SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-169

No. CS/HB 967

Electronic Payments Made to Units of Local Governments
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SPONSOR
State Affairs Committee; Buchanan
FILED BY
James Buchanan — District 74, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
1/1/2027

Filed under Taxes & Budget.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Electronic Payments Made to Units of Local Governments; Requires units of local government to accept certain forms of payments; requires such local governments accept payments online.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Mandates local governments to accept online payments.

Local governments must now accept credit, debit, and electronic payments for all financial obligations, replacing the previous optional authorization.

This new mandate applies to municipalities, counties, special districts, and specific county offices like clerks and tax collectors.

The bill requires these local entities to provide a method for accepting these payments online.

Local governments may still surcharge card users to cover the service fees charged by financial institutions.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Online Payment Acceptance majors. 215.322(5)(b)

AICreates a new legal duty for local governments to accept payments online.

“A unit of local government accepting payment under paragraph (a) is required to have a method for accepting such payment online.” bill text, line 51 →
§ 2 Payment Method Exception moderates. 215.322(5)(a)

AIExempts local governments from the mandate when another payment form is legally required.

“except when another form of payment is required by law” bill text, line 36 →
TIMELINE
6/26/2026
Chapter No. 2026-169
6/25/2026
Approved by Governor
6/15/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/6/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/6/2026
In Messages
3/6/2026
CS passed; YEAS 33 NAYS 0 -SJ 637
3/6/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 637
3/6/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 637
3/6/2026
Substituted for CS/SB 1612 -SJ 637
3/6/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/6/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 637
2/10/2026
Received
2/9/2026
Referred to Rules
2/4/2026
In Messages
2/4/2026
CS passed; YEAS 110, NAYS 0
2/4/2026
Read 3rd time
2/4/2026
Read 2nd time
1/29/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/4/2026)
1/28/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
1/28/2026
Bill referred to House Calendar
1/27/2026
1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
1/27/2026
CS Filed
1/27/2026
Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
1/27/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
1/27/2026
Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee
1/23/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/20/2026
Now in State Affairs Committee
1/20/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/20/2026
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/15/2026
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/12/2026
Referred to State Affairs Committee
1/12/2026
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/5/2026
Filed
29 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 215.322
+68 / −29
STAFF ANALYSES