DeSantis Signs 6 Florida Bills, Some Effective Immediately

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday signed six bills into law, adding to nearly 30 measures already enacted this year from the 2026 legislative session, with three taking immediate effect to rein in county jail healthcare costs.[1][5] House Bills 4019, 4041 and 4059 cap compensation for non-contracted providers treating inmates at 110% of Medicare rates in Lake, Indian River and Polk counties, respectively — counties spanning Central and Treasure Coast regions where detention centers serve thousands annually.[5] These laws aim to shield taxpayers from escalating medical bills in facilities like Polk's massive Lakeland jail. Senate Bill 628, effective July 1, redesignates roadways statewide, including Escambia's Navy Boulevard stretch as 'Warrior Sacrifice Way' to honor three sailors killed and eight wounded in the 2019 Naval Air Station Pensacola terrorist attack.[1][5] The measure also names 124 miles of SR-80 from Palm Beach to Lee counties 'President Donald J. Trump Highway,' alongside tributes like 'Terry L. Fields Memorial Access' in Duval County and the rechristening of Tallahassee's airport as 'Bobby Bowden-Tallahassee International Airport.'[5] Other bills target education and development: SB 182 launches a mentoring program deploying top teachers to D- or F-rated public schools starting July 1, while SB 686 eases single-family housing on agricultural enclaves ringed by urban sprawl, with protections expiring Jan. 1, 2028.[1] SB 246, effective Oct. 1, approves specialty plates for UFC, Miami Northwestern Alumni, St. Petersburg College and first responders, boosting state revenue through vanity tags.[1] The signings follow DeSantis' recent approvals of military family bills in Fort Walton Beach and a $115.1 billion budget with $576 million in vetoes.[2][6]