Legislative Update - October 3, 2025

Florida lawmakers will return to Tallahassee next week for the first round of interim committee meetings in preparation for the 2026 legislative session. Committees are scheduled to hear presentations on the state’s long-term budget outlook, land conservation programs, and preparations for the upcoming election cycle. These discussions will help shape priorities ahead of bill drafting deadlines and the formal start of session in January.

At the federal level, the government shutdown is creating additional uncertainty with potential impacts on state programs, while Florida continues to monitor storm activity in the Atlantic.

Meanwhile, several significant developments—from the elimination of the longstanding sales tax on commercial leases to early polling in the 2026 Governor’s race—are drawing attention in both the policy and political arenas.

Federal Government Shutdown - The U.S. has entered a government shutdown after President Donald Trump and Congress failed to reach an agreement by Wednesday’s deadline. Roughly 750,000 federal workers are expected to be furloughed, with some potentially terminated under the administration’s directives. Trump has also signaled that closures may be permanent as part of his broader agenda. Education, environmental, and other services are expected to be disrupted, with economic impacts rippling nationwide.

Special Elections - Former Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, easily won Tuesday's special Republican primary in Senate District 11, defeating Anthony Brice with commanding margins across four counties. Republican Maria Zack won her party's primary in Palm Beach County's House District 90, defeating Bill Reicherter with about 53% of the vote, according to unofficial results.

Storm Outlook - Hurricane Imelda veered away from Florida last weekend, sparing the state from landfall. However, two additional storm systems are currently being monitored for potential impact in the coming days.

Tax Changes - A longstanding sales tax on commercial leases will expire Wednesday. The elimination, a longstanding priority for Florida’s business community, was included in the tax package adopted during the 2025 Session.

2026 Governor’s Race - Polling released this week by the James Madison Institute shows a wide-open race for Governor. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds holds an early lead over former House Speaker Paul Renner in a head-to-head matchup, 29% to 9%. However, if First Lady Casey DeSantis enters the race, she would command 26% support compared to 23% for Donalds, with other Republican contenders—Lt. Gov. Jay Collins and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson—trailing in single digits.

Trump Presidential Library - Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted unanimously to provide a 2.63-acre parcel of state-owned land in downtown Miami, valued at $67 million, for the construction of the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library. The parcel, previously owned by Miami Dade College, sits adjacent to the Freedom Tower.

Property Tax Proposal - The Governor has also floated a property tax elimination plan and indicated he may call a summer special session to advance the proposal. Details have not yet been released, but the Governor’s announcement signals that property tax reform could become a central issue during the 2026 Session.

Governor …

DeSantis Floats Summer Special Session on Property Taxes - Gov. Ron DeSantis suggested Wednesday that lawmakers may need to tackle property tax relief in a summer special session if lawmakers fail to move forward with the initiative during the upcoming regular session slated to start in January. Speaking at a press conference in Jacksonville, DeSantis stressed the timeline for getting proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot. "We really have to get it passed and on the ballot, you know, prior to the primary cycle being done in August," he said. "We could potentially have a Special Session on property tax right in the middle of the Republican primary season in July or August." DeSantis has made property tax relief a top priority, recently spearheading local government spending audits under his administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and even pushing to eliminate property taxes statewide as a whole. And more than 70% of Florida residents said in recent polling that they want some degree of property tax relief, though only about a third support eliminating the tax. Since Florida does not have a state income tax, property taxes are the primary source of revenue for local governments and are used to fund essential local services, including public schools, law enforcement, and emergency services. The governor suggested that a midsummer vote could pressure lawmakers into supporting his plan. "I don't think a lot of these guys would want to vote the wrong way then," he said. "When they know the voters are watching, you know, they tend to govern themselves accordingly." DeSantis also emphasized the importance of clear ballot language that voters can easily understand. "We want to give you an opportunity to have something meaningful that's going to help families here," he said, criticizing past legislative efforts for being overly complicated. "One of the reasons why a lot of the amendments that the Legislature has drafted over the years have failed is because you read it, and you don't know what the hell it means," the governor noted. "It's like written in legislative, bureaucratic speak. Normal people don't talk or write like that." While the House Select Committee on Property Taxes has explored the issue, Spring Hill Republican Rep. Jeff Holcomb is the only lawmaker so far to file legislation (HJR 67, HB 69) on the issue. It would decrease the maximum annual increase for a homestead property's assessed value from 3% to 1.5%. Florida requires a constitutional amendment to decrease or increase property taxes because the state's constitution sets the tax structure and caps. Joint resolutions need supermajority approval in both chambers before being eligible for the ballot, and subsequently at least 60% of Florida voters would need to approve the constitutional amendment in the 2026 general election to ratify it. Florida Politics / Politico Pro

