Florida Senate Advances State AI Bill of Rights

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are moving forward with legislation aimed at regulating artificial intelligence in the state, advancing what supporters describe as a state-level AI Bill of Rights.

Senate Bill 482, sponsored by Senator Thomas Leek, cleared the Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee this week in a unanimous vote. The measure would establish baseline rights for Floridians related to AI use and transparency. Provisions in the bill include requirements that individuals be notified when they are interacting with AI instead of a human, protections for personal data collected by AI systems, and rules to prevent AI companies from selling or disclosing user information unless it is properly deidentified. The bill also includes parental controls to limit and monitor minors’ interactions with AI platforms.

Leek says the proposal is intended to protect consumers and families as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent across industries. He notes the legislation is designed to be consistent with — and not contradict — a recent federal executive order on AI policy.

Critics of the bill, including Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith, have expressed concern about enforcement, questioning whether the state’s attorney general would be the appropriate agency to oversee compliance under the new rules.

SB 482 now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration as the 2026 legislative session continues.

Pensacola Housing Market Surges While National Sales Decline

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- The Pensacola housing market is bucking national trends with a dramatic surge in activity, according to local realtor Christina Leavenworth.

While pending home sales nationwide dropped 9.3 percent in December compared to November, Pensacola saw total sales jump 33 percent month-over-month. Year-over-year, local sales are up 12 percent compared to December 2024.

"It has been like someone turned on a fire hydrant of just so much activity," Leavenworth said, describing buyers who haven't been active in months suddenly requesting to see five homes in one day, while sellers who've been waiting on the sidelines are calling to list immediately.

Leavenworth attributes the sudden surge to optimism about the new administration in Washington. "I think a lot of people are feeling more positive going hey I think that there's going to be some changes that are going to make it a positive housing market," she said.

The activity represents a timing strategy from both sides of the market. "I think a lot of buyers are wanting to jump on before it gets crazy and sellers are trying to time it out right," Leavenworth explained.

The local surge stands in sharp contrast to the national market, where high home prices, limited inventory, and the "rate lock-in effect" continue to constrain activity.

Santa Rosa County Launches Farmland Protection Program

Santa Rosa County, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Santa Rosa County is moving forward with an ambitious plan to permanently protect thousands of acres of agricultural land from development through a new conservation easement program.

The Legacy Land Protection Program received support from county commissioners at Monday's agenda conference and is expected to be approved Thursday. The initiative would allow landowners to voluntarily sell their development rights to the county while retaining ownership and continuing to use the land for farming, ranching, or timber production.

Jason Tritt with the county's Soil Conservation Department told commissioners the program already has approximately 10,000 acres in active applications and would need an estimated $50 million in funding to meet demand.

"This is not a total solution but a tool for farm families," Tritt said during his presentation. "The goal is to protect natural resources like soil, wildlife, water, open spaces, and scenic views."

Under the program, landowners would receive cash payments based on the appraised value of their development rights. The properties would remain privately owned, fully taxable, and available for agricultural use. However, deed restrictions prohibiting residential or commercial development would be permanently recorded and could never be reversed.

The county currently has $2 million allocated for the program, which can be used to match state and federal grants. Officials are considering a sales tax referendum to fund the full initiative.

Matching grant opportunities are available through the USDA Agricultural Conservation Easement Program, the Florida Department of Agriculture's Rural and Family Lands program (which currently has 14 applications), and the U.S. Navy's REPI program.

The program uses an annual signup period of 30 to 45 days, with applications ranked using standardized criteria similar to USDA's national system. The Blackwater Soil and Water Conservation District Board would review rankings before sending recommendations to county commissioners for final approval.

Tritt emphasized the program's goal is to slow urban sprawl and encourage growth in targeted urbanized areas, not to completely stop development or devalue property.

The Board of County Commissioners will vote on the program during their regular meeting Thursday at 8:30 a.m.