Legislative Update - April 25, 2025

For the Session to end on schedule, lawmakers would need to have a budget done and printed on Tuesday due to the mandatory 72-hour cooling-off period before it can be taken up for a vote.

Senate President Ben Albritton said that isn’t in the cards — the current gap between the House and Senate spending plans is simply too large to square away over the weekend, so much so that the Wauchula Republican told members they could head home Thursday night.

Thursday afternoon the Senate President announced that tax relief has stalled the budget negotiations. This means the Florida legislature will likely have to return in a Special Session to resolve tax and budget bills.

The Senate announced they had offered a tax relief package of nearly $3B in the first year and $1.3B in future years.  That relief would include a temporary elimination of certain HSMV fees, a permanent sales tax exemption on clothing, a 1% reduction of the business rent tax (to 1%), and the historic sales tax holidays.  

Tax cuts are the sticking point.

House Speaker Perez wants a permanent across-the-board 0.75% cut to the state sales tax. At the same time, Albritton advocates caution and proposes a split between non-recurring cuts and permanent cuts, such as halving the tax on business rents.

“We've considered the House’s broad, across-the-board sales tax proposal and long-term budget assumption from every angle we could think of,” Albritton said. “I understand their perspective, and I applaud the resolve to pursue better government, and I have an immense respect for the Speaker and his entire team. He's a good man.

“At the end of the day, I'm just not comfortable with a proposal that I believe will likely lead to shortfalls, if not substantial shortfalls, in the out years.”

With the door shut on a May 2 Sine Die, it’s unclear when lawmakers will agree to pass the only bill they’re required to.

Lawmakers officially hit the 50-day mark of the legislative session Tuesday. Time has pretty much run out for most bills that haven't made it through committees and onto a floor calendar in at least one chamber, with 10 days left in the regular session. Senate rules prohibit most committees from meeting after Tuesday, with the exception of the Rules Committee, though the president could waive that rule.

"Jason Pizzo switches to NPA, resigns as Democratic Leader, declares ‘Democratic Party in Florida is dead’" via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — In a stunning move shaking Florida politics, Senate Democratic Leader Pizzo announced Thursday he is resigning his leadership post and leaving the Democratic Party to become an independent voter (NPA), fueling speculation about a 2026 gubernatorial run.

During an impassioned floor speech, Pizzo decried party constraints, stating Florida voters crave practical leaders, not "political hacks." He declared, "I am not in this position because of Democrats. I got elected because of NPAs... Stripping myself of a title of a party designation allows me to run free and clear."

‘More determined than ever’: Senate Democrats elect Lori Berman as new Leader” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Berman will serve as Senate Democratic Leader for the remainder of the 2024-26 term, a press note from the Florida Senate Democratic Office said, adding that the “caucus thanks former Leader Pizzo for his service.” Berman said in a statement that she is “honored and humbled” by the support of her colleagues. “At a time when Floridians are demanding results, clarity, and courage, our caucus is more unified and more determined than ever,” she said. “Across the country and here at home, we’ve seen what happens when Democrats lead with vision and values — from winning Special Elections to shifting the conversation on issues that matter most to working families.”

Legislative …

MORE ON BUDGET DISAGREEMENTS — “What had been a relatively quiet behind-the-scenes negotiation burst into the public Thursday, with state Senate President Ben Albritton saying there were ‘philosophical differences’ with the House,” reports POLITICO’s Gary Fineout.

“This led to a fiery outburst from House Speaker Daniel Perez, who complained senators were embracing ‘pathological overspending’ in the budget they passed. ... The Florida House has already passed a $5 billion tax cut that calls for a significant permanent decrease in the state’s sales tax rate. And the two chambers passed rival budgets with a $4.4 billion spending gap, as the House embraced a wide array of budget cuts in order to afford its tax cut plan. Albritton told senators the chamber had offered a plan that included $1.3 billion in permanent tax cuts and another $1.5 billion in one-time cuts for the coming year.”

