Legislative Update - February 14, 2025

The Florida Legislature held a special session this week and passed the TRUMP Act, the anti-illegal immigration bill. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law on Thursday afternoon.

Senator Geraldine “Geri” Thompson died Thursday after complications after her knee surgery. Senator Thompson had a long history of legislative service. She served with many of us in the Florida House from 2006-2012 and from 2018-2022. She served in the Senate from 2012-2016, before returning to in 2022. A special election will be called by the Governor so that her constituents can elect a new Senator.

The Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Rep. Debbie Mayfield is eligible for a Special Election to the Florida Senate, overturning a decision by the Division of Elections. Mayfield supported Donald Trump over Governor Ron DeSantis in the Presidential Primary and many believe that his attempt to keep her off the ballot was pay back.

Special Session C …

Less than a month after passing the TRUMP Act, the Florida Legislature will reconvene for a Special Session at noon today to modify the anti-illegal immigration bill. This time, Gov. Ron DeSantis, who had previously expressed concerns over the initial legislation, will fully support it.

Key changes include removing a provision designating the Agriculture Commissioner as the state's chief immigration officer. Instead, a newly formed State Board of Immigration Enforcement, consisting of the Governor, Agriculture Commissioner, Attorney General, and Chief Financial Officer, will oversee border enforcement. All members must agree on a decision for it to become policy.

Lawmakers say the new bills reflect productive discussions and feedback from DeSantis, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and the White House. The proposed changes aim to enhance interior enforcement and combat illegal immigration.

The legislation also includes increased funding for law enforcement, requires pre-trial detention for undocumented immigrants who commit felonies, revises the state's migrant transport program, creates state-level crimes for illegal entry and re-entry, and expands information-sharing with ICE.

The Legislature will consider multiple bills addressing these changes, with sponsors highlighting the collaborative effort to strengthen Florida's crackdown on illegal immigration.

Legislature …

Lawmakers Reach Immigration Compromise with Gov, Start Third Special Session Today - Legislative leaders and the governor said Monday they've agreed to hold another special session starting today to take up immigration legislation after resolving policy differences and crafting a new initiative they say is "the strongest crackdown on illegal immigration in the nation." Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, said Special Session 2025C, the third special session since the start of the year, will begin at noon on Tuesday and run to noon on Friday, Feb. 14, after reaching an agreement with Gov. Ron DeSantis, whose immigration proposal the lawmakers initially rejected. "We are building on the technical assistance from the White House to advance and implement strong policies and provide critical resources to support President Trump's efforts to combat illegal immigration efficiently and effectively," a joint memorandum from the legislative leaders said. Each chamber will consider three bills that maintain several provisions included in the Tackling and Reforming Unlawful Migration Policy (TRUMP) Act (SB 2B) passed by the Legislature in a special session last month, but with a few changes. One of the most significant changes is included in the primary legislation (HB 1C, SB 2C), a compromise bill that would create a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, composed of the Florida Cabinet and requiring unanimous approval for all decisions. That would be a shift from the previously-passed measure — which was yet to be signed into law by DeSantis — that would have placed immigration enforcement solely under the state's Commissioner of Agriculture. That main proposal also allocates $250 million in grants to support local police agencies in the enforcement of federal immigration laws, provides additional funding for the Florida Department of Agriculture to hire officers for interdiction efforts, and calls for the construction of a new enforcement station along the I-10 corridor in North Florida to help curb illegal immigration activity. It retains some provisions from the previously approved immigration bill, including increased coordination with ICE, policies to keep undocumented immigrants accused of crimes in jail, and the creation of a State Immigration Enforcement Council, which will be led by local law enforcement agencies. The new measure also establishes a state-run migrant transport program, but with restrictions — relocations will only occur under federal government direction, and Florida must be fully reimbursed for the costs. Meanwhile, HB 3C and SB 4C would introduce state-level criminal offenses for illegally entering or reentering Florida and mandate the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of murder or child rape. Additionally, HB 5C and SB 6C calls for increased guidance, training, and directives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to enhance immigration enforcement efforts at the state level. "We have a responsibility to enact policies that will help end the illegal immigration crisis once and for all, and our Republican leaders have been working tirelessly to do just that," said the governor in a prepared statement. "The bills to be considered this week in special session take ideas from the various proposals and bring them together to enact the strongest legislation to enhance interior enforcement and to combat illegal immigration amongst the fifty states," DeSantis said. The move is the latest in the showdown between DeSantis, Trump, and the Legislature over state spending and immigration policies, following GOP legislative leaders' decision to spurn DeSantis' earlier call to pass several particular bills in Special Session A by quickly and defiantly ending the session the governor called and commencing a session of their own calling: Special Session B. Lawmakers ended up passing their own broad immigration bill that the governor criticized, calling it "weak" and a "half-measure." Joint Memorandum / Joint Proclamation / DeSantis Press Release / Summary of Special Session C Bills / LobbyTools 2025C Special Session / News Service Florida / Florida Politics / Orlando Sentinel / Tampa Bay Times / USA Today Network / Florida Phoenix / WKMG

