Legislative Update - January 31, 2025

This time last week, the big question in Florida politics was whether lawmakers would hold a Special Session or simply gavel in and gavel out.

They ended up doing both.

Lawmakers convened on Monday to respond to DeSantis’ call — they are required to do so—and promptly rejected it, subbing in their own Special Session on immigration. The kicker: They also overrode the Governor’s veto of a $56 million appropriation funding legislative support services.

The money, included in the 2023-24 budget, was meant to pay for various functions of the Legislature: information technology for the House and Senate, the lobbyist registration office, joint committees, and the Office of Economic and Demographic Research (EDR). EDR is staffed by economists who make revenue forecasts for the state budget, which lawmakers use to craft a spending plan each year.

DeSantis is thought to have killed the appropriation because it included a study on the state’s policy of disallowing the collection of interchange fees on sales tax. An interchange fee is the small per-transaction percentage that payment processors charge merchants who accept credit card transactions. Blocking the study was a win for credit card companies.

After righting what House Speaker Daniel Perez described as either “… at best a misunderstanding of the importance of the appropriation or at worst an attempt to threaten the independence of our separate branch of government,” the Legislature launched into its own Special Session on immigration.

Sen. Joe Gruters carried the main bill, which Senate President Ben Albritton said was meticulously crafted.

“Having taken the opportunity to review President (Donald) Trump’s executive orders, sought guidance and clarification from the White House team and taken into account the thoughts and feedback of many Senators and leaders of our law enforcement community, Sen. Gruters is sponsoring legislation to rigorously implement both the letter and the spirit of President Trump’s plan to secure the border, protect our state and national sovereignty, support Florida law enforcement, and affirm the federal government’s responsibility over immigration,” Albritton said.

DeSantis, however, was unimpressed — in a tweet as lengthy as it was acerbic, the Governor said lawmakers’ pulled a “bait-and-switch” and enumerated the supposed shortcomings of the Legislature’s bill, namely that it “fails to put an enforceable duty on state & local law enforcement to fully cooperate on illegal immigration enforcement” and it “unconstitutionally removes authority to enforce the law from the Governor to a lower-level Cabinet agency, the Department of Agriculture.” 

The bill passed but DeSantis has stated that he will veto the bill. Also, he is threatening any legislator who votes against him, that he will fund a candidate against them next election cycle.

Fla Lawmakers Defy DeSantis, Pass Immigration Bill with Tougher Penalties - The Republican-controlled Legislature passed a sweeping immigration bill on Tuesday, adjourning the special session and sending the proposal to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who criticized the bill as a "half-measure." The legislation (SB 2B), called the Tackling & Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act, was amended after state legislative leaders consulted with the Trump administration. "Last night, we requested and received technical assistance from the Trump Administration," wrote Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Danny Perez, R-Miami, in a joint memo released Tuesday. "We made specific improvements to the TRUMP Act to further align state law with the renewed and expanded enforcement of federal immigration law under President Trump." The changes included stiffer penalties for crimes committed by undocumented immigrants and illegal immigrant gang members, but DeSantis condemned the measure, calling it "weak, weak, weak," in a post on X. The governor's comments come after legislators spurned DeSantis' call to pass several particular bills in the special session by quickly and defiantly ending the session the governor called and commencing a session of their own calling. While the broad immigration proposal still aims to beef up the state's immigration enforcement abilities by setting guidelines for Florida law enforcement agencies to collaborate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the final product mandates the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of capital offenses, including murder or rape, and enhances criminal penalties for those who re-enter Florida after deportation and commit a crime. It also moves state-level immigration oversight authority away from DeSantis, designating Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who is considering a 2026 run for governor, as the Chief Immigration Officer. The legislation also ends in-state tuition waivers for undocumented college students called "Dreamers," and allocates more than $500 million from the state's general revenue fund to bolster state and local enforcement efforts and, in part, increase the availability of detention beds at the local and state levels for use by ICE. "President Trump is asking for more badges, more detention beds and laser focus on catching criminal illegal aliens who violate our laws," said Sarasota Republican Sen. Joe Gruters, who sponsored the bill and is an ally of Trump. DeSantis initially pushed to require all local and state law enforcement agencies to join the federal 287(g) program, which allows officers to act as immigration agents in jails. The immigration proposal approved Tuesday mandates participation but provides funding to help agencies cover training costs if they choose to enroll. Simpson will also have the power to initiate legal action against local governments that ignore federal immigration detainer requests, with elected or appointed officials facing potential fines of up to $5,000. The proposal cleared the Senate on a 21-16 vote and the House on an 82-30 vote, with six GOP senators and one Republican representative voting against the measure. Democrats opposed the bill, arguing it was rushed through the legislative process and objecting to the substantial funding allocated for state immigration enforcement, noting that immigration is under the federal government's purview. They also attempted, but failed, to preserve the law allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition at Florida's public colleges and universities. GOP lawmakers said defying DeSantis' proposed immigration regulations was due to a myriad of reasons, including a lack of E-verify enforcement and a lack of transparency over other executive immigration initiatives, including millions to relocate migrants nationwide. They also said they took issue with a provision pushed by the governor that sought to criminally charge local police officers who did not cooperate with state and federal immigration directives. It's unclear whether DeSantis plans to veto or sign the new immigration measure into law, but if he chooses the latter, it would take effect immediately. Politico / Florida Politics  / Tampa Bay Times / Orlando Sentinel / USA Today Network / Miami Herald / Politico Playbook / Associated Press

