Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida S496: Protection of Historic Monuments and Memorials
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Citing this act as the "Historic Florida Monuments and Memorials Protection Act"; preempting all removal, damage to, or destruction of historic Florida monuments and memorials; providing that any existing or future ordinance, regulation, or rule to the contrary, and certain actions by elected or appointed local government officials, are void; providing civil penalties for certain officials who engage in certain actions; authorizing a local government to temporarily remove and relocate a monument or memorial in certain instances provided certain requirements are met, etc.
What the bill says
An act relating to protection of historic monuments and memorials; providing a short title; creating s. 267.201, F.S.; defining terms; providing legislative intent and findings; preempting all removal, damage to, or destruction of historic Florida monuments and memorials; providing that any existing or future ordinance, regulation, or rule to the contrary, and certain actions by elected or appointed local government officials, are void; prohibiting local governments from enacting or enforcing specified ordinances, regulations, or rules…
From the introduced text, November 13, 2025:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to protection of historic monuments and memorials; providing a short title; creating s. 267.201, F.S.; defining terms; providing legislative intent and findings; preempting all removal, damage to, or destruction of historic Florida monuments and memorials; providing that any existing or future ordinance, regulation, or rule to the contrary, and certain actions by elected or appointed local government officials, are void; prohibiting local governments from enacting or enforcing specified ordinances, regulations, or rules; providing that local governments and elected or appointed local government officials who violate the preemption are liable; requiring the court to declare certain ordinances, regulations, or rules invalid and issue permanent injunctions against the local government; providing that it is no defense that a local government was acting in good faith or upon the advice of counsel; providing civil penalties for certain officials who engage in certain actions; prohibiting the use of public funds to defend or reimburse unlawful conduct of certain persons; authorizing specified persons and organizations to file suit against specified entities for declaratory or injunctive relief and actual damages; requiring the court to award prevailing plaintiffs specified fees and damages; providing for standing to bring civil actions; providing that a local government is liable in certain instances; requiring the state to restore or relocate a monument or …