Florida
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs 14 more bills into law. Here’s what they are, when they take effect
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed 14 bills into law that cover a variety of issues, including tax collection, home construction warranties and swimming lessons for children.
DeSantis also received another bill on his desk — House Bill 1285 — which deals with changes to public education in the state. He has until April 30 to sign that bill into law.
Meanwhile, the new laws signed on Monday include:
HB 113 – Tax Collections and Sales
House Bill 113 amends the state statutes regarding partial payments of current-year taxes.
The new law eliminates a $10 processing fee to the tax collector for partial payments.
In addition, there is a new clause for situations involving delinquent tax bills on real estate. Tax collectors must provide additional information in reports to county commissions about situations where credit is given, including federal bankruptcies and properties in which taxes are below the minimum tax bill.
This law will take effect on July 1.
HB 151 – Florida Retirement System
House Bill 151 amends the state statutes regarding the Florida Retirement System.
Starting later this year, retirees who have been “terminated” can be reemployed by any employer that is part of the state’s retirement system.
They can also receive retirement benefits and compensation from the employer, though these retirees may not receive both a salary from the employer and retirement benefits during the six months after they begin retirement.
This law will take effect on July 1.
HB 353 – Alternative Headquarters for District Court Judges
House Bill 353 amends the state statutes regarding the district courts of appeal in Florida.
The changes allow for a district court of appeal judge to work at a courthouse in an adjacent county from where they live, provided it’s within the same district.
Before, these judges would be required to live within the same county as the courthouse.
If such a judge lives in an adjacent county, this legislation could provide possible reimbursement for the judge’s travel expenses between their official headquarters and the headquarters of the appellate district.
This law will take effect on July 1.
HB 537 – STEM Music Program for Middle Schools
House Bill 537 establishes a pilot program for “mSCALES” — Music-based Supplemental Content to Accelerate Learner Engagement and Success.
The program is aimed at providing “music-based supplemental materials” to support science and math classes for middle-school students.
According to the bill’s text, only the Alachua, Marion and Miami-Dade school districts would be eligible to participate in the pilot program.
In addition, participating school districts are set to receive $6 per student, though eligible middle schools would have to be in the same “attendance zone” as an elementary school that participated in the Early Childhood Music Education Incentive Program.
This pilot program is also set to be evaluated by the College of Education at the University of Florida, which will put together a report on the program’s efficacy by Oct. 1, 2026.
This law will take effect on July 1.
HB 623 – Builder Warranties
House Bill 623 creates a new law that requires builders to warrant newly constructed homes for one year after the home is either sold or occupied.
These warranties involve construction defects of “equipment, material or workmanship” that cause the home to violate Florida’s Building Code.
However, the law doesn’t require the warranty in the following situations:
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Normal wear and tear
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Normal house settling
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Defects caused by buyers or their contractors
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Natural disasters
This law will take effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 781 – Public-Private Partnerships
House Bill 781 involves public-private partnerships (P3s), which are contract agreements between local governments and private firms to help fund public infrastructure projects.
Typically, local governments who want to engage in a P3 with a private firm via an unsolicited proposal have to publish notices both of the proposal itself and that the government is still accepting bids.
This legislation allows local governments to go ahead with unsolicited proposals for infrastructure projects without having to go through the whole public bidding process.
To do so, the bill requires local leaders to hold meetings to hear from the public and determine whether the proposals fit the public’s best interests.
In addition, local governments entering a P3 under this bill would no longer have to publish a notice in newspapers or mail copies to each local government in the affected area.
This law is expected to help local governments fund their infrastructure projects more easily with the help of outside businesses.
The law will take effect on July 1.
HB 813 – Certified Public Accountants (CPA)
House Bill 813 amends the state statutes for public accountants.
The bill allows CPAs who are at least 65 years old to apply to have their Florida CPA license “retired,” as opposed to being placed as “inactive.”
This allows retired licensees to reactivate their licenses based on standards set by the Florida Board of Accountancy, which requires fees and additional education — around 120 hours of professional education for every two years that the license is placed in retirement.
This law will take effect on July 1.
HB 1147 – Broadband Access
House Bill 1147 is aimed at bringing more broadband Internet access to areas of Florida that lack it.
