Kylee Anzueto, Government Affairs Advisor, GrayRobinson - March 2026
Florida’s 2026 Regular Legislative Session opened with a strong emphasis on affordability as Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address. Framing the session around continuing Florida’s “free state” model, the Governor outlined a broad set of priorities that included property tax reform, immigration enforcement, insurance and housing relief, social services and investments in environmental protection and infrastructure. While much of the speech highlighted accomplishments from his terms in office, DeSantis renewed his call for significant property tax cuts and urged legislators to move quickly on his remaining legislative agenda.
Legislative leaders echoed the Governor’s focus on affordability while signaling early areas of tension. In their opening remarks, House Speaker Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton both provided their opening remarks by emphasized the rising cost of living for Floridians and the need to address taxes, insurance and economic growth. Perez reflected on last year’s difficult, extended session, encouraging members to turn the page and focus on governing. Albritton recommitted to a rural economic development initiative and suggested that sweeping property tax changes might be better addressed after session.
During the second and third week, discussions were dominated by debates over property taxes, government spending and the balance of power between state and local governments, alongside continued movement of other policy matters. The DeSantis administration escalated the property tax conversation with the release of a 98-page Department of Government Efficiency report criticizing spending by 13 cities and counties. The report argued that rising salaries and discretionary programs had fueled rapid budget growth amid increasing property tax revenues. Local officials pushed back, calling the report politically motivated; legislators have considered multiple property tax proposals, including HJR 213, which would slow growth under the Save Our Homes cap.
In week four, tensions came to a head midweek when budget negotiations stalled after the House and Senate failed to agree on releasing their respective chairman’s proposals. Senate leaders opted to delay the release of the 2026–2027 budget by one week to remain aligned with the House, canceling all Senate budget meetings until the following Thursday.
While leadership insisted that communication remained open and that no formal conflict existed, divisions persisted over budget timing and available revenue. Senate budget committees are now expected to begin reviewing the plan, with the full Appropriations Committee scheduled to take it up. If the chambers remain unable to coordinate on budget release, legislators could be headed toward a budget-focused special session in May or June. Prior to the week four budget update, Chair Hooper had continued to warn and inform legislators that they will likely need to agree on a budget that cuts spending levels by at least $1 billion from the current year’s plan and may need to cut up to $4 billion.
DeSantis announced in early January that legislators would return to Tallahassee after the regular session ends in March to consider a mid-decade redistricting. The Governor cited a pending U.S. Supreme Court case from Louisiana that could change how states are allowed to consider races when drawing congressional maps. Supporters of redrawing Florida’s lines argue the current districts rely on racial considerations to create minority-access districts. Albritton said the expected Supreme Court ruling should provide clearer guidance on how redistricting should be handled moving forward.
The DeSantis administration's 98-page report criticized spending by 13 cities and counties, accusing local governments of lacking budget discipline and allowing spending to grow rapidly due to rising property tax revenues. The report targets increase in salaries, mental health and homelessness programs, arts funding, overtime pay and what it describes as improper or unlawful spending on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as investments in electric vehicle programs, climate efforts, bike lanes and public art. It argues that personnel costs are a major driver of growth, noting that compensation in Florida’s 10 largest cities rose by $1 billion over four years, outpacing both population growth and inflation. The report recommends placing limits on municipal salaries, requiring public posting of salaries, reviewing whether some of Florida’s 411 cities should be consolidated or eliminated, banning local green energy mandates, expanding restrictions on DEI efforts and making permanent the state CFO’s authority to audit local government spending. Local officials, particularly in St. Petersburg, pushed back and argued the report is politically motivated and designed to justify property tax cuts that could reduce funding for essential services like police and fire.
HJR 203 proposes a phased elimination of non-school property taxes for homestead properties by increasing the exemption by $100,000 each year for ten years, with full exemption beginning in 2037. The bill also prohibits counties and municipalities from reducing law enforcement funding below recent funding levels. Supporters, alongside the sponsor, argued the proposal would make homeownership more affordable, forcing local governments to find efficiencies and prioritize public safety funding. Opponents raised significant concerns about long-term impacts on local government revenues, warning that the loss of a stable funding source could lead to service reductions, higher fees or cost shifts to renters, businesses and non-homesteaded property owners. Local governments, counties, labor groups, housing advocates, environmental representatives and faith-based organizations testified that the proposal lacks an implementation plan and could undermine core services, including fire protection, water management, housing programs and disaster response. Fire service organizations supported an amendment aimed at protecting first responder funding, though broader concerns remained. The bill passed the committee on a party-line vote, with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against it.
The House approved a measure (HB 197) that would require the use of the federal E-Verify system to ensure new hires are legally authorized to work. Sponsored by Republican Representatives Jacques and Michael, this legislation would extend to small employers with 25 or less employees. The bill passed on an 80-30 vote with two Republicans voting against it: Representative J.J. Grow and Representative Susan Plasencia. The bill has now been referred to rules in the Senate for further consideration.
Minimum Wage Requirements (HB 221), sponsored by Republican Representative Chamberlin, has passed its second committee and is awaiting its final committee stop. The highly debated measure creates an exemption from Florida’s state minimum wage requirements for employees participating in structured work-based learning programs who voluntarily choose to opt out. It allows employers to offer internship, pre-apprenticeship and on-the-job training opportunities to inexperienced workers in exchange for skill development and career training, with the goal of improving long-term earning potential. Under the bill, these programs are limited to a maximum of 252 days or two semesters, with shorter limits for
minors. Participants must still be paid at or above the federal minimum wage during the program and the state minimum wage once it ends. For workers under 18, a parent or guardian must also sign the opt-out waiver. During committee review, members questioned whether employees could legally waive their constitutional right to minimum wage, how the policy would be enforced and whether it could lead to worker exploitation. Supporters argued that the bill would expand training opportunities and accelerate career development, while opponents warned that it could conflict with constitutional protections and weaken wage standards. The bill advanced on a party-line vote, with Republicans in favor and Democrats in opposition.
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, detailed summaries of state and local hearings and tailored government affairs updates and reports. Anzueto works diligently to strengthen relationships with
elected officials across the state and represents GrayRobinson at key board meetings. She also delivers educational briefings to select groups, including college students pursuing careers in the legislative field.