Florida: emergency orders for hurricane response
The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation issued Emergency Orders 2026-01 and 2026-02 to temporarily waive or modify regulatory requirements that could impede hurricane response and recovery in 31 Florida counties affected by Hurricane Isaias. The orders provide regulatory relief across multiple professions and industries, including allowing certain contractors to perform roofing work and operate beyond geographic restrictions, extending license renewal and continuing education deadlines for specified licensees, and waiving selected licensing, relocation and inspection fees. Additional measures facilitate temporary food service operations, allow lodging establishments to accommodate displaced residents without certain penalties or licensing changes, waive specified elevator-related fees, extend reporting deadlines for alcoholic beverage and tobacco licensees, and suspend certain fees and certification requirements affecting veterinarians, mobile home communities, condominium directors and homeowners association directors. The orders also establish temporary exemptions related to mold remediation and clarify enforcement authority for certain alcohol and tobacco laws. These measures illustrate how regulators can use emergency orders to provide targeted regulatory flexibility, reduce administrative burdens and support continuity of essential services during disaster recovery.