Kylee Anzueto, Government Affairs Advisor, GrayRobinson - April 2026
As the legislative session enters its final stretch, lawmakers are facing mounting pressure to resolve major policy and budget questions before the deadline.
Budget negotiations remain unsettled, with the House and Senate still divided over spending levels and tax policy changes that could have significant implications for businesses and state revenue.
The session's closing week has also brought increasingly intense debate in both chambers. Several controversial proposals have sparked lengthy discussions on the House and Senate floors, with lawmakers spending hours debating policy changes related to education, local government authority, labor organizations and public safety. These extended debates reflect the high stakes surrounding many of the measures still moving through the process.
At the same time, multiple bills are approaching their final stages. Proposals affecting higher education enrollment policies, public-sector liability limits and housing development rules are advancing through the final legislative steps, while other measures – particularly in health care and emerging technology – are facing significant political hurdles that could determine whether they pass this year.
The final week will be defined by floor debates, last-minute negotiations and strategic decisions about which proposals ultimately make it across the finish line.
Florida Chamber Warns Lawmakers Against Tax Code “Decoupling”
Lawmakers are moving to decouple Florida’s corporate tax code from Trump’s federal tax cuts, despite objections from the Florida Chamber of Commerce. Business groups argue the move would strip companies of major federal benefits and create extra bookkeeping burdens but legislative leaders say the state can’t risk losing $1.5 – $3.5 billion in revenue. The
decoupling language is included in both chambers’ tax packages, alongside the House’s $251 million in proposed tax breaks such as a firearm‑accessory exemption, a long hunting/fishing/camping holiday, a propane‑tank fix and shifting the back‑to‑school holiday to July 20 – August 20.
Lawmakers are heading into the final week of session with no budget deal and no formal conferencing underway, raising real doubts about finishing by March 13. House Speaker Daniel Perez says negotiations have stalled, citing a “fundamental disagreement” over spending levels: the House wants to spend less, while the Senate wants to spend more. The chambers’ plans are about $1.4 billion apart ($113.6B House vs. $115B Senate) and key allocations in education, health care and criminal justice remain unresolved.
A budget agreement must be reached by March 10 to meet the 72‑hour cooling‑off period required for an on‑time adjournment. No decision has been made about extending session or calling a later special session, though lawmakers are already scheduled to return the week of April 20 for congressional redistricting. Last year’s session stretched past 100 days
due to a similar impasse and the 2026–2027 fiscal year begins July 1.
Senate Narrowly Advances Public Union Vote Bill
Legislation to tighten public‑sector union certification rules is heading to the Senate floor after SB 1296 passed the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on a 10 to 8 vote. The bill would make it harder for teachers and other non‑public‑safety unions to organize or stay certified; while police, fire and corrections unions are exempt. An amendment softened the original proposal: unions would now need 25 percent turnout and 60 percent support in certain units rather than a majority of all eligible employees.
Supporters say too few members participate in union votes; opponents argue the bill unfairly targets teachers and divides workers. Two Republicans joined Democrats in voting no and even supporters acknowledged the bill still needs work. A House companion, HB 995, is awaiting floor action.
Teacher Mentor Program Advances to Senate Floor
Legislation to create a new teacher training and mentorship program for struggling public and charter schools is heading to the full Senate after SB 182 won unanimous approval in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee. The bill, by Sen. Shevrin Jones, would place experienced or retired teachers in D‑ and F‑rated schools to mentor newer educators. The House companion, HB 157, has stalled after its final committee postponed consideration but the House could still take up the Senate bill or fold its language into another measure as session negotiations continue.
Measure to Cap Out-of-State Student Enrollment Passes House
The House passed HB 1279 on an 84 to 25 vote, advancing a broad higher‑education measure centered on capping out‑of‑state enrollment at Florida’s most selective public universities. The bill would limit first‑year out‑of‑state students to 5 percent at UF, FSU, FIU, UCF and USF – reserving 95 percent of seats for Florida residents based on a three‑year average
and would also restrict international student enrollment and require U.S. citizenship or lawful residency to receive state financial aid. Supporters frame the bill as prioritizing Florida students, though the cap is expected to cost affected universities about $34 million annually. Institutions that violate the cap would lose preeminent university funding beginning in 2030. The measure also allows colleges and universities to seek accreditation beyond traditional regional accreditors and prohibits graduation requirements that include coursework deemed to distort historical events or promote identity‑based theories. HB 1279 now heads to the Senate for consideration.
Student Special Services Plan Bill Passes House
The House unanimously passed HB 615, which requires schools to provide timely evaluations, notifications and orientations for students who qualify for or receive individual education programs. Sponsor Rep. Debra Tendrich said federal timelines aren’t being enforced consistently, leaving families frustrated. The bill applies to public and charter schools, not private schools and was shaped by parent and student testimony. Its Senate companion has not been heard in any of its committees.