Senate, House rebuff Ron DeSantis’ Special Session call, then substitute their own vision” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—"Lawmakers defy DeSantis in shocking move, unveil own immigration plan” via Lawrence Mower, Ana Ceballos and Alexandra Glorioso of The Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times

—“Legislature restores $56M+ in support services vetoed by Gov. DeSantis” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

‘Just not telling the truth’: Ben Albritton, Daniel Perez blast DeSantis for ‘blatant lies’ about TRUMP Act” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — DeSantis dismissed the TRUMP Act as a "bait-and-switch" and an "insult" to Trump, arguing it lacks teeth and shifts power to the Agriculture Department, a move he likened to “putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.” He claimed the bill fails to enforce cooperation from state and local police. Legislative leaders Albritton and Perez retorted, calling DeSantis’ assertions "a blatant lie." They insist the TRUMP Act expands requirements for sheriffs to assist ICE in identifying and detaining undocumented immigrants. This exchange highlights the deep conflict between the Governor and the Legislature on immigration policy.

“DeSantis would lose authority over immigration under new plan by Florida Legislature” via Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald — Florida Republican leaders on Monday unveiled a sweeping immigration proposal that seeks to strip DeSantis of much of his authority to oversee immigration — an opening salvo that sets up a showdown between the Legislature and the once overwhelmingly dominant Governor. If adopted, the legislative changes — pushed by Perez and Albritton — would render DeSantis virtually powerless over immigration enforcement in Florida. All that authority would go to Agriculture Commissioner Simpson and his office, which would be armed with more than $500 million to help enforce federal immigration laws in the state.

“Donald Trump ally Joe Gruters carries immigration enforcement expansion through first Senate Committee” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Gruters, one of Trump’s top allies in Florida, carried the bill. “Trump’s executive orders make it clear, it’s a new day in Washington and citizenship matters,” Gruters, a Sarasota Republican, said. “Immigration is a federal issue, and the federal government is taking the lead. President Trump is closing our borders, protecting our sovereignty, and most importantly, he has the back of law enforcement leaders who are on the front lines protecting our communities from criminal illegal aliens when it comes to cracking down on illegal immigration.” While filed, in a sense, in response to DeSantis’ demand the Legislature empower state enforcement of Trump’s mass deportation agenda, the bill takes enforcement power away from the Governor and puts immigration policy under the jurisdiction of Agriculture Commissioner Simpson.

