Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida H79: Water Safety Requirements for the Rental of Residential Property
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Requires vacation rental licensee to equip certain rental units with specified water safety features; provides for civil liability; provides exception.
What the bill says
An act relating to water safety requirements for the rental of residential property; amending s. 509.211, F.S.; requiring a vacation rental licensee to equip certain rental units with specified water safety features; providing for civil liability; providing an exception; providing definitions; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, January 15, 2026:
An act relating to water safety requirements for the rental of residential property; amending s. 509.211, F.S.; requiring a vacation rental licensee to equip certain rental units with specified water safety features; providing for civil liability; providing an exception; providing definitions; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Subsection (6) is added to section 509.211, Florida Statutes, to read: 509.211 Safety regulations.— (6)(a) If a public lodging establishment licensed as a vacation rental has, within 150 feet of the rental unit, a water body or swimming pool, the licensee must ensure that: 1. All doors and windows that provide direct access to the exterior of the rental unit or to an indoor swimming pool within the rental unit are equipped with an exit alarm that has a minimum sound pressure rating of 85 dB A at 10 feet; or 2. All doors that provide direct access to the exterior of the rental unit or to an indoor swimming pool within the rental unit are equipped with a self-closing, self-latching device with a release mechanism placed at least 54 inches above the floor. CS/HB 79 2026 CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. hb79-01-c1 Page 2 of FLORIDAHOUSEOFREPRESENTATIVES (b) A licensee who violates paragraph (a) is liable to a …
Sponsors
- Maggard, Randy (R, HD-054) · primary sponsor
- Blanco, Omar (R, HD-115) · primary sponsor
- Partington, Bill (R, HD-028)
- Partington (R, 28)
Latest actions
- : Died in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
- : Now in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
- : Referred to Judiciary Committee
- : Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
- : 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
- : CS Filed
- : Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)
- : Reported out of Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- : Favorable with CS by Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee
- : 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
Votes
- House: Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (January 14, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
- House: Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (January 14, 2026): 17 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is H79?
- H79 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Water Safety Requirements for the Rental of Residential Property.
- What does H79 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to water safety requirements for the rental of residential property; amending s. 509.211, F.S.; requiring a vacation rental licensee to equip certain rental units with specified water safety features; providing for civil liability; providing an exception; providing definitions; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of H79?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored H79?
- Maggard, Randy (R, HD-054), with 3 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H79?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/79
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.