Here is a breakdown of some of the most significant laws taking effect today, July 1, 2026 in Florida

Public Safety and Traffic

• Habitual Traffic Offenders (HB 35): Dubbed "Isaiah's Law," this legislation adds driving without a valid license to the list of offenses that count toward a "habitual traffic offender" status. Drivers who rack up qualifying offenses within a five-year window face much steeper penalties.

• Domestic Terrorism Designations (SB 1471): This law allows the state to designate certain groups as "terrorist organizations." It grants the government authority to withhold funding, dissolve these groups, and increase penalties for those who support them.

• Sex Offender Restrictions (SB 212): This bill expands residency and contact restrictions for convicted sex offenders, notably banning them from living, working, or loitering within 1,000 feet of public swimming pools.

• Child Exploitation (HB 1159): This increases penalties for child exploitation offenses, replaces the legal term "child pornography" with "child sexual abuse material," and creates a new felony specifically for transmitting AI-generated child sexual abuse material.

Consumer Protections

• Restaurant Operations Charges (SB 606): While signed last year, key transparency provisions kick in today. Restaurants that add automatic "operations charges" (like service fees, automatic gratuities, or credit card surcharges) must clearly disclose the amount and purpose on menus, ordering apps, and signs. Receipts must also itemize these charges separately from tips and taxes.

• Pet Sales Transparency (SB 1004): Pet dealers must now provide veterinary records and written notice of a buyer's rights. They are also required to disclose financing terms before a sale and allow penalty-free cancellation if a pet is found medically unfit due to illness or disease.

Business and Property

• Permitting Relief (HB 803): Property owners and builders receive a break on smaller projects. Residential construction work valued at $7,500 or less may now be exempt from permitting requirements, and the law sets clearer windows for when permits expire.

• Veteran Renters (SB 1602): Creates an incentive program for landlords to rent to veterans. Participating property managers can receive state payments to hold a vacant unit for a veteran for up to 45 days and get up to $2,000 to cover property damages beyond the security deposit.

• Foreign Influence (HB 905): This legislation targets hostile foreign influence by limiting business ties with "foreign countries of concern" (such as Russia, China, and Iran), expanding criminal penalties for doing business with designated foreign terrorist organizations or people working on their behalf.