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AI Laws in Florida
As of 2026-08-12, AI Laws USA tracks 37 AI rules in Florida: 11 state-level rules and 26 county or city rules. Federal AI protections apply statewide on top of these — see the federal page. Each entry links to its official source.
Florida state-level AI rules (11)
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In effect
FL Rule 2.515 amendment — AI citation certification (eff. Jun. 15, 2026)
Florida · Effective 2026-06-15 · In re: Amendments to Fla. R. Gen. Prac. & Jud. Admin. 2.515, No. SC2026-0673 (Fla. May 28, 2026; eff. June 15, 2026)
The Florida Supreme Court amended Rule 2.515 so that every person who signs a court filing certifies that the legal authorities cited in it actually exist and are accurately cited — a direct response to AI-hallucinated case citations appearing in filings. Violations can bring sanctions including reprimand, contempt, dismissal of the filing, and fee awards. The statewide rule replaces a patchwork of individual circuit-level AI orders. The amendment does not prohibit using AI; it makes the human signer responsible for verifying whatever AI produces. Opinion issued May 28, 2026; effective June 15, 2026 at 12:01 a.m.
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In effect
FL HB 919 AI political/commercial disclosure
FL · Effective 2024-07-01 · Ch. 2024-126, Laws of Fla.; Fla. Stat. § 106.143
Florida requires any political ad using AI-generated content to carry a clear disclaimer; failing to disclose AI use in a political or paid ad — or using AI to materially deceive — is a first-degree misdemeanor. Enforcement is via the Florida Elections Commission and the Department of State.
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In effect
FL drone surveillance act
Florida · Effective 2013-07-01 · Fla. Stat. §§ 934.50, 330.41
Florida bars law enforcement from using drones for surveillance without a warrant or specific exception, and (after SB 92/2015 and SB 44/2021 amendments) prohibits anyone from using a drone to capture images of private property or people on private property in violation of reasonable expectations of privacy. SB 44 (2021) also tightened state preemption over local drone ordinances.
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In effect
SB 484 (FL Data Center Costs)
Florida · Effective 2026-07-01 · Fla. Ch. 2026-65 (SB 484, 2026)
One of the first state laws regulating AI data centers' utility impact: large data centers must bear their own electricity infrastructure costs rather than shifting them to households and small businesses, local governments keep their authority to reject data center projects, and Florida's water resources get new protections. Takes effect July 1, 2026.
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In effect
Florida Digital Bill of Rights (privacy / profiling opt-out)
Florida · Effective 2024-07-01 · Fla. CS/CS/SB 262 (2023); ch. 2023-201, Laws of Fla.; Fla. Stat. Secs. 501.701-501.722
Florida's Digital Bill of Rights gives covered consumers a set of data-privacy rights, including the right to opt out of profiling carried out solely by automated processing when that profiling is used to make decisions that have a legal or similarly significant effect on the person. Businesses that meet the law's thresholds must also conduct and document data-protection assessments for higher-risk processing activities such as profiling, targeted advertising, and the sale of personal data. The Florida Attorney General enforces the law; consumers cannot sue directly. The law applies only to a relatively narrow set of very large businesses.
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In effect
Florida Generated CSAM Law (AI-generated)
Florida · Effective 2024-07-01 · Fla. CS/CS/SB 1680 (2024); ch. 2024-118, Laws of Fla.; Fla. Stat. Sec. 827.072
This law extends Florida's child-exploitation statutes to cover computer-generated and AI-generated imagery. It creates a new crime for 'generated child pornography,' defined as any image created, altered, adapted, or modified by electronic or computer-generated means to portray a fictitious person whom a reasonable person would regard as a real child under 18 engaged in sexual conduct. The law makes it a felony to intentionally create such imagery, or to knowingly possess, control, or intentionally view it.
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In effect
HB 919 (AI Political Ad Disclaimers)
Florida · Effective 2024-07-01 · Fla. Stat. § 106.145 (CS/HB 919, 2024)
Florida political ads that use generative AI to depict a real person doing something they never did — with intent to injure a candidate or deceive voters — must carry a clear disclaimer that the content was created with generative AI. Failing to include the disclaimer is a first-degree misdemeanor.
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In effect
FL Bar Op. 24-1 (GenAI)
FL · Effective 2024-01-19 · Fla. Bar Ethics Op. 24-1
Florida lawyers using generative AI must obtain informed client consent before using AI to handle client information, supervise AI like nonlawyer staff, verify factual and legal accuracy, comply with advertising rules for AI chatbots, and follow billing requirements that prevent overcharging.
