Florida lawmakers are moving forward with regulatory frameworks that would allow gold and silver coins to function as legal tender starting in July, the next step in implementing legislation signed last year by Governor Ron DeSantis.
The legislature is reviewing rule ratification bills in early February 2026, including measures that would formalize regulations from the Department of Financial Services and Office of Financial Regulation. The rules establish requirements for custodians, security standards, insurance protocols, and electronic payment systems for precious metal transactions.
House Bill 999, which DeSantis signed on May 27, 2025, recognizes gold coins of at least 99.5% purity and silver coins of at least 99.9% purity as legal tender for debts incurred after July 1, 2026. The law also eliminates state sales tax on qualifying precious metal purchases.
“We’ve really led the way on protecting your economic independence and your financial sovereignty,” DeSantis said at the May signing ceremony in Apopka.
The law passed unanimously in both chambers—113-0 in the House and 38-0 in the Senate—but includes a safeguard requiring legislative ratification before taking effect. State financial regulators submitted their implementing rules and recommendations to the legislature by the November 1, 2025 deadline.
Participation remains voluntary for businesses and individuals. No one can be compelled to accept or tender payment in gold or silver unless agreed to by contract. Government entities choosing to accept precious metals must do so electronically and contract with qualified custodians.
The law takes effect July 1, 2026 only if lawmakers ratify the regulatory framework during the current legislative session.
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