Tax Plan Pushes Locals to Cut Property Tax - With Florida's legislative session set for an early May finish, a 127-page amendment was filed Monday onto the House's sweeping tax package (HB 7033), aiming to pressure local governments into reducing property taxes — primarily by expanding exemptions for affordable housing and reallocating existing revenue streams. The new language also introduces significant changes to how tourism development taxes and RV park fees are managed, potentially reshaping local budgets across the state. At the heart of the plan is a provision that would force counties and cities to implement property tax exemptions tied to the 2023 Live Local Act (SB 102), specifically targeting developments with more than 70 units of affordable housing for low- to moderate-income residents. Under the proposed changes, local governments could no longer opt out of a "missing middle" exemption many resisted following the housing reforms. Additional incentives would apply to developments built on state-leased land with 60-year affordability agreements. Local governments would also be required to fast-track permit approvals for such projects. Though the full fiscal impact is not yet clear, similar measures affecting publicly leased land have already been estimated to cost $1.1 million statewide. But House leaders said any significant overhaul to Florida's property tax structure would likely require a constitutional amendment, pushing any broader reforms to the 2026 ballot. This position rules out Gov. Ron DeSantis' proposed property tax refunds for now, as the House instead focuses on a general sales tax cut rather than the governor's favored annual tax holidays. The House tax package amendment also includes provisions that would benefit RV park owners, capping non-ad valorem assessments — fees based on characteristics like square footage or occupancy — only to the space used by an RV unit itself. Florida has more RV parks and campgrounds than any other state in the nation. Perhaps the most contentious element of the wide-ranging committee substitute concerns tourist development taxes, or (TDTs). New language would allow counties to repurpose TDT revenue — typically earmarked for marketing and tourism infrastructure — for broader uses. The change would dissolve county-level tourism councils by the end of 2025, although counties could revive them under new conditions. While existing tourism-related contracts could be completed, they could not be renewed or extended. Outstanding debt tied to TDT revenue could be refinanced but not increased or prolonged. The proposal has sparked concerns in high-tourism communities like Orange County, where the 6% TDT generated $364 million in 2024. Critics warn that redirecting TDT revenue could inadvertently force local governments to offset the tax shift by slashing property taxes, which might undercut services like transportation, waste management, and public safety needed to support millions of visitors. While the House focuses on immediate revenue flexibility, the Senate is exploring more targeted uses for tourism dollars. Orlando Democrat Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith has proposed a measure (SB 1114), now folded into a broader Senate tax package (SB 7034), that would allow TDT funds to support public transportation and other infrastructure. With just days left in the session, the competing visions between the House and Senate — and between the Legislature and the governor — set the stage for tense budget negotiations as lawmakers work to finalize the state's spending plan before the scheduled Sine Die adjournment on May 2. The House tax package and accompanying committee substitute amendment are slated to be considered Tuesday in the House Budget Committee. Florida Politics / LT Compare HB 7033 & PCS

“House passes bill to expand E-Verify during emotional debate on immigration” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — Florida is one step closer to expanding E-Verify to require all private businesses, both big and small, to crack down on hiring illegal workers. The House has approved legislation (HB 955) that would require all companies with fewer than 25 employees to check employees’ status using E-Verify. A 2023 state law already requires companies with 25 or more employees to use E-Verify. The House’s 88-25 vote came after the Legislature held a Special Session in February to address illegal immigration. “This bill simply enforces federal law,” said Rep. Berny Jacques, a Seminole Republican cosponsoring the bill.

“Senate slams brakes on speed limit increase for Florida highways” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — The Senate approved a transportation bill but nixed language increasing highway speed limits with a last-minute amendment. The legislative package (SB 462) passed on the Senate floor covers several issues, including the operations of metropolitan planning organizations throughout the state. One provision the public would have expected to notice swiftly — pun intended — was language allowing the Florida Department of Transportation to lift speed limits to new heights. But Sen. Nick DiCeglie presented several amendments to the bill on the House floor, including one that “removes provisions from the bill authorizing an increase in speed limits.” That amendment was passed without objection. Senators then passed the legislation 37-0.

