Florida H265: Prohibition of Pyramid Promotional Schemes

What the bill says

An act relating to the prohibition of pyramid promotional schemes; amending s. 849.091, F.S.; deleting provisions relating to pyramid sales schemes; creating s. 849.0913, F.S.; providing definitions; prohibiting a person from establishing, promoting, operating, or participating in a pyramid promotional scheme; providing penalties; providing for restitution; providing that specified provisions and penalties are in addition to civil, administrative, or criminal actions provided by law; providing an effective date.

From the introduced text, January 20, 2026:

A bill to be entitled An act relating to the prohibition of pyramid promotional schemes; amending s. 849.091, F.S.; deleting provisions relating to pyramid sales schemes; creating s. 849.0913, F.S.; providing definitions; prohibiting a person from establishing, promoting, operating, or participating in a pyramid promotional scheme; providing penalties; providing for restitution; providing that specified provisions and penalties are in addition to civil, administrative, or criminal actions provided by law; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 849.091, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 849.091 Chain letters, pyramid clubs, etc., declared a lottery; prohibited; penalties.-- (1) The organization of any chain letter club, pyramid club, or other group organized or brought together under any plan or device whereby fees or dues or anything of material value to be paid or given by members thereof are to be paid or given to any other member thereof, which plan or device includes any provision for the increase in such membership through a words underlined are additions. hb265-01-c1 FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES CS/HB 265 2026 chain process of new members securing other new members and thereby advancing themselves in the group to a position where such members in turn receive fees, dues, or things of material value from other members, is hereby declared to be a …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Chamberlin, Ryan (R, HD-024) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. March 13, 2026: Died in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
2. January 21, 2026: 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
3. January 21, 2026: Now in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
4. January 21, 2026: Referred to Judiciary Committee
5. January 21, 2026: Referred to Justice Budget Subcommittee
6. January 21, 2026: Referred to Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
7. January 20, 2026: CS Filed
8. January 20, 2026: Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
9. January 20, 2026: Reported out of Criminal Justice Subcommittee
10. January 20, 2026: Favorable with CS by Criminal Justice Subcommittee

Votes

• House: Criminal Justice Subcommittee (January 20, 2026): 16 yea, 1 nay, passed
• House: Criminal Justice Subcommittee (January 20, 2026): 16 yea, 1 nay, passed

Common questions

What is H265?

H265 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Prohibition of Pyramid Promotional Schemes.

What does H265 do?

In its own words: An act relating to the prohibition of pyramid promotional schemes; amending s. 849.091, F.S.; deleting provisions relating to pyramid sales schemes; creating s. 849.0913, F.S.; providing definitions; prohibiting a person from establishing, promoting, operating, or participating in a pyramid promotional scheme; providing penalties; providing for restitution; providing that specified provisions and penalties are in addition to civil, administrative, or criminal actions provided by law; providing an effective date.

What is the status of H265?

Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee (March 13, 2026).

Who sponsored H265?

Chamberlin, Ryan (R, HD-024).

Where is the official record for H265?

On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/265