In 2021, the Florida Legislature established a promotional rate for broadband providers who use poles owned by municipal electric utilities to bring more access to “underserved consumers.”
While the promotion was initially set to end later this year, this bill extends the promotional rate to Dec. 31, 2028.
This law will take effect on June 30.
HB 1555 – “Cyber Florida”
House Bill 1555 amends the state statutes for cybersecurity.
The bill renames the Florida Center for Cybersecurity — which provides education and research to bolster the cybersecurity sector in Florida — as “Cyber Florida.”
In addition, the bill redefines the center’s mission: to “conduct, fund, and facilitate research and applied science that leads to the creation of new technologies and software packages that have military and homeland defense purposes or for sale or use in the private sector.”
Alongside that, the bill allows — but does not require — Cyber Florida to help state agencies with cybersecurity training and improving cybersecurity for government tech infrastructure, including within public schools.
This law will take effect on July 1.
HB 7011 – Inactive Special Districts
House Bill 7011 deals with special districts, which are units of local government created for a particular purpose.
The bill dissolves four special districts, which were already declared “inactive.” They are as follows:
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Calhoun County Transportation Authority
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Highland View Water and Sewer District
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West Orange Airport Authority
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Dead Lakes Water Management District
In addition, the Sunny Isles Reclamation and Water Control Board were also dissolved.
This law will take effect on July 1.
SB 276 – Review of Advisory Bodies
Senate Bill 276 amends the state statutes for organizational structure in the executive branch.
The changes require executive agencies with an advisory body to upload a report each year by Aug. 15 with the following information:
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Whichever statute is responsible for the advisory body
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A brief description of the advisory body’s purpose
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A list of each member on the advisory body and who appointed them
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Any vacancies on the advisory body
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A list of the advisory body’s meeting dates and times
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A brief summary of the advisory body’s work plan over the next two years
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The amount of funds appropriated to the advisory body
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A recommendation about why the advisory body should be continued/terminated/modified
In addition, any laws that create an advisory body must now include a provision that repeals the body on Oct. 2 of the third year after enactment, unless the law is reviewed and saved from repeal by being passed through the Legislature again.
This law will take effect on July 1.
SB 478 – Lifeline Service
Senate Bill 478 amends the state statutes for the federal Lifeline program.
That program aims to make communications services more affordable for low-income households, giving subscribers discounts on certain types of services.
Under this new bill, the Florida Public Service Commission has the authority to designate mobile phone service providers as eligible carriers under the Lifeline program.
This law took effect upon being signed.
SB 544 – Swimming Lesson Vouchers
Senate Bill 544 aims to reduce the number of child drownings in the state by expanding access to swim lessons.
The bill creates a Swimming Lessons Voucher Program, which gives low-income families vouchers to enroll their children in swimming lessons at participating vendors.
According to the bill’s text, it applies to Florida families with children ages 4 and under and who have an income that can be up to 200% of the national poverty level.
This law will take effect on July 1.
SB 958 – Local Government Employees
Senate Bill 958 raises the base salary rates for tax collectors and district school superintendents by $5,000.
The bill also allows tax collector employees to be eligible for monetary benefits if they adopt a child from the child welfare system, and tax collectors may pay out a retention bonus to employees if approved by state or county officials.
In addition, this legislation lets a school board contract with a county tax collector to have road tests administered on school grounds for driver’s licensing.
This law will take effect on July 1.
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Florida
GALLERY: Barrett-Jackson ‘Super Saturday’ takes over South Florida Fairgrounds
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — The engines are revving for one final day of high-stakes bidding and family fun at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
Barrett-Jackson’s Palm Beach auction reaches its grand finale today with an action-packed “Super Saturday” lineup, promising to close out the weekend with a full slate of collector car sales, live entertainment, and fan attractions.
“Super Saturday,” presented by Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, officially kicks off at 8 a.m. when gates, food courts, and the exhibitor marketplace open to the public.
What to expect
- 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: The Fantasy Bid presented by Dodge begins early, running in tandem with the automobilia auction in the arena.
- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Thrill-seekers can catch Dodge thrill rides on the Barrett-Jackson Performance Track.
- 10:00 a.m.: New amenities open to the public, including the Stella Artois, Staging Lanes, and Food Court patios, which offer shaded seating and auction views.
