SB 694 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Compensation of the Descendants of Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd, and Ernest Thomas

Summary

Compensation of the Descendants of Charles Greenlee, Walter Irvin, Samuel Shepherd, and Ernest Thomas; Providing that certain facts are found and declared to be true; providing that a sum is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of State for specified relief; requiring that a specified percentage of such relief be provided to certain individuals and estates; providing that specified persons are ineligible for further compensation, etc. APPROPRIATION: $4,000,000

Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

S 694 c1 → S 694 c2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a committee draft to a committee substitute, adding new sponsors and clarifying the funding mechanism. The most significant change is the explicit appropriation of $4 million, which was previously undefined. Additionally, the list of eligible recipients was updated to include Gladys Rollerson, the daughter of Ernest Thomas, replacing the previously listed surviving spouse.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding funding was expanded by specifying a $4 million appropriation, and the scope of eligibility was modified to include a different beneficiary for Ernest Thomas's estate.

FISCAL

The bill now explicitly appropriates $4 million from the General Revenue Fund, whereas the previous version did not specify an amount.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement directs the Chief Financial Officer to issue warrants to the descendants, clarifying the payment process.

ELIGIBILITY

The list of eligible recipients was updated; Gladys Rollerson (daughter of Ernest Thomas) is now listed, replacing the previous entry for Ruby Lee Jones (surviving spouse of Ernest Thomas).

TECHNICAL

Additional sponsors were added to the bill, including Senators Jones, Simon, Wright, Burgess, Truenow, and Garcia.

Floor votes · Senate Feb 19, 2026

How they voted

39–0

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 40

Feb 19, 2026

D Democratic11

11 Yea

100% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican28

27 Yea 1

96% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 38 NAYS 0

upper

Feb 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Feb 9, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 02/12/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; YEAS 14 NAYS 0

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, 02/04/26, 1:00 pm, 110 Senate Building

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

upper

Jan 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Judiciary, 01/27/26, 1:00 pm, 110 Senate Building

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Dec 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to Judiciary; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 20 co-sponsors