"Ron DeSantis vows to come up with his own plan to cut property taxes" via Gary Fineout of POLITICO — Gov. DeSantis pledged Wednesday to unveil a detailed plan to slash property taxes in Florida, escalating a policy battle that could pit him against the Republican-controlled Legislature in the months ahead. After months of calling for lower taxes without specifics, the Governor now says he will personally advance a “substantial” proposal aimed at reducing the burden on homeowners. The move marks a shift for DeSantis, who is term-limited in early 2027 and eager to leave a lasting legislative legacy before leaving office.

DeSantis Appoints Ex-Rep. Payne, Ortega to State PSC: Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday appointed former state Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, and policy adviser Ana Ortega to the Florida Public Service Commission, filling two vacancies on the five-member utility regulatory panel. Payne, a former Seminole Electric Cooperative executive who now runs his own consulting firm in Palatka, served in the state House from 2016 until 2024. Ortega, currently a top aide to PSC Chair Mike La Rosa and to National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President Tricia Pridemore, brings years of regulatory and policy experience. Both were selected from a shortlist of six candidates advanced by the PSC Nominating Council in August. Their appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. The new commissioners will replace Art Graham, who was tapped by President Donald Trump for a seat on the Tennessee Valley Authority Board, and Giles Fay, a past PSC chair who announced earlier this year he would step down before his term ended in 2026. PSC commissioners serve staggered four-year terms and earn $158,094 annually. DeSantis Press Release / Florida Politics / News Service Florida / LobbyTools 2025 Executive Appointments

“Gov. Ron DeSantis signs death warrant for modern-era record 15th execution this year in Florida” via Jim Saunders of the News Service of Florida

ACLU Sues DeSantis Over Tampa Senate Seat Special Election Delay - The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida filed a lawsuit on Tuesday in Leon County circuit court, accusing Gov. Ron DeSantis of unlawfully delaying a special election to fill state Senate District 14 in Hillsborough County vacated by former Republican Sen. Jay Collins, who became lieutenant governor in August. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Tampa voter Cort Lippe, argues DeSantis's inaction leaves the Tampa community without representation in the state Legislature. "The vacancy arose over 45 days ago ... The governor's failure — inaction longer than any of his predecessors in known history — leaves the district's half a million constituents without representation and threatens to deprive them of a voice in the halls of the Capitol during the 2026 session set to begin in January," the complaint reads. "By refusing to call a special election, the governor is denying us that right and ignoring decades of established precedent." The ACLU points out that governors have typically acted within days to fill vacancies, citing data showing it took an average of 7.6 days to call a special election between 1999 and 2020. By contrast, Collins' seat has remained open for more than six weeks as lawmakers are set to return to Tallahassee next week to convene for the first committee week ahead of the upcoming session, which starts Jan. 13. This isn't the first time the ACLU has taken legal action against DeSantis over scheduling special elections to fill vacancies. In 2023, 2024, and earlier this year, past lawsuits in Northwest Florida, Brevard County, and Miami-Dade County prompted DeSantis to act following the official filing of a legal challenge. "His predecessors like Jeb Bush and Rick Scott always acted swiftly to ensure citizens retained their voice in government," said ACLU of Florida Staff Attorney Nicholas Warren. "Governor DeSantis's refusal to follow their example is not just concerning, it's also against the law." While Republicans hold a slight registration edge, the seat has swung between parties in recent years, making it a potential battleground race. One Democrat, Brian Nathan, has already filed to run in 2026. ACLU Press Release / News Service Florida / Florida Politics / Tampa Bay Times / Florida Phoenix