Legislature passes Pizzo bill slamming brakes on ‘super speeders’” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — A year after passing legislation to crack down on deadly stunt driving, Pizzo notches another road safety win — this time against “super speeders.” The Senate Democratic Leader from Miami-Dade has successfully passed HB 351, which now heads to the Governor’s desk. The Senate voted 37-0 on Thursday to steepen penalties for the so-called “super speeders” who put other motorists at risk on Florida’s highways and byways. “You can’t drive 50 miles an hour over the speed limit and not think that’s not excessive and dangerous,” Pizzo, a former Miami-Dade County prosecutor, said ahead of the vote Thursday.

Top DeSantis Agency Appointees Face Uncertain Futures Amid Senate Scrutiny - Two of Gov. Ron DeSantis' high-profile agency appointments are facing a tough road to confirmation in the Florida Senate, with time running out in the current legislative session. Appointees Shevaun Harris, tapped to lead the Agency for Health Care Administration, and Taylor Hatch, named Secretary of the Department of Children and Families, have both come under legislative scrutiny over their connections to First Lady Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida initiative and a $10 million Medicaid donation. Crestview Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, who chairs the Senate Senate Ethics and Elections Committee — the panel responsible for vetting appointees, told the Florida Phoenix that the Senate still has roughly 150 of more than 200 gubernatorial appointments awaiting action. He said the committee simply does not have enough time this session to take up the nominations of Harris or Hatch. Under Florida law, if the Senate fails to act, the governor must reappoint the individuals within 30 days, with confirmation then delayed until the next session. If the Senate again declines to confirm, the appointees must step down. "I'd have a hard time voting for Secretary Harris unless she came clean and had a very different story than what she's telling the House," said Gaetz. The delay comes as the state House is accusing the Hope Florida Foundation of taking $10 million of a $67 million settlement reached in 2024 by AHCA with Centene, Florida's largest Medicaid managed care provider and parent company of Sunshine Health. The funds allegedly flowed through "Save Our Society from Drugs" and the Florida Chamber of Commerce's "Secure Florida's Future" account to "Keep Florida Clean," a committee previously led by now-Attorney General and former Gov. Ron DeSantis Chief of Staff James Uthmeier that opposed a proposed ballot initiative to legalize recreational marijuana during the 2024 election cycle. The Senate Committee on Children, Families, and Elder Affairs approved Hatch's nomination on March 25, while the Senate Health Policy Committee signed off on Harris on April 1. But both still require approval from the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee before consideration by the full Senate – steps that now appear unlikely before the 2025 legislative session is slated to end on May 2. A memo published Monday by Gaetz and committee Vice Chair Sen. Mack Bernard, D-West Palm Beach, outlines a two-step process for future confirmations under Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula. "A favorable vote of the Ethics and Elections Committee will be required in order for a nominee to be recommended for confirmation by the full Senate," the memo reads. "However, the President always has the prerogative to move any nomination to the full Senate." Despite the mounting uncertainty, Albritton's spokesperson confirmed that the governor's office has been informed of the current status. The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee is set to review a slate of appointments on Tuesday, with some submitted well after Harris and Hatch's names were put forward. Gaetz-Bernard Senate Memo / Florida Phoenix / News Service Florida

“Misfire: Florida bump stock bills get no play in 2025” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Legislation on bump stocks, devices that use the recoil of a semi-automatic rifle so that it fires at near-automatic speed, hasn’t gotten any consideration at the Capitol this year. That includes a pair of bills (SB 1234, HB 6013) to repeal Florida’s ban on them and another legislative couplet to hike penalties for their use (SB 254, HB 1621). With most Committee action winding down, bills that haven’t been heard in Committee yet are likely dead. Florida’s bump stock ban went into effect March 9, 2018, less than a month after the deadliest school shooting in the state’s history.

