TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida House on Friday passed SB 7050 that includes an amendment exempting presidential candidates from Florida's so-called resign to run law. 

The state's resign to run law prohibits elected officials from qualifying as a candidate for another office that would overlap with their current term.

The proposal was added as an amendment to a broader Florida election law after a vote on the floor of the Senate Wednesday. 


What You Need To Know

  • Florida lawmakers voted 76-34 to change state law to allow Gov. DeSantis to run for president without leaving office

  • The resign to run law prohibits elected officials from qualifying as a candidate for another office that would overlap with their current term

  • The resign to run exemption was filed by a GOP ally of DeSantis as an amendment to a larger Republican election law package 

  • DeSantis is expected to announce his 2024 bid after the state's legislative session ends in early May

The legislative move was anticipated but its formal introduction marks one of the clearest signals yet that DeSantis plans to run. He is expected to announce after the state’s legislative session ends in early May.

The amendment allows "Any person seeking the office of President or Vice President of the United States is not subject to the requirements of chapter 99, Florida Statutes, which govern candidate qualifying, specifically those which require the submission of certain documents, full and public disclosures of financial interests, petition signatures, or the payment of filing fees. This section shall take effect upon this act becoming a law," according to the filing. 

Republicans, who control a supermajority in the statehouse, have largely focused on the governor’s conservative priorities during the current legislative session, approving bills that will likely form much of the governor’s platform when he launches his White House bid.

The resign to run exemption was filed by a GOP ally of DeSantis as an amendment to a larger Republican election law package. Republican leaders of the House and Senate have previously expressed their willingness to change the law.

DeSantis is currently overseas as part of an international trade mission to Japan, South Korea, Israel and the United Kingdom. The governor in recent months has also ramped up his travel to U.S. battleground states for speeches and meetings with Republicans.

There is precedent for changing the Florida law to help clear a path for potential candidates for higher office. In 2007, the Republican-controlled Legislature changed the law to prevent problems for then-Gov. Charlie Crist, who was being considered as a possible running mate for Republican John McCain in 2008. Crist later became a Democrat and challenged DeSantis for reelection last year.

Only a handful of states have similar resign to run laws.