FL H1189

Eliminates all definitions of "minority business enterprise," "certified minority business enterprise," and "minority person" from Florida law, and repeals numerous statutes (ss. 287.093, 287.0931, 287.094, 287.0943, 287.09431, 288.1167, and others) that established minority business enterprise programs, certifications, and procurement goals.

Removes race- and gender-specific procurement preferences, including the ability for agencies to reserve contracts for competitive solicitation exclusively among certified minority business enterprises, price preferences of up to 10%, weighted preference formulas, and tie-breaking preferences favoring minority firms. Eliminates specific percentage procurement goals by industry (e.g., Construction: 4% Black, 6% Hispanic, 11% Women; Commodities: 17% Women).

Renames the Office of Supplier Diversity as the Office of Supplier Development, refocusing its mission from race- and gender-conscious remedial programs to assisting Florida-based small business enterprises, and removes its legislative finding of "systematic pattern of past and continuing racial discrimination." The office's new duties include small business procurement assistance and veteran-owned small business certification.

Replaces "affirmative action" with "equal employment opportunity" throughout state employment law (s. 110.112), prohibits executive agencies from using racial or gender set-asides, preferences, or quotas in hiring, retention, or promotion, and repeals requirements for agency affirmative action plans, annual workforce utilization goals, and mandatory EEO/affirmative action training. Authorizes individuals to file unlawful employment practice complaints with the Attorney General.

Removes diversity, minority, and gender representation requirements from the appointment criteria for numerous state boards, commissions, and councils, including the Florida Gaming Control Commission, workforce development boards, the Florida Sports Foundation, the Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council (which required at least 4 of 16 minority members), prenatal health coalitions, and judges of compensation claims nominating commissions. Repeals s. 760.80 governing minority representation on boards and committees.

Eliminates construction contract set-aside programs, including the authority for counties, municipalities, and school boards to set aside up to 10% of total construction capital project funds for minority business enterprises (s. 1013.46), and repeals ss. 255.101 and 255.102 governing public construction works minority utilization requirements.

Systematically replaces references to "minority business enterprises" with "small business enterprises" across enterprise zone development programs, state fair concession contracting, tourism marketing, convention grant programs, and incentive reporting requirements, preserving small business support while removing race- and gender-based classifications.

Removes minority-specific provisions from professional and educational contexts, including the CPA Clay Ford Scholarship program (renamed from "Minority Assistance" to "Opportunity Assistance"), FSU College of Medicine's named minority outreach programs (PIMS and SSTRIDE), contractor licensure exam sensitivity review committees, and medical marijuana treatment center diversity plan requirements tied to minority definitions.

Repeals the Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development (s. 287.0947), the State Office on Homelessness and Council on Homelessness (s. 420.622), HMO minority recruitment and retention plans (s. 641.217), and the minority business escrow exemption for Citizens Property Insurance depopulation (s. 627.3511(7)).

Effective date is July 1, 2026.