GOP Showdown: DeSantis Vows to Veto Special Session Immigration Bill Over 'Weak' Policies - Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged to veto an immigration bill passed during a special legislative session, setting up a clash with Republican legislative leaders over efforts to advance President Donald Trump's agenda. Speaking at Wednesday's press conferences in Titusville and Fort Myers, DeSantis criticized the measure, accusing lawmakers of weakening enforcement efforts and stripping his authority on the issue. The proposal (SB 2B), known as the "TRUMP Act," passed the Legislature Tuesday despite pushback from DeSantis, who condemned it as ineffective. "This is a pass-fail exercise. Either you're doing what needs to be done or you're not," said the governor, while accusing state Republican leaders of making Florida a "de facto sanctuary state" and prioritizing optics over enforcement. "They think if they put Trump's name on it, that somehow that's going to pull the wool over people's eyes," he added. The legislation, spearheaded by Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Danny Perez, R-Miami, allocates over $500 million to law enforcement agencies and toughens penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit crimes. GOP legislators defended the proposal as the most onerous state-level immigration measure in the country. "It's not weak. It's bold. It's strong," said Plant City Republican Rep. Lawrence McClure, the bill's House sponsor. The legislation also received support from the Florida Sheriffs Association, which said lawmakers had "worked closely with us to ensure our concerns are heard so we have the tools we need to effectively and efficiently remove criminal aliens from our communities across the State of Florida." The measure passed 21-16 in the Senate and 82-30 in the House, falling short of the two-thirds majority needed to override a veto in the upper chamber. Democrats opposed provisions eliminating in-state tuition for undocumented students at Florida's public colleges and universities and criticized the bill's high price tag and rushed approval process. "What the Legislature did was provide a lot of window dressing. They provided a lot of money to house illegal aliens," DeSantis emphasized. Additionally, the legislation shifts immigration enforcement oversight from the governor to Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson — a move DeSantis fiercely opposes. "We've got great people. We make good decisions. We get the job done for people. So if you're really serious about immigration enforcement, man, you would want to empower us to do the job," DeSantis said. "But instead, they're taking it away." News Service Florida / Florida Politics / Tampa Bay Times / Associated Press / New York Times / USA Today Network / Orlando Sentinel / Politico

“Ron DeSantis says he will veto immigration bill in clash with lawmakers” via Patricia Mazzei of The New York Times — DeSantis promised on Wednesday to veto legislation that would toughen immigration enforcement in the state and blasted fellow Republicans for not going far enough after they took the rare step of defying him. He indicated that he would ask lawmakers to try again — but only after giving their constituents time to protest their bill. “What I think people are sick of is the treachery,” Mr. DeSantis said on Wednesday in Fort Myers, during the second appearance of the day in which he castigated his fellow Republicans. “When the people are animated on an issue, these representatives will listen.”

“As Florida Republicans war with one another, Jason Pizzo said Democrats may need to broker the solution” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Democrats headed into this legislative term in smaller numbers than any time in state history. But an explosive rhetorical civil war between Republican legislative leaders and the Governor may have granted the minority caucus a rare bit of leverage. In the wake of DeSantis’ threatened veto of an immigration bill lawmakers passed Tuesday, Senate Minority Leader Pizzo plans to introduce his own legislation on immigration he says will tackle the actual problems caused by criminals who entered the country illegally. “An overwhelming majority of us is not opposed to assisting the federal government in the deportation of criminal aliens,” he said.

House Speaker Daniel Perez defends bucking DeSantis over immigration legislation” via Ana Ceballos of the Miami Herald — Perez and DeSantis are locked in a power struggle over immigration. DeSantis initiated a Special Session to enact a sweeping deportation program, but Perez and the Legislature, feeling left out of the decision-making process, proposed their own bill. This bill, crafted with input from the Trump administration, would transfer much of the Governor's immigration oversight. Perez criticized DeSantis's lack of communication, stating it caused the imbroglio. DeSantis, however, has railed against the bill, accusing lawmakers of undermining immigration enforcement. While acknowledging DeSantis's influence, Perez asserts the Legislature's proposal is stronger, setting the stage for a potential veto override attempt.

Governor …

“DeSantis to fund Primary challenges for Florida GOP lawmakers in 2026, back a gubernatorial candidate” via Eric Daugherty of Florida’s Voice — DeSantis announced amid a policy feud over illegal immigration with the Florida Legislature that his likely plans are to fund Primary challenges to Republican lawmakers. DeSantis said his Florida Freedom Fund committee will be the vessel to defeat Amendments 3 and 4 in the 2024 Election. “[It will] support strong conservative candidates in legislative primaries,” DeSantis said, signaling his team is looking into not only defending incumbent conservative lawmakers but is open to challenging Republican officeholders as well. The Governor added he will also get involved in the 2026 Gubernatorial Republican Primary, vowing to back a “strong conservative” candidate in that field as well. “For the 2026 cycle, the [fund] will raise even more resources,” DeSantis said. “We need to elect strong leaders who will build off Florida’s success and who will deliver on the promises made to voters,” DeSantis said.

