Florida Senate Passes Ban on Local Net-Zero Policies

The bill would prohibit local governments from using net-zero policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Mar. 11, 2026 at 10:18pm

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The Florida Senate has approved an amended tax bill (HB 1217) that would ban local governments in Florida from using net-zero policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The vote was 24-12, with one Republican joining all Democrats in opposing the bill. The measure would prevent local governments from expending any funds to support, implement, or advance net-zero policies.

Why it matters

This legislation is part of a broader effort by the state to limit local governments' ability to address climate change. It comes after the state previously passed a law declaring it would no longer be required to consider climate change when crafting energy policy. The ban on net-zero policies could undermine local efforts to reduce emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change.

The details

The amended tax bill (HB 1217) would prohibit government entities from enacting, enforcing, or requiring any person or legal entity to enact or enforce any net-zero policy by resolution, ordinance, rule, code, or policy. It would also ban local governments from expending any funds, including taxes, fees, or assessments, that support, implement, or advance net-zero policies.

  • The Florida Senate approved the amended bill on March 11, 2026.
  • If signed into law by Governor DeSantis, the measure would go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The players

Alexis Alexis Calatayud

A Miami Republican senator who joined all Democrats in opposing the bill.

Bryan Avila

A Miami-Dade Republican senator who amended his tax bill (SB 7046) to include the language banning local net-zero policies.

Tina Polsky

A Democratic senator from Boca Raton who questioned whether the proposal would preempt local governments' ability to enact pro-environmental measures.

Lori Berman

A Democratic senator from Boca Raton who suggested the bill could lead to lawsuits similar to those stemming from the 2025 hurricane recovery legislation that restricted local land-use regulations.

Don Gaetz

A Republican senator from Crestview who argued the legislation does not preclude local governments from taking other environmental actions, such as purchasing non-gasoline buses or reserving green spaces.

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What they’re saying

“What the bill strives to implement is that the local governments cannot essentially take it upon themselves when determining several options — whether it's in transportation or whether it's the construction of a building — that they simply can't go with one option simply because they are trying to meet some sort of goal in terms of the reduction of emissions or trying to get to a net-zero policy.”

— Bryan Avila, Senator (Florida Phoenix)

“Climate change is real. I don't know why we're trying to avoid it.”

— Lori Berman, Senator (Florida Phoenix)

“I'm not going to debate climate change. I didn't get elected to the Florida Senate to argue with a thermometer.”

— Don Gaetz, Senator (Florida Phoenix)

What’s next

If signed into law by Governor DeSantis, the measure would go into effect on July 1, 2026.

The takeaway

This legislation is part of a broader effort by the state of Florida to limit local governments' ability to address climate change, despite growing scientific consensus on the need for action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of a changing climate.