CFO …

Local Govts Push Back on Ingoglia: The mayor of Jacksonville and Broward County's chief administrator both questioned assertions of careless spending made by the state's Department of Government Efficiency and state Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said in a statement that the city on her watch has made government more efficient, not less. "We are turning around permits in half the time we used to," Deegan said. "We held the number of nonpublic safety city employees flat despite the fastest growing population in Florida. We have a top-tier AA+ distinction from the leading ratings agency." Deegan also noted that the city has spent lots of worker hours complying with DOGE requests for information that have essentially cost more than the projects the efficiency office was asking about. Meanwhile, Broward County Administrator Monica Cepero said county officials were having trouble responding to Ingoglia's allegation that the county's general fund has increased $190 million more over the last five years than could be justified by population growth and inflation. "We have been unable to verify the sources of data used to arrive at these values," Cepero said in a statement. "For example, neither the population growth nor the inflationary index match commonly used sources, nor can we confirm the correct adopted general fund budget amounts were used in his calculations." The Center Square / USA Today Network / Orlando Sentinel

Legislative …

2026 Session Committee Weeks Begin Soon - Florida lawmakers will return to Tallahassee next week for the first round of committee meetings ahead of the 2026 legislative session, with key presentations on the state's long-term budget outlook, land conservation, and election preparations on the agenda. The Senate calendar shows the Appropriations Committee will hear Oct. 8 from Amy Baker, head of the Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research, on Florida's long-range financial forecast. A day earlier, the Agriculture Committee will review updates on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program and Florida Forever, two initiatives designed to safeguard land from development. In the House, the Government Operations Subcommittee is scheduled to hear Oct. 8 from Secretary of State Cord Byrd about election security and planning for the 2026 midterms. Several other panels are also scheduled to meet and hear presentations. Lawmakers will continue their pre-session work with five additional weeks of committee meetings this fall before the regular legislative session begins in January. News Service Florida / LobbyTools 2026 Legislative Session Dates

Hunschofsky Seeks to Keep Gun-Free Zones After Open-Carry Ruling - Amid uncertainty over a court decision striking down Florida's decades-old ban on openly carrying firearms, Parkland Democrat Rep. Christine Hunschofsky filed legislation Tuesday to ensure that sensitive locations such as courthouses, jails, and legislative meetings remain off-limits to guns. The 1st District Court of Appeal on Sept. 10 ruled in McDaniels v. State of Florida that the state's 1987 open-carry ban was incompatible with the nation's "historical tradition of firearm regulation." The ruling has raised questions about whether long guns, such as rifles and shotguns, can now be carried openly into spaces where handguns are barred. Hunchofsky, who is slated to become House minority leader after the 2026 elections, said her proposal (HB 63) is designed to close a "perceived loophole" created by the ruling. "Right now, everybody's scrambling," Hunschofsky told the News Service of Florida. "We have differing opinions and we just want to bring some clarity to this, and especially given the time we're in, we need to have this clarity." Without a legislative fix, she warned, firearms could be brought into places lawmakers never intended, including courthouses, school board meetings, police stations, and bars. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, and Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, have not said whether they plan to take up the issue during the session beginning Jan. 13. Meanwhile, Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz reassured judges in a Sept. 25 memo that "chief judges continue to have the authority to prohibit weapons (including firearms) in courthouses and courtrooms." News Service Florida

Business …

State Minimum Wage Raised to $14: Florida workers will officially see a pay boost effective Tuesday, when the state's minimum wage climbs to $14 an hour. The increase is part of a 2020 constitutional amendment that phases in annual $1 hikes until the rate reaches $15 on Sept. 30, 2026. After that, the wage will be tied to inflation. The federal minimum remains $7.25 an hour. FL Commerce Press Release

Fla Gas Prices Dip Below $3 as Seasonal Shift Kicks In: Florida drivers are seeing some relief at the pump, with the state's average gas price falling 13 cents in the past week to $2.97 a gallon, AAA reported Monday. The drop comes as refiners switch to producing cheaper winter-blend fuel and summer travel demand declines. Nationally, prices slipped to $3.14 per gallon. "Gas prices have seen a notable weekly drop in most states as seasonal factors ramp up their impact — namely the switch to cheaper winter gasoline and falling gasoline demand," said Patrick De Haan of GasBuddy. "Price cycling markets led the way with significant declines in Ohio, Florida, and Michigan, while Indiana experienced a price cycle that resulted in the largest weekly increase of any state last week. For now, seasonal factors will remain the primary driver of relief at the pump, though we continue to monitor the tropics for any potential disruptions (from storms)." News Service Florida

“Government shutdown could slow Florida home sales. New federal flood insurance frozen” via Alex Harris of the Miami Herald — The government shutdown that began this week furloughed thousands of federal workers, froze essential government functions across the nation, and also halted a necessary part of Florida’s booming real estate market. During a shutdown, the federal government is unable to write or renew new flood insurance policies. In Florida, which accounts for nearly 20% of total nationwide policies for the National Flood Insurance Program, this means that some new home sales are on hold and some homeowners could be left with no coverage if their property floods while the government isn’t functioning.

Immigration …

Immigrant Truck Driver in Fatal Turnpike Crash Enters Not Guilty Plea: A commercial truck driver alleged to have been in the country illegally and accused of making an illegal U-turn that caused a crash that killed three people waived his first appearance before a judge on Monday and entered a not guilty plea. Harjinder Singh, 28, remains in the St. Lucie County jail without bond, facing three counts of vehicular homicide and immigration violations in connection with the Aug. 12 crash on the Florida Turnpike. Singh is a native of India. Florida authorities say he entered the United States illegally in 2018. Associated Press

DOT Tightening Truck Driver License Rules for Immigrants: The U.S. Transportation Department is moving to tighten requirements for commercial driver's licenses for noncitizen truck drivers following three crashes, including a high-profile wreck on the Florida Turnpike that left three people dead. The new rules will reduce the types of visa holders who will be eligible to get commercial driver's licenses and allow states to check federal databases for immigration status before issuing a license. Federal officials said a recent audit found licenses have been issued improperly to immigrants in California, Colorado, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Washington state. Insurance Journal

Gov, Cabinet Approve $14M in Immigration Enforcement Grants: Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet on Tuesday approved nearly $14.1 million in grants for law enforcement agencies across Florida to bolster immigration enforcement. The funding is part of a $250 million program created during a February special session, which also established the State Board of Immigration made up of DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, and Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia. The 56 grants, ranging from $10,882 for Gulf County to $1.07 million for the Seminole County Sheriff's Office, will fund items such as bulletproof vests, AI-powered translation software, license-plate readers, and transportation vans. In total, sheriffs received about $2.7 million for transportation costs, including new authority to buy vans for moving immigrants to federal detention facilities. The grants coincide with an escalation in state-led immigration enforcement, as more local officers gain certification to participate in deportation operations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Under the new plan, Florida is divided into 18 enforcement regions, with designated sheriffs responsible for transporting detainees to ICE facilities. The federal government recently awarded $28.6 million to state agencies and more than $10 million to local agencies under 287(g) agreements. News Service Florida

“Florida receives FEMA reimbursement for state-run detention facilities, including Alligator Alcatraz” via Christina Vazquez of WPLG — The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Thursday that Florida received $608 million in FEMA reimbursement funding for building the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center, just one day before the federal government shutdown. It remains unclear whether the money will be used exclusively for the Everglades facility or shared with other state-run detention sites.

Health …

"Most Floridians are against removing all vaccine mandates, JMI poll says" via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — The JMI poll reveals that 62% of Florida voters oppose Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposal to eliminate all vaccine mandates for public schoolchildren, with only 29% supporting the measure. The survey, however, shows a nuanced perspective on immunizations. Nearly half of voters (49%) would support a streamlined schedule, mandating only the MMR and polio vaccines