Florida Legal Updates for 2025: What Businesses Need to Know Now

Author: Yoel Molina, Esq., Owner and Operator of the Law Office of Yoel Molina, P.A.

08 November 2025

Florida Legal Updates for 2025: What Businesses Need to Know Now

As Florida's legal landscape evolves in 2025, businesses, entrepreneurs, landlords, and employers must stay ahead of sweeping changes that affect operations, contracts, compliance, and costs. From employment restrictions and tax repeals to data center regulations and firearms policy, Florida has introduced critical legislative and judicial shifts that demand attention. Below is a comprehensive, SEO-optimized summary of the most important Florida law updates business owners need to know.

1. Florida's CHOICE Act: New Non-Compete Law

Effective July 1, 2025, the CHOICE Act (Contracts Honoring Opportunity, Investment, Confidentiality, and Economic Growth Act) introduces a new regime for enforcing non-compete and garden leave agreements. Key takeaways:

Applies only to "covered" employees earning over twice the county's average wage.
Allows non-compete agreements for up to four years.
Requires strict procedural steps, including 7-day review and right-to-counsel notice.
Provides stronger enforcement tools for employers, including presumptive injunctions.

Businesses should review all employment contracts and ensure compliance with CHOICE or revert to the previous Fla. Stat. 542.335 framework.

2. Repeal of Florida's Commercial Lease Tax

Effective October 1, 2025, Florida will eliminate its unique business rent tax, repealing Section 212.031. This means:

No sales tax on commercial real property leases starting October 1, 2025.
Businesses will see reduced occupancy costs.
Landlords must update lease templates and billing systems to reflect the change.
Short-term residential rentals and other taxable property uses remain unaffected.

This repeal enhances Florida's attractiveness to out-of-state businesses and commercial tenants.

3. Florida's Open Carry Law: Business Implications

Following a September 2025 appellate decision striking down the state ban on open carry, Florida now permits lawful firearm owners to carry weapons openly in public, with exceptions.

Businesses retain the right to ban firearms on private property.
Employers cannot prohibit employees from storing firearms in locked vehicles.
Businesses should implement clear firearms policies and post visible signage.
Staff should be trained in how to handle open carry encounters.

This shift raises safety, liability, and customer relations considerations for employers and public-facing businesses.

4. Florida's New Data Center Law: Tax Exemption Reform

Florida has restructured its data center tax incentives:

The critical IT load threshold for sales tax exemption has increased to 100 megawatts.
Electricity and infrastructure purchases may no longer be tax-free for smaller facilities.
Five-year reviews will determine continued eligibility.
Tenants, vendors, and developers must reassess cost projections and contract terms.

The law affects everything from lease terms to financing and operational budgets for data centers statewide.

Conclusion: Strategic Planning Is Essential

In 2025, Florida businesses face a transformative year with several high-impact legal changes. From new employment restrictions under the CHOICE Act to tax relief on commercial leases, and from firearms policy to data center regulation, proactive legal compliance and contract updates are vital.

To ensure your business is aligned with these changes and protected from legal or financial exposure, contact Attorney Yoel Molina today.

For legal help with employment law, commercial leases, business compliance, or Florida tax and regulatory matters, contact Attorney Yoel Molina at admin@molawoffice.com, call (305) 548-5020 (Option 1), or message via WhatsApp at (305) 349-3637.