Legislative Update - August 1, 2025

• Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday: Today marks the start of Florida's Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday, which will run through the end of the month. During the last legislative session, lawmakers made this sales tax holiday a permanent annual event.
• Governor’s DOGE Push: Governor DeSantis continues to expand his “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) initiative, bringing more local governments into the program.
• New Leadership at VISIT Florida: Bryan Griffin has been named the new President & CEO of VISIT Florida.
• Only in Florida: Law enforcement caught a “dumb criminal” who was stealing Smokey Bear signs from state parks and selling them on eBay. His mistake? He stopped to pose for a photo with Smokey Bear—who turned out to be a Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services law enforcement officer in disguise.

Governor …

DeSantis Promotes Back-to-School Tax Holiday: The state's regular "back-to-school" tax holiday is now permanent. Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference on Monday to promote the month-long August tax break on items including clothes, schools, school supplies and some computers. Panama City News Herald

DeSantis Wants Crackdown on AI, 'Biggest Issue Facing Society'

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday warned of the growing influence of artificial intelligence, calling AI the "biggest issue that's facing our society" and vowing to take action in the coming months. Speaking at a press conference in Panama City Beach, DeSantis said he would be "rolling out an approach on this within the next few months," though he offered no specifics about whether the plan would involve legislation. "I think it's very dangerous, potentially," DeSantis said. "Obviously, technology is what it is. It's not like you just put your head in the sand and hope it all disappears. But if you look at what the shape of the economy could be like in the future with artificial intelligence, you know, you're talking about major, major upheavals in jobs and in businesses ... And my fear is, I don't want our experience, our ability to live and pursue happiness, which is what the founding fathers intended, to be subordinated to the whims of these big tech guys who have, maybe, their different agenda." He described the stakes as "really significant," both economically and socially, and said the state must "be careful about how all this unwinds." Orlando Sentinel / News Service Florida / Florida Politics / Florida Phoenix

“Ron DeSantis starts turning the screws on voters who rejected him ” via Jason Garcia of Seeking Rents — Gov. DeSantis has launched a new “DOGE” initiative, using new legislative powers to send state auditors into local governments to scrutinize their spending. The effort, mimicking cost-cutting campaigns by the Trump administration, began by targeting Broward County and Gainesville, two of Florida’s most liberal communities that have overwhelmingly rejected DeSantis. This overtly partisan start immediately framed the audits as a political weapon rather than a good-faith effort to find waste, empowering the Governor to demand access to local government data systems and employees under his control.

“Deportation flights from Florida’s Alligator Alcatraz detention center have begun, DeSantis says ” via The Associated Press — Deportation flights from the remote Everglades immigration lockup known as Alligator Alcatraz have begun and are expected to increase soon, DeSantis said Friday. The first flights operated by the Department of Homeland Security have transferred about 100 detainees from the immigration detention center to other countries, DeSantis said during a news conference near the facility. “You’re going to see the numbers go up dramatically,” he said. Two or three flights have already departed, but officials didn’t say where those flights headed.

Judge Wants Clarity on 'Alligator Alcatraz' Amid Deportations: A federal judge is pressing state and federal authorities to produce documentation clarifying who is in charge of operations at the recently established immigrant detention facility in the Everglades, where more than 100 detainees have already been deported. U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz on Monday called the matter "urgent" during a hearing in a federal lawsuit challenging the facility, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." Plaintiffs argue people held at the site are being denied access to legal counsel and are unable to challenge their detention. Ruiz requested a copy of the intergovernmental agreement governing the site, saying it's necessary to determine "who's running the show." The call for transparency comes amid escalating concerns about conditions and accountability at the remote, state-run compound, which sits on county-owned land and has drawn criticism from local officials, civil rights groups, and environmental activists. News Service Florida / Politico Pro

“‘ Stay tuned,’ Ron DeSantis says on mid-decade congressional redistricting plan” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — DeSantis said Wednesday he is “very seriously” considering a mid-decade redistricting process in Florida. This move could bolster the GOP’s narrow majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. The potential effort follows a direct call from President Donald Trump for red-leaning states to redraw congressional maps to strengthen the party’s standing ahead of the 2026 Elections.

“VISIT FLORIDA taps DeSantis communications chief for CEO ” via Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel — VISIT FLORIDA picked DeSantis’ communications director to lead the state’s tourism marketing efforts. The organization’s Board of Directors voted to hire Bryan Griffin with an annual salary not to exceed $215,000. The decision came on the same day DeSantis publicly backed his ally for the CEO job at VISIT FLORIDA. Griffin, a Tampa native, touted his Florida roots and deep connections in the Capitol while asking for the Board’s support. “We will promote the shared values and unique features of Florida, including our world-class amenities, unique natural and historical sites, and our commitment to public safety and order for all who visit,” he said. Griffin succeeds Dana Young, who announced her retirement in December.

“Alex Lanfranconi returns to DeSantis’ office as Communications Director ” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Lanfranconi is returning to Florida and DeSantis’ comms shop. After six months working as West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s Communications Director, Lanfranconi announced he will rejoin the Florida Governor’s Office in the same capacity. The news broke the same day DeSantis announced he was appointing current Communications Director Bryan Griffin as the next president and CEO of VISIT FLORIDA. “It’s been an honor to serve under the leadership of Governor Patrick Morrisey — a man of integrity and conviction who cares deeply about his staff and the future of West Virginia. Great things lie ahead for the Mountain State,” Lanfranconi posted on X. “While I am sad to leave, I look forward to this incredible opportunity to rejoin the DeSantis Administration in my home state of Florida.”

“Personnel note: DeSantis taps Chad Kunde as new Deputy Legislative Affairs Director ” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — DeSantis is bringing on Kunde to serve as the Deputy Legislative Affairs Director in the Executive Office of the Governor. Kunde replaces Mary Clare Hubbard, who was elevated to Director of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs after Peter Cuderman’s departure in late May. Cuderman left the position to pursue a postgraduate education at Harvard. In his new role, Kunde will serve as a key point of contact for legislative staff, members and agency liaisons. Before joining the Governor’s Office, Kunde served as Director of Business Climate and Governance Policy at the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

“Hope Florida charity says Ron DeSantis officials didn’t need to report gifts ” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times — Lawmakers and DeSantis administration officials who were wined and dined at a private golf resort last year were told they don’t have to disclose lavish hotel rooms and custom golf bags as gifts to the state Ethics Commission. Under state law, gifts over $100 from state-created charities, such as the Hope Florida Foundation that sponsored last year’s event, must be reported to the Commission. But after the Times/Herald wrote about the fundraiser last month, the president of the Hope Florida Foundation instructed attendees not to bother: These weren’t gifts.

Attorney General …

“Uthmeier investigating environmental groups for alleged antitrust violations ” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Two climate watchdog and consulting organizations are under investigation by Attorney General Uthmeier for what he says are suspected violations of consumer protection and antitrust laws. The Climate Disclosure Project (CDP) and the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) have both been served subpoenas after what Uthmeier says was coercion of companies in Florida into “disclosing proprietary data and paying for access under the guise of environmental transparency.” CDP is an international, multinational nonprofit organization designed to guide corporations and their disclosures of environmental footprints. The SBTi claims to align corporate goals with climate research in ecological, social and governance (ESG) standards, a methodology for which the DeSantis administration has taken issue.

Business …

“UF survey shows slight increase in consumer sentiment for July ” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — Consumer sentiment among Floridians ticked up for the third straight month in July. The University of Florida (UF) consumer sentiment survey shows residents of the state are more encouraged about the economy. But it was a modest increase in July, going up by one-tenth of a point, settling at 83.9, slightly up from June’s revised figure of 83.8. The national figure for July also increased in consumer confidence by 1.1 points. Hector H. Sandoval, director of the Economic Analysis Program at the UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research, said. At the same time, July’s consumer sentiment figure was an increase, but it needs to be kept in perspective.

