FAR Daily Brief
Florida co-ops may need online filings
Rule 61B-78.001 · Association Fee; Mailing Address; Retrofitting
Only 7 proposed rules hit today, but one creates a new online reporting job for Florida cooperative associations. Comments are due May 11, and 15 workshops mean more changes are already lining up behind it.
Top signal Rule 61B-78.001
April 20, 2026 · Volume 52, Number 76 · 7-min read
Does this affect you? Today’s issue matters most if:
‣ You hold a trade or professional license
‣ You're in K-12 or higher ed
‣ An electric utility, communications provider, or emergency contractor
First, the damage More paperwork, not new fees: Florida co-op associations may have to open a Division online account and file contact, building, assessment, and reserve-study data. Schools also got a revised mental-health training certification form, and public employers saw DROP paperwork changes. No emergency rules. No new license categories. No announced fee increases. Dates to mark ✎ May 11, 2026 — Comment deadline — 7 proposed rules Today's lead The one to read first
Featured Rule 61B-78.001
Association Fee; Mailing Address; Retrofitting
Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Co-op boards and managers must create a Division account and report contact, building, assessment, and reserve data. Comments by 5/11/26.
Why it matters Florida cooperative housing associations, property managers, and association law firms would have to create and maintain a state online account. Rule 61B-78.001 adds reporting on contact information, building details, assessments, reserve studies, and retrofitting or waiver status, with comments due May 11. Comment deadline: May 11, 2026. Ask AskObi: “AskObi.org can analyze how these cooperative reporting and retrofitting amendments connect to section 719.501, F.S., before your association updates compliance processes.” — plain-English answer in under 10 seconds at AskObi.com.
Comment by May 11, 2026
Also on your radar Worth the scan 2
Rule 6A-1.094120 · Department of EducationComment by May 11, 2026
Youth Mental Health Awareness Training and Reporting
School districts and charter schools face new reporting and certification steps for youth mental health training. Update training records and staff notices. Comments by 5/11/26.
Why it matters School districts and charter schools would use updated youth mental-health training reporting and a revised annual certification form, adding compliance work for HR and student-services staff.
Rule 60S-11.001, 60S-11.002, 60S-11.004 · Department of Management ServicesComment by May 11, 2026
Deferred Retirement Option Program administration
Public employers and DROP-eligible workers face new enrollment, extension, and payout rules. Timing mistakes can cost benefits. Comments by 5/11/26.
Why it matters Public employers, school districts, and local governments using FRS DROP would see changed enrollment, termination, and benefit-distribution rules, affecting HR, payroll, and retirement paperwork.
Crime Stoppers grants — Rule 2A-9.002, 2A-9.003, 2A-9.004, 2A-9.005, 2A-9.006 · Department of Legal Affairs Definitions — Rule 40E-7.215 · South Florida Water Management District Definitions, appeals, penalties and sanctions for nutrition programs — Rule 5P-1.001, 5P-1.002, 5P-1.004 · Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Excused Absences for Religious Instruction or Holiday — Rule 6A-1.09514 · Department of Education Quick scan Meetings, bids, and opportunities
Hurricane Prep Department of Health
Advisory Council on Radiation Protection routine meeting
May 5, 2026, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. — Radiation businesses and healthcare providers should watch this May 5 meeting for possible licensing, fee, and emergency-rule changes.
Department of Law Enforcement
Criminal justice standards, training, certification, de-certification, officer discipline, rules, and training school recertification
May 13 - 14, 2026; May 13, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., Training Center Directors Association Business Meeting; 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Probable Cause Determination Hearings; May 14, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m., Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission Business Meeting; 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., CJST Commission Officer Discipline Hearings — Law enforcement agencies and training schools should watch May 13-14 hearings for officer discipline, credential losses, and school approval changes.
