FL S1588

Requires each Florida county to elect a sheriff and prohibits transfer of the sheriff's duties to other officers or county departments, establishing the sheriff's exclusive policing jurisdiction in unincorporated areas.

Mandates county boards of commissioners ensure successful transfer of policing responsibility to newly elected sheriffs by providing adequate budgets, conducting asset inventories, funding office establishment, and maintaining support services through interlocal agreements through at least September 30, 2028.

Requires newly elected sheriffs to take receipt of writs, confiscated property, investigative records, and evidence upon taking office, and to continue providing contracted police services to municipalities for a minimum of 3 years.

Changes the municipal law enforcement budget appeal process from the Administration Commission to the Division of Administrative Hearings, with petitions filed within 10 days for budget reductions exceeding 5 percent, requiring administrative law judge decisions within 15 days based on impact to public safety.

Allows sheriff-elects to appeal funding deficiencies to the Administration Commission if counties fail to reach budget agreement within 30 days, with decisions required within 90 days.