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In effect
FL PDD law (2017)
Florida · Effective 2017-10-01 · Fla. Stat. § 316.008
Florida authorized personal delivery devices to operate on sidewalks and bicycle facilities statewide (10 mph cap, 80 lb cargo, $100,000 insurance) and preempted municipal bans, leaving cities only limited authority to set time-of-day and crowd-size rules.
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In effect
FL HB 7027 (2016 driverless AV)
Florida · Effective 2016-04-04 · Ch. 2016-181, Laws of Fla.; Fla. Stat. §§ 316.85, 316.86
Florida became one of the first states to allow fully driverless autonomous vehicles on public roads. HB 7027 removed the prior requirement that a licensed driver be present in the vehicle and built on Florida's 2012 AV testing law, paving the way for the 2019 'driverless deployment' law (HB 311) that explicitly authorizes AVs with no human driver.
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Vetoed
FL HB 919 (partially vetoed)
FL · Fla. HB 919 (2024) — signed April 26, 2024; effective July 1, 2024
Florida HB 919 requires disclaimers on AI-generated political ads. Governor DeSantis signed the bill on April 26, 2024; it became effective July 1, 2024. It was NOT vetoed.
County and city AI rules in Florida (26)
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In effect
Gulf County FL AI data center moratorium (2026)
Gulf County, FL · Effective 2026-07-27 · Gulf County, Fla. — Board of County Commissioners, 4-1 vote, 2026-07-27
The Gulf County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 on Monday, July 27, 2026 to approve a one-year moratorium on new AI data centers, to allow time to study potential impacts and develop a policy before any future projects are considered. Commissioner Phil McCroan moved the measure with Commissioner Randy Pridgeon's support; Commissioner Jack Husband cast the dissenting vote.
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In effect
Jackson County FL data center ban (unincorporated, eff. June 23, 2026)
Jackson County, FL · Effective 2026-06-23 · Jackson County, Fla., Board of County Commissioners ordinance banning data centers in unincorporated county areas (final vote June 9, 2026; effective June 23, 2026)
The Jackson County, Florida Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a permanent ordinance banning data centers in unincorporated areas of the county after three public hearings. The ban took effect June 23, 2026 and replaces an earlier moratorium. It was triggered by community opposition to a proposed AI-focused data center near Compass Lake in Jackson County's panhandle territory. The ordinance also directed county staff to develop future comprehensive plan amendments addressing water use, electrical infrastructure, noise, environmental impacts, and traffic. Municipalities within Jackson County must adopt their own restrictions to be bound; the ban applies only to unincorporated county areas.
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In effect
Walton County FL data center ban (eff. June 10, 2026)
Walton County, FL · Effective 2026-06-10 · Walton County, FL ordinance (5-0, June 10, 2026) prohibiting data centers and large load centers countywide
Walton County, Florida (Panhandle, including the 30A beach communities) permanently banned data centers and other large electric-load centers countywide on June 10, 2026, by unanimous 5-0 vote. The ban has an intentionally steep exception path: approving any data center would require all five commissioners voting yes, after three public workshops and two public hearings. This is one of the strongest local data center prohibitions in the country.
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In effect
DeSoto County FL 1-year data center moratorium (DCIP exemption)
DeSoto County, FL · Effective 2026-07-29 · DeSoto County, FL Board of County Commissioners data center moratorium (adopted 4-0, July 29, 2026; one commissioner recused)
The DeSoto County, Florida Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 on July 29, 2026 (with the fifth commissioner recused) to impose a one-year moratorium on acceptance, processing, review, and approval of all data center applications, running through approximately July 29, 2027. The vote came after months of intense public opposition to a massive proposed data center campus. The moratorium contains a significant exemption: it does NOT apply to rezoning applications tied to DCIP Group's existing project at a decommissioned power plant site, where DCIP had already received rezoning for 34 acres in March 2026 and had applied for over 800 additional acres as part of a planned 1,300-acre, 12-facility campus.
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In effect
Palm Beach County FL Project Tango denial (July 16, 2026)
Palm Beach County, FL · Effective 2026-07-16 · Palm Beach County, FL Board of County Commissioners 5-1 denial without prejudice, July 16, 2026, Project Tango 600MW data center campus
Palm Beach County, Florida commissioners rejected 'Project Tango,' a proposed 600-megawatt AI data center campus in the Loxahatchee area, by a 5-1 vote on July 16, 2026 after a marathon hearing lasting about 12 hours. The denial was 'without prejudice,' meaning the developer can come back with a revised application. The county's zoning commission had already recommended against the project on July 2. Note: a previously approved 202-acre Central Park Commerce Center project still allows some data center space in the county.