Lawmakers Start New Special Session on Compromise Immigration Bills, Let DeSantis in on Enforcement - The Legislature is set to vote Thursday on a slate of immigration measures representing a compromise with Gov. Ron DeSantis over how to help the Trump administration crackdown on undocumented migrants living in Florida after introducing legislation (HB 1C, SB 2C) that gives the governor more of a role in the response than lawmakers initially proposed when they made their own attempt at dealing with the issue last month. After the governor signaled he would likely veto the immigration legislation the Legislature passed in a special session last month, a measure DeSantis called "weak," lawmakers now are set to pass a measure more to his liking, giving the governor and other Cabinet members a spot on a new State Board of Immigration Enforcement instead of having the issue solely under the purview of the state's agriculture commissioner as lawmakers had originally tried to do. The state's agriculture industry often has a more nuanced view of immigration than many Republicans, relying on agriculture work programs that bring immigrants to Florida farms to do jobs the industry otherwise has trouble filling. DeSantis had called putting the state agriculture commissioner, currently Wilton Simpson, in control of increased enforcement of federal immigration laws "the fox guarding the hen house." Under the legislation now under consideration, the state board would include the governor, agriculture commissioner, attorney general and state chief financial officer. The panel would coordinate immigration enforcement activities with the federal government and be in charge of $250 million in grants to local law enforcement to help enforce federal immigration law. Decisions made by the new board would have to be unanimous. "What we have assembled are what we believe are the best ideas to be able to support President Trump in his efforts to work on illegal immigration in this country," Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said Tuesday. "The truth is that we have made Florida a safer place by coming to an agreement on this bill," added House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami. Other provisions of new legislation to be voted on this week include denying bail and requiring pretrial detention when immigrants in the country illegally are accused of felonies and creating a crime under state law to enter or re-enter Florida while in the United States illegally. The legislation retains a provision that would end in-state tuition for about 6,500 college and university students who were brought to the U.S. illegally as children. The House Budget Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee are both expected to vote on the slate of new legislation today, before expected floor passage on Thursday. News Service Florida / Florida Phoenix / CBS News / Central Florida Public Media / LobbyTools Special Session C Page

"Gov. Ron DeSantis signs compromise bill on illegal immigration enforcement" via Jeffrey Schweers of the Orlando Sentinel — Florida has enacted sweeping immigration enforcement laws to comply with Trump's executive order. After disputes, DeSantis and legislative leaders crafted what they call the nation's most aggressive immigration legislation.

Sen. Joe Gruters stated the legislation is about collaboration with the Trump administration and is intended to "go into hyper-speed.”

Florida Democrats slam immigration bill — In a statement released shortly after lawmakers approved SB 2C, Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said, “Donald Trump and Florida Republicans have completely betrayed our communities,” and called the bill “the most extreme anti-immigration legislation in the country, which creates a new state crime that will make it easier to target immigrants and kicks Dreamers out of college. Families will be separated, students will be saddled with debt, and fear will fracture our communities.”