Department of Children and Families — 2 meetings Substance Use and Mental Health Block Grant Advisory Council meeting — Department of Children and Families · Thursday Suicide risk for specific occupations, particularly first responders — Department of Children and Families · Tuesday Florida Association of Court Clerks — 2 meetings Preparing an RFP for banking services — Florida Association of Court Clerks · Monday April 20 General trust matters — Florida Association of Court Clerks · Thursday April 23 Board of Directors Grant Review Committee meeting on aging-services funding recommendations — Mid-Florida Area Agency on Aging dba Elder Options · May 20 State Committee of Vendors public relations matters — Department of Education · April 30 Public opening for Invitation to Bid No. DMS-25/26-039, "Investment Consulting and Monitoring… — Department of Management Services · May 20 Florida Barbers' Board meeting — Department of Business and Professional Regulation · June 30 Florida PALM Executive Steering Committee project status meeting — Department of Financial Services · Wednesday General business meeting — Florida College System Risk Management Consortium · May 20 Board discussion and possible approval of agreements to lease DeSoto Memorial Hospital to Tampa… — DeSoto County Hospital District · April 30 Project Advisory Committee #1 for the S.R. 968/Flagler Street Feasibility Study — Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) · Monday Public outreach open house on the ADA Complementary Paratransit Program Plan — City of Key West – Key West Transit · Wednesday Rule exemptions requested 4 Elevator safety variance allowing foreign equipment in an elevator hoistway at a Highland Beach… — Department of Business and Professional Regulation — Elevator owners got a permanent exception to hoistway equipment rules at one Highland Beach property. Financial responsibility requirements for a trust fund agreement tied to the Loxahatchee… — Florida Department of Environmental Protection — Mitigation-bank operators got approval to use a nonstandard trust-fund agreement for the Loxahatchee bank in Palm Beach County. Opticianry apprenticeship reporting deadline after a sponsor relationship ends. — Department of Health — Optician apprentices got a deadline waiver for filing sponsor-report paperwork after an apprenticeship ended. Opticianry apprentice orientation course deadline and proof of completion. — Department of Health — Optician apprentices did not get a waiver for late orientation-course proof; deadlines still apply. Patient Safety Surveys — Rule 59A-35.115 · Agency for Health Care Administration Documents Incorporated by Reference — Rule 62-160.800 · Department of Environmental Protection
Coming Rule 61G7-7.001 · Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Disciplinary Guidelines; Range of Penalties
The board is developing changes to review and update the penalty ranges used for disciplinary actions against employee leasing companies. This is an early-stage rule development notice, and a workshop may be scheduled later if requested in writing and not deemed unnecessary.
Department of State
Index of Administrative Rules Filed with the Secretary of State
The notice lists rules filed in the Office of the Secretary of State between 3:00 p.m. on April 13, 2026, and 3:00 p.m. on April 17, 2026. It shows each rule number, file date, and effective date.
Department of State
List of Rules Awaiting Legislative Approval
The notice identifies rules that are awaiting legislative approval under Sections 120.541(3), 373.139(7), and/or 373.1391(6), Florida Statutes. It lists each rule number, file date, and indicates that the effective date is not yet set.
Department of Environmental Protection
Notice of Availability of Florida Categorical Exclusion Notice (FCEN) for Fort Myers
DEP states that the City of Fort Myers's proposed project for 12 new supply wells is not expected to generate controversy over potential environmental effects. The project has an estimated cost of $100,000,000, may qualify for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan, and DEP will accept public comments within 30 days of the notice.
Department of Environmental Protection
Notice of Availability of Florida Categorical Exclusion Notice (FCEN) for Palm Beach County
DEP states that Palm Beach County's proposed pilot study project to evaluate treatment options at Water Plant Numbers 2, 3, 8 and 9 for PFAS and other emerging contaminants is not expected to generate controversy over potential environmental effects. The project has an estimated cost of $10,000,000, may qualify for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan, and DEP will accept public comments within 30 days of the notice.
One question to sit with
If you manage a Florida cooperative, who on your team will own the new Division portal filing under Rule 61B-78.001 before May 11? If you work with schools or public-sector payroll, today's reporting and retirement form changes are worth a quick check.
*Back tomorrow morning with the next batch.*
FAR Daily Brief · April 20, 2026
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