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In effect
Pensacola FL 1-year large-scale data center moratorium (eff. July 16, 2026)
Pensacola, FL · Effective 2026-07-16 · City of Pensacola, FL 1-year large-scale data center moratorium (Bare ordinance), July 16, 2026
Pensacola, Florida adopted a one-year moratorium on large-scale data centers on July 16, 2026. The ordinance, brought by Council Member Bare, is intended as a bridge measure while the city works toward a permanent ban on large data centers.
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In effect
Franklin County FL 1-year data center moratorium (eff. July 15, 2026)
Franklin County, FL · Effective 2026-07-15 · Franklin County, FL Board of County Commissioners unanimous vote, July 15, 2026, 1-year AI data center moratorium
Franklin County, Florida — a small Panhandle coastal county (Apalachicola) — unanimously adopted a one-year moratorium on AI data centers on July 15, 2026. Commissioners indicated they would like to pursue a permanent ban eventually.
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In effect
Pasco County FL 1-year data center moratorium (eff. July 14, 2026)
Pasco County, FL · Effective 2026-07-14 · Pasco County, FL Board of County Commissioners action, July 14, 2026, 1-year moratorium on data centers >2.5MW
Pasco County, Florida (north of Tampa) adopted a one-year moratorium on July 14, 2026 covering large data centers — those that would use more than 2.5 megawatts of power. The county will use the year to develop regulations for data center siting.
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In effect
Sarasota County FL hyperscale data center moratorium (eff. July 8, 2026)
Sarasota County, FL · Effective 2026-07-08 · Sarasota County, FL Board of County Commissioners action, July 8, 2026, 12-month hyperscale (>=50MW) data center moratorium
Sarasota County, Florida blocked hyperscale data centers — facilities drawing 50 megawatts of power or more — for at least one year, starting July 8, 2026. The county will use the pause to write rules for large data centers before any can be approved.
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In effect
Orlando Ends Rekognition Pilot
Orlando, FL · Effective 2019-07-18 · City of Orlando memo to City Council, July 18, 2019
City of Orlando and Orlando Police Department formally ended their pilot of Amazon Rekognition real-time facial recognition in 2018 after public backlash; OPD has not redeployed live FR since.
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In effect
Hillsborough County FL Public Schools Board Policy 2130
Tampa, FL · Effective 2026-06-02 · Hillsborough County FL Public Schools Board Policy 2130 — Emerging Technologies + AI Implementation Guide (2026-06-02)
Adopted Board Policy 2130 with an AI Implementation Guide; authorizes vetted AI primarily for teacher use, withholds student access to the enterprise platform initially, and is extending to AI smart-glasses restrictions in classrooms.
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In effect
Tampa Police Department Drone as First Responder Program
Tampa, FL · Effective 2026-03-01 · Tampa Police Department Drone as First Responder Program
Tampa PD operates a Skydio-based DFR pilot in the Ybor and Downtown areas governed by Florida Statute 934.50, prohibiting facial recognition, weaponization, and warrantless surveillance of private areas.
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In effect
Orlando Police Department Drone as First Responder Program (
Orlando, FL · Effective 2026-02-24 · Orlando Police Department Drone as First Responder Program (Axon contract approved by City Council)
Orlando City Council approved a $6.83M Axon DFR program on February 24, 2026, deploying 11 drones across 9 rooftop docking stations for automated 911-call response, governed by state law and limited to specific calls rather than mass surveillance.
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In effect
Volusia County FL Schools
DeLand, FL · Effective 2025-08-26 · Volusia County FL Schools — AI in the Classroom Guidelines (2025-08-26)
School Board Policy 428 and amendments to the Student Code of Conduct (Policy 208E/208S) govern AI use by Volusia County Schools staff and students. Students may use AI as a support tool for brainstorming, clarifying complex texts, or grammar assistance, but must cite AI assistance and may not submit AI-generated work as their own. Teachers may prohibit AI on specific assignments. The policy safeguards student data privacy and fosters equitable access; violations are handled under the district's existing disciplinary code.
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In effect
Board directive to develop comprehensive AI use guidelines (
Miami-Dade County Public Schools, FL · Effective 2025-08-12 · Board directive to develop comprehensive AI use guidelines (tiered framework)
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools board approved a measure directing staff to create comprehensive ethical AI guidelines for students and teachers, including a tiered use framework and misuse-consequences, with recommendations due back to the board.
