CS/CS/CS/HB 1595 - Law Enforcement Operations

• Each Florida county must elect a sheriff with exclusive policing jurisdiction in unincorporated areas; counties are prohibited from maintaining separate police departments or contracting with municipal police to provide unincorporated area services.

• County boards of commissioners must ensure successful transfer of policing responsibility to sheriffs by: developing adequate budgets, conducting asset inventories, providing necessary equipment and office space, and establishing interlocal agreements lasting until at least September 30, 2028.

• Sheriff-elects must hire personnel, establish bank accounts, obtain insurance, and evaluate budget sufficiency between certification and taking office, with authority to appeal funding deficiencies to the Administration Commission within 30 days if not resolved.

• Sheriffs assume all contracts for municipal police services previously provided by counties upon taking office and receive documents, confiscated property, court writs, and investigation records from county departments.

• Municipalities can challenge law enforcement budget reductions exceeding 5 percent by filing petitions with the Division of Administrative Hearings; administrative law judges issue final orders within 15 days determining whether reductions impair public safety.