The 2026 Florida legislative session is over.<\/p>\n
But lawmakers still have yet to fulfill their only constitutional responsibility: passing a budget.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton say lawmakers will return for a budget-focused special session in mid-April.<\/p>\n
There\u2019s already a special session <\/a>for potential redistricting set for late April. And lawmakers, who maintain they want to put a measure on the November ballot reducing the property tax, didn\u2019t figure out a proposal by the end of session. That\u2019s also expected to be figured out in a special session.<\/p>\n A property tax plan isn’t the only legislative priority that didn\u2019t cross the finish line by Friday.<\/p>\n Niceville Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, a former Senate president, said the session went out with a \u201cwhimper.\u201d But Albritton defended the process up to this point. <\/p>\n “Now we can really focus in on the budget,” he said, noting there’s “still plenty of time.”<\/p>\n The budget must be done by July 1 or the state enters into a partial government shutdown.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Democrats are blasting the Republicans in charge: “This was too much talk and too little action,” said Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a summary of some of the big bills that either failed or made it and are headed to DeSantis\u2019 desk:<\/p>\n What passed<\/p>\n The Florida Legislature approved a bill prohibiting Florida cities and counties from funding, carrying out or even promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.<\/p>\n Local officials who violate the measure, SB 1134<\/a>, could be removed from office, and local governments could face litigation from residents.<\/p>\n Republicans in support said taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund DEI programs and argued they weaken equal opportunity.<\/p>\n Democrats said the bill is overly broad and potentially unconstitutional, warning it could hurt tourism and business profits tied to diversity-related events and undermine efforts to address social disparities.<\/p>\n Florida lawmakers also approved this year\u2019s so-called \u201cFlorida Farm Bill,\u201d which includes the state agriculture department\u2019s priorities.<\/p>\n The sweeping legislation, SB 290<\/a>, includes parts that bar local governments from restricting gasoline-powered lawn equipment and limits door-to-door commercial solicitation \u2014 sellers face penalties if they approach despite a \u201cno commercial solicitation\u201d sign.<\/p>\n It also allows certain conservation lands to be surplussed for agricultural use while requiring protections supporters say will limit development \u2014 though some environmentalists<\/a> still worry about conservation land loss and potential agricultural environmental impacts \u2014 and a veterinarian loan repayment program.<\/p>\n It didn\u2019t include a controversial provision that would\u2019ve broadened Florida\u2019s food disparagement law, often called a \u201cveggie-libel\u201d law.<\/p>\n Supporters said that would\u2019ve protected farmers against false and malicious claims that harm their businesses. But opponents worried big agricultural businesses could use it to take critics to court and chill speech.<\/p>\n Another passed bill, SB 484<\/a>, involves data centers, which are buildings with a lot of computers that store and process data for the internet and services like artificial intelligence.<\/p>\n The bill is aimed at ensuring residents don\u2019t pay more for utilities because of the centers, which use a large amount of resources. But late in the legislative process, lawmakers dropped a provision that would have restricted nondisclosure agreements between governments and data center companies.<\/p>\n Florida lawmakers also approved a bill, HB 1471<\/a>, creating a state process to designate certain groups as domestic terrorist organizations.<\/p>\n Supporters say it\u2019s about public safety, but critics accuse the bill of being unconstitutional and worry it\u2019ll be used against groups the state disagrees with.<\/p>\n The bill would permit Florida\u2019s chief of domestic security to recommend that a group be designated a domestic terrorist organization. That role is filled by someone appointed by the governor or a designee.<\/p>\n The recommendation would then need approval from the Florida Cabinet and could be challenged.<\/p>\n If the designation is upheld, there are consequences.<\/p>\n Groups could lose access to public funding and face limits on activities connected to public colleges and universities.<\/p>\n Students at public colleges or universities could be expelled for \u201cpromoting\u201d such organizations, and people who \u201cknowingly provide material support\u201d could face potential criminal liability.<\/p>\n Governor\u2019s emergency fund<\/p>\n Florida lawmakers agreed to renew the governor\u2019s emergency spending fund \u2014 but with guardrails.