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In effect
Board Policy 2130 (Emerging Technologies) and HCPS Artificia
Hillsborough County Public Schools, FL · Effective 2025-06-02 · Board Policy 2130 (Emerging Technologies) and HCPS Artificial Intelligence Implementation Guide
Hillsborough County Public Schools adopted Board Policy 2130 and an AI Implementation Guide setting age-based generative-AI limits (no unsupervised use before 8th grade; written parental consent and teacher approval thereafter) built on six guiding principles.
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In effect
Broward County FL Powered by AI
Fort Lauderdale, FL · Effective 2024-11-15 · Broward County FL Powered by AI — Responsible Use Framework (2024-11-15)
Task force framework mandating human oversight, supporting the largest K-12 Microsoft Copilot deployment, requiring a school AI liaison at each campus, and pairing with student literacy and educator training.
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In effect
BCPS AI Task Force resources and districtwide AI (Microsoft
Broward County Public Schools, FL · Effective 2024-11-01 · BCPS AI Task Force resources and districtwide AI (Microsoft Copilot) rollout guidance
Broward County Public Schools stood up an AI Task Force in November 2024 that produced responsible-use resources for administrators, teachers, and students alongside a large districtwide Microsoft Copilot rollout addressing academic integrity and AI literacy.
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In effect
Hialeah GenAI Policy
Hialeah, FL · Effective 2024-09-01 · City of Hialeah, Resolution No. 2024-346 (2024)
City of Hialeah administrative policy on employee use of generative AI tools with disclosure, prohibited data, and human-review rules.
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In effect
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami, FL · Effective 2024-08-15 · Miami-Dade County Public Schools — Generative AI Use and District Guidance (2024-08-15)
M-DCPS, the nation's third-largest district, adopted districtwide GenAI guidance directing approved tools (Google Gemini for Education, Microsoft Copilot enterprise), barring entry of student PII into non-approved models, and requiring teacher review of any AI-generated student-facing materials. Paired with M-DCPS Board Policy 7540.03 (Student Use of Technology) administered through BoardDocs.
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In effect
Miami PD FR Policy
Miami, FL · Effective 2024-06-01 · Miami PD Departmental Order 16, Chapter 4, Facial Recognition Technology (effective 08/21/2020)
Miami Police Department written policy (Departmental Order 16, Ch. 4, effective 2020) on facial recognition technology: prohibits a facial recognition result alone from constituting probable cause for arrest; limits use to authorized Real Time Crime Center personnel; permits use for criminal investigations, internal affairs investigations, identifying incapacitated or unidentified deceased persons, and lawfully detained persons unable to identify themselves; prohibits real-time monitoring and use for surveillance based on protected characteristics.
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Enacted (not yet in effect)
City of Lynn Haven one-year AI data center moratorium
City of Lynn Haven · City of Lynn Haven one-year AI data center moratorium
The Lynn Haven City Commission enacted a one-year moratorium prohibiting city staff from accepting, processing, or approving any AI data center or data center development proposals.
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Proposed / pending
Leon County FL 18-month data center moratorium (voted July 14, 2026; hearings pending)
Leon County, FL · Leon County, FL Board of County Commissioners vote, July 14, 2026, 18-month data center moratorium (public hearings pending)
Leon County, Florida (home of Tallahassee) commissioners voted on July 14, 2026 in favor of an 18-month moratorium on data centers. The moratorium is not final yet: public radio station WFSU reports that two public hearings are still required before the ordinance is formally in place.
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Proposed / pending
Minneola FL 1-year data center moratorium (final reading July 21, 2026)
Minneola, FL · City of Minneola, FL 1-year data center moratorium ordinance, advanced July 2026; final reading July 21, 2026
Minneola, Florida (Lake County, in the fast-growing area northwest of Orlando) has advanced a one-year moratorium on new data centers. The final reading is scheduled for July 21, 2026. Lake County has been advancing parallel data center policies.
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Proposed / pending
Proposed one-year ban on AI data centers (Holmes County, FL)
Holmes County, Florida · Holmes County, FL proposed AI data-center moratorium (drafting initiated June 2, 2026)
Holmes County commissioners directed the county attorney to draft a one-year moratorium on AI data centers and a separate ordinance for a permanent ban; commission members noted no applications have yet been submitted but residents largely favor a permanent ban. Public hearing scheduled June 16, 2026.
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Proposed / pending
Orange County FL Public Schools
Orlando, FL · Orange County FL Public Schools — Draft AI Policy (2026-05-13)
Draft policy for SY 26-27 restricts use to ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, Adobe Firefly, Khanmigo in closed configurations; bars deepfakes, requires original wording, verification, and human-in-the-loop.
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