Senate Has No Immediate Plans to Override More DeSantis Budget Vetoes - The Florida Senate has no immediate plans to override additional budget vetoes issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said Tuesday. Speaking at a Florida Chamber of Commerce event in Tallahassee, Albritton noted that while circumstances could change, there are currently no efforts to challenge the governor's decisions. His remarks follow House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, launching workgroups to review DeSantis' line-item vetoes from the $117 billion state budget (HB 5001), which took effect July 1. The four combined workgroups in the House began meeting on Tuesday to review line-item vetoes from the current 2024-25 state budget. In a special session held last month, the Legislature made a historic decision to override a veto by DeSantis, restoring funding for legislative operations and marking the first such defiance of the governor in his two terms. That override reinstated $28.3 million for Senate support services and $28.4 million for the House, funding that DeSantis vetoed last year as part of nearly $1 billion in line-item budget vetoes. Overriding a veto requires a two-thirds majority vote by the Legislature. News Service Florida

Legislature Filing, Moving Bills at Slow Pace - As of the start of this week, lawmakers have filed 555 bills for the upcoming regular session that begins in March and have taken only two committee votes on those bills, behind the pace of other recent sessions during which legislators have pushed high profile bills forward early to make a splash with floor passage in the first week of the session. By this point in the legislative calendar in 2021 and 2023, lawmakers had already moved major legislation on participating in riots and on universal school choice through their first committees en route to early passage. Lawmakers typically file over 3,000 bills for the regular session though the last two sessions they've filed far fewer. Last session there were just 1,957 bills filed, and in 2023, 1,873 measures were filed. In 2022, lawmakers were busier, filing 3,735 bills, in 2021 they filed 3,140 and in 2020 3,578 bills were filed. Legislators have lost time this winter due to an unusual winter storm that brought a rare snowfall. But some observers say the slowdown is more related to tension that has emerged between legislative leaders and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Lawmakers balked at the governor's earlier special session immigration proposal, sending him instead a more measured piece of legislation that DeSantis has said was too weak. They also overrode a budget veto from last year and created workgroups that are set to start next week looking at other budget vetoes by the governor with an eye toward possibly reversing some. "I'm not sure much is going to pass this year," said Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller, who spent 22 years in the Legislature ending in 2010 and has lobbied since, noting the ambivalence the current legislative leadership seems to be showing toward the governor's agenda when compared to previous years. USA Today Network

Two GOP Lawmakers Propose Bill to Cut Red Tape, Sunset Agency Regulations - Two GOP state lawmakers said they were inspired by the new Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, as well as Elon Musk and President Donald Trump to file legislation aimed at streamlining Florida's regulatory system by automatically expiring numerous agency rules after eight years unless they are readopted. "With more than 170,000 regulatory restrictions, Florida ranks 11th nationally in bureaucratic burden – putting it in the company of high-regulation states like New York and California," reads a joint press release by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, and Rep. Tiffany Esposito, R-Fort Myers. The bills (SB 448, HB 305) would make it easier for individuals to challenge state regulations in court if an agency lacks clear statutory authority or fails to provide a cost analysis, with successful challengers entitled to recover legal fees. Certain rules would be exempt from expiration, including those required by federal law, tied to federal funding, overseen by elected officials, or authorized by the state constitution. Agencies would also be prohibited from adopting rules or issuing guidance unless they have been explicitly granted authority by state law. Additionally, the measures introduce new cost-analysis requirements, mandating agencies to assess the financial impact of rules before adoption and to conduct a retrospective cost-benefit analysis four years later. "President Trump got right to work reining in the size of government and putting an end to wasteful spending, and with this legislation, Florida will be ready to follow suit," Burgess said in a statement. "Government should serve the people, not the other way around," added Esposito. "The bill aligns with President Trump's call to shrink government and focus taxpayer dollars on real priorities." The proposals have the backing of the Cicero Institute, a Texas-based think tank advocating for deregulation and policy reforms in multiple states, including Florida. Florida Politics

