Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H839: Unlicensed Practice of Engineering
Status: Passed one chamber, March 11, 2026
Provides penalties for persons found to have repeatedly engaged in unlicensed practice of engineering.
What the bill says
An act relating to unlicensed practice of engineering; amending s. 471.033, F.S.; providing penalties for persons found to have repeatedly engaged in the unlicensed practice of engineering; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, February 12, 2026:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to unlicensed practice of engineering; amending s. 471.033, F.S.; providing penalties for persons found to have repeatedly engaged in the unlicensed practice of engineering; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Present subsection (4) of section 471.033, Florida Statutes, is redesignated as subsection (5), and a new subsection (4) is added to that section, to read: 471.033 Disciplinary proceedings.-- (4) Notwithstanding subsection (3), a person who violates this section by engaging in the unlicensed practice of engineering, upon a second or subsequent violation, is subject to a fine imposed by the department which increases as follows: (a) For a second violation, a fine of $10,000. (b) For a third violation, a fine of $15,000. (c) For a fourth violation, a fine of $20,000. (d) For a fifth and any subsequent violation, a fine of $25,000. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. words underlined are additions. hb839-01-c1
Sponsors
- Melo, Lauren (R, SD-028) · primary sponsor
- Chaney, Linda (R, HD-061)
- Hunschofsky, Christine (D, HD-095)
- Tant, Allison (D, HD-009)
- Tant (D, 9)
- Trabulsy, Dana (R, HD-084)
Latest actions
- : Laid on Table; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 800 (Ch. 2026-98)
- : Added to Second Reading Calendar
- : Temporarily postponed, on 2nd Reading
- : Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/3/2026)
- : Added to Second Reading Calendar
- : Bill released to House Calendar
- : Reported out of Commerce Committee
- : Favorable by Commerce Committee
- : Added to Commerce Committee agenda
- : 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
Votes
- House: Commerce Committee (February 24, 2026): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Commerce Committee (February 24, 2026): 23 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee (February 12, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee (February 12, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H839?
- H839 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Unlicensed Practice of Engineering.
- What does H839 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to unlicensed practice of engineering; amending s. 471.033, F.S.; providing penalties for persons found to have repeatedly engaged in the unlicensed practice of engineering; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of H839?
- Passed one chamber as of March 11, 2026. Latest action: Laid on Table; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 800 (Ch. 2026-98) (March 11, 2026).
- Who sponsored H839?
- Melo, Lauren (R, SD-028), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H839?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/839
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.