- 10:45 a.m.: The national anthem will be performed in the auction arena, signaling the start of the main collector car auction at 11 a.m.
- Afternoon Entertainment: DJ sets run from noon to 5 p.m. across the various patios, and a detailing clinic by Adam’s Polishes is scheduled for 2 p.m. near the South Showcase.
For those unable to attend, the whole event will be livestreamed throughout the day on the Barrett-Jackson website and the HISTORY channel from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Today’s finale comes on the heels of a high-energy Friday that saw significant sales and notable celebrity interest.
Star power was evident throughout the day, particularly with vehicles tied to the Busch family. A 1957 Ford Thunderbird Convertible owned by Samantha Busch and a 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Custom Coupe were among the day’s heavy hitters, each fetching $159,500. Kyle Busch’s 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Custom Coupe also drew a strong bid, selling for $143,000.
Other Friday highlights included:
- 1968 Ford Mustang Eleanor Replica: $137,500
- 2004 Dodge Viper SRT-10 Mamba Edition: $132,000
- 1972 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Custom SUV: $126,500
- 1957 Ford Thunderbird Custom Convertible: $121,000
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With a festival-style atmosphere and high-profile sales driving momentum, organizers expect a busy crowd for the final push at the auction block today.
Florida
Bodycam captures life-saving rescue of choking baby by Florida deputies
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A quiet Monday turned into a frantic race against time when a deputy stepped in to save a choking 1-year-old’s life.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a call about a 1-year-old baby choking. Upon arrival, the responding deputy performed life-saving procedures to help the child breathe again.
See also: Two arrested after 6-year-old arrives at Florida school with bruises, deputies say
Body camera video shows a deputy holding the baby, flipping it over on its stomach, and beginning to pat the baby’s back.
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When the baby begins to cry, the deputy is heard saying, “he’s good.”
Florida
Son of 2nd patient who died after seeing Florida surgeon describes family’s heartbreak: ‘It’s just not right’
Weyman Dorsett knew something went wrong with his mom’s surgery as he watched an ICU doctor review her medical charts.
“I’ll never forget and it’ll never leave my mind, the look on that doctor’s face as he was reading through the files,” Dorsett, 53, said. “… He was just shaking his head, like: ‘what in the living hell is going on?’”
His mother, 70-year-old Dorothy Dorsett, was in recovery after a surgeon removed a tumor from her digestive tract. But she was hardly eating and had an abnormally fast heartbeat, according to a lawsuit Dorsett later filed. She was moved to the ICU nearly a week after the surgery.
“She just started really spiraling, pain,” Dorsett said. “She was not my mom.”
She died days later, on Aug. 4, 2023.
About a year later, another patient, William Bryan, 70, died after the same surgeon operated on him.
The surgeon, Thomas Shaknovsky was arrested this week, accused of accidentally removing Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen, prosecutors said. Shaknovsky operated on both Dorothy Dorsett and Bryan at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach.
Shaknovsky and his lawyer could not be immediately reached for comment. However, he has denied wrongdoing in Dorothy Dorsett’s case in court filings of his own, arguing that some of the allegations were inaccurate and that descriptions of Dorsett’s care were incomplete. The lawsuit remains ongoing.
Do you have a story to share? Email reporter matthew.lavietes@nbcuni.com or reach us at our tip line.
The hospital did not immediately return a request for comment. Earlier this week, Macdonald Walker, a spokesperson for Ascension Sacred Heart, said in a statement that Shaknovsky “was never a Sacred Heart Emerald Coast employee and has not practiced at any of our facilities since August 2024.”
Weyman Dorsett filed a lawsuit against Shaknovsky and Ascension Sacred Heart last year, accusing the doctor and hospital of negligence. He spoke out for the first time since his mother died in an interview with NBC News on Thursday.
“I’ve got two boys, a wife, now a grandbaby, and you know, I’m trying to be there for them, but, man, I’ve struggled mentally in dealing with it,” he said. “It’s just not right.”
On July 24, 2023, Dorothy Dorsett was admitted to the hospital after suffering abdominal pain, Weyman Dorsett, said. At the time, he said his mom was “in great health.”
“She was going non-stop. She lived on her own, drove everywhere, she went all over,” he said. “Prior to the surgery, she flew to my oldest son’s wedding in Bentonville, Arkansas, with a broken leg from a car wreck.”