“Don Gaetz, Alex Andrade push bills to help curb cost of property insurance” via Andrew Powell of Florida Politics — Crestview Republican Sen. Gaetz and Pensacola Republican Rep. Andrade have filed bills (SB 554, HB 451) to reduce property insurance costs across the Board. The legislation would require insurance companies to promptly pay businesses and homeowners who have suffered losses while streamlining the adjustment process to eliminate delays and reach fair settlements. The bills would further open the books of insurance companies asking to increase their rates and provide a way for attorney fees to be paid by each side during the claims process. While the Legislature has tried to keep insurance rates lower by eliminating unnecessary litigation costs, Gaetz and Andrade say the measures have not done enough to help as rates have continued to climb over the past two years.

Monique Miller to file open-carry legislation in House” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — An open-carry bill will be filed in the House. However, its sponsor acknowledges the gun rights legislation may face resistance. Rep. Miller said she has a bill in drafting that would allow anyone in Florida to carry firearms openly. She said the issue is crucial in the state for women who own guns. “Sometimes women have to choose between protecting themselves and what they want to wear that day,” Miller said. “Women have to worry that if they have a gun showing, they could face 60 days in jail.” This isn’t the first time there has been a push for open-carry legislation in the House. Former Rep. Joel Rudman filed an open-carry bill late last year, but it was withdrawn when he resigned from the House to run for Congress.

Lawmakers Revive Left-Lane Driving Ban on Florida Highways - Legislation that would prohibit motorists from being in the left lane on the highway unless they're passing another vehicle was refiled this week after a similar measure was vetoed last year by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Republican Sen. Jonathan Martin and GOP Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka filed SB 636 and HB 545 on Tuesday. The identical bills would apply to roadways with two or more lanes going in the same direction with a speed limit of at least 65 mph. Under the proposals, motorists could still use the left lane to exit, turn or if directed by police or traffic control devices. DeSantis hit the brakes on last year's measure (HB 317), which received bipartisan support from lawmakers, over concerns that it was too broad and could lead to drivers being unnecessarily ticketed, even if they were not impeding traffic. "In addition, the bill could potentially increase congestion in Florida's urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed," read the governor's veto letter. The initiative, which has been introduced several times in the past few years, only garnered three "no" votes from Democratic members in the House during the 2024 session. News Service Florida

Legislation Proposes Investing State Money in Bitcoin - Newly-filed legislation would allow Florida's Chief Financial Officer and the State Board of Administration to invest up to 10% of public funds into bitcoin as a hedge against economic uncertainty and inflation. Sponsored by Sarasota Republican Sen. Joe Gruters and Deltona Republican Rep. Webster Barnaby, the bills (SB 550, HB 487), though not identical, aim to modernize Florida's investment strategy by authorizing the CFO to purchase and securely hold bitcoin and other digital assets, either directly, through a custodian, or as part of an exchange-traded product. Additionally, the CFO would have the ability to loan bitcoin holdings to generate returns, provided there is no increased financial risk. The legislation highlights the growth of decentralized digital currency and bitcoin's increasing value and acceptance by businesses, investment firms like BlackRock and Fidelity, and even sovereign nations. If passed, the bill would also allow taxes and fees paid in bitcoin to be transferred to the General Revenue Fund, converted into U.S. dollars, and reimbursed to the appropriate accounts. Under the proposal, filed for the upcoming regular legislative session, the State Board of Administration, which manages public funds, would also face the same 10% investment cap and would be required to hold any bitcoin using a secure custody solution. If successful, the proposed law would take effect July 1. Florida Politics / Daytona Beach News-Journal

