Rep. Judson Sapp

Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances; Prohibits, beginning on specified date, certain use & sale, purchase, or distribution of aqueous film-forming foam; requires, beginning on specified date, certain entities to submit aqueous film-forming foam inventories & disposal plans to DEP; prohibits, beginning on specified date, possession & use of aqueous film-forming foam; authorizes DEP to administer certain grants or cost share programs; provides penalties & injunctive relief; requires certain public entities disposing of domestic wastewater biosolids and treated effluent to quarterly conduct specified samplings & submit results to DEP; limits purpose such samplings until specified standards are established by EPA & adopted by DEP.

Customer Service Callback Queues; Defines "callback queue"; establishes pilot program to require the Department of Commerce to use a callback queue for returning certain calls; requires calls to be returned in specified manner and timeframe; requires the department to report specified information to the Legislature by a certain date.

Domestic Violence and Protective Injunctions; Reclassifying penalties for committing a domestic violence offense if a person has a prior conviction for domestic violence; providing that sentencing and incentive gain-time eligibility determinations are made without regard to a penalty enhancement; establishing an electronic monitoring pilot program in a specified county; requiring the sheriff, in consultation with certain persons, to design and implement the pilot program; providing requirements for the pilot program; requiring the Department of Corrections to complete an evaluation and provide specified reports to the Legislature; requiring the Department of Law Enforcement to enter injunctions against dating violence and sexual violence into a statewide verification system, etc.

Local Land Planning and Development; Requiring each county and municipality, respectively, of a specified size to create and implement a program for the purpose of making development preapplication consultation services available at an applicant's request; limiting such preapplication consultation services to applications for certain permits; authorizing a county or municipality to use a qualified contractor or qualified contractor firm to fulfill specified preapplication services requirements; requiring a local government to establish a registry of a specified number of qualified contractors or qualified contractor firms to conduct certain preapplication services; prohibiting a qualified contractor or qualified contractor firm from having a conflict of interest; prohibiting a local government from creating, establishing, or applying any additional local procedure or condition for the administrative approval of a plat or replat which is inconsistent with specified provisions, etc.

Commercial Service Airports; Preempts naming of major commercial service airports to state; provides names for major commercial service airports; provides that renaming specified airport is subject to approval of FAA & execution of certain agreement; provides that such airport names continue to be valid under certain circumstances; requires DOT to annually review provisions naming major commercial service airports for certain purpose; requires DOT to provide certain notice to Legislature; provides requirements for such notice; requires that certain government records created on or after certain date use such airport names; specifies that airport names are branding designations; provides that political subdivision is in compliance with certain provisions under specified circumstances.

Conversion Charter Schools; Provides that specified mediation requirements apply to disputes between district school board & conversion charter school regarding mutual management plans; & authorizes conversion charter schools that meet specified criteria to be eligible for capital outlay funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1439 requires county governments to include a "local government spending analysis" on any referendum proposing a county tax increase. This analysis, prepared by the Department of Financial Services, must detail how the county spends funds. The bill defines the analysis as a statement examining county government spending and mandates its inclusion on relevant tax referendums. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026, and the Department can establish rules for creating these analyses. This directly affects county voters and officials when tax increase referendums are scheduled.

Complaints Against Law Enforcement and Correctional Officers; Requires copy of complaint, signed by complainant under oath, to be provided to law enforcement officers & correctional officers who are under investigation before any interrogation begins; provides exception if complaint is accompanied by corroborating evidence; prohibits certain personnel actions from being taken against law enforcement officer or correctional officer unless such officer receives copy of complaint signed by complainant under oath unless certain exception applies; requires certain investigative files to be included in officer's personnel file; prohibits investigation that does not result in imposition of disciplinary action from affecting officer's ability to receive promotion, raise, or any other commendation; requires complaint against law enforcement officer or correctional officer to be in writing & signed under oath by person filing complaint unless certain exception applies; provides penalties for making false complaint.

Workforce Notice Requirements; Authorizes employer to post specified notices on Internet in manner that is accessible to employer's employees; authorizes employer to post specified notices on Internet in manner that is accessible to employer's employees & general public.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Affirmative Action; Removes requirement that Governor consider certain appointees; removes provisions relating to minority participation for lottery retailers; provides for equal employment opportunity; prohibits hiring manager from engaging in certain employment practices; authorizes certain persons to file complaints with Attorney General; revises personnel rules of DMS.