Bill Seeks to Boost School Debate
The Senate unanimously passed SB 1062, a bill to strengthen school speech and debate programs and create a Florida Speech and Debate Hall of Fame. Sponsor Sen. Jason Brodeur said debate is a key civic skill. The measure now heads to the House.
Campus Political Activity Bill Passes House, Travels to Senate
The House passed HB 725 on an 81 to 30 party‑line vote, sending a bill to the Senate that would regulate political activity on public college and university campuses. Sponsor Rep. Peggy Gossett‑Seidman said the goal is to ensure students and employees are informed about existing state and federal rules tied to institutions’ tax‑exempt status.
The bill would require schools to explain the Campus Free Expression Act at orientation and on their websites and direct university and college trustees to notify employees about permissible and prohibited political activities before primary elections. Opponents argued it expands executive authority, leaves unclear penalties and could create confusion over what
counts as restricted political activity, such as whether campaigning while wearing school‑branded clothing violates the law. The Senate companion has not been heard in committee.
Perez: House Won’t Take Up “Medical Freedom” Vaccine Bill
A “medical freedom” bill (SB 1756) to broaden vaccine exemptions is advancing in the Senate but House Speaker Daniel Perez said the House will not take it up, effectively stopping the proposal for the session. The House version never received a committee hearing.
The measure, backed by Governor Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, would keep existing school vaccine requirements in place but add a new conscience‑based exemption for parents. It would also allow behind‑the‑counter sales of ivermectin with pharmacist consultation. These debates are unfolding as measles cases rise sharply in Florida, with
107 confirmed, according to the CDC. The Senate bill (SB 1756) is still moving but without House action, it is unlikely to pass this year.
House OKs Discounted Medical Marijuana Cards for Veterans
House members unanimously passed HB 887, which would cut medical marijuana ID card fees for honorably discharged veterans from $75 to $15. Supporters say it would improve access for veterans who rely on medical cannabis. Florida has more than 932,000 cardholders and the bill would require the state to start tracking how many are veterans. Its future is uncertain because the Senate companion never received a hearing.
House Passes Sweeping Health Care Overhaul Tied to Federal Law
The House passed HB 693 in a 79 to 30 vote, updating state law to align with federal Medicaid, CHIP and SNAP changes and tightening SNAP documentation rules. The bill also expands scope‑of‑practice by lifting limits on physician‑assistant supervision, broadening dental delegation, joining interstate licensure compacts and allowing all APRN specialties to practice independently. It adds new insurance transparency requirements and earlier plans to end certificate‑of‑need rules for certain facilities were removed in committee. With Democrats opposed and one Republican voting no, the bill now heads to the Senate.
Local DEI Spending Bill Awaiting House Floor Consideration
The Senate passed SB 1134 on a 25 to 11 vote, advancing a proposal to ban local governments from funding, promoting or taking official actions related to DEI. Sponsor Sen. Clay Yarborough argued DEI programs have been misused, while Democrats warned the bill is overly broad and could trigger frivolous lawsuits because it creates a new cause of action for people who claim discrimination tied to DEI policies.
The bill includes carve‑outs allowing support for certain nonprofits, single‑sex youth or homeless programs, holidays and specific memorials such as the Pulse nightclub memorial. Democrats raised concerns about impacts on events like Pride parades and cultural festivals, saying the measure could have wide unintended consequences. Republican Sen. Alexis
Calatayud joined Democrats in opposition.
House Advances Bill Curtailing Local Zoning Powers
The House approved HB 399 on a 71 to 38 vote, advancing a measure that would significantly curb local authority over zoning, development regulations and land-use decisions. The bill requires cities and counties beginning in 2027 to base development application fees on actual review costs, mandates administrative approval of certain variances for large destination resorts and bars local governments from denying projects based on subjective factors like “community character.” It also caps voting thresholds for future land-use plan amendments at a simple majority, overriding stricter, voter-approved supermajority rules and expands where certain manufactured homes can be placed in single-family zones. The legislation directs a state study on potentially removing urban development boundaries, including Miami-Dade’s long-standing line protecting the Everglades. Supporters argue the bill reduces barriers to housing production, while opponents warn it weakens environmental safeguards and undermines local decision-making. Amendments to preserve local supermajority requirements and to replace the bill with hurricane-related language were rejected. HB 399 now moves to the Senate, where a similar measure, SB 208, awaits floor consideration.
Senate Set to Vote on Higher Sovereign Immunity Caps
The Senate Rules Committee advanced SB 1366, a proposal to raise Florida’s sovereign immunity caps for negligence claims against state and local governments from the current $200,000 per claimant and $300,000 per incident to $350,000 and $500,000, respectively. Sponsor Sen. Jason Brodeur noted that the House is considering even higher limits – $500,000 and $1 million – and said the final numbers remain subject to negotiation as the session nears its close. Several Panhandle school superintendents warned that higher liability caps could sharply increase insurance costs for small, rural districts already facing tight budgets, especially if lawmakers also pursue property tax cuts. Liberty County Superintendent Kyle Peddie told lawmakers that raising the caps could make insurance unaffordable for the state’s poorest counties. The bill now heads to the Senate floor.
House Expands Live Local Act, Over Local Objections
The House approved HB 1389, a major expansion of the Live Local Act, aimed at speeding up affordable housing construction by further limiting local zoning authority. The bill passed 76 to 29, with most Democrats and a few Republicans opposed.
It would require local governments to allow apartment and mixed‑use projects in many commercial and industrial zones when 40 percent of units are affordable for 30 years and it restricts local control over building height and design. It also mandates streamlined approval of accessory dwelling units in single‑family neighborhoods if they’re rented at affordable rates. Additional provisions strengthen fair housing protections, prevent cities from rejecting projects based on financing sources and expand liability for housing discrimination. A state office would also study new strategies to boost affordable housing, including tiny homes.
Supporters say stronger preemptions are needed because some localities still resist new housing, while opponents argue the bill further erodes home rule. This would be the most sweeping revision to the Live Local Act since its passage in 2023. The measure now heads to the Senate.
House Passes Domestic Terrorism Designation Measure
The House passed HB 1471 on an 81 to 26 party-line vote, advancing a measure that would let the Governor, Cabinet and the state’s Chief of Domestic Security create a Florida‑specific list of domestic or foreign terrorist organizations. The bill bars state and local agencies, as well as public schools and colleges, from using state funds to support or accept support
from any group placed on the list. Students in higher education who promote listed organizations would face loss of financial aid, expulsion and out‑of‑state tuition charges. The legislation also includes language clarifying that no “religious law or foreign law,” including Sharia law, can be applied in Florida if it conflicts with federal or state constitutional rights. Opponents argued the proposal lacks due‑process protections, risks viewpoint discrimination and duplicates existing legal requirements that courts apply U.S. and Florida law. The Senate companion, sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall, was pulled from its final committee stop and placed directly on the Senate’s Special-Order Calendar for floor consideration.
Catch-All Transportation Measure Advances
The House passed HB 543, a broad transportation package that updates traffic‑signal timing rules, strengthens school‑zone speed enforcement, protects seaport cargo space and expands regulations for digital drivers licenses. Debate focused on a provision allowing vehicles with disabled parking permits and mobility equipment to legally use more than one
parking space, which some lawmakers said doesn’t resolve broader disability‑parking concerns. Rep. Kelly Skidmore cast the lone no vote, citing objections from disability advocates.
The bill also lets local governments set lower speed limits in business or residential areas, authorizes golf cart crossings at signalized intersections with local approval and clarifies car exhaust noise limits. It now heads to the Senate, where a similar measure (SB 1080) is already on the Special-Order calendar.
AI Bill of Rights Passes Senate
The Senate overwhelmingly passed SB 482, Sen. Tom Leek’s “AI Bill of Rights,” which would set guardrails on how Floridians, especially children, interact with AI chatbots. The bill would ban companion chatbots from talking with minors without parental consent, require bots to remind users they’re not human and outline a set of consumer rights around AI use. Governor Ron DeSantis has made these protections a priority.
Despite the strong 35 to 2 Senate vote, the measure is expected to stall. House Speaker Daniel Perez reiterated that both he and President Donald Trump oppose state‑level AI regulation, arguing that AI policy should be handled federally. The House companion bill never received a hearing, signaling the chamber’s lack of interest.
Leek acknowledged the bill may not advance but said AI’s rapid evolution means lawmakers will be grappling with these issues for years.
USDA OKs Disaster Declaration After Freeze Causes $3.1B in Crop Damage
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has approved a federal disaster declaration for Florida after last month’s freeze, opening the door for federal relief for farmers hit by more than $3.1 billion in agricultural losses. The declaration follows requests from Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Florida’s congressional delegation.
The freeze devastated a wide range of crops, with the heaviest losses in sugarcane ($1.15B) and citrus ($674.7M). Significant damage also hit strawberries, sweet corn, greenhouse and nursery products, tomatoes, bell peppers and other commodities.
Last year, the USDA provided $675.9 million in hurricane‑related aid to Florida producers through a block grant. The new declaration does not yet include funding amounts but formally starts the process of securing federal assistance.
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. She also delivers educational briefings to select groups, including college students pursuing careers in the legislative field.