House Panel Advances Inmate Trade Education Measure - Legislation approved Wednesday by a House committee is intended to ensure that Florida prison inmates who successfully complete certain classes will receive credit towards Department of Business & Professional Regulation licensure requirements. The bill (HB 195), by Homestead Democrat Rep. Kevin Chambliss, was approved unanimously by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee. It has two more House committee stops before the floor. The measure requires the state prison agency's Corrections Education Program to implement a plan for ensuring coordination between the education program and DBPR licensing boards to help inmates more quickly get licenses after release. "If we want to reduce recidivism, we must help (inmates) down a better path," said Republican Rep. Rachel Saunders Plakon. A Senate companion bill (SB 472), by Tavares Republican Sen. Keith Truenow is not yet assigned to committees. The CEP provides 92 career and technical education courses in 37 vocational trades that are designed to meet Florida's high demand occupations. A similar bill was approved by lawmakers in 2024 but was vetoed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The governor's objection centered on language pertaining to DBPR board consideration of applicants' criminal history that isn't part of this year's bill.

Senate Panel Moves Bill to Block Cloud-Seeding, Other Weather Modification: Cloud seeding or other efforts to control the weather or the temperature, or reduce the intensity of sunlight reaching the Earth would be banned in Florida under legislation (SB 56) approved Tuesday by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, despite some no votes from senators unsure whether the measure was needed. The bill, by Republican Sen. Ileana García of Miami, drew support from some members of the public concerned about "chem trails," or chemicals released by planes into the atmosphere. Among those testifying in favor of the bill was actress and activist Marla Maples, a former wife of now President Donald Trump. García said she didn't know who might be spraying chemicals into the atmosphere trying to change the weather, but that the bill would help determine that, allowing complaints about alleged weather modification efforts to be investigated. "We need more research and more information," García said. Scientists in the United States and elsewhere have studied "weather modification" and tried to influence rainfall through cloud seeding for decades, and even studied the possibility of mitigating hurricanes, though it's typically been difficult to gauge the success of such efforts. Under current law in Florida, weather modification is specifically allowed, but it requires a license. The bill was approved on a 6-3 vote in the committee and goes next to the Criminal Justice Committee. Florida Politics

Bill Would Rename Gulf of Mexico to 'Gulf of America' in State Law: Indian Rocks Beach Republican Sen. Nick DiCeglie filed legislation (SB 608) on Tuesday to officially rename the Gulf of Mexico to the "Gulf of America" in state law, following President Donald Trump's recent federal directive. The measure seeks to amend 92 statutory references to the Gulf of Mexico in Florida law, aligning with an executive order issued by Trump in January, which directs federal agencies to rename U.S. territorial waters bordered by Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida as the Gulf of America. Last month, Gov. Ron DeSantis adopted the change in an executive order relating to the North Florida winter weather event. The name change is already reflected on Google Maps within the U.S., though users in Mexico still see "Gulf of Mexico", and global users see both names. Apple Maps has yet to update. If DiCeglie's bill passes, the new name would take effect on July 1, though international organizations are not required to recognize the change. Florida Politics / News Service of Florida

“Bill would ban fluoride in local drinking water” via the News Service of Florida — A Lake County Republican Senator has filed a wide-ranging bill that would bar public water systems from adding fluoride to water supplies. Sen. Keith Truenow, a Tavares Republican, filed the bill (SB 700), which addresses numerous issues related to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the fluoride restrictions. The bill is backed by Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who has dubbed the proposal the “Florida Farm Bill.” It will be considered during the Legislative Session that starts March 4. Local governments in Florida and across the country recently have debated — and, in some cases, stopped — the long-standing practice of adding fluoride to water supplies.