At the hospital, his mom was diagnosed with gastrointestinal bleeding and acute blood loss anemia, according to the civil complaint.
The next day, the Dorsett family met Shaknovsky, whom Weyman Dorsett described as “odd.” He said the doctor prayed by his mom’s bedside before the surgery.
“It was way over the top,” Weyman Dorsett said. “It was very insincere to me.”
He said his mother thought Shaknovsky was “very weird.”
That day, Shaknovsky performed a colonoscopy and found a tumor in Dorothy Dorsett’s digestive tract, which he removed on July 27, 2023, according to the complaint.
During the surgery following the colonoscopy, Shaknovsky did not perform a routine test, which would have ensured there were no leaks in a newly joined intestine, according to the complaint.
Shaknovsky told the family that the surgery “went great,” Weyman Dorsett said, but his mother’s condition immediately started to deteriorate.
He said that his mom was moved to the ICU on Aug. 2, 2023.
Weyman Dorsett left that night, but his mother called him to come back to the hospital at midnight, saying she was going to die.
“My mom looked at me and just said, ‘It is what it is. I’ve lived a good life,’” he said. “And I had to sit there and watch her die.”
On Aug. 3, 2023, a doctor on call, Dr. Chun W. Chen, documented Dorothy Dorsett’s condition, according to the complaint, noting that he saw “more air than I would expect postsurgical” and mentioning concern “for bowel perforation specifically around the chain sutures in the pelvis.”
Chen added in the report that pockets of air had formed around Dorothy’s pelvis, according to the complaint.
“Although this may be postsurgical, cannot exclude bowel perforation,” he wrote.
Chen said in a brief phone call that he didn’t remember the patient and declined to comment further.
That evening, Shaknovsky documented in a daily progress note the air and fluid collection in Dorothy’s pelvis, according to the complaint.
Shaknovsky did not advise surgical intervention due to Dorothy’s declining organ function and risks associated with anesthesia, the complaint says.
Dorothy Dorsett was pronounced dead at 5:29 a.m. on August 4, 2023, according to the complaint. She passed away surrounded by family, the complaint says.
“Until you go through it yourself, and to be there with my mom and watch her suffer, and to be there when she takes her last breath has been devastating,” Weyman Dorsett said. “I suffer every day. It’s a haunting memory that I can’t erase out of my mind.”
Allegations of another botched surgery
On Aug. 21, 2024, prosecutors allege that Shaknovsky accidentally removed William Bryan’s liver instead of his spleen during what was scheduled to be a laparoscopic splenectomy.
Shaknovsky, who had been licensed to practice medicine in several states, had his Florida license suspended about a month after Bryan’s death. Later that year, he voluntarily surrendered his license to practice in Alabama. New York then suspended his license in 2025.
Bryan’s widow, Beverly Bryan, filed a civil lawsuit against Shaknovsky in 2025, accusing the surgeon of causing her husband’s death.
After the suit was filed, Weyman Dorsett learned that the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration completed an investigation into his mom’s death in September 2024, after Bryan’s botched surgery and more than a year after Dorothy’s death.
The investigation found that Shaknovsky and other hospital physicians “failed to appropriately use diagnostic testing and delayed in ordering imaging to timely treat sepsis” in Dorothy Dorsett’s case, according to a copy of the report.
The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration did not return a request for comment.
Shaknovsky was indicted by a grand jury on a charge of second-degree manslaughter in the death of Bryan, according to officials.
“It’s bittersweet,” Weyman Dorsett said. “You know, nothing’s going to bring back Mr. Bryan, or my mom and all the other people that are still out there that have been butchered and suffered.”
Dorothy Dorsett grew up in Birmingham, Alabama, where she and her husband, Weyman Dorsett II, her high school sweetheart, raised their two children: Weyman Dorsett III and his sister.
“She just was everything you would think the American dream mom would be,” he said. “She led by example, best cook in the world. She was our rock.”
She and her husband moved back and forth from Alabama to Miramar Beach, Florida, about 30 miles west of Panama City. She moved to Miramar Beach permanently following the death of Weyman Dorsett II in 2021.
Weyman Dorsett III described his mother’s passing as a “big piece missing.”
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