“Lawmakers end Hope Florida charity probe without hearing from key players,” reports Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times and Alexandra Glorioso of the Miami Herald.

“Nonprofit leader said she was wrongly pressured to testify in Hope Florida scandal,” reports Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

Business …

According to Florida TaxWatch, Monday was “Florida Taxpayer Independence Day,” which marks the point of the year where the average Floridian has earned enough money to pay their state and federal taxes for the year, assuming they’ve set aside every nickel that’s come their way since Jan. 1.

“Based on the relative size of all taxes paid in Florida to the state’s total personal income, it took taxpayers an average of 110 days to pay their taxes this year, which fell on the same day in 2024,” a TaxWatch press release said. Taxpayer Independence Day typically falls in mid-to-late April throughout the 2020s, although it has shifted forward by about a week over the past five years.

Florida Gas Prices Dip to Lowest Level in Nearly a Month: Florida gas prices across the state fell by an average of 11 cents over the past week, according to AAA. As of Sunday, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded stood at $3.00 — the lowest daily average recorded since March 24. Compared to a month ago, prices are down by two cents and are a significant 59 cents lower than the same time last year. "An 11-cent drop may not turn heads, but every little bit adds up for drivers navigating the road and their budgets," said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins. "Unfortunately, the downward trend may not continue much longer. Oil prices moved higher last week after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Iranian oil." U.S. crude oil prices climbed by just over $3 per barrel last week, marking a 5% increase. Meanwhile, gasoline futures saw a 10-cent jump, potentially signaling price shifts ahead. The West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area remains the most expensive for refueling at $3.15 per gallon, while the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach region offers the current cheapest gas prices in the state at $2.75 a gallon. AAA Press Release / News Service Florida

Campaigns & Elections …

“Field set for Special Election to fill Geraldine Thompson’s Senate seat” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Five candidates have qualified for a Special Election in Senate District 15 to determine who succeeds the late Sen. Thompson. That sets the board for a race that involves sibling rivalry and an attempted political comeback in a contest to replace a revered civil rights figure. Democrats Coretta Anthony-Smith, Randolph Bracy, LaVon Bracy Davis and Alan Grayson all qualified for a June 24 Democratic Primary, where a winner will advance to a Sept. 2 Special Election. Republican Willie Montague was the only member of his party to qualify, winning the GOP nomination outright. But the seat leans heavily Democratic. Meanwhile, nearly 61% of voters in SD 15 voted for Kamala Harris for President, while less than 38% supported Trump.

“Byron Donalds accuses DeSantis of ‘lashing out’ at him over backing Trump in 2024” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics – As he runs for Governor, U.S. Rep. Donalds is responding to the current Governor’s comments about him not being part of conservative wins in Florida. “He’s still mad at me that I endorsed Donald Trump. And so that’s his way of, you know, kind of lashing out, trying to lash out at me,” Donalds said about DeSantis on the Full Send Podcast. An interviewer asked the Naples Republican about DeSantis’ comments in February that Donalds “just hasn’t been a part of any of the victories that we’ve had here over the left over these last years” because he’s “been in other states campaigning.” Donalds said that in the last four years of DeSantis’ tenure, Donalds was doing his “job in Congress … standing up to Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer” and doing “everything (he) could to help elect Donald Trump.”

“David Jolly’s very good (and unexpected) day” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — On Wednesday, former Republican Congressman-turned-NPA Jolly was a whisper in Florida politics. Sure, everyone knew he might, maybe, possibly be mulling a run for Governor. And people outside of his Pinellas County home base knew who he was, less because of his time serving as the Representative for Florida’s 13th Congressional District and more because of his time as a pundit on MSNBC and various other outlets where he provided, largely, anti-Trump commentary. By Thursday morning, Jolly was a Democrat and had a political committee and a website that read an awful lot like a campaign page. By Thursday afternoon, he had a clear path to the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2026. At least for now.