Sen. Geraldine Thompson Dies After Surgery Complications - Sen. Geraldine Thompson, a vocal advocate for disenfranchised people and for issues important in the African-American community and a frequent calm and reasoned, but forceful voice in an often harsh political time, died Thursday after complications from knee surgery, according to her family. The Orlando-area Democrat was 76. Central Florida Public Media called Thompson a "towering figure in Orlando-area politics," and she had been a fixture in the Capitol after first being elected to the House in 2006 and subsequently serving several terms in both chambers of the Legislature. Thompson also founded the Wells' Built Museum of African American History and Culture in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood, preserving Civil Rights historical items and African Art. She was also the author of a 2003 book that was part of the Black America Series, recounting 150 years of Black history in Orlando. She pushed for years to bolster the teaching of Black history in the state's public schools. "Her watchful eye, cheerful smile, and thoughtful, well-researched, and spirited debate will be greatly missed," Senate President Ben Albritton said in a memo to the Senate. "Senator Thompson was a wealth of knowledge on many subjects, but I truly appreciated her passion for education. ... It's truly hard to believe she won't be with us when we gavel in for the Regular Session in two weeks." Orlando Sentinel / Central Florida Public Media / Senate President Albritton Memo

Governor …

Ron DeSantis wishes Bobby Bowden were still alive to be Lieutenant Governor” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — With Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez's departure looming, DeSantis is keeping his pick close to the vest – but not without a touch of humor. DeSantis quipped he'd appoint legendary Florida State coach Bowden as Lieutenant Governor "if Coach Bobby Bowden were still alive." The joke, referencing Ohio selecting a former football coach for a similar role, underscored Bowden's significant impact on Florida. DeSantis honored Bowden after he died in 2021, citing his "remarkable life" and faith. Notably, Bowden, a conservative, claimed he “beat COVID-19” to vote for Trump. While DeSantis mourns his passing, Nuñez's actual replacement remains a mystery.

DeSantis: Fla Could Pursue Criminal Charges Against Fauci for Work During COVID - Gov. Ron DeSantis said over the weekend that Florida's incoming attorney general could file charges against retired federal public health official Anthony Fauci for a "totally botched" response to the COVID pandemic, though he didn't say what Florida state laws might cover the alleged crime. Soon-to-be Attorney General James Uthmeier is "of the mindset to look at this, to see what the jurisdictional hooks are, to see what if any statutes would have been violated," DeSantis said. Former President Joe Biden issued a preemptive pardon for Fauci against any retaliatory federal charges the Trump Administration might seek, even though Fauci worked for Trump during the pandemic and despite the fact that Fauci wasn't under criminal investigation or facing any charges. The pardon wouldn't protect against start charges. Politico Playbook

State Strikes Deal with Feds to Expand Troopers' Immigration Enforcement Powers - Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida Highway Patrol troopers will be granted expanded authority to act similarly to immigration enforcement officers under a new agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. "We need to re-establish interior enforcement in this country," DeSantis said at a press conference Friday. "We have to fulfill the president's mission to effectuate the largest deportation program in American history." Describing the move as a "deputization of state enforcement entities," DeSantis said nearly 2,000 state troopers will be trained under the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE's, oversight to arrest, detain, and interrogate undocumented immigrants suspected of entering the country illegally. Troopers will also have the authority to serve and execute warrants for immigration violations. Additionally, the agreement allows ICE to collaborate with state and local law enforcement to deport incarcerated undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. While DeSantis did not provide a specific timeline, he said there would be a ramp-up period for training. Florida is among the first states to secure such an agreement with the federal government, according to DeSantis, though other GOP-controlled states are expected to follow suit. The move comes after state legislative leaders last month rejected a proposal sought by the governor's office on immigration and instead passed an immigration bill (SB 2B) that DeSantis criticized as a "half-measure." DeSantis Press Release / Orlando Sentinel / Associated Press / Florida Politics / The Center Square / Florida Channel (Video)

State Panel Delays Population Projection Update Amid Immigration Policy Uncertainty: The Office of Economic and Demographic Research postponed revising Florida's population projections, citing uncertainty over potential impacts from new federal and state immigration policies, including a recent broad immigration bill (SB 2B) passed by the Florida Legislature during a special session last month that has yet to be presented to the governor. The Demographic Estimating Conference, which periodically analyzes population trends, met early last week but opted to delay demographic adjustments due to a lack of available data on how policy changes may affect growth rates. An executive summary released later that week noted that emerging immigration policies are expected to slow population growth, but their exact impact, timing, and duration remain unclear. Florida's most recent projections, made last year, estimated the state's population would reach 23.33 million in 2025, growing to 24.77 million by 2030 and 25.91 million by 2035. The panel said it will revisit projections once more concrete data becomes available. The EDR office makes demographic projections in part to determine economic assumptions that are used by lawmakers in writing the budget. News Service Florida

