DeSantis Signs 6 Key Florida Laws, Naming Trump Highway

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis added six bills to Florida's statute books Tuesday, continuing a prolific 2026 legislative session with measures blending local tributes, public safety enhancements and regulatory tweaks.[1][2] Signed in Tallahassee, the package includes Senate Bill 628, which designates dozens of roadways across counties like Baker, Broward, Duval and Miami-Dade, honoring figures such as former Rep. John J. Crews Jr. in Baker County and Phil Smith in Broward. Most notably, it establishes the 'President Donald J. Trump Highway' along a South Florida stretch, effective July 1.[1] Two bills address county-specific needs with immediate impact. House Bill 4019 caps healthcare compensation for Lake County jail inmates at 110% of Medicare rates absent a county contract, aiming to control detention costs in the Central Florida county.[1] House Bill 4041 targets Indian River County, though details focus on localized provisions without broader regulatory shifts.[1][2] Meanwhile, CS/HB 1219 honors a mangrove island in Jupiter Sound, Palm Beach County, as 'Andrew “Red” Harris Spoil Island,' mandating Department of Environmental Protection signage by July 1 — a nod to local environmental legacy without altering land use.[2] Public safety and administration dominate the rest. Senate Bill 428 broadens the Swimming Lesson Voucher Program to children ages 1-7 and requires Department of Health materials on drowning prevention for new parents at hospitals and birth centers, addressing Florida's high child drowning rates, effective July 1.[2] Senate Bill 488 updates traffic crash reporting thresholds, permits DHSMV email notices (repealable 2031) and clarifies rules on license plate frames and motor carriers, taking effect Oct. 1.[2] House Bill 679 aligns state trademark classifications with federal standards via the Department of State.[1]