Florida Lawmakers Propose Ban on Local Climate Change Policies

Bill would prohibit local governments from enacting measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A bill approved by a Florida House committee would severely restrict local governments from implementing policies to address climate change. The measure would ban local governments from adopting "net-zero policies" or paying dues to groups promoting such policies. At least 14 local governments in Florida have already passed resolutions committing to 100% clean, renewable energy.

Why it matters

This proposed legislation is part of a broader effort by Florida's Republican leadership to limit local action on climate change. The bill could have a "chilling effect" on cost-effective policies that reduce pollution and attract funding, according to environmental advocates. It highlights the ongoing political tensions between state and local governments over climate policy.

The details

The bill (HB 1217) was approved by a Florida House committee on Thursday. It would prohibit local governments from implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through comprehensive plans, land development regulations, transportation plans, or other policies. The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Berny Jacques, argued that such policies increase costs for consumers. However, Democrats questioned whether there was evidence that local climate policies were excessively costly for taxpayers.

  • The Florida House committee approved the bill on February 12, 2026.
  • The bill has one more committee stop before reaching the full Florida House.
  • A companion Senate bill (SB 1628) has two more committee stops.

The players

Ron DeSantis

The governor of Florida who signed legislation in 2024 declaring the state would no longer be required to consider climate change when crafting energy policy.

Berny Jacques

A Republican state representative and co-sponsor of the proposal to ban local climate change policies.

Ashley Gantt

A Democratic state representative who questioned the bill's sponsor about the costs of local climate policies.

Brian Lee

A representative of ReThink Energy Florida who warned the bill could have a "chilling effect" on cost-effective local policies that reduce pollution.

Southeast Florida Climate Change Compact

A coalition of four Florida counties that has called for a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

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What they’re saying

“We want to have uniformity from the Panhandle to the Keys and not having situations where one particular county or city has an overly burdensome situation that costs more.”

— Berny Jacques, State Representative (newsfromthestates.com)

“Some examples of that are purchasing preference policies that strive to reduce carbon pollution by helping people and business make their buildings more energy efficient. Some of these type of policies attract funding into the state in the forms of grants and incentives. If local governments had to get rid of them, the people in their jurisdictions would be harmed and the locality itself would have to turn down or give back funding.”

— Brian Lee, Representative, ReThink Energy Florida (newsfromthestates.com)

“When you have these type of new financial burdens it makes things more costly. It can make services more costly. Products more costly, thereby making the consumer having a more costly situation, and that is what we're trying to prevent.”

— Berny Jacques, State Representative (newsfromthestates.com)

What’s next

The bill must pass one more committee in the Florida House before reaching the full chamber. A companion Senate bill (SB 1628) has two more committee stops.

The takeaway

This proposed legislation reflects the ongoing political tensions between state and local governments over climate policy in Florida. While supporters argue it will prevent costly burdens on consumers, critics warn it could undermine effective, cost-saving local initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change.