Emergency Preparedness and Response …

Could Florida Handle Its Own Disaster Response Without FEMA? As President Donald Trump proposes shrinking or possibly eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, leaders in some states that have relied on help from the federal government after costly disasters are worried how they'd be able to handle disaster response on their own. Among the states that have gotten the most financial help from FEMA is Florida. Since 2015, Florida has been among the top three states in the country in receiving the highest amounts of individual assistance payments from FEMA, along with Texas and Louisiana. Each of those three states has topped $2 billion in aid through the emergency management agency. Some conservatives have long argued that states and local governments should pay for their own disaster recovery, noting that people in Ohio or New York, for example, shouldn't have to pay nearly every year to bail out people in the Southeast after hurricanes strike, or pay to help Californians recover from fires. FEMA also provides much of the nation's flood insurance, because of the lack of private coverage. While Florida would be among the states to see the biggest drop in federal help if FEMA were eliminated, at least some here support the idea, including Republican Rep. Jason Shoaf — though with the caveat that they'd still want the federal money, just not the federal strings on spending it. "States can respond to their own disasters," especially if they have money sent to them from the federal government from savings realized by cutting the size of the government more broadly, Shoaf said in a Facebook post. Also in agreement with Trump is Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who said the state can do a better job at responding to disasters. "You've got folks with Milton and Helene who are still battling FEMA," DeSantis said. "We'd be able to administer this so much quicker." DeSantis said getting FEMA out of the picture wouldn't necessarily mean ending FEMA funding. He said the agency could essentially become a disaster financial aid agency that doesn't respond itself but simply takes federal money and sends it as a block grant to states after a disaster. WFLA / Stateline

Business …

The Florida Chamber of Commerce released its annual Florida Jobs and Competitiveness Agenda, Where We Stand 2025, outlining the business lobby’s legislative priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session.

“Florida is outpacing the nation, and the Florida Chamber of Commerce is leading the charge in uniting Florida leaders to ensure Florida remains a launchpad of economic opportunity, growth, and prosperity for all. Together, we are proving that a competitive economy, strong leadership, and a unified vision can transform lives, grow opportunity, and keep Florida, Florida,” said Keith Koenig, Chair of CITY Furniture and Chair of the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

Where We Stand 2025 uses the Florida 2030 Blueprint and its Six Pillars Framework as its guide. It incorporates input from Florida Chamber members across all industries and regions, including local chambers of commerce, economic development leaders, and trade associations. This agenda, focused on the Florida 2030 Blueprint mission of making Florida the 10th largest global economy by 2030, provides a roadmap to make Florida more competitive.

The priorities outlined in Where We Stand include making Florida a leader in mental health, addressing “man-made cost drivers” impacting insurance premiums, implementing solutions to the affordable housing shortage, and eliminating the sales tax on commercial rents.

Read the full report here.

Florida Chamber opposes heat illness prevention bills — The Florida Chamber is opposing legislation by Sen. Darryl Rouson and Rep. Michael Gottlieb (SB 510/HB 35) that would require employers to implement a state-approved heat illness prevention program, including training requirements, first-aid measures and a 10-minute break every two hours. In a press release, the Chamber said the legislation prescribes “a one-size-fits-all approach that does not align with industry best practices or consider site-specific and job-specific conditions or individual employee needs” and overlooks “existing employer-led efforts and current federal standards under consideration by OSHA.”

