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Posted May 7, 2026 | By The News Service of Florida

Bill signed to drop permitting from small building projects

Legislation waiving building permits on single-family residential projects valued under $7,500 was one of five bills Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Wednesday night.

“A local government that issues building permits shall exempt an owner of a single-family dwelling or the owner’s contractor from the requirement to obtain a building permit to perform any work valued at less than $7,500 on the owner’s property,” the bill states.

The measure (HB 803) also limits local government officials from inspecting the work, allows certain out-of-state licensed building officials to work for one year after a declared state of emergency, and provides an exemption from building permits for certain temporary residential hurricane or flood protection walls.

A staff analysis of the bill, which both chambers unanimously approved, states projects may not be divided to evade permitting requirements. But local governments can still require a permit for any electrical, plumbing, mechanical, gas, or structural work regardless of the appraised value.

The changes become law on July 1.

DeSantis receives data center, free Cuba bills

Restrictions on massive data centers and legislation to bolster the state’s stance against “foreign countries of concern” were among 10 bills Gov. Ron DeSantis received from the Legislature on Wednesday.

The measure concerning foreign governments (HB 905) also spells out support for “a free and independent Cuba.” The proposal states that if the federal government changes Cuba’s diplomatic status, the governor can issue a temporary executive order suspending restrictions on business with the island nation 90 miles south of the state.

Last month, DeSantis expressed a vision that those who fled the island nation under its communist government will return to help build up business and the government.

“It would not take much,” DeSantis said while at Palm Beach Atlantic University’s LeMieux Center for Public Policy on March 25. “If you just had a halfway legitimate government that wasn’t 100 percent corrupt and actually respected people’s rights and the rule of law, I think you could do better than that.”

The bill also restricts government contracts with nations listed by Florida as foreign countries of concern, which includes China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria.

The data center proposal (SB 484) was the only part of DeSantis’ artificial intelligence priorities that survived the regular session and a special session last week.

The bill on his desk, in part, requires the Florida Public Service Commission, which regulates electric utilities, to develop “tariffs” and service requirements to “reasonably ensure that each large load customer bears its own full cost of service and that such cost is not shifted to the general body of ratepayers.”

While in Jacksonville on April 23, DeSantis acknowledged the measure may not have been “as strong as I had hoped. It did get watered down a little bit. But it will prevent any increase in power cost from being passed on to consumers.”

The bill also allows local governments to keep confidential tech company plans for the centers for up to 12 months.

The House, meanwhile, blocked DeSantis’ call for an “artificial intelligence bill of rights,” which House leadership contends needs to be handled at the federal level.

DeSantis has until May 21 to act on the bills.

Florida approves new U.S. history course for college credit

The Florida Department of Education on Tuesday unveiled a new high school U.S. history course eligible for college credit, designed as an alternative to the existing Advanced Placement course.

The Florida Advanced Courses and Tests (FACT) U.S. history course will be available to students in districts that apply to offer the course through a pilot program as soon as this fall. Districts have until May 18 to sign up for the new pilot program. The statewide implementation of the new course is slated for 2027-2028 school year.  

“The FACT U.S. history framework underscores our commitment to instruction grounded in the full scope of our nation’s history, while ensuring materials are free from ideological bias or indoctrination,” Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said in a released statement.

DOE did not respond to an email and phone call seeking comment. 

The course framework recommends using Wilfred M. McClay’s “Land of Hope: An Invitation to the American Story,” as the textbook.

McClay is currently the Victor Davis Hanson chair in classical history and western civilization at Hillsdale College, a private conservative Christian college that promotes a “classical” approach to education.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has clashed with the College Board, the company that oversees the AP program and tests, over its alleged inclusion of critical race theory in its courses.

In 2023, AP Psychology’s teaching of gender and sexual orientation were deemed to run afoul of restrictions placed on those topics in the classroom by lawmakers. Earlier that year, the DeSantis administration also took issue with the AP African American Studies course, claiming it taught critical race theory in violation of new state laws.

DeSantis then pushed for and won legislation authorizing DOE to add advanced courses as an alternative to AP classes, in collaboration with the State University System and the Florida College System.

The College Board issued an unattributed statement defending its AP U.S. History course.

“AP U.S. History gives students the opportunity to analyze evidence, build critical thinking skills, and engage deeply with required sources like the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution and Washington’s Farewell Address,” the statement from the company reads. “We are committed to providing access to high-quality coursework in Florida and ensuring students across the state are ready for college and career.”

According to the framework for the FACT course, it was developed by faculty and scholars in each subject field who reviewed college syllabi and high school standards, but the identities of those who developed the class are unknown.