Florida Overview – 2024 Session
FLORIDA
Legislative Overview – 2024 Session
(Adjourned on March 8, 2024)
31 pet related items were proposed during the 2024 legislative session, 13 of which were designated as priority by the Pet Advocacy Network.
Final Disposition of Priority ISSUES:
| BILL # | SUMMARY | FINAL DISPOSITION |
| HB 321 | Intentional Balloon Release Prohibition: Amends XXVIII (Natural Resources, Conservation, Reclamation & Use), Chapter 379 (Fish & Wildlife Conservation), Part 1 (General Provisions), Section 379.233 (Release of Balloons) to: (1) Revise the prohibition on release of certain balloons; (2) Delete exemption from such prohibition for certain biodegradable or photodegradable balloons; and (3) Revise definitions for “dump” and “litter”. | PENDING GOVERNOR’S SIGNATUREE |
| HB 701/SB 1426 | Pet Store Rabbit Sale Restrictions: Amends Title XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 828 (Animals: Cruelty; Sales; Animal Enterprise Protection) of Florida Statutes by creating a new Section 828.1618 (Rabbits) to restrict the sale of rabbits in retail pet stores. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 849/SB 1040 | Veterinarian Telehealth Regulations: Amends Title XXXII (Regulation of Professions & Occupations), Chapter 474 (Veterinary Medical Practice) of Florida Statutes to: (1) Authorize licensed veterinarians to practice veterinary telehealth in accordance with specified criteria; (2) Specify powers of Board of Veterinary Medicine related to practice of telehealth; and (3) Specify drugs a veterinarian practicing telehealth may provide. | PENDING GOVERNOR’S SIGNATUREE |
| HB 1033/SB 1478 | Statewide Pet Sale Ban/Iguana Sale & Possession Prohibition: Amends: (1) Title XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 828 (Animals: Cruelty; Sales; Animal Enterprise Protection) of Florida Statutes by creating a new Section 828.32 (Retail Sale of Domestic Dogs and Cats) to prohibit pet stores from selling or offering for sale domestic dogs & cats; and (2) Title XXVIII (Natural Resources; Conservation; Reclamation & Use), Chapter 379 (Fish & Wildlife Conservation), Section 379.372 (Capturing, keeping, possessing, transporting, or exhibiting venomous reptiles, reptiles of concern, conditional reptiles, or prohibited reptiles; license required) of Florida Statutes to revise provisions concerning specified activities involving iguanas. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 1201/SB 368 | Animal Research Facility Dog & Cat Adoption Mandate: Amends Title XLVI (Crimes), Chapter 828 (Animals: Cruelty; Sales; Animal Enterprise Protection) of Florida Statutes by creating Section 828.067 (Adoption of research dogs and cats) to: (1) Require research facilities to offer certain dogs and cats for adoption to societies or associations for the prevention of cruelty to animals rather than euthanizing such dogs and cats; (2) Authorize research facilities to enter into collaborative agreements with such societies and associations; (3) Provide immunity from liability for research facilities acting in good faith; and (4) Require certain research facilities to make an annual reporting to the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. | DIED IN COMMITTEE |
| HB 7073/SB 7074 | Pet Supplies Sales Tax Exemption: Amends Title XIV (Taxation & Finance), Chapter 212 (Tax on Sale, Use, and Other Transactions) of Florida Statutes by adding a new section (Disaster preparedness supplies; sales tax holiday) to exempt from sales and use tax specified disaster preparedness supplies (to include certain pet supplies) during specified timeframes. | ENACTED (EFFECTIVE 5/7/24) |
| ORD NO. 2024-02 | Doral Pet Store Dog and Cat Sourcing Restrictions: (“City of Doral Puppy Mill Cruelty Prevention Ordinance” amends Chapter 3 (Animals) of the Doral, FL Code of Ordinances by adding a new Article IV (Requirements for Sales of Dogs and Cats) to provide minimum standards governing the sale of dogs and cats by city breeders, pet dealers, and pet shops. | ADOPTED |
View ALL Florida legislation tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024 session.
View ALL local ordinances tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2024 session.
View ALL federal and state issues tracked by the Pet Advocacy Network during the 2023-24 session.