Florida Gas Prices Drop Slightly After Recent Surge: Florida gas prices dipped five cents over the weekend after rising 17 cents last week, according to AAA — the Auto Club Group. As of Sunday, the state average stood at $3.17 per gallon, which is 10 cents higher than a week ago, six cents more than last month, and two cents above last year's prices. "Florida gas prices continue to follow the same pattern of rising and falling within about the same range every week or two," said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins. "Oil prices showed some weakness this past week, but not to a degree that would signal any significant relief at the pump." The slight price decline on fuel coincides with falling crude oil prices, dropping 9% over the past three weeks. On Friday, U.S. crude settled at $71 per barrel, down from $72.53 the previous week and well below the 2025 high of $78.71 recorded in mid-January. The West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area remains the most expensive for refueling at $3.32 per gallon, while the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach region offers the current cheapest gas prices in the state at $2.83 a gallon. AAA Press Release

Campaigns and elections …

“Cord Byrd defends Debbie Mayfield snub, says Division of Elections must reject ‘constitutionally ineligible’ candidates” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Attorneys for Florida Secretary of State Byrd are defending disqualifying Rep. Mayfield from a Special Election for the Senate. The Division of Elections rejected Mayfield’s candidacy in Senate District 19 because she already served in the seat for eight consecutive years, including most of 2024, according to a brief filed by Department of State counsel Mohammad Jazil. State attorneys argue that running again would violate term limit rules on lawmakers running for an office they have already held for eight consecutive years. “Nothing in Florida law mandates that the Secretary certify the names of candidates who are constitutionally ineligible,” the brief argues. Mayfield petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to intervene, claiming the State Department overstepped by disqualifying her when no one else had legally challenged her candidacy.

State: No Time to Add Mayfield to Ballot - The deadline this coming Friday to send out ballots to military and overseas ballots doesn't provide enough time to add Republican state Rep. Debbie Mayfield's name in a special election for a state Senate seat, lawyers for the state argued in a brief filed with the Florida Supreme Court Monday in a case over whether Mayfield can run for the Senate seat she recently vacated because of term limits. Attorneys for the state also said Secretary of State Cord Byrd had the authority to keep Mayfield off the ballot in the Senate District 19 race anyway because she isn't eligible. Mayfield left the Senate seat late last year after serving the maximum eight years, and ran to return to a seat in the House, where she had previously served for eight years. She won and is now representing House District 32. But Mayfield's former Senate seat will soon be open because newly-elected Republican Sen. Randy Fine is leaving it to run for Congress. A special primary election for that seat is set for April 1. Mayfield argued that because she isn't the sitting senator in District 19, she isn't running for reelection, and so her term limits reset. The state's brief comes after Mayfield filed an emergency petition on Thursday seeking to have her name on the ballot. The case is Mayfield v. Florida Secretary of State, et. al. Florida Phoenix / News Service Florida

"Debbie Mayfield put on Senate ballot in unanimous Florida Supreme Court ruling" via Dave Berman of Florida Today — The Florida Supreme Court ruled Thursday that Rep. Mayfield is eligible for a Special Election to the Florida Senate, overturning a decision by the Division of Elections. The court said her tenure gap allows her to run despite term limits. Mayfield accused DeSantis of retaliation for her Trump support. Mayfield is grateful for the ruling. Three other Republicans will face off in the April 1 Primary. The winner will face Democrat Vance Ahrens on June 10. Elections Supervisor Tim Bobanic is proceeding with vote-by-mail ballots.

“Tyler Sirois to run for Brevard County Commission District 2 seat in 2026” via Dave Berman of Florida Today — Rep. Sirois plans to run for a seat on the Brevard County Commission in 2026, as he is now serving his final term in the House before term limits kick in. Sirois, a Republican from Merritt Island, has filed candidate paperwork for the District 2 County Commission seat in Central Brevard. In November, Sirois was re-elected to his fourth two-year term as a House member, representing House District 31 in Central Brevard. Under Florida's term limit rules, Sirois cannot seek re-election as a House member in 2026. The current District 2 County Commissioner is Republican Tom Goodson, who was elected to the Commission in 2022.