Senate committee advances bill creating qualified-contractor registries amid local‑authority concerns

Senator Masulo told the committee SB 1138 would create a registry of licensed, conflict‑free professionals who can perform pre‑application review and certify compliance, and allow local governments to establish registries of qualified contractors to address review backlogs.

"By 10/01/2026, local government shall establish and maintain a registry of licensed conflict free professionals who may conduct preapplication review and certify compliance," the sponsor said, laying out the bill's timeline and scope.

Supporters from the building industry said private providers hold the same licensing standards as public building officials and that a registry would relieve staffing shortages and speed approvals. Courtney Mooney of the Florida Association of Counties testified for information and thanked the sponsor for engaging stakeholders.

David Cruz of the Florida League of Cities raised a principal concern: whether the bill would in practice delegate authority that should remain with elected bodies or quasi‑judicial proceedings. "We wanna make sure... the qualified contractor is just dealing with the decision and authority related to ministerial authority," Cruz said, distinguishing ministerial reviews from discretionary or quasi‑judicial actions such as rezoning or variances.

Sponsors and some supporters said the bill protects quasi‑judicial authority and limits delegated work to ministerial reviews; the sponsor said approval or denial of plats will still rest with local government and that the bill "will not interfere with any quasi judicial practices." The committee asked sponsors to continue stakeholder conversations on preserving legal safeguards while improving review speed.

The committee adopted minor language changes and reported SB 1138 favorably.