A surprising bill in the Florida House is drawing major attention from real estate professionals — and for good reason.
House Bill 1461 proposes eliminating the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), the very agency responsible for overseeing real estate agents, brokers, and real estate education across the state. If passed, the bill would dissolve FREC and shift oversight responsibilities directly to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), a more generalized agency that already handles licensing for dozens of other industries.
So, what’s the big deal?
FREC has long been a vital part of maintaining accountability, education standards, and consumer protections in Florida’s real estate industry. Without it, many worry the door will be opened to:
- Less accountability for agents and brokers
- Reduced professional standards
- Slower response to unethical or illegal behavior
- A possible decline in public trust and industry integrity
On paper, supporters of the bill say it’s about cutting red tape and making it easier to do business. But for those of us in the field every day, the real risk is losing the structure and safeguards that protect both professionals and the people we serve.
As someone who works directly with buyers and sellers across Southwest Florida, I believe in maintaining high standards — and in keeping our clients’ best interests front and center. Without proper oversight, everyone involved in a transaction could be left more vulnerable.
The bill is still in committee, but if passed, the changes could take effect as early as July 2025.
I’ll be keeping a close eye on this as it develops — and doing my part to advocate for transparency, professionalism, and protection in the marketplace.
Have questions or thoughts about this bill? I’d love to hear from you.
Miles Nixon