<\/p>\n The legislation, SB 7040<\/a>, would give legislative leaders more oversight and objection power over spending.<\/p>\n The governor\u2019s administration would also have to send quarterly reports about spending to legislative leaders. That money couldn\u2019t be used for aircraft, boats or motor vehicles \u2014 though the short-term lease of them would be allowable.<\/p>\n Gov. Ron DeSantis spent billions of dollars from the fund over several years. Hundreds of millions of dollars have gone toward immigration enforcement, like the so-called Alligator Alcatraz detention center<\/a>.<\/p>\n Public union representatives warn one passed bill, SB 1296<\/a>, would undermine their organizations.<\/p>\n It requires such unions to have stronger support to stay certified. Votes would still need majority support, but at least half of the employees represented by the union would also have to participate in elections.<\/p>\n Opponents say it\u2019s an attempt to kill unions, especially teachers unions.<\/p>\n Another part of the legislation would limit when public employees can be paid while performing union activities, including advocacy and lobbying.<\/p>\n Those new rules don\u2019t apply to public safety workers like police, which created even more debate through the legislative process.<\/p>\n Head coach student spending\u00a0<\/p>\n Another bill, SB 178<\/a>, allows high school head coaches to use up to $15,000 annually of their own money to help players pay for things like food, transportation, physical therapy and rehabilitation services. This is limited to one purchase or benefit per student-athlete.<\/p>\n It\u2019s called the “Bridgewater Act<\/a>,\u201d named after an NFL quarterback who was suspended from a high school coaching position after paying for things like student meals, rides and physical therapy.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not the only bill that passed affecting Florida coaches. Different legislation, SB 538<\/a>, allows booster clubs to give them additional compensation not exceeding the highest-paid administrator of the district.<\/p>\n While some worried about the school districts that wouldn\u2019t be able to raise as much money as bigger, wealthier ones, bill sponsor Rep. Adam Anderson, R-Palm Harbor, said the few-thousand-dollar stipend coaches currently get isn\u2019t enough for how many hours they spend with students \u2014 which he said is evidenced by Florida coaches leaving for higher paying jobs in Georgia.<\/p>\n This also applies to the advisors of other extracurricular activities like school debate teams and theater productions.<\/p>\n Nitrous oxide restrictions<\/p>\n Another bill<\/a> heading Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 way bans nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, from smoke shops and gas stations.<\/p>\n The legislation, SB 432<\/a>, is known as \u201cMeg\u2019s Law,\u201d named after<\/a> a woman who died outside of an Orlando smoke shop due to nitrous oxide use.<\/p>\n Selling nitrous oxide so people can get high is a crime. But it’s commonly sold by such establishments in brightly colored canisters with catchy names and flavors ranging from blue raspberry to cotton candy.<\/p>\n Lawmakers passed legislation, HB 991<\/a>, that would change how voters prove their U.S. citizenship in order to vote.<\/p>\n Starting next year, the bill would require the state to verify voters\u2019 U.S. citizenship using driver\u2019s licenses and in some cases other government records like birth certificates and passports.<\/p>\n Another section would eliminate student and retirement home IDs as acceptable forms of identification at polling places.<\/p>\n Democrats worry the measure will disenfranchise those who don\u2019t possess or have easy access to such identification. They also worry about the effects of name and address changes.<\/p>\n Republicans say it\u2019s needed to strengthen election integrity. Federal and state law already prohibit noncitizens from voting.<\/p>\n Another provision, taking effect upon Gov. Ron DeSantis\u2019 signature, creates an expedited court process for candidates or political parties to challenge another candidate’s qualifications for running.<\/p>\n Cursive requirements, presidential portraits in schools<\/p>\n Another passed measure, SB 182<\/a>, requires every public school to place portraits of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in a \u201cconspicuous place.\u201d<\/p>\n It also mandates public elementary school cursive instruction starting in the third grade. Students must \u201cdemonstrate proficiency\u201d by the end of fifth grade.<\/p>\n While Florida already includes some cursive instruction starting in the third grade, it’s not set in state law \u2014 and the state doesn\u2019t require any test for it. Supporters say current standards don\u2019t go far enough.<\/p>\n The Legislature also passed a sweeping school safety package, HB 757<\/a>.