TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV\/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) – More than 100 bills await lawmakers as the 2026 legislative session approaches, with Senate leadership outlining key priorities they hope to advance after last year\u2019s stalled agenda.<\/p>\n
Senate President Ben Albritton said the Rural Renaissance bill will be among the first measures considered when the session begins in January. The legislation would provide significant state investments to rural communities and bring small towns into the 21st century.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo we\u2019re going to go back at it again,\u201d said Albritton, R-Bartow.<\/p>\n
The landmark bill was held up in the House during last year\u2019s session and became part of budget negotiations when neither chamber could reach agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve fought for agriculture since I\u2019ve been elected because it\u2019s who I am and it\u2019s what I hold dear outside of family and faith,\u201d Albritton said.<\/p>\n
Domestic violence and child welfare measures<\/p>\n
Senate Minority Leader Lori Berman is pushing for House consideration of her bill protecting domestic violence survivors. The measure would create a spoof number for survivors to call police instead of dialing 911.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe see in the domestic violence area that if your perpetrator knows you called 911, the violence escalates from zero to 100 immediately,\u201d said Berman, D-Boynton Beach.<\/p>\n
Berman is also advancing legislation requiring the Department of Children and Families to provide suitcases to children in their care.<\/p>\n
\u201cUsually those children unfortunately leave their home with a trash bag. All of their belongings are in a trash bag. It\u2019s just demoralizing. It\u2019s not the way we should be treating these kids,\u201d Berman said.<\/p>\n
Albritton said he wants the legislature to discuss rural Florida\u2019s needs annually, not just through single bills.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to see the legislature have a conversation about rural Florida and how rural Florida\u2019s doing every year. It\u2019d be great,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The 60-day legislative session begins Jan. 13.<\/p>\n
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