“DeSantis ready to help Trump deportations to Gitmo” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

Legislature …

Gaetz Hospitalized After Medical Episode at Road-Dedication Event: Crestview Republican Sen. Don Gaetz was hospitalized Wednesday after speaking at a road-dedication event in Milton. Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, his son, said the senator began feeling "unwell" during his remarks. Gaetz was taken to Baptist Hospital, where he was reported to be in stable condition and receiving treatment. Later, Matt Gaetz provided an update, reassuring that his father's blood pressure had returned to normal and that he was already eager to leave the hospital. "He joked that he was mad he didn't get to finish his speech and has begun lobbying for his immediate discharge," Matt Gaetz posted on X. Don Gaetz, 77, previously served in the Florida Senate from 2006 to 2016, including a term as Senate president. He was re-elected to the Legislature in November, representing Senate District 1, which includes Escambia, Santa Rosa, and part of Okaloosa counties. News Service Florida / Pensacola News Journal

Business issues …

AAA: Florida Gas Prices Remain Elevated: Florida gas prices have climbed beyond their typical range, staying above $3.20 per gallon since mid-January. As of Sunday, the statewide average was $3.22, according to AAA — the auto club group. This marks a three-cent increase from the previous week, 11 cents higher than a month ago, and five cents more than this time last year. From September through early January, gas prices in Florida fluctuated between $2.99 and $3.15 per gallon. The recent spike is tied to rising oil prices, with U.S. crude hitting a three-month high of $76.57 per barrel on Jan. 10, followed by a 2% increase the following week. But crude prices reversed course last week, dropping 4% to $74.66 per barrel. "Drivers will likely continue to see gas prices fluctuate through the week, but there doesn't currently appear to be any significant measure of relief on the way as of now," said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. The West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area remains the most expensive for refueling at $3.37 per gallon, while the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach region offers the current cheapest gas prices in the state at $2.90 a gallon. Nationally, Hawaii ($4.54), California ($4.45), and Washington ($3.95) are the costliest states for gas, while Oklahoma ($2.67), Mississippi ($2.68), and Texas ($2.71) are the most affordable. AAA Press Release / Florida Politics

Ron DeSantis revives E-Verify enforcement amid fight with GOP legislators" via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times — Gov. DeSantis' administration issued warning letters to 40 companies Wednesday, citing potential non-compliance with the state’s E-Verify law. This action comes amid a dispute between DeSantis and Republican lawmakers over immigration enforcement, with legislators criticizing the administration's previous lack of E-Verify enforcement.

Earlier this week, it was revealed that DeSantis' Commerce Department issued only eight enforcement letters throughout his term, none since a 2023 law mandating E-Verify for companies with 25+ employees.

“Florida’s new unemployment claims decrease for second week in a row” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Florida’s weekly unemployment claims dropped for the second week in a row for the week ending Jan. 25. U.S. Department of Labor data released Thursday show 5,530 first-time jobless unemployment benefit filings last week in Florida. That’s down 1,248 from the previous week’s 6,778 before seasonal adjustments. It’s the second week in a row in January that new unemployment claims saw a significant dip in the Sunshine State. The previous week’s figures were down nearly 1,000 claims from the week ending Jan. 11. The weekly report comes on the heels of the FloridaCommerce release of the general monthly unemployment rate. Florida’s jobless figure held steady at 3.4% for December, the same as the past several months. And even before that, Florida’s monthly unemployment rate remained flat at 3.3% for seven months in 2024, reflecting a solid jobs picture.

“How Trump’s dreams of a Florida casino could be dimmed by DeSantis’ latest power play” via Steve Contorno of CNN — A push by DeSantis to crack down on ballot initiatives could have unforeseen consequences for the business interests of his state’s most prominent resident: Trump. DeSantis, a Republican, has proposed a sweeping overhaul of citizen-led amendments to the state constitution — including new restrictions that opponents say would render it nearly impossible for Floridians to force a change in state law through ballot referendums. If realized, it could complicate Trump’s long-held ambition to establish a casino in Miami. That’s because Florida’s constitution says any gambling expansion requires voter approval through a constitutional amendment initiated by citizens. The potential impact on Trump’s business empire adds an unexpected wrinkle to the Governor’s latest effort to consolidate political power in Florida. And it’s another twist to the winding and, at times, strained relationship between DeSantis and Trump as they coexist in their shared backyard.

