Florida’s real estate sector is facing a pivotal moment as lawmakers consider a sweeping proposal to eliminate the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), a regulatory body that has governed the state’s real estate industry for nearly a century. House Bill 1461, introduced by Republican Rep. Taylor Yarkosky, seeks to dismantle FREC as part of a broader effort to scale back professional licensing oversight. The bill has sparked strong backlash from real estate professionals, trade organizations, and consumer advocates who warn the move could have far-reaching consequences for one of Florida’s most vital economic sectors.
A Century of Oversight Under Threat
FREC, established in 1925, is responsible for licensing and regulating more than 320,000 real estate professionals across Florida. The commission plays a critical role in enforcing industry standards, adjudicating complaints, and upholding ethical conduct in property transactions. Its proposed abolition would effectively transfer regulatory responsibilities to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which critics argue lacks the focus and infrastructure to adequately replace FREC’s specialized oversight.
Proponents of HB 1461 claim the bill is part of a broader initiative to reduce government bureaucracy. The legislation also targets other professional licensing boards, including those overseeing architects and contractors. Yarkosky has framed the bill as a way to “streamline state operations,” though the real estate industry sees it as a blunt instrument that could destabilize a well-regulated market.
Industry Groups Raise Alarm
Florida Realtors, the state’s largest real estate trade association, has emerged as one of the most vocal opponents of the bill. CEO Margy Grant testified before lawmakers, stating that dissolving FREC would “have a significant negative impact on both consumer protection and Florida’s real estate industry.”
Jason Haber, co-founder of the American Real Estate Association, expressed similar concerns. “It’s like removing the referee from the game,” he said. “You need someone to ensure fairness, ethics, and professionalism.”
The consensus among industry leaders is that dismantling FREC would not only lower standards but also erode public trust in real estate professionals. They argue that such a shift would leave consumers more vulnerable to fraud and misconduct, with fewer mechanisms for accountability or recourse.
What Happens Without FREC?
Without FREC, the oversight of real estate agents and brokers would fall solely under DBPR, an agency already responsible for regulating dozens of other professions. This consolidation raises concerns about whether real estate will continue receiving the attention and discipline necessary to maintain professional integrity.
FREC’s current structure—a seven-member board appointed by the governor—allows for a high degree of specialization and responsiveness to real estate-specific issues. Critics of the bill point out that removing this layer of governance could delay disciplinary proceedings and dilute the expertise needed to address complex transaction disputes.
Moreover, there are fears that removing a dedicated regulatory body could lead to inconsistent enforcement of existing laws, particularly as Florida continues to experience rapid population and housing growth.
Consumer Protection at the Forefront
Opponents of the bill are emphasizing consumer protection as the core issue at stake. Tim Weisheyer, 2025 President of Florida Realtors, warned that the bill jeopardizes the safety of homebuyers and sellers alike. “We’re talking about the largest financial investment that families and individuals make in their lives—their homes,” he said. “Removing FREC is too big a risk to take.”
Weisheyer and others argue that FREC is essential to ensuring transparency and accountability in the real estate transaction process. In an industry where hundreds of thousands of professionals operate independently, a dedicated oversight body is viewed as a necessary safeguard.
Legislative Outlook
House Bill 1461 has passed through two House committees and awaits one final committee hearing before potentially heading to the floor for a vote. A companion bill has not yet been introduced in the Senate, and Governor Ron DeSantis has not signaled whether he supports the measure.
As debate intensifies, lobbying efforts from real estate associations have ramped up. Florida Realtors has mobilized its statewide network to urge lawmakers to oppose the bill, emphasizing the risks to consumers and the industry’s economic stability.
With Florida’s real estate sector contributing billions annually to the state’s GDP, many see the proposed deregulation as a political overreach with limited practical benefit. “This isn’t about cutting red tape,” said one lobbyist involved in the effort. “It’s about gutting a system that works.”
The fight over FREC’s future is shaping up to be a test case for how far Florida’s deregulatory ambitions can go without compromising consumer confidence and professional standards. While legislative supporters frame the move as modernization, industry voices warn it risks unraveling decades of progress.
Should the bill pass, Florida would become one of the few large states without an independent real estate commission—a change that would likely reverberate through licensing, compliance, and enforcement systems for years to come.
Sources: The Real Deal, Inman, Florida Realtors, Newsweek, WRE News
