SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. CS/SB 696

Registration of Trademarks
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SPONSOR
Rules; Martin
FILED BY
Jonathan Martin — District 33, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
COMPANION
CS/CS/HB 679 — CS/SB 696 was set aside and its companion carried the policy
PROVIDED SUMMARY

Registration of Trademarks; Requiring the Department of State to use the international schedule of classes of goods and services for trademarks; deleting provisions relating to the classification of goods and services for trademark purposes; providing online application requirements; requiring the department to establish and maintain a secure Internet website that allows submission of an online trademark registration application and renewal application, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Requires an online trademark registration and renewal portal by 2027.

The Department of State must build a secure website letting people file trademark registration and renewal applications online, including an electronic drawing of the mark, an electronic specimen, and electronic fee payment, available no later than December 31, 2027.

Florida drops its own home-grown list of 45 trademark classes and instead adopts the federal government's international classification schedule, so Florida's class system automatically tracks whatever that federal schedule says going forward.

Paper applications still need three physical specimens of the mark. Online applications instead need only a single electronic specimen, and every application's required verification may now be done electronically as well as on paper.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 State classification of trademarks now follows the federal/international schedule majors. 495.111

AIThe Department of State no longer classifies trademarks using Florida's own enumerated list of 45 goods-and-services classes. It must instead use the international schedule set out in a federal regulation, so Florida's classes update automatically as that federal rule changes.

“The department shall use the international schedule of classes of goods and services” bill text, line 22 →
§ 2 Department must build a secure online filing portal for registrations and renewals majors. 495.0315

AIThe department has to create and maintain a secure website letting applicants submit a trademark registration application, a renewal application, an electronic drawing of the mark, and the required fee, all online, no later than December 31, 2027.

“The department shall establish and maintain a secure Internet website that allows an applicant to submit an online trademark registration application” bill text, line 217 →
§ 3 Online filers need only one electronic specimen, not three paper copies moderates. 495.031

AIA paper application must still include three physical specimens or facsimiles of the mark as used. An online application, filed through the new website, needs only a single electronic copy of the specimen instead.

“Every online application submission under s. 495.0315 must be accompanied by an electronic copy of a specimen” bill text, line 210 →
§ 4 Application verification can now be done electronically moderates. 495.031

AIApplicants signing and verifying a trademark application no longer need a paper-only process; verification can be completed electronically under Florida's general verification and electronic-transaction laws.

“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 205 →
TIMELINE
3/11/2026
Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 679 (Ch....
3/11/2026
Substituted CS/CS/HB 679 -SJ 756
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 756
3/10/2026
Retained on Special Order Calendar -SJ 747
3/6/2026
Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/10/26
2/19/2026
CS by Rules read 1st time
2/19/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
2/18/2026
Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)
2/17/2026
CS by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0
2/12/2026
On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/17/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building
1/28/2026
Now in Rules
1/28/2026
Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism,...
1/23/2026
On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation,...
1/14/2026
Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and...
1/13/2026
Introduced
1/13/2026
Favorable by Commerce and Tourism; YEAS 10 NAYS 0
1/8/2026
On Committee agenda-- Commerce and Tourism, 01/13/26, 4:00 pm, 110...
12/16/2025
Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations Committee on...
12/2/2025
Filed
13 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 495.111
+30 / −1198
s. 495.031
+50 / −0
s. 495.0315
+123 / −0
STAFF ANALYSES
2 MORE →