Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida S34: Historic Cemeteries Program
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Requiring local governments to approve applications from historic African-American cemeteries to change the land use category and zoning district of excess vacant land under certain conditions, etc.
What the bill says
An act relating to the Historic Cemeteries Program; amending s. 267.21, F.S.; requiring local governments to approve applications from historic African-American cemeteries to change the land use category and zoning district of excess vacant land under certain conditions; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, September 8, 2025:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to the Historic Cemeteries Program; amending s. 267.21, F.S.; requiring local governments to approve applications from historic African-American cemeteries to change the land use category and zoning district of excess vacant land under certain conditions; providing an effective date. WHEREAS, the State of Florida recognizes the work done by the University of South Floridaâs Black Cemetery Network to reclaim black histories that have been underrepresented, to redress the exploitation and erasure of these African-American cemeteries due to urban redevelopment and land use practices, and to restore dignity to these cemeteries and honor the deceased, and WHEREAS, the Black Cemetery Network has identified and registered 35 sites in Florida, and WHEREAS, the Legislature passed House Bill 49 during the 2023 Regular Session, and it was signed into law by the Governor on May 25, 2023, creating the Historic Cemeteries Program, and WHEREAS, the Historic Cemeteries Program provides grants to eligible cemeteries for preservation efforts; however, some of these cemeteries have vacant land that could be sold to help fund the long-term maintenance and upkeep of such cemeteries, ensuring that the grants are used for the initial preservation efforts of these cemeteries, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1.âPresent subsection (3) of section 267.21, Florida Statutes, …
Sponsors
- Sharief, Barbara (D, SD-035) · primary sponsor
- Robinson Jr., William Cloud (R) · primary sponsor
- Tuck, Kaylee (R, HD-083)
- Bernard, Mack (D, SD-024)
- Sirois (R, 31)
- Osgood, Rosalind (D, SD-032)
- Davis (D)
- Davis, Tracie (D, SD-005)
- Tant (D, 9)
- Woodson, Marie (D, HD-105)
- Rouson, Darryl (D, SD-016)
- Berman, Lori (D, SD-026)
Latest actions
- : Died in Governmental Oversight and Accountability, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 425 (Ch. 2026-87)
- : Introduced
- : Now in Governmental Oversight and Accountability
- : Favorable by Community Affairs; YEAS 7 NAYS 0
- : On Committee agenda-- Community Affairs, 11/04/25, 3:30 pm, 37 Senate Building
- : Referred to Community Affairs; Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Rules
- : Filed
Votes
- Senate: S 34 Filed (November 4, 2025): 7 yea, 0 nay, passed
- S 24 Filed (November 4, 2025): 9 yea, 1 nay, passed
- H 461 c1 (November 4, 2025): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Community Affairs, Governmental Oversight and Accountability, Rules, Community Affairs, Fiscal Policy, Rules, Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice, Criminal Justice
Common questions
- What is S34?
- S34 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Historic Cemeteries Program.
- What does S34 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to the Historic Cemeteries Program; amending s. 267.21, F.S.; requiring local governments to approve applications from historic African-American cemeteries to change the land use category and zoning district of excess vacant land under certain conditions; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of S34?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Governmental Oversight and Accountability, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 425 (Ch. 2026-87) (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored S34?
- Sharief, Barbara (D, SD-035), with 11 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S34?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/34
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.