Fla Gas Prices Show Modest Rise: Florida gas prices ticked up slightly last week despite some midweek volatility. AAA reported the state average fell by eight cents early in the week, jumped 13 cents midweek, and dipped another three cents over the weekend, settling at $3.10 per gallon on Sunday and $3.09 per gallon on Monday. That's a two-cent increase from the previous week and 10 cents higher than a month ago, but still 31 cents lower than this time last year. Since September, Florida pump prices have fluctuated within a 31-cent range — from a low of $2.92 to a high of $3.23 — a pattern that mirrors recent steadiness in global oil prices. Nationally, the average price for regular unleaded held flat at $3.14 per gallon. Within Florida, the cheapest fuel was found in the Crestview–Fort Walton Beach area at $2.83 per gallon, while the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area remained the most expensive for refueling at $3.25 per gallon. AAA Press Release / News Service Florida

“State says Florida auto insurance market ‘turning the corner’ after average rate decline ” via Anita Padilla of Florida’s Voice — Drivers can expect to see lower auto insurance premiums this year from Florida’s top five auto insurers, with state officials reporting that average premiums will see an average rate decrease of 6.5%, the state said. The Office of Insurance Regulation did not list the names of the insurance companies, but says that together, the top five insurance groups represent 78% of Florida’s auto insurance market. “Even with this year’s 6.5% drop, many consumers are still paying more than they were before 2023,” Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky said. “But we’re trending in the right direction.” The Office of Insurance Regulation reports that the reduction follows a 4.3% average increase in 2024 and a significant 31.7% spike in 2023.

Bankruptcy Filings Jump  - Bankruptcy filings in Florida increased 23.5 percent during the 12-month period that ended June 30, compared to a similar period that ended a year earlier, according to data released Thursday by the federal court system. Nationally, bankruptcy filings increased 11.5 percent. The data showed that 40,679 bankruptcy cases were filed in Florida during the 12-month period that ended June 30. That compared to 32,933 cases filed during the 12-month period that ended June 30, 2024. The report listed totals by federal court district. The federal Middle District of Florida, which sprawls from Naples to Jacksonville and includes areas such as Orlando and Tampa had 23,442 filings during the period that ended June 30, a 26.9 percent increase over the period that ended a year earlier. The federal Southern District of Florida, which includes areas such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, had 14,930 filings, a 19.4 percent increase. The federal Northern District of Florida, which includes areas such as Pensacola, Tallahassee and Gainesville, had 2,307 filings, an 18.1 percent. In releasing the numbers, the federal court system said that nationally, for “more than a decade, total filings fell steadily, from a high of nearly 1.6 million in September 2010 to a low of 380,634 in June 2022. Total filings have increased each quarter since then, but they remain far lower than historical highs.”

Florida Rents Have Surged Nearly 40 Percent, Report Finds | The Capitolist

Canadians Opting for Staying There, May Skip Fla Snowbirding: More Canadians are planning to skip what used to be a regular rite, spending the winter in South Florida, according to new survey information. A recent Bank of Canada survey found that more than half of Canadians said they plan to spend less money vacationing in the United States this year, and more than a third said they'd instead spend their vacation money in Canada. A survey by TD Bank found 64% of Canadians polled planned to travel within the country, mirroring an increase in domestic flight bookings. Canadian domestic tourism spending rose 4% in the first quarter this year from a year earlier, according to Destination Canada, while the number of air travel bookings to the United States by Canadians fell 17% in May from a year earlier. The number of car trips from Canada to the U.S. is off nearly 40%, though the springtime numbers aren't necessarily strong indicators of what may happen in the fall and winter when most Eastern Canada snowbirds leave for Florida. The changing sentiments have followed anger in Canada over U.S. President Donald Trump's trade policies with respect to the country, and his suggestion that the United States should annex its northern neighbor. Reuters

Scott: Insurance Still Biggest Issue Facing Floridians - U.S. Sen. Rick Scott says the biggest issue facing Florida residents remains what many have said it has been for years, the cost of insurance. The Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis have pushed changes over the last several years aimed at reducing insurance costs, including most notably changes to lawsuit rules meant to reduce litigation payouts by insurers, who said it was driving up costs. And legislators and the governor have shifted their focus in the last year to taxes as the biggest financial issue, trying to drum up support for major changes to the property tax system and pushing for sales tax cuts and other tax relief. But Scott, who was governor before DeSantis, said residents haven't seen enough relief from insurance costs. "Since I left as governor six and a half years ago, property insurance has almost doubled, car insurance has gone up," Scott told talk show host Charlie Kirk. "I think clearly, in the next governor's race, a big issue is going to be, who is going to fix the property insurance issue in Florida." Florida Politics

Elections …

Marco Rubio downplays interest in another run for President, floats Vance as 2028 pick ” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Despite polling showing potential support, Rubio says he is not laying the groundwork for a 2028 presidential run. Instead, he endorsed Vice President Vance as a “great nominee” and logical successor to Trump. Rubio cited his commitment to his current role — which he considers the “apex” of his career — and rules preventing his involvement in domestic politics as reasons for staying out of the race. While expressing satisfaction with his service and a desire to complete his term, Rubio did not entirely rule out a future campaign, acknowledging that “you never know what the future holds.” His focus, for now, remains on his job as the nation’s top diplomat.

Florida TaxWatch says Florida and two other red states were robbed of congressional seats in the last Census ” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — A proper Census count would give Florida an extra U.S. House seat. Florida TaxWatch, which has complained that the U.S. Census undercounted Florida’s population, released a new report showing the cost of that in congressional reapportionment. That would also mean Florida missed out on an electoral vote for deciding presidential elections. The study shows Florida, Texas and Tennessee — all states carried by Trump in November — all should have one more congressional district. Meanwhile, Colorado, Minnesota and Rhode Island — states won by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris — all should have one less. “In 2020, Florida was one of six states with a statistically significant census undercount. Florida missed an estimated 750,000 residents, 3.48% of its population,” said TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic Calabro.

“Former DeSantis pollster critiques methodology of poll with Casey DeSantis ahead of Byron Donalds’ dead wrong ’” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Casey DeSantis’ circle may relish a recent University of North Florida poll. Still, DeSantis’ former pollster calls the results “dead wrong.” Ryan Tyson’s The American Promise issued a memo pouring cold water on survey results from UNF’s Public Opinion Research Lab. The survey in question shows the First Lady polling ahead of U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds in a potential 2026 GOP Primary for voters. The results show that 32% of Florida Republicans support Casey DeSantis, while 29% back Donalds. “The obvious problem with UNF’s methodology is that they are forecasting the results of a Primary Election using voters who do not vote in Primary Elections. In a state where the turnout for Midterm Primaries is less than half of the November General Election, conflating registered voters with Primary voters is a big mistake,” the memo reads.

Another prominent voice in Florida politics just lined up behind U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds’ run for Governor.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, who served two terms as Governor himself, endorsed his fellow Naples Republican in the race to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis.

“Darryl Rouson’s life of legislative public service may not yet be over ” via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — Sen. Rouson has served in the Legislature since his first election to the House in 2008, and then to the Senate in 2016. By the time he reaches term limits in the Senate and leaves office, his legislative career will have spanned about 18 years. But Rouson may not yet be done. Sources familiar with Rouson’s thinking say he’s considering running next year for Florida House District 62, the seat currently held by Rep. Michele Rayner, who is now running for Rouson’s Senate seat, making the possibility of a Rayner victory in his Senate District 16 and his hypothetical election to HD 62 something of a seat-swapping opportunity. That consideration, sources tell Florida Politics, is based less on Rouson’s drive to keep serving in the Legislature, and more about his call to service that tells him now is not the time to leave.

And only in Florida …

“Fur real: Smokey Bear poses with ‘dumb criminal’ caught stealing signs from state forests ” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — Only YOU can prevent forest fires. But when it comes to nabbing a “dumb criminal” for stealing signs of his likeness from Florida state forests, Smokey Bear himself will join in the effort. Smokey posed for a pic Wednesday with the bungling bandit, who was apprehended by members of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement. Agriculture Commissioner Simpson announced the arrest in an X post, writing, “What happens when dumb criminals poke the bear?” Authorities picked up the suspect, who allegedly traveled from Pensacola to Orlando while stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests. Simpson said the man then sold them on Facebook Marketplace for $1,900 apiece.

Health Care Related News Articles

“U.S. News and World Report ranks Tampa General top in the Tampa Bay region for 10th year” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — Tampa General Hospital (TGH) is stocking its trophy case with another national recognition. The leading academic health system has been ranked No. 1 in the Tampa Bay region by U.S. News and World Report for the 10th year in a row. It also earned recognition as a top 50 hospital in the nation in multiple specialties. “As a result of the transformative work of our team members and providers, powered by our strong academic partnership with the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa General is ranked the #1 hospital in the Tampa Bay region for the 10th year in a row,” TGH President and CEO John Couris said.

Medicaid Cuts: Rural DeSoto Hospital Seeks New Owners - With cuts to Medicaid funding looming, DeSoto County Hospital in Arcadia may be an example of what's to come in rural areas. The 49-bed hospital — the only one in its county — is looking for outside management or to be bought as hospital officials contemplate how they'll manage with the expected loss in funding. About 1 in 5 patients' care at the facility is paid for by Medicaid, and the hospital's search for new ownership or outside control highlights the growing pressure on small, rural hospitals and whether they can remain independent. The recently signed federal budget bill pushed by President Donald Trump will reduce spending on Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for the poor, by over $990 billion over the next decade, gripping rural America with concerns about local hospital closures. Suncoast Searchlight / The Arcadian

“Miami health care workers rally in support of immigrants, speaking out against ‘big, beautiful bill’ cuts” via Steve Maugeri of CBS News — Immigration, health care and Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” were on the minds of Florida’s Harare Workers’ Union on Saturday, where they rallied at Miami’s Jackson Memorial Hospital to speak out against the policies and cuts in the bill that they feel are unjust. Health care workers are also worried about the bill’s cuts to Medicaid. Florida could lose about $4 billion annually in Medicaid funds. Union leaders are concerned that it may impact the quality of services. Union leaders said Medicaid accounts for a noticeable chunk of Jackson Memorial’s budget. “$325 million a year in Medicaid at Jackson,” said Martha Baker of SEIU 1991. “They have about a $2 billion budget.”

“AI in action: Tampa General & Palantir showcase the future of health care” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — At a recent Washington D.C. forum featuring President Trump, Tampa General Hospital showcased its transformative partnership with Palantir, which is revolutionizing patient care through AI. By implementing Palantir’s platform, the hospital has achieved remarkable results, including an 83% reduction in the time required to place patients and a 30% shorter stay for patients with sepsis. According to hospital leaders, these AI-powered tools provide real-time decision support, allowing providers to spend more time with patients and less on paperwork. With over 500 physicians also utilizing ambient listening technology to reduce documentation time by half, Tampa General’s investment in AI is being hailed as a fundamental shift in health care delivery, yielding measurable improvements and saving lives.

COVID-19 Deaths Top 1,200 - The number of Florida resident deaths linked to COVID-19 this year has topped 1,200. Data posted Monday on the Florida Department of Health website showed 1,201 reported deaths, up from 1,144 a week earlier. The pace of deaths this year is far lower than during the past five years. The COVID-19 pandemic hit the state in early 2020, with a reported 23,351 deaths that year. Deaths totaled 39,877 in 2021; 21,319 in 2022; 8,449 in 2023; and 6,025 in 2024, according to the Department of Health. Broward County has had the largest number of reported deaths this year, with 90. It is followed by Miami-Dade County, with 85; Palm Beach County, with 82; Pinellas County, with 71; Hillsborough County, with 68; Polk County, with 67; Orange County, with 55; and Volusia County, with 53.