HB 299 Florida House · 2026 Regular Session

Blue Ribbon Projects

Summary

Blue Ribbon Projects ; Requires that development project meet certain requirements to qualify as blue ribbon project; requires blue ribbon project to have blue ribbon plan; requires project to receive dollar-for-dollar credits from local government; provides that certain easements or property must be granted without charge; requires landowner to apply to local government for approval of plan; provides local government review requirements; provides that blue ribbon plan governs use of property upon approval of plan application by local government; provides that project may be located on land with any future land use designation or zoning designation; provides appeal procedures for denial & approval of blue ribbon plan application; provides environmental review requirements.

Issues: ✓ Housing

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Nov 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2026

House Passage

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Nov 3, 2025 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

H 299 c2 → H 299 c3 · 9 edits

MAJOR

This bill version adds a third committee review stage (CS/CS/CS) and significantly expands the requirements for blue ribbon development plans. The new version adds more detailed documentation requirements for plans, clarifies how plans relate to local comprehensive plans, and strengthens protections against plan amendments. These changes make the approval process more rigorous and provide clearer guidance on how these special development projects interact with local zoning.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on blue ribbon development projects, but the requirements for creating and maintaining these projects have been expanded and clarified.

REQUIREMENT

Plan requirements were expanded to include specific document content, time periods, and information specifications that must be included in blue ribbon plans.

Added provisions requiring plans to be presumed consistent with local comprehensive plans if they meet certain requirements, subject to rebuttal.

New provisions allow applicants to request plan reviews at any time, but with restrictions on how soon such requests can be made.

Added requirements for local governments to record approved plans and insert text amendments into comprehensive plans.

Added notice requirements when local governments deny blue ribbon plan applications.

New provision prohibits plans from contemplating use of certain districts.

ENFORCEMENT

Expanded appeal procedures to cover both denial and approval of blue ribbon plan applications, including certain amendments.

TECHNICAL

Bill version number changed from CS/CS/HB 299 to CS/CS/CS/HB 299, indicating an additional committee review stage.

Page count increased from 12 to 14 pages due to expanded content.

Floor votes · House Feb 26, 2026

How they voted

21–5

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 27

Feb 26, 2026

D Democratic8

2 Yea 5 Nay 1

62% Nay

R Republican19

19 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 2, 2026

Committee

Bill referred to House Calendar

lower

Feb 26, 2026

House · Passed

House Vote: pass (21-5-1)

house

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported out of State Affairs Committee

lower

Feb 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with CS by State Affairs Committee

lower

Feb 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Added to State Affairs Committee agenda

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Lower · Passed

Now in State Affairs Committee

lower

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Referred to State Affairs Committee

lower

Feb 19, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported out of Commerce Committee

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with CS by Commerce Committee

lower

Feb 16, 2026

Lower · Passed

Added to Commerce Committee agenda

lower

Dec 16, 2025

Lower · Passed

Now in Commerce Committee

lower

Dec 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs Committee

lower

Dec 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to Commerce Committee

lower

Dec 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

lower

Dec 11, 2025

Lower · Passed

Favorable with CS by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

lower

Dec 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda

lower

Nov 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

lower

Nov 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to State Affairs Committee

lower

Nov 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to Commerce Committee

lower

Nov 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors