Legislative Update - May 9, 2025

The only constitutional duty of the Florida Legislature is to pass a balanced budget. During the traditional sixty days of the 127th regular session, House and Senate leadership were unable to come to an agreement on how to satisfy this requirement for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.

At 10:49 pm, Friday, May 2, the Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 1631. The resolution extends session until June 6 and limits the consideration of legislation exclusively to the General Appropriations Act and specific bills necessary to implement the budget.

Announcing the framework for a budget deal, Speaker of the House, Daniel Perez, stated "While our conference committees will have to iron out the differences on specific spending items, this budget deal is historic. We will pass a budget that is lower than the Governor's budget. In addition, we will pass a landmark $2.8 billion tax cut. Members, this will be the largest tax cut in the history of Florida. In addition, this will make us the only state in the history of the United States to permanently cut a sales tax."

Senate President Ben Albritton stated "As part of our agreement with the House, we will take up the most historic tax relief package in the history of our state. This includes $2.8 billion in tax relief. We have a responsibility to safeguard taxpayer dollars and improve accountability, transparency, and oversight of government spending. Floridians can count on us to get the job done."

But Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that any sales tax elimination will be vetoed. He wants property tax relief instead making negotiations very difficult.

Governor …

"Ron DeSantis derides House panel studying a property tax cut as ‘dog & pony show’" via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — Gov. DeSantis criticized Florida House Republicans Tuesday, targeting Speaker Daniel Perez’s newly formed 37-member Select Committee on Property Taxes, calling it a "total dog and pony show" designed to "kill property tax relief." DeSantis derided the inclusion of "some of the most left-wing Democrats," like Orlando’s Anna Eskamani, saying, "You shouldn’t be trying to resurrect the Democratic Party when you have a three-to-one majority."

"Gov. DeSantis vows veto: 'Florida last' tax cuts 'dead on arrival,' he says" via Gray Rohrer of the Tallahassee Democrat — DeSantis threatened to veto a proposed state sales tax cut, claiming it would jeopardize his priority of property tax relief for Floridians, not "Canadian tourists." "Any 'Florida last' tax package is going to be dead on arrival," he said on Wednesday. This escalates a feud with House Speaker Perez and could upend a budget framework as lawmakers return May 12 for a Special Session. Perez blasted DeSantis as "confused," insisting both cuts are possible and calling the Governor's $1,000 property tax rebate plan "imaginary" and a "Newsom-style 'free' money giveaway." Perez accused DeSantis of perhaps wanting to control all spending, while DeSantis argues a sales tax cut would hinder meaningful relief for residents.

“And just like that: Ron DeSantis signs bill targeting citizen-led ballot initiatives into law” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — DeSantis signed the bill adding new hurdles for future citizen-led ballot initiatives Friday night, hours after the Legislature passed the measure. DeSantis, an outspoken critic of Amendment 3 and 4 to legalize marijuana and protect abortion rights, had pushed lawmakers to change the process before the start of the Session. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida warned that the new law will make future constitutional amendment initiatives impossible. The organization, which could not say late Friday if it planned to sue, vowed to fight back. “This is not about protecting the integrity of the process. It’s about preserving power for a few who want unchecked control and the ability to ignore the will of the voters,” said Bacardi Jackson, executive director of the ACLU of Florida.

“DeSantis announces he will sign fluoridation ban” via Martin E. Comas of the Orlando Sentinel — DeSantis announced he will sign into law legislation that bans local governments from adding fluoride to public drinking water, ending a decades-old practice that health professionals have long credited with slashing rates of tooth decay, especially in poor communities. Once DeSantis signs the bill, Florida will become the second state in the country to prohibit the cavity-fighting mineral, following Utah, which ended fluoridation this year. “It’s forced medication when they’re putting fluoride into your water supply,” DeSantis said. “Why should this be forced on people? It really shouldn’t be forced on people.” Orange County and the Orlando Utilities Commission, which combined serve about 370,000 customers and had resisted earlier calls to halt fluoridation, said they would change course once the bill was signed.

"Ron DeSantis says he’ll sign bill to ban golf, hotels in Florida state parks" via Emily Mahoney and Max Chesnes of the Tampa Bay Times — DeSantis confirmed Wednesday he will sign House Bill 209, legislation expressly prohibiting the construction of amenities like golf courses and hotels on state park land – a direct reversal of his administration's controversial proposal last year. The decision follows immense public and political backlash after the Tampa Bay Times initially revealed the plans, which the Florida Department of Environmental Protection later promoted.

Why the Hope Florida scandal isn’t going away and why it could get worse" via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — April was a disaster for Casey DeSantis, and as long as she considers a gubernatorial run, the Hope Florida scandal will be her albatross. A $10 million Centene settlement donation to Hope Florida, then funneled to groups opposing a marijuana amendment her husband fiercely fought, raises serious questions. Adding to it, the Governor's then-Chief of Staff chaired the anti-pot committee. Rep. Alex Andrade's probe revealed damning money flows, and he rightly says, "if someone defrauded the state … they’d go to prison." Unanswered questions remain about funds potentially fueling DeSantis' political ambitions and the foundation's own legal compliance. This hypocrisy-laden scandal is an onion; the more layers peeled, the more it stinks.

DeSantis: People Decide Policy, Not Judges - Gov. Ron DeSantis said this week that Attorney General James Uthmeier's defiance of a federal court ruling on immigration enforcement is "right," because the public gets to decide policy through elections, not "unelected lifetime-appointed judges." U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams of the Southern District of Florida has suspended enforcement of state statutes that make it a crime for some "unauthorized aliens" to travel across state lines from somewhere else in the United States to enter or re-enter Florida. The immigration laws were passed earlier this year as part of legislation (SB 4C) enacted during a special session. After Williams blocked the statutes from being enforced while courts were determining their constitutionality, Uthmeier wrote to law enforcement agencies implying that the federal court order was not lawful or legitimate. "I cannot prevent you from enforcing," the particular laws in question, Uthmeier said in the letter. "It is my view that no lawful, legitimate order currently impedes your agencies from continuing to enforce Florida's new illegal entry and re-entry laws." Williams plans a hearing later this month on possible court sanctions for Uthmeier for ordering law enforcement to ignore a court order. Uthmeier has argued that he's defying the court not because of the substance of the order, but because he believes the federal judge lacks jurisdiction in this case. "We believe the court has overstepped and lacks jurisdiction there," Uthmeier said on Fox News in early May. DeSantis said during an appearance in Tampa this week that Uthmeier was in the right, not the court. "He's right on the law," DeSantis said. "He has the courage to stand and do what's right, even knowing that he's going to get blowback." Uthmeier was appointed attorney general by DeSantis when former AG Ashley Moody resigned to join the U.S. Senate. Florida Phoenix / News Service Florida

Legislative …

House Announces Select Committee Targeting Property Tax Relief for Homeowners

Last week, Speaker of the House, Danny Perez, announced the formation of the Select Committee on Property Taxes. The committee will be tasked with reviewing the current state of property taxes in Florida and exploring innovative policy solutions to reduce the financial burden on homeowners.

"The cost of homeownership continues to rise, putting pressure on Florida families, seniors, and communities," said House Speaker Daniel Perez. "Through this Select Committee, we are committed to identifying bold solutions that preserve the dream of homeownership and give voters a direct voice in determining the future of property taxation in our state."

It is anticipated that many of the policy concepts considered by the Select Committee will require constitutional amendments, meaning Florida voters would ultimately have the opportunity to approve any proposed changes.

The Select Committee held their initial discussions on Friday, May 2nd by discussing several potential reforms, including:

Requiring every city, county, and special district to hold a referendum on the question of eliminating property taxes on homestead properties.

• Creating a new $500,000 homestead exemption, as well as a $1 million homestead exemption for properties owned by Floridians aged 65 and older, or who have had a homestead for 30 years, applicable to all non-school taxes.
• Authorizing the Legislature to increase the homestead exemption to any value by general law.
• Modifying the assessment increase limitations on property values.
• Protecting homeownership by eliminating the ability to foreclose on a homestead property due to a property tax lien. 

To view the press release in full, click here.   

Senate Budget Chief: 'No Allocations Agreed to Yet': While House and Senate leaders announced Friday that they had agreed on a "framework" for a state budget and extended the legislative session to hash out a spending plan for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, the Senate budget chief told News Service of Florida that the two chambers have still not agreed on what are known as "allocations" — the broad silos of spending that underpin the more detailed budget negotiations. "Cruise rescheduled until late June. No allocations agreed to yet," Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, told the Tallahassee-based news service while referring to a vacation he had planned for mid-May. The working plan mentioned last week proposes $2.8 billion in tax relief and lawmakers were set to return to the Capitol the week of May 12 to continue negotiations. But budget conference committees cannot begin hashing out line-item differences until allocations are finalized. With the July 1 start of the new fiscal year approaching, the lack of agreement among state leaders highlights deep divisions over proposed tax cuts and state spending. News Service Florida

“Legislature OKs massive hurricane preparation, response package” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — The Senate has unanimously cleared a measure to boost hurricane relief and recovery capabilities and enhance storm response. It heads next to DeSantis. The bill (SB 180) is sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, whose home was damaged in recent hurricanes. The legislation would provide homeowners with a straightforward and streamlined permitting process as they rebuild. The measure includes clarification on repair guidelines to help avoid future property tax increases and increase disaster management planning, emergency resource coordination, financial transparency and reporting across state and local government entities. “Multiple major hurricanes ravaged Florida last year, leaving extensive damage statewide,” DiCeglie said.

Lawmakers Sending Energy and Environment Bills to Gov: The state Public Service Commission would be required to establish a program to study energy infrastructure investment in gas under legislation (SB 1574) passed in the final days of the legislative session and headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis for approval. Other energy and environmental measures passed as lawmakers wound down their non-budget work for the year included a bill (HB 295) that directs the Department of Environmental Protection to develop a statewide waste reduction and recycling plan. In addition to high profile environment-related measures that passed during the session, including a bill (HB 209) to keep the state from making major development decisions about state parks without public approval and a bill (HB 1143) to restrict oil drilling up river from Apalachicola Bay, other conservation-related measures headed for the governor's office are a measure (SB 492) that prohibits mitigation credits from being released for freshwater wetland creation until certain conditions are met, and a bill (SB 1228) that authorizes wastewater treatment facilities to assist with reclaimed water projects benefiting Outstanding Florida Springs flow recovery. Another legislatively approved environmental measure (HB 733) pertains to site rehabilitation agreements and provides tax credits for contaminated brownfields. Lawmakers also gave final approval late last week to a bill (HB 1313) to re-create the Resilient Florida Trust Fund in the Department of Environmental Protection, repealing its scheduled termination.

“Mockingbird keeps perch as state bird as bills flop favoring others in Capitol” via Fresh Take Florida — The northern mockingbird has done it again. Known for its ability to mimic at least a dozen other species vocally, the gray and white bird held off challenges for a fourth consecutive year in the Capitol to unseat it from its perch as Florida’s state bird. Lawmakers this year even tried some new strategies. Sen. Tina Scott Polsky devised what she believed was a “smarter, more nuanced approach” by filing a bill that would allow schoolchildren to pick their favorite bird at various Summer camps over the next two years. Survey results would then be presented to the Senate President and the House Speaker in December 2026. Polsky said she believed involving children also would raise awareness about Florida’s birds. In 2008, when 78,000 children took part in a similar survey, they chose the American osprey, a brown and white hawk.

Business …

Florida Gas Prices Continue Bumpy Ride Amid Global Oil Shifts: Florida gas prices fluctuated again last week, rising from $3.04 per gallon on Monday to $3.18 by Thursday before dipping to $3.10 on Sunday, according to AAA. These swings reflect a broader pattern since September 2024, with prices oscillating between $2.96 and $3.30 per gallon and averaging around $3.11. "Florida gas prices are poised to move lower this week," said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins. The volatility comes as OPEC+ reportedly plans to restore 2.2 million barrels of oil per day to the market by November — a move aimed at lowering global prices, regaining market share, and penalizing Iraq and Kazakhstan for breaching production limits. On Friday, U.S. oil closed at $58.29 per barrel, down $4.73 from the previous week and marking the lowest price since April 2021, when Florida drivers paid roughly $2.85 per gallon. The West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area remains the most expensive for refueling at $3.25 per gallon, while the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach region offers the current cheapest gas prices in the state at $2.74 a gallon. AAA Press Release / News Service Florida

“Orlando among major U.S. metros with home price drops” via James Cannon of Yahoo News — The median home-sale price in the Orlando metro area fell 0.9%, while Jacksonville’s 2.2% decline marks the steepest drop in Florida and is among the sharpest nationally. The slip comes as the national housing market cools under the weight of high borrowing costs and mounting economic uncertainty. It’s the first time since September 2023 that so many large metros saw prices drop.

“Labor Department: Florida’s new unemployment claims increase to start May” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — New unemployment claims in Florida ticked up for the first time in nearly a month for the week ending May 3. A new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) report showed the state's first increase in new unemployment claims in three weeks. There were 6,227 initial unemployment claims for the week ending May 3. That was a modest increase of 385 claims from the week ending April 26, when there were 5,842 filings. It’s the first time Florida’s weekly unemployment claims have exceeded 6,000 in about a month. Despite the latest DOL report, new unemployment claims have generally been decreasing for most of this year.

Hurricanes …

"AccuWeather warns first tropical storm of year could develop in May. See forecast, Florida impact" via Cheryl McCloud of the USA Today Network-Florida — AccuWeather forecasters warn the first tropical storm of 2025 could form in May, ahead of the official June 1 hurricane season start. Development is possible between May 15-22, potentially linked to a Central American Gyre. While current odds are low, such a system in the Caribbean could track northeast over Jamaica and Cuba, with a low U.S. impact risk, though South Florida might see downpours. Historically, 11 tropical storms have formed in May since 2003. Experts urge early preparation, as these systems can develop quickly. The National Hurricane Center will issue daily outlooks starting May 15.

DEM Urges Floridians to be Proactive During Hurricane Prep Week: This week, May 4-10, marks Florida Hurricane Preparedness Week and the National Weather Service Hurricane Preparedness Week ahead of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, slated to start June 1. The Florida Division of Emergency Management recommends Floridians update emergency plans, stock disaster supply kits, and know their flood risk. The week's themes include evacuation readiness, understanding weather alerts, staying safe during storms, and using caution afterward. Last hurricane season saw 18 named storms, including five major hurricanes. "I want residents to use Hurricane Preparedness Week as their wake-up call to get their plans ready," said FDEM Executive Director Kevin Guthrie. "Last year's active hurricane season demonstrated that hurricanes bring far more hazards than just wind and rain. From tornadoes to flooding, don't wait to update your disaster plans — preparedness today means resiliency tomorrow." DeSantis Proclamation / FDEM Press Release

“Hurricane Preparedness Week has government agencies, utility companies urging need for response plans” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — The hurricane season officially began May 1. Hurricane Preparedness Week is underway, urging Americans to prepare for deadly storms. For Florida, it’s a stark reminder of a brutal 2024 hurricane season when three tropical blasts hit the state, closing schools, evacuating millions of people, and causing billions of dollars in damage to counties on both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. “Hurricanes, storm surges, and flooding can wash away homes and properties, but the greatest threat is the loss of life, making readiness paramount. Those living in at-risk areas should have a family evacuation plan and a supply of non-perishable food, water, medicine, batteries, and other essential items,” a White House announcement said. Communications and utility companies also mobilize as they enter the so-called “Mean Season.”

Campaigns & Elections …

“Poll puts Casey DeSantis, Byron Donalds neck and neck in a GOP Primary for Governor” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Another poll shows First Lady DeSantis with a slight edge over U.S. Rep. Donalds in the Republican field for Governor. But the numbers also show high unfavorable ratings as she prepares to run. The James Madison Institute (JMI) published survey results showing the First Lady leading the GOP contenders to succeed her husband, Ron DeSantis. About 27% of likely Republican voters support Casey DeSantis, compared to 24% who favor Donalds. That puts the two within the poll’s 2.77-percentage-point margin of error.

“Poll shows Jason Pizzo leading Daniella Levine Cava in Dem gubernatorial Primary, where he’s no longer running” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Before leaving the Democratic Party, state Sen. Pizzo appeared in a strong position to win the party’s nomination for Governor. A new poll from the JMI showed Pizzo with a lead among Democratic contenders for the statewide office. Asked about a Democratic Primary, about 41% of likely voters would vote for Pizzo, far outpacing the 15% backing Miami-Dade Mayor Levine Cava. No other candidate broke double digits this early in the campaign.

She’s back (again): Daphne Campbell files to run for Dotie Joseph’s HD 108 seat” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Former Sen. Campbell is continuing her quest to regain elected office, this time with a run to succeed term-limited Rep. Joseph in House District 108. Campbell, who served three terms in the House before winning a two-year term in the Senate, filed paperwork April 11 to run for HD 108. So far, she faces one fellow Democrat, Dinah Escarment, a radio host and tax, immigration and real estate services executive who also serves as a State Committee member for the party. Campbell, 67, has repeatedly run to win office since she lost her Senate re-election race to now-Sen. Jason Pizzo in 2018.

“Andy Beshear, Cory Booker to headline Florida Democrats’ Leadership Blue Gala” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — The Florida Democratic Party (FDP) has announced that Kentucky Gov. Beshear and New Jersey Sen. Booker will be the featured speakers at its annual Leadership Blue Gala. The marquee event will be held Saturday, June 21, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood as part of a three-day Leadership Blue Weekend. FDP Chair Fried said that the party is “thrilled” to be hosting Beshear and Booker at its South Florida soiree. “Sen. Booker and Gov. Beshear are two of the brightest stars of today’s Democratic Party,” she said, “and their visit to Florida is more proof of the party’s commitment to the future of our state and the importance of the South.”