Legislative Update - January 10, 2025

We are still waiting to see who Governor DeSantis will appoint to the US Senate seat being vacated by Marco Rubio. Many believe that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody will be the appointee.

Governor DeSantis wants a special session for deportation and condominium safety but that may be a difficult task. The House Chambers are under renovation and won’t be able to use until the session begins on March 3.

Former Congressman Matt Gaetz announced that he is thinking about running for Governor. However, current Congressman Bryon Donalds is looking at running for Governor in 2026 and has hired Fabrizio, Lee & Associates, a top Republican pollster. Tony Fabrizio worked on the Trump campaign in the past.

Governor …

DeSantis Says No Decision Yet on US Senate Seat - Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday he still hasn't made up his mind on who he'll appoint to the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Marco Rubio who was nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to be secretary of state. Politico reported early Wednesday, however, that 10 people "familiar with the selection process" said that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is considered the leading contender for the sport. Politico Playbook / Florida Phoenix / The Floridian / News Service Florida / 10 Tampa Bay

DeSantis Pushing for Deportation, Condo Safety Session - Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that the Legislature should hold a special session to be "prepared to act" on plans to deport people who are in the country illegally once President-elect Donald Trump takes office. DeSantis didn't say what state lawmakers might have to do to help Trump with the plan for deportations. "But I think that there needs to be some additional legislation to help complement the federal government's now–newfound appreciation to stop illegal immigration, and to hold people accountable," DeSantis said. "We need to be prepared to act. I don't think that you can wait until April or May to do something in that respect." Both Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez, both Republicans, have noted that violations of federal immigration laws are largely the purview of the federal government. "That's a federal issue," Albritton said when asked about immigration during a November organizational session meeting. "Any sort of immigration policy comes from the federal government," Perez added the same day. "It's for the federal government to decide." DeSantis didn't specify fully while answering questions Tuesday what the state government might have to do to help with the deportation plan, and what laws might need to be quickly changed, but said the state may need to spend money to help local law enforcement boost their roles in immigration enforcement, which could require legislative action. The governor also said that if lawmakers were to hold a special session, he'd like them to take up a plan — as yet not fully spelled out — to help condo owners around the state who are facing large assessments for new inspection and in some cases repair requirements to comply with a new safety law passed after the 2021 fatal Surfside building collapse. DeSanis acknowledged there's not yet legislative agreement on what might be done to help with the issue. "If we have an agreement, I'll call the session and then we'll go," DeSantis said. "But I do think that we have to act sooner rather than later and so we're going to be working with the Legislature on that." DeSantis said lawmakers could also use a special session to provide more hurricane relief to those affected last year by Hurricanes Milton and Helene and could also get a jump start on changing state laws related to gathering of petition signatures for constitutional amendments in response to reports of possible fraud in the paid signature gathering process for the ultimately unsuccessful 2024 abortion rights amendment. Florida Phoenix / WFLA

Florida Offers Help to California Amid Wildfires: Amid fierce winds and swiftly advancing wildfires sweeping through the Los Angeles area, Gov. Ron DeSantis is offering assistance and resources to Gov. Gavin Newsom in California. "Our prayers are with everyone affected by the horrific fires in Southern California. When disaster strikes, we must come together to help our fellow Americans in any way we can. The state of Florida has offered help to assist the people of California in responding to these fires," wrote DeSantis in a social media post on Wednesday. Strong winds have fueled at least three wildfires in the Los Angeles area, leaving two dead, forcing thousands to evacuate, and destroying over 1,000 structures, according to local and national reports. Chief Financial Officer and Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis supports the governor's offer, saying on X that his office "is prepared to deploy firefighters, mental health specialists, as well as any post-fire ops support that's needed to help the Golden State." Florida Politics

Florida Grand Jury Finds No Criminal Activity in COVID Vaccine Probe - A statewide grand jury, initially impaneled in 2022 at the request of Gov. Ron DeSantis to investigate how COVID-19 vaccinations came into existence and whether there were crimes committed by the pharmaceutical industry, released its final report on Tuesday saying it found no evidence of criminal activity. But "not finding any indictable criminal activity does not mean we did not find any problems," the grand jury said in its report. "On the contrary, there are profound and serious issues involving the process of vaccine development and safety surveillance in the United States." The panel recommended several policy changes, including enhancing transparency in clinical trials and banning pharmaceutical advertising. While COVID vaccines have faced scrutiny, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasizes their extensive safety testing and continued monitoring, noting they effectively prevent severe illness, hospitalization, and death. "The Grand Jury has made a number of recommendations that should be followed. The status quo cannot continue," wrote the governor in a social media post following the release of the latest report. "The American people deserve transparency on how Big Pharma is using their federal tax dollars, and they deserve regulating entities that operate as watchdogs, not cheerleaders." Associated Press / Florida Phoenix / Grand Jury Report

“Babies over bachelor’s degrees: DeSantis appointee says women should choose motherhood over higher ed” via Kate Payne of the Orlando Sentinel — For years, political scientist Scott Yenor has advocated for overhauling colleges and universities, which he has argued undermine traditional American families by encouraging women to pursue careers and put off childbirth. Now, Yenor may get to implement his policy proposals after DeSantis appointed him to the Board of the University of West Florida, a public school in Pensacola with about 14,000 students. The Governor appointed Yenor and four others to the UWF Board of Trustees this week, two years after DeSantis stacked the Board of another public school, New College of Florida, in what critics called a hostile political takeover. Within weeks, New College’s new Board fired the sitting president and replaced her with a former state lawmaker and ally of the Governor.

Legislature …

Florida Among Big Majority of GOP-Controlled States: Republicans will control the legislative process in nearly twice as many states as Democrats in 2025, according to the Cook Political Report. Citing the Cook report, Axios reported Tuesday that the GOP will control the legislative process in 24 states while Democrats are in charge in 15. In 10 states, legislative leadership is split. Axios

Florida House Subcommittees to Meet Ahead of Legislative Session - State House subcommittees are set to convene over two days during the week of Jan. 13 as lawmakers prepare for the March 4 start of the annual legislative session. According to a schedule released Friday by the House, 23 subcommittee meetings are planned for Jan. 14 and Jan. 15. No full committee meetings are listed. Additionally, Jan. 13 has been set aside for three potential joint meetings between House and Senate committees. The Florida Senate previously announced its committees are tentatively scheduled to meet over three days during the same week. LobbyTools 2025 Interim Schedules / News Service Florida

Florida in 2025: More elections, condos, guns and property insurance battles” via Gray Rohrer of the USA Today Network-Florida — In a state where Republicans dominate, Florida will still see big political battles play out in the new year, despite the GOP extending their winning streak at the ballot box in November. Perennial issues that sometimes split the party, such as property insurance, health care and guns are poised to grab headlines in the new year. Then there’s the issue of condos. DeSantis had called for lawmakers to hold a Special Session before the end of the year to fix a new law requiring condo associations to carry more reserves to pay for maintenance and repairs that had gone unaddressed for years. But legislative leaders rebuffed him, pushing the issue into the new year.

Cassel Appointed to Key Insurance Committee Following Party Switch - Shortly after departing the Democratic Party, Dania Beach Rep. Hillary Cassel has been appointed vice chair of the Florida House Insurance and Banking Subcommittee, a move that places her at the forefront of legislative efforts on insurance and tort reform. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, announced the appointment this week, positioning Cassel, a South Florida trial attorney, as a leading voice on property insurance issues for the upcoming 2025 legislative session. In an interview with Florida Phoenix, Cassel highlighted her focus on revisiting the sweeping property insurance reforms enacted in 2022 and 2023. She criticized the measures for failing to lower premiums or stabilize Florida's fragile homeowners' insurance market. Cassel's priorities align with recent remarks from Speaker Perez, who emphasized the need for additional efforts to provide relief to homeowners grappling with soaring insurance costs. Any additional changes, though, would require support from the Senate and Gov. Ron DeSantis. LobbyTools Arrivals & Departures / Florida Phoenix

House Democrats roll out ranking member assignments” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Florida Democrats may be staring at a GOP legislative supermajority, but House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell is “thrilled” with the Democrats serving as ranking members in “important Committees.” Driskell herself will get the plum assignment of ranking member of the Budget Committee, with Rep. Lisa Dunkley taking the same position on the Agriculture & Natural Resources Budget Subcommittee. Rep. Marie Woodson will be the ranking member on the Health Care Budget Subcommittee, while Rep. Gallop Franklin II will have the same role on the Higher Education Budget Subcommittee. On the Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee, LaVon Bracy Davis will be the ranking member. And on the Justice Budget Subcommittee, Rep. Kimberly Daniels will be the leading Democrat. Rep. Dan Daley will be the ranking Democrat on the Security & Threat Assessment Committee, while Rep. Joe Casello will have the same honor in State Affairs

Fine, Jacques Proposals to Address Illegal Immigration - Palm Bay Republican Sen. Randy Fine, who is running for Congress, is considering filing a bill this session to classify bringing children into the U.S. without authorization as human trafficking. "I think if you smuggle your kid into the United States you should go to prison," he said. As chairman of the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee, Fine wants to hold a hearing on the effect of illegal immigration on government systems. Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, meanwhile, said he intends to introduce a bill to strengthen Florida's ban on sanctuary cities and is drafting another measure to enhance citizenship verification for voting. Jacques supports proposals aligned with President-elect Donald Trump's mass deportation pledge. Politico Florida / LobbyTools Planned Legislation

Flamingo, Scrub-Jay Bill Makes Return Flight to House: A measure that would designate the American flamingo as the official state bird in Florida was refiled by Islamorada Republican Rep. Jim Mooney ahead of the upcoming legislative session. The bill (HB 81) would also designate the Florida scrub-jay as the official state songbird. The mockingbird has been the state bird since 1927. A Senate companion has yet to be filed. Similar proposals have been introduced in the past but so far, all have failed to take off. Tallahassee Democrat

Business ...

State General Revenue Exceeds Projections in November, Despite Hurricane Impact: Florida's general revenue collections in November surpassed expectations, bolstered by strong investment earnings, according to a report released late last week by the Legislature's Office of Economic & Demographic Research. Revenue for the month totaled $3.845 billion, exceeding the August forecast by $47.7 million. Investment earnings outperformed projections by $15.7 million, providing the largest boost. But sales-tax collections fell $14.6 million short of expectations. The report noted that November revenue largely reflects October's economic activity, which was disrupted by Hurricane Milton. The storm made landfall in Sarasota County on Oct. 9, just weeks after Hurricane Helene struck in late September. The dual storms influenced sales-tax trends, with Milton's preparation and recovery efforts offsetting each other, while recovery from Helene was delayed in overlapping affected areas. General revenue is vital for funding state services, including education, health care, and corrections. EDR Monthly Report / EDR Detailed Report / News Service Florida

Consumer sentiment survey shows Floridians upbeat about economy heading into 2025 - Florida consumers finished 2024 on a very positive note, as University of Florida (UF) researchers found attitudes toward the economy in the state improved substantially in December. The UF Bureau of Economic and Business Research study showed Floridians were bullish on the economy to close out the year. The monthly consumer sentiment rating for December came in at 86.4, a notable 5-point increase from the November figure of 81.4, after seasonal adjustments. [Source: Florida Politics]

Florida was top state for fraud in 2024, report says - The Sunshine State was named the fraud capital of the country last year, according to a report that cited Federal Trade Commission data. Investment fraud lawyers at Investor Loss Center analyzed FTC fraud reports and found that Florida had the highest rate of fraud, with 1,020 reports per 100,000 people in the first half of last year. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]

Florida gas prices in 2024 averaged 12 cents cheaper than in 2023” via Florida Politics — A new year brings a new annual retrospective on pump prices, and 2024 was generally better for the pocketbooks of Sunshine State motorists than the year prior. On average, Florida drivers paid slightly less in 2024 than in 2023. The price of gas averaged $3.39 per gallon last year. In 2023, the average per-gallon price was $3.41. Gas prices in Florida didn’t reach as high a peak in 2024 as in 2023. Last year, the highest daily average price was $3.64 per gallon in May. In 2023, the highest daily average was $3.85 per gallon in August. But 2024 prices also didn’t go as low. The cheapest daily average last year was $2.99 in December. In 2023, the lowest price point was $2.85 per gallon, and in December.

“New unemployment claims jump back up in Florida following holiday hiring spree” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — The number of Florida’s new unemployment claims increased to the start of 2025, but the surge was expected. U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) officials recorded 4,812 initial jobless filings for the week ending Jan. 4, up by 1,342 claims from the previous week. The most recent figure is higher than the 3,475 claims recorded by U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) officials the week prior, due primarily to the holidays that caused retailers and businesses to hire more workers for increased shopping. A few weeks in 2024 saw new claims fall under 5,000. And there were no weeks with fewer than 4,000 claims in 2024 until the holiday period when the increase in hiring was in full gear.

How Florida's population is set to change by 2030 - Florida will remain one of the most populous U.S. states in 2030 with more than a quarter of its residents expected to be aged 65 and over. Florida's aging population could have major economic and political implications for the state. These include a potentially smaller workforce and increased demand for health care services. [Source: Newsweek]

“People are flocking to Florida. Will there be enough water for them?” via Sachi Kitajima Mulkey and Ayurella Horn-Muller of Grist — While wading through wetlands in the headwaters of the Everglades, where tall, serrated grasses shelter alligators and water moccasins, agroecologist Elizabeth Boughton described one of Florida’s biggest environmental problems: There’s either too much water or too little. An intensifying climate, overexploitation of groundwater, and a development boom have catalyzed a looming water supply shortage — something that once seemed impossible for the rainy peninsula.

Home insurance costs in Florida spiked in third quarter. Are more increases on the way? Those stabilized home insurance costs that industry leaders and state insurance regulators touted over most of 2024? It looks like premiums might be heading up again. The statewide average premium paid for an all-perils single-family home policy in Florida increased by 3.1% between the second and third quarters, the data shows. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida leads the nation (again) In Obamacare enrollment - More than 4.6 million Florida residents enrolled in an Obamacare plan through the “Marketplace” for 2025 health insurance coverage. Data released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services show that 4,633,650 residents signed up for insurance coverage through the Marketplace by the end of 2024. Nationally, CMS reports that 23.6 million people enrolled for 2025 coverage, including 3.2 million new consumers. Total enrollment is record-breaking, CMS said. More from the News Service of Florida.

Campaigns and Elections …

Gaetz 'Starting to Think About' Governor Run - Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz told the Tampa Bay Times he's "starting to think about running for governor" in 2026. Gaetz, a Republican, resigned from Congress late last year when President-elect Donald Trump nominated him to be attorney general, but later withdrew from consideration for that post amid sexual misconduct allegations. The House Ethics Committee has since released a report accusing Gaetz of potentially violating prostitution laws and buying and using illegal drugs while a member of Congress. Tampa Bay Times

“Jimmy Patronis points to partisan gerrymandering as only reason he doesn’t live in CD 1” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — CFO Patronis said he doesn’t live in Florida’s 1st Congressional District because of partisan gerrymandering. But that insinuation upset Joel Rudman, the former state lawmaker who faces Patronis in a Special Election to represent the district in Congress.

Patronis made the remark at a debate for candidates running in the Special Election to succeed former U.S. Rep. Gaetz. The Panama City Republican has faced criticism from opponents because he does not live in the Pensacola-centered district, but Patronis said his residency should not be an issue, as he has long roots in the Panhandle.

ACLU files lawsuit demanding Ron DeSantis call Special Elections in SD 19, HD 3” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Two Florida residents sued DeSantis for dragging his feet on calling Special Elections to replace two Republican lawmakers. “I don’t understand why the Governor resists calling Special Elections in a timely manner,” said Nicholas Warren, a staff attorney for the ACLU of Florida. “From Jeb Bush to Rick Scott, past Governors moved quickly to ensure the people retained their voice in government. DeSantis’s refusal to do so is both troubling and illegal.” The ACLU of Florida filed the lawsuit on behalf of Navarre resident Christina Forrest and Palm Bay resident Janet Laimont. The lawsuit came weeks after state Sen. Randy Fine, a Palm Bay Republican, and state Rep. Rudman, a Navarre Republican, submitted resignations from their seats to run for Congress.

Party Leadership Choices Coming at State Meetings - State officials in both major political parties will meet in central Florida this month to solidify their leadership. While Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power is so far unopposed in his bid to continue to lead the GOP, Democrats will have a choice. State Democratic Chairwoman Nikki Fried is seeking to continue in the post but faces a challenge from former Senate Democratic Leader Audrey Gibson. "I'm not challenging an individual," Gibson told Politico. "I'm challenging the way we do business." Two young activists are vying to be vice chair of the Democratic state party. Politico Playbook / Florida Politics / News Service Florida

Florida Senate, Secretary of State Seek Dismissal of Redistricting Lawsuit - The Florida Senate and Secretary of State Cord Byrd have urged federal judges to dismiss a lawsuit alleging racial gerrymandering in two Tampa Bay-area Senate districts drawn as part of the 2022 redistricting plan. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of five residents, claims Senate District's 16 and 18 were configured to pack Black voters into District 16, reducing their influence in neighboring District 18 and violating equal-protection rights. Attorneys for Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Bartow, and Byrd argued that the districts comply with legal standards, noting similar configurations have existed since 1992 and that race was considered only as required by law. "The alternative maps they offer aren't meaningfully better when it comes to BVAP (Black voting age population), compactness or adherence to political and geographic boundaries," Byrd's motion said, referring to criteria used in redistricting. "The one meaningful difference is this: Plaintiffs' alternatives create an extra Democratic seat. That difference can't upend the state's choices." The challenged districts were shaped partly to adhere to Florida's 2010 Fair Districts amendment, which mandates that redistricting cannot diminish minority voting power. But plaintiffs allege the state unnecessarily prioritized race over traditional redistricting criteria, violating federal equal-protection rights. "The state could have drawn these districts to both avoid the diminishment of Black voting power and respect traditional redistricting criteria," the lawsuit reads. "Instead, the state engaged in racial gerrymandering that unconstitutionally abridges plaintiffs' rights to the equal protection of the laws." Lawyers for the Senate wrote that the chamber "considered race as required by the Florida Constitution, but that race did not predominate over non-racial factors such as compactness, contiguity, population equality, and boundary usage in the development of the enacted plan." The case, overseen by a three-judge federal panel, is one of several redistricting challenges in Florida, including disputes over state House and congressional maps. News Service Florida