Campaigns & Elections …

Patronis, Fine Headed to Congressional General Elections - Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis easily won the Republican primary in the special election to replace former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz in the 1st Congressional District in the western Panhandle and state Sen. Randy Fine won a GOP primary for a Northeast Florida congressional seat. Patronis got over 66% of the vote in a 10-candidate field in the Pensacola-area Special Primary election. No other candidate had more than 10% of the vote. The second most votes in the primary went to former state Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman, who left a safe seat in the state House to run for Congress. He had received just under 9% of the votes. The district includes parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties. Gaetz stepped down from Congress when he was nominated by President Donald Trump to be attorney general, but he withdrew his name from nomination amid intense discussion of an improper behavior investigation by Congress. Patronis will face Democrat Gay Valimont and independent candidate Stephen Brody in an April 1 Special General Election. Fine also easily won his primary in the race to succeed former Rep. Michael Waltz, who stepped down to become Trump's national security adviser. Fine got 83% of the vote in beating two other lesser-known candidates and will face Democrat Josh Weil, a teacher, in the April 1 general election. Fine, who is from the Space Coast, would have to move to the district, as would Patronis. Politico / CNN / Florida Politics / The Hill / Pensacola News Journal / Daytona Beach News Journal

Candidate Qualifying Set for Three Special Elections - Candidates will qualify next week for three special elections to fill vacant legislative seats in Brevard County and Northwest Florida. The qualification period for Senate District 19 in Brevard County and House District 3 in Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties will run from 8 a.m. Monday to noon Tuesday, according to the state Division of Elections. Meanwhile, candidates for Brevard's House District 32 can qualify from 8 a.m. Tuesday to noon Wednesday. The vacancies stem from resignations by Melbourne Republican Sen. Randy Fine and former Navarre Republican Rep. Joel Rudman, who are running for congressional seats. House District 32 became open after Rep. Debbie Mayfield, R-Melbourne, announced her candidacy for the Senate District 19 race, which she previously held from 2016 to 2024. Primary elections are set for April 1, with general elections scheduled for June 10 if necessary. News Service Florida

“Byron Donalds holds massive lead in poll on gubernatorial contenders” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — A new poll shows that U.S. Rep. Donalds has a massive advantage over other prospective candidates for Florida Governor. Victory Insights, a firm with an office in Naples, found that more than 31% of likely Florida Republican Primary voters prefer Donalds when pitted against three other contenders. Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez comes in a distant second with 4% support. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson polls at 3%. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez shows with just 1%. The polling lands as Donalds, a Naples Republican, takes steps to build a likely gubernatorial campaign, including bringing on several prominent consultants who previously worked with Trump.

“2026 gubernatorial race: Jason Pizzo says he wouldn’t run as an independent” via Jackie Llanos of Florida Phoenix — Senate Democratic Leader Pizzo is fueling speculation about a 2026 gubernatorial run but insists he’d remain a Democrat despite the party's struggles in Florida. Acknowledging the influence of over 3.7 million independent voters and a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats by over a million, Sen. Pizzo, a former prosecutor, rejected an independent bid. He told reporters he proudly embraces labels such as "centrist" and "moderate" while criticizing both parties. Pizzo bashed Republicans for out-MAGAing each other and said his party suffers from a “socialism problem,” further signaling his positioning as a potential candidate.

"DeSantis distant third in 2028 GOP presidential preference poll" via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — A recent survey indicates that DeSantis is not a front-runner in a hypothetical 2028 Presidential Race, garnering only 8% support. He trails significantly behind Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump, Jr. Other potential candidates, including Marco Rubio, also poll low. This aligns with previous polling data that places DeSantis far behind Vance. While DeSantis has been ambiguous about his future political aspirations, he has suggested he's open to future opportunities, particularly referencing support from his past backers. His current policy disputes in Florida could impact his national standing, especially as he competes for votes with Vance.

“Hillsborough County flips Republican by voter registration as GOP rout continues” via Eric Daugherty of Florida’s Voice — The statistics as of Jan. 30 show that Hillsborough comprises 301,901 Republicans and 301,719 Democrats. The latest development means Democrats only lead by voter registration in nine counties, while Republicans hold an advantage in 58. Republicans’ lead statewide sits at 1.173 million voters. “Duval and Miami-Dade, we are coming for you next,” said Republican Party of Florida Chair Evan Power Thursday morning. In Duval, Democrats lead by 11,827 voters, and in Miami-Dade, Democrats lead by 24,716 voters. Trump won Hillsborough County in the 2024 Election after Biden won it in 2020. DeSantis also won Hillsborough in 2022 over Charlie Crist in the race for Governor.