicant must still submit three physical specimens or facsimiles of the mark.

“Every online application under this section must be accompanied by an electronic copy of a specimen, complying with the requirements of the department” bill text, line 228 →
TIMELINE
4/15/2026
Chapter No. 2026-31
4/14/2026
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 38 NAYS 0 -SJ 756
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 756
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 756
3/11/2026
Substituted for CS/SB 696 -SJ 756
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 756
2/26/2026
Received
2/26/2026
Referred to Rules
2/25/2026
In Messages
2/25/2026
CS passed; YEAS 114, 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)
2/11/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/11/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)
2/11/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
2/10/2026
CS Filed
2/10/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
2/10/2026
Reported out of Commerce Committee
2/10/2026
Favorable with CS by Commerce Committee
2/6/2026
Added to Commerce Committee agenda
1/29/2026
Now in Commerce Committee
1/29/2026
Reported out of Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
1/29/2026
Favorable by Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
1/27/2026
Added to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee agenda
1/19/2026
Now in Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
1/19/2026
Referred to Commerce Committee
1/19/2026
Referred to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
1/15/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/14/2026
CS Filed
1/14/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/14/2026
Reported out of Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/14/2026
Favorable with CS by Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Added to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee agenda
12/16/2025
Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
12/16/2025
Referred to Commerce Committee
12/16/2025
Referred to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee
12/16/2025
Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
12/8/2025
Filed
40 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 495.111
+30 / −1197
s. 495.0315
+117 / −0
s. 495.031
+49 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES