Legislative Update - September 12, 2025

On the 24th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, flags were lowered to half-staff across the state on Thursday in remembrance of those who died. Gov. Ron DeSantis recognized Thursday as “9/11 Heroes Day” and asked Floridians to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EST to honor the lives lost in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C. DeSantis also called for Sept. 11-17 to be recognized as Patriot Week.

A Florida appeals court on Wednesday struck down the state’s long-standing ban on openly carrying firearms, ruling the 1987 law is unconstitutional. Law enforcement in Escambia, Santa Rosa and Pensacola said they will not enforce open carry.

A new poll is showing Republican Byron Donalds with a strong lead over Democrat David Jolly in a potential head-to-head matchup for Governor.

Survey results from the AIF Center for Political Strategy show Donalds would win 49% to Jolly’s 41%. That still leaves Donalds under 50%, but barely, with 11% of voters still undecided.

Jolly’s campaign has a poll showing he is leading.

Governor …

“Ron DeSantis cheers court decision allowing open carry in Florida” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — DeSantis is praising a court ruling tossing open-carry restrictions in Florida. “This decision aligns state policy with my long-held position and with the vast majority of states throughout the union,” DeSantis posted on X. “Ultimately, the court correctly ruled that the text of the Second Amendment — ‘to keep and bear arms’ — says what it means and means what it says.” He commented on the ruling shortly after Attorney General Uthmeier, whom DeSantis appointed to his statewide office earlier this year, made clear his office won’t appeal the ruling. “Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeals just ruled that Florida’s open-carry ban is no longer constitutionally enforceable statewide. Our office fully supports the Court’s decision,” Uthmeier posted. “This is a big win for the Second Amendment rights of Floridians. As we’ve all witnessed over the last few days, our God-given right to self-defense is indispensable.”

Florida Suspends Sales Tax on Guns, Ammo, and Outdoor Equipment

https://thecapitolist.com/florida-suspends-sales-tax-on-guns-ammo-and-outdoor-equipment/

DeSantis to Again Push for Open Carry - Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday that he continues to support allowing open carrying of firearms in Florida and said the Legislature should pass the measure. "We've got almost a 3-1 majority in the Florida House of Representatives," DeSantis said of the Republican majority. "Thirty-eight states have open carry. It's not something that's controversial. The sky isn't falling in any of those. Why not pass that out of the Florida House of Representatives?" While gun owners don't need a permit in Florida to carry their weapon, current law requires that guns be carried in a concealed manner in most cases, and Florida is one of just a few states that now don't allow open carrying of guns. What DeSantis didn't mention was that the obstacle to passing an open carry bill in Florida has been in the Senate. Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, who said last year that he opposes open carry legislation because law enforcement officials are against it. DeSantis said Monday that if lawmakers do pass an open carry bill, "that'd be something that I would sign." Florida Politics / News Service Florida

"Gov. Ron DeSantis reiterates opposition to vaccine mandates, support for parental choice and exemptions" via Ajay Uppaluri of News4JAX — DeSantis on Monday reaffirmed his strong opposition to vaccine mandates, arguing that parental choice and providing information are more effective than government coercion. The Governor's comments came during a news conference where he criticized the "weaponized" nature of public health efforts that rely on forced compliance.

“I’ve never been in favor of mandates. Let’s just be clear on that,” DeSantis stated, pointing to European countries and Canada that achieve similar vaccination outcomes without compulsory measures. He raised concerns about expanding childhood immunization schedules without a strong scientific basis and condemned what he called medical discrimination against unvaccinated patients.

"Reverse psychology? DeSantis says ending vaccine mandate will boost shots’ popularity" via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

New Baker County Migrant Detention Facility Now Open: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state's new northeast Florida immigration detention center at the former Baker Correctional Institution is now open. The Baker County site, once a state prison, has been retrofitted to house up to 2,000 detainees across seven dormitory buildings secured with 12-foot razor-wire fencing. State Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said the facility includes external HVAC systems piping air into the dorms — a feature required for federal detention facilities but not state prisons. DeSantis called the location a "logistical fit," citing its vacant infrastructure, relatively low $6 million buildout cost, and proximity to Lake City Gateway Airport for deportation flights. He also noted overwhelming political support in the area, saying Baker County voters had strongly backed him in past elections. The opening of the new facility comes just after a federal appeals court temporarily blocked a lower court order that would have forced Florida and the Trump administration to dismantle a controversial immigrant-detention center in the Everglades, commonly referred to as "Alligator Alcatraz." Florida Politics / News Service Florida / Florida Phoenix / CNN / Fox News

"DeSantis’ step toward victory on Alligator Alcatraz sets up a funding dilemma for Florida" via Mike Schneider of The Associated Press — An appellate court has created a Catch-22 for DeSantis over the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center, forcing a choice between state funds or a risky environmental review. The court temporarily blocked an order to close the Everglades facility, ruling it doesn't need a federal environmental study because it was state-funded. However, the judges warned that accepting promised federal reimbursement — potentially hundreds of millions of dollars — would trigger the review, which could halt operations. This dilemma leaves Florida to either forfeit the federal money or risk the facility's future. The decision freezes a lower court's shutdown order while environmental groups' lawsuit against the controversial project proceeds, putting the facility's operational and financial future in limbo.

Attorney General …

Florida ban on open carry of guns unconstitutional, appeals court rules" via Romy Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times — A Florida appeals court on Wednesday struck down the state’s long-standing ban on openly carrying firearms, ruling the 1987 law is unconstitutional. The 1st District Court of Appeal declared the ban conflicts with the Second Amendment, citing the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Bruen decision requiring gun laws to be rooted in historical tradition. In a decisive move that will likely make the ruling final, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced he will not seek a rehearing or appeal to the state Supreme Court. DeSantis praised the decision, which is poised to make Florida an open-carry state after decades of prohibition. However, restrictions on carrying firearms in sensitive locations, such as schools and courthouses, will remain in effect.

Legislature …

House Speaker Daniel Perez announced his 2026 committee assignments to House members on Monday afternoon. For a complete list of committees and its members, please go to www.flhouse.gov and click on committees.

House Forms Redistricting Panel, Makes Committee Assignments - Miami Republican Rep. Mike Redondo, slated to become House speaker in 2030, has been tapped to chair a newly created Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, announced the assignment Monday as part of a broader release of committee appointments for the upcoming legislative year. The panel will include seven Republicans and three Democrats. Redistricting typically occurs once every decade following the U.S. Census, but President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis have both pushed for mid-decade map changes that could strengthen Republican control of Congress. Florida last redrew its congressional districts in 2022. Texas has already moved forward with efforts to expand GOP-leaning seats, and Florida's new committee is expected to weigh similar changes. The Senate maintains a standing "Reapportionment" committee, but has not yet listed its membership. The Legislature's 2026 session begins in January, with the first of six committee weeks starting Oct. 6. House Press Release / News Service Florida / Florida Politics

“Vicki Lopez, Toby Overdorf to keep helming property tax talks; legislation expected this year” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — They say taxes are one of life’s two certainties. Republican Reps. Lopez of Miami and Overdorf of Palm City will continue to have an outsized role next Session in whether that remains true for Florida homeowners. Perez is keeping the pair at the helm of the chamber’s Select Committee on Property Taxes, which he empaneled in April, intending to develop a legislative roadmap to mitigate — or possibly eliminate — the local levy. Overdorf told Florida Politics on Monday that the panel will meet in Tallahassee on Sept. 22 and 23, ahead of the 2026 Legislative Session, to develop a ballot item for next November. “A lot of our members are going to report back their findings from their homework assignments over the Summer and all of their various public meetings they conducted around the state,” he said.

“Florida House to begin work on property tax overhaul – after shelving DeSantis ideas” via John Kennedy of the Tallahassee Democrat

“New Florida budget outlook has positive outlook for 2026 — but not beyond that” via Gary Fineout of POLITICO — State legislators should have a one-year budget surplus to work with upon their return to Tallahassee in January. But a new outlook shows there are still potential deficits on the horizon despite this year’s bruising budget battle. State economists released new projections that show Florida’s budget will have a surplus into 2027, but it could then swing back into the red the following two years. The latest numbers may reignite another round of cutbacks and belt-tightening while also limiting the extent of any new substantial tax cuts being sought by the Republican-controlled Legislature. The long-range financial outlook — which will be formally approved next week by a joint legislative panel — projects an estimated $3.7 billion budget surplus in 2026-27.

Fla Revenue Slightly Below July Projections - Florida's general-revenue collections for July came in just under economists' projections, according to a report released late last week by the Legislature's Office of Economic & Demographic Research. The state collected about $3.747 billion in net general revenue, $6.9 million less than the forecast made in March. Sales tax receipts, the state's largest revenue source, totaled $3.08 billion, falling $53.6 million short of expectations. But stronger-than-anticipated corporate income tax collections — $184 million, up $43.9 million — and investment earnings — $134.1 million, up $36.4 million – helped offset the gap. General revenue is critical for funding education, health care, and prisons, and is closely monitored by lawmakers. Economists on the state's Revenue Estimating Conference updated their forecast last month, with the August revenue report set to reflect those new projections. The Joint Legislative Budget Commission, which is the only committee allowed to make budget decisions while the Legislature is not in session, is slated to meet later this week to consider several budget amendments related to the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Health, the Department of Corrections, the Department of Management Services, the Department of State, and the Department of Transportation. EDR Monthly Revenue Report / EDR Detailed Revenue Report / News Service Florida / LobbyTools Calendar

Personnel note: House Democrats add three new staffers as caucus gears up for 2026 Session” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — House Democrats are expanding their team with three new hires, bolstering their policy, communications and operations as the caucus eyes the upcoming 2026 Legislative Session. House Dems are hiring Josh Cohen as an attorney with a focus on health care legislation. Lauren Guagliardo has been tapped as Deputy Communications Director. And Hannah Vanover is stepping in as office manager. Cohen is a graduate of Stetson University College of Law. He previously worked in employment law, including a stint with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He also brings political and advocacy experience from his time with the National Organization for Women, where he worked on health care and gun violence prevention policy. Cohen’s first stint in the Capitol came as an intern in then-Rep. Ben Diamond’s office.

Surgeon General …

Ladapo Defends End of Vaccine Mandates, Cites 'Parents' Rights' - Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo defended his plan to end all state vaccine mandates in a CNN interview on Sunday, telling anchor Jake Tapper the decision was not based on scientific analysis. "Absolutely not," Ladapo said when asked if data was used to support the move, which would end school vaccination requirements for diseases such as polio, measles, chickenpox, and hepatitis B. "There's this conflation of the science and, sort of, what is the right and wrong thing to do." Citing pertussis, or Whooping Cough, as an example, he argued mandates are unnecessary because "the data show that is ineffective at preventing transmission, so mandates with that really don't have anything to do with the notion of transmission." Pressed by Tapper about the absence of projections on health impacts, Ladapo framed the issue as one of parental authority. "This is an issue, very clearly, of parents' rights," he stated. "So, do I need to analyze whether it's appropriate for parents to be able to decide what's appropriate to go into their child's bodies? I don't need to do analysis on that," Ladapo added. He reiterated his stance from earlier remarks that vaccine mandates "drip with disdain and slavery" and said the government has no right to tell parents what they should put in a body, which is a "gift for God." Tapper noted a Washington Post-KFF poll found 82% of Florida parents support school vaccine mandates and said he was "kind of shocked" Ladapo had not analyzed the potential consequences. Ladapo responded, "My history, if you will, is, I share what I believe is the right thing to do, whether it is popular or not," adding that his opposition to COVID-19 lockdowns and vaccines for children reflected the same approach. He concluded by calling the issue one of "individual sovereignty" and ethics, rather than science. Florida Politics / CNN / Politico Pro

DOH: Vaccine Ban Won't Cover All Diseases: The state's plan to eliminate mandatory vaccinations for school students is expected to include only chickenpox and a few other diseases, unless lawmakers decide eventually to extend the ban to other required inoculations like polio and measles, the Department of Health said over the weekend. DOH officials also said the plan to drop vaccination mandates won't likely take effect for at least 90 days. "The Department initiated the rule change on September 3, 2025, and anticipates the rule change will not be effective for approximately 90 days," state officials told The Associated Press in an email. School vaccination requirements currently include measles-mumps-rubella, chickenpox, polio, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, hepatitis and flu vaccines. COVID vaccines aren't required for school children. Associated Press

Confusion Reigns in Florida Over COVID, Other Vaccines - Floridians are facing mounting confusion over access to vaccines, with inconsistent policies across pharmacies, doctors' offices, and insurance providers leaving many unsure about eligibility and costs. Some pharmacies, including CVS, have begun administering the newly approved COVID-19 boosters to patients with prescriptions, while others, such as Publix and Walgreens, are holding off until federal advisers issue guidance later this month. Coverage has also varied, with some patients receiving vaccines at no cost and others paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the latest booster last month for adults 65 and older and those with underlying conditions. But Florida is one of 12 states that require prescriptions for the COVID booster, adding another layer of difficulty. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is expected to meet later this month to update vaccine guidance on COVID-19, RSV, Hepatitis B, and other immunizations. The confusion comes as wastewater data shows COVID levels climbing across Florida during the ongoing summer surge. It also coincides with state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo's push to end all vaccine mandates, including childhood immunizations — a move that has alarmed public health experts. South Florida Sun Sentinel / WTSP

FDEP …

“‘Continued success’: DEP finds Florida meets federal air quality standards for fifth year running” via Ryan Nicol of Florida Politics — For the fifth consecutive year, the state has met all federal air quality standards. That makes Florida the most populous state in the nation to hit those marks — a point DEP officials say is driven by Florida’s broad monitoring network and pollution controls. DEP Secretary Alexis A. Lambert said the milestone reflects years of work with partners in the public and private sectors. “Florida’s continued success in meeting federal air quality standards shows that protecting our environment goes hand-in-hand with supporting a strong economy,” Lambert said. “By working with communities, businesses and partners across the state, we’re keeping our air clean, our residents healthy and our economy thriving.”

Hurricanes ..

Hurricane Forecast Scaled Back, Gulf Waters Still Pose Risk - AccuWeather has lowered its projections for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, now predicting 13 to 16 named storms, with six to nine expected to reach hurricane strength. The outlook was scaled back from earlier forecasts of 13 to 18 named storms and seven to 10 hurricanes. Meteorologists pointed to unusual bursts of dry air, Saharan dust, wind shear, and cooler waters off Africa as factors limiting storm development during what is usually the most active stretch of the season. But AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva noted that concerns remain due to "exceptionally high water temperatures in the Gulf" that could cause storms to rapidly intensify. "The waters are dangerously warm," DaSilva said. "This surplus of energy in the Gulf can act like rocket fuel," he added. "If a storm spins up or moves into the Gulf, and atmospheric conditions are conducive for development, these warm waters can support rapid intensification, and even cases of extreme rapid intensification." A tropical wave was forecast to form off the coast of Africa on Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center. So far, the Atlantic has produced six named storms since the season began on June 1. Last year saw 18 named storms, 11 of which became hurricanes, including three that hit Florida. Colorado State University also recently trimmed its seasonal forecast to 16 named storms and eight hurricanes. An average season typically includes 14 named storms and seven hurricanes. News Service Florida / Palm Beach Post / Patch

Business …

AAA: Florida Gas Prices Edge Up Slightly: Florida drivers are paying a bit more at the pump, with the state average hitting $3.10 per gallon Sunday, up three cents from last week. But prices remain three cents lower than a month ago and eight cents below last year's levels. "Historically, gas prices trend lower in the second half of the year," said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins. "However, the early fall months can bring some volatility, as refineries begin seasonal maintenance and the threat of hurricanes remains." While crude oil prices have slipped, closing Friday at $61.87 a barrel, a 3% drop from the prior week, Jenkins noted that the demand for fuel has also dipped as the busy summer season comes to a close. According to AAA, the West Palm Beach-Boca Raton area remains the most expensive for refueling at $3.25 per gallon, while Panama City offers the current cheapest gas prices in the state at $2.89 a gallon. AAA Press Release

Florida Jobless Claims Dip as National Numbers Hit Four-Year High: First-time unemployment claims in Florida declined slightly last week as applications nationwide surged to their highest level in nearly four years. The U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday that 5,624 initial jobless claims were filed in Florida during the holiday-shortened week ending Sept. 6, down from 5,721 the week prior. The state has averaged 5,916 claims over the past four weeks — the lowest stretch since March. Nationally, however, claims jumped to an estimated 263,000, up from 236,000 the previous week. That marked the highest weekly total since October 2021. Florida's unemployment rate stood at 3.7% in July, with the August figure scheduled for release Sept. 19. By comparison, the national unemployment rate for August was 4.3%. News Service Florida

Campaigns & Elections …

"Poll: David Jolly in dead heat with Byron Donalds, Paul Renner" via Janelle Irwin Taylor of Florida Politics — A new poll shows the Florida Governor's race is surprisingly tight, with Democrat Jolly in a statistical dead heat with his potential Republican opponents, Donalds and Renner. The survey, commissioned by Jolly's campaign, shows the former Republican leading Donalds by one point and trailing Renner by two, both well within the margin of error. The results signal a potentially competitive race in the deep-red state, a stark contrast to Gov. DeSantis’ landslide victory in 2022. Notably, Jolly, now a Democrat, appears to be drawing significant cross-party support from Republicans and independents, as the poll indicates voters are primarily concerned with affordability and the economy over culture war issues.

Trump Team 'Encourages' Perez, Steele to Run for Statewide Office: Members of the Trump administration are allegedly encouraging Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, to run for Attorney General in 2026, which could set up a major Republican Primary between Perez and sitting Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, whom Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed to the Cabinet post earlier this year. Uthmeier previously served as the governor's chief of staff. Perez, who has butted heads with DeSantis this year, visited the White House last week with other Florida officials. Two of Perez's political committees, Conservatives For A Better Florida and Miami United PC, each contributed $500,000 to Friends of Byron Donalds, a PAC supporting Donalds' 2026 run for governor. President Donald Trump has also endorsed Donalds for the gubernatorial seat but denied to reporters that he personally discussed the state AG race with Perez. At the same meeting in Washington, D.C., Trump's political team also recommended that state Rep. Kevin Steele, R-Dade City, throw his name in for Florida's chief financial officer post. If Steele files to run for statewide office, the move would set up a GOP showdown with him and current CFO Blaise Ingoglia, who was recently appointed to the position by DeSantis. "My meetings at the White House made clear that Florida needs a CFO who won't gamble with our future," Steele told Florida Politics, a clear reference to Ingoglia, who is known for being a seasoned poker player. Florida Politics

Florida GOP Widens Voter Registration Lead Over Democrats: The Republican Party of Florida grew its voter registration advantage in August, extending its lead over Democrats to more than 1.35 million voters. State Division of Elections data shows 5,495,517 active registered Republicans as of Aug. 31, compared to 4,140,030 Democrats. The margin increased from 1,326,217 at the end of July to 1,355,487 by the end of August. Florida also reported 3,387,390 voters with no party affiliation and 438,254 registered with third parties. Once led by Democrats, Florida's voter rolls have shifted steadily in the GOP's favor, with Republicans now holding all statewide offices and supermajorities in both legislative chambers. News Service Florida