Kylee Anzueto, Government Affairs Advisor, GrayRobinson - May 2026
The 2026 Legislative Session concluded with lawmakers passing a number of major policy bills but leaving the state budget unfinished. For the second year in a row, the Legislature adjourned at the end of the 60-day session without completing its only constitutionally required task. The House and Senate spending plans remain $1.4 billion apart, with the House proposing a $113.6 billion budget and the Senate proposing $115 billion for the upcoming fiscal year.
Negotiations over the budget will continue in the coming weeks as legislative leaders work to agree on overall spending allocations before formal conference negotiations can begin. Lawmakers returned to Tallahassee in mid-April for a special session on redistricting. Some hope this time together served to jump-start the timing of a special session on the budget.
Several additional issues are also expected to be addressed when legislators return. Senate President Ben Albritton indicated that lawmakers plan to consider placing a property tax relief amendment on the 2026 general election ballot. In the meantime, dozens of bills approved during the final days of session will be sent to Governor Ron DeSantis for approval or veto.
While most legislators returned home, House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton say negotiations on allocations will continue as leaders work to close the gap between the two proposals. Both leaders expressed confidence that a final agreement can be reached before the July 1 start of the 2026-2027 fiscal year. Lawmakers are expected to return to Tallahassee later this spring or summer, to complete the budget through a special session. The budget delay comes amid lingering tensions among legislative leaders and the Governor following last year’s disputes over tax cuts, which pushed the 2025 session past 100 days.
The House and Senate budgets remain far apart on major issues. They differ by about $300 million in K‑12 funding and on whether to include $4.5 billion in private school scholarships in the public school formula. The Senate supports a three percent across‑the‑board raise for state employees, while the House prefers targeted raises and health plan changes to address a $362 million shortfall. Environmental funding also splits: the Senate puts $35 million into Florida Forever, while the House provides none and instead allocates $300 million to Rural and Family Lands. The chambers diverge on disaster‑response reserves and immigration
enforcement funding, with the Senate at $250 million and the House at $100 million. Housing and economic development show further gaps, with the Senate offering more than $510 million for affordable housing and $50 million for the Job Growth Grant Fund, which the House does not fund. The biggest difference is citrus
research: $204.5 million in the Senate plan versus $4 million in the House.
The House passed SB 7040 to reinstate the Governorcontrolled Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund but sent it back to the Senate as negotiations continue. Democrats objected to the bill’s limited oversight, citing $573 million previously spent on immigration enforcement, but their amendments failed. A strike‑all amendment added reporting requirements, spending restrictions and a 2030 sunset. Funding remains unresolved: the Governor wants $500 million, the Senate proposes $250 million and the House $100 million. Created in 2022, the fund has been used under a standing immigration‑related emergency order, including for two detention centers.
Huge Win for DeSantis Union Bill
The House approved SB 1296 and sent it to Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it. The bill raises the thresholds public‑sector unions (excluding police and other first responders) must meet to stay certified, requiring at least 50 percent of members to vote in recertification elections and at least 50 percent of those voting to approve. Supporters say the measure targets unions that no longer represent their members well, while opponents argue it is aimed at weakening teachers’ unions that have opposed Republican policies. The Florida Education Association criticized the bill as harmful to workers, while Democratic leaders said it suppresses employee voices.
Moving Commercial Policies Out of Citizens
The House approved SB 1028 by a vote of 88-19, following a 33-1 Senate vote. The bill aims to move more commercial property insurance policies out of Citizens and into the private market by expanding the state’s clearinghouse system and tightening rules that steer policyholders to private insurers when comparable
coverage is available. Citizens would be barred from issuing new commercial policies if a surplus-lines insurer offers similar coverage within 15 percent of Citizens’ price. Supporters say roughly 3,000 policies, about $25 billion in exposure, could shift to the private market. Critics warned about pushing customers into the less‑regulated surplus‑lines sector but backers note the bill requires coverage to be “equal or better” and remains under state oversight. If signed, the law would take effect immediately, with Citizens required to set up new commercial clearinghouses within 90 days.
Immunity Caps Head to DeSantis
The House and Senate reached a compromise on HB 145, approving an increase to Florida’s sovereign immunity limits after years of debate. The bill raises the payout cap for negligence claims against government entities from $200,000 to $350,000 per person and from $300,000 to $500,000 per incident. It also shortens the window to file claims from three years to 18 months. Representative Fiona McFarland, who has long pushed for higher limits, said the change will help victims who currently must seek individual claim bills to collect awards above the cap. The proposal was one of the session’s most heavily lobbied issues.
Electronic Payments Accepted at Local Governments
The Legislature approved HB 967, requiring counties, municipalities and other local entities to accept electronic payments, including credit cards, debit cards and electronic transfers, for taxes, fees, fines and other obligations. Local governments may add a surcharge to cover processing costs. The Senate unanimously accepted the House version. If signed, the requirements take effect January 1, 2027.
Banning Local DEI Programs
The House voted 77-37 to give final approval to SB 1134, sending the local government DEI ban to Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill prohibits cities and counties from creating or maintaining DEI programs and voids existing ones on January 1. It bans preferential treatment, special benefits and diversity training tied to protected characteristics but still permits cultural observances and equal‑opportunity initiatives. Five Republicans joined Democrats in opposition. Democrats argued the bill is vague and could disadvantage smaller or less‑connected contractors but sponsor Representative Dean Black said it simply ensures hiring and contracting are based on merit. All ten Democratic amendments failed.
Data Center Info Restrictions
Lawmakers voted to advance SB 484, a bill that aims to balance community protections with keeping Florida attractive to large tech companies. It still requires data centers to pay the full cost of their electricity service rather than shifting costs to other utility customers and it directs water managers to deny permits for large facilities if the proposed water use would harm local resources or violate zoning rules. The House also added an amendment allowing local officials to sign nondisclosure agreements with data‑center developers.
Senate District 14
Democrat Brian Nathan defeated Republican Josie Tomkow in a special election for Senate District 14; a seat vacated by Republican Jay Collins after he was appointed Lieutenant Governor. Nathan, a Navy veteran, union organizer and first-time candidate, narrowly edged out Tomkow by just over 400 votes in a razorthin race. The result was particularly striking given the district’s strong Republican advantage: GOP voters significantly outnumber Democrats and Tomkow held a commanding lead over Nathan in fundraising. Collins had won the district by 10 points in 2022 and Donald Trump carried it by more than 7 points in 2024, making the Democratic flip especially notable. After the loss, Tomkow announced that she is running again for the seat in the general election scheduled for November.
House District 87
Democrat Emily Gregory flipped House District 87, defeating Trump-endorsed Republican Jon Maples in a closely watched special election. Maples had been widely favored heading into the race, making Gregory’s victory a notable upset. The result is especially striking because the district includes Mar-a-Lago, the home of President Donald Trump, meaning the property is now represented by a Democrat in the state legislature. The seat was previously held by Republican Mike Caruso, who vacated it after being appointed Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller. Caruso had won reelection to the seat by 19 points in 2024, while Trump carried the district by about 9 points that same year. Maples has already filed to run again in the general election scheduled for November.
Kylee Anzueto, GrayRobinson, is a Government Affairs Advisor specializing in policy and appropriations at both the Florida Capitol and local levels. Based in Orlando, she offers clients strategic insights, summaries of state and local hearings and tailored government affairs updates and reports. Kylee works diligently to strengthen relationships with elected officials across the state and represents GrayRobinson at key board meetings.