Senate passes DOGE bill to target outdated rules at state agencies

TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 3/4/25-Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, speaks during the opening day of the 2025 Legislative Session, Tuesday at the Capitol in Tallahassee. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Senate President Ben Albritton said legislation that unanimously cleared the Senate floor Wednesday may seem boring, but it is perhaps one of the most significant bills of the 2025 Session.

“This may be like watching paint dry, but at the end of the day, it is one of the boldest moves and important moves that the Florida Legislature will propose to state government to produce accountability and transparency and better government,” Albritton said about the proposed administrative procedural changes.

Among the sweeping changes in SB 108 is a requirement that state agencies review 20% of their rules annually. The agency would then decide whether to keep the rule, make a technical change, significantly change it or repeal it. The Senate President and House Speaker would get notified about the agency’s plans in a report due by Jan. 1 every year.

“The new process outlined in this bill improves oversight and accountability for everyone involved, including the Legislature. It is our responsibility to make sure bills we pass are implemented properly, so we can make changes if needed,” said Sen. Erin Grall, the bill sponsor, in a statement after the vote.

“This bill creates a thorough, systematic review to determine if existing agency rules are functioning to appropriately implement the law, or if certain rules need to be updated, amended or repealed. All materials related to rule reviews, including any changes, will also be made available online in a timely manner and easy-to-read format, enhancing transparency and public engagement in the rulemaking process.”

Added Albritton in a statement, “One of the reasons DOGE efforts at the federal level have become so popular is that people have a problem with unelected federal bureaucrats having so much unchecked authority. Florida is not immune from that kind of scrutiny. Outdated and unnecessary rules can cause burdensome bureaucracy, hindering transparency for Floridians, and creating barriers for citizens and businesses struggling to comply.”

SB 108 would also require state agencies issuing licenses to track compliance with licensure time frames to ensure applicants receive appropriate, timely responses.