<\/p>\n Part of it allows public colleges and universities to appoint trained faculty and employees to carry firearms for protection purposes. Sheriff’s departments would have to help institutions that choose to participate in setting up their \u201cguardian\u201d programs and provide training.<\/p>\n Guardian programs already exist in public K-12 schools.<\/p>\n Public colleges and universities would also have to create plans for active assailant response and family reunification following an emergency.<\/p>\n The measure also mandates faculty training to help detect and respond to mental health issues and requires annual security risk assessments.<\/p>\n Those and other safety provisions in the bill come following last year\u2019s deadly shooting <\/a>at Florida State University.<\/p>\n What failed<\/p>\n Legislation, SB 356<\/a>\/HB 101<\/a>, that would have made side-by-side utility terrain vehicles legal on some public roads stalled out this session.<\/p>\n The bill would have applied to two-lane county roads and two-lane municipal streets with posted speed limits under 55 miles per hour. They could be driven at all hours by someone with a license.<\/p>\n It was postponed in the Senate committee process due to safety concerns.<\/p>\n For multiple years, the House has passed a bill, HB 133<\/a>, lowering the age to buy rifles to 18 years old, but the Senate has rejected it.<\/p>\n Lawmakers raised the age from 18 to 21 years old following the 2018 massacre at Parkland’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.<\/p>\n Florida law currently only requires companies with 25 or more employees use E-Verify, a federal online platform that employers use to check worker eligibility.<\/p>\n House lawmakers passed legislation, HB 197<\/a>, that would\u2019ve expanded that to all businesses.<\/p>\n Like last year, the measure died in the Senate.<\/p>\n The House OK\u2019d a measure, HB 289<\/a>, allowing parents to file wrongful death lawsuits over the loss of a fetus.<\/p>\n The bill said wrongful death actions can’t be brought against a mother. It also says the same for medical providers for \u201clawful medical care provided in compliance with the applicable standard of care,\u201d including related to \u201cassisted reproductive technologies.\u201d<\/p>\n But concerns including excessive litigation dogged the bill, especially on the Senate side. Similar legislation has failed in the past.<\/p>\n Democrats viewed it as an extension of debates over abortion.<\/p>\n One of Senate President Ben Albritton\u2019s big priorities during his two-year term in the leadership position has been his \u201cRural Renaissance\u201d package,<\/a> which would provide funding and support to rural counties.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been one of the chess pieces in the negotiations between the chambers the last two sessions \u2014 and one the House has twice now swept off the board.<\/p>\n It included a couple hundred million dollars for things like roads, affordable housing and boosting health care.<\/p>\n But there\u2019s still a chance some of its funding components end up in the yet-to-be-complete budget.<\/p>\n The Florida Senate passed an overhaul of the state\u2019s school voucher system that the House never picked up.<\/p>\n Conservative lawmakers have dramatically expanded that system in recent years, diverting billions<\/a> of public education dollars annually to students\u2019 private schooling and homeschooling.<\/p>\n A state audit<\/a> from last school year saw a \u201cmyriad of accountability challenges that left a statewide funding shortfall and a system where funding did not follow the child.\u201d<\/p>\n The sprawling measure, nearly 150 pages<\/a> in all, addressed what senators said are multiple weaknesses in the system, including stricter student tracking standards and annual audits of voucher programs.<\/p>\n Technically, some changes could be made in the budget, though lawmakers are usually averse. Bill Sponsor Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, told the Florida Phoenix \u201cthat\u2019s all up to the speaker or the president,\u201d referring to House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton.<\/p>\n The Florida House passed legislation<\/a> that would\u2019ve been aimed at reforming how homeowners associations work in Florida.<\/p>\n The bill, HB 657,<\/a> would\u2019ve created a process for homeowners to dissolve an association and allowed circuit courts to set up \u201ccommunity association court programs\u201d to settle disputes.<\/p>\n It also would\u2019ve increased transparency requirements and penalties for board members who break rules.<\/p>\n Much of the bill would have also applied to condo associations.<\/p>\n Community association advocates have emphasized <\/a>they provide important services to homeowners. Bill supporters said the associations have too much power and that some have abused it.<\/p>\n Democrats\u2019 affordability agenda<\/p>\n