Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H481: Public Nuisance Abatement
Status: Passed one chamber, March 11, 2026
Revises provisions relating to assessment & collection of fines for public nuisances; removes limit on total amount of fines that may be imposed on public nuisance.
What the bill says
An act relating to public nuisance abatement; amending s. 893.138, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the assessment and collection of fines for public nuisances; defining the term "legal assistant"; removing a limit on the total amount of fines that may be imposed on a public nuisance; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, January 21, 2026:
An act relating to public nuisance abatement; amending s. 893.138, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the assessment and collection of fines for public nuisances; defining the term "legal assistant"; removing a limit on the total amount of fines that may be imposed on a public nuisance; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (11) of section 893.138, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 893.138 Local administrative action to abate certain activities declared public nuisances.— (11) The provisions of this section may be supplemented by a county or municipal ordinance. The ordinance may include, but is not limited to: (a), provisions that establish additional Penalties for public nuisances, including fines not to exceed $250 per day. If the nuisance activity is not abated within 1 year, the fines increase to $500 per day. In determining the amount of the fine, if any, the nuisance abatement board shall consider the gravity of the public nuisance and any actions taken by the owner to correct the public nuisance. CS/HB 481 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb481-01-c1 Page 2 of FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES (b); provide for the payment of reasonable costs, including Reasonable attorney fees associated with investigations of and hearings on public nuisances. If attorney fees are requested, the …
Sponsors
- Booth, Erika (R, HD-035) · primary sponsor
- Booth (R, 35) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Laid on Table; Companion bill(s) passed, see SB 168 (Ch. 2026-145)
- : Added to Second Reading Calendar
- : Bill released to House Calendar
- : Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- : Favorable by State Affairs Committee
- : Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- : 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
- : Now in State Affairs Committee
- : Referred to State Affairs Committee
- : CS Filed
Votes
- House: State Affairs Committee (January 27, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: State Affairs Committee (January 27, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (January 21, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (January 21, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee (December 11, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee (December 11, 2025): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H481?
- H481 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Public Nuisance Abatement.
- What does H481 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to public nuisance abatement; amending s. 893.138, F.S.; revising provisions relating to the assessment and collection of fines for public nuisances; defining the term "legal assistant"; removing a limit on the total amount of fines that may be imposed on a public nuisance; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of H481?
- Passed one chamber as of March 11, 2026. Latest action: Laid on Table; Companion bill(s) passed, see SB 168 (Ch. 2026-145) (March 11, 2026).
- Who sponsored H481?
- Booth, Erika (R, HD-035), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for H481?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/481
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.