(The Center Square) – Some candidates for Florida governor and lieutenant governor would receive taxpayer-funded protection under legislation that advanced on Tuesday.
House Bill 401 directs the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to provide security detail for nominees of major political parties immediately after primary election results are certified. The bill cleared the House Budget Committee and is ready for a vote by the full chamber.
The initial costs of expanding security protections might be absorbed within the department’s current budget, according to a legislative analysis of the bill. The department received an additional $4.9 million in recurring funds in Fiscal Year 2023-2024 along with 38 full-time equivalent positions meant to address workload and operational costs associated with protective services. The department also receives $1.2 million in recurring base funding for new vehicles.
But the measure could end up costing more due to increased workload and operational costs. Anticipated expenses include overtime, equipment and vehicles associated with the department’s eight existing special agent positions.
The agency can request additional non-recurring funding every four years, according to the bill analysis.
An earlier version of the bill included cabinet officers among the political candidates who would receive a security detail, such as the attorney general and agriculture commissioner, but that was scrapped in the most recent version.
Rep. Kevin Chambliss, a Democrat from Homestead who voted for the bill, said he would favor giving the state’s law enforcement agency the option to provide security for some third-party candidates if a credible threat was made.
Rep. Tyler Sirois, a Merritt Island Republican and one of the bill sponsors, had agreed but said he wanted to be mindful of the price tag.
“I felt it was appropriate to limit it to (major party candidates),” he said. “I always want to be careful with taxpayer resources and understanding that (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) security does come at a cost. I want to be sensitive to that and realistic.”
Security costs for politicians and political candidates vary. Florida taxpayers spent $9.4 million on security for Gov. Ron DeSantis and his family during the 2022-23 fiscal year, according to the department.
More states have been eyeing protection for candidates after high-profile political violence in 2025. Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in their home last June. Political activist and Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk was fatally shot during an event in September.
Arizona, where Turning Point USA is headquartered, is considering a bill that would allow political candidates to use campaign funds for security expenses.
Ohio has proposed legislation that would send $10 million to the State Highway Patrol to provide security for candidates for governor and lieutenant governor.
