FL H7013

Members elected to governing bodies of independent special districts are limited to 12 consecutive years of service, with terms commencing before November 5, 2024, excluded from the count; community development districts under chapter 190 are exempt from this requirement.

No new safe neighborhood improvement districts may be created on or after July 1, 2024, though existing districts may continue to operate; the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability must complete a performance review of all such districts by September 30, 2025.

Boundaries of independent special districts and mosquito control districts may only be changed by general law or special act of the Legislature, and the maximum millage rate for mosquito control districts is reduced from 10 mills to 1 mill, with an option to increase to 2 mills if approved by voter referendum.

Special districts must establish goals, objectives, and performance measures for each program by October 1, 2024, and publish an annual performance report on their website by December 1 of each year thereafter.

Additional criteria are added for declaring a special district inactive, including reporting no revenue, expenditures, or debt for at least 5 consecutive fiscal years (beginning no earlier than October 1, 2018); districts declared inactive may only expend funds to service outstanding debt and meet existing contractual obligations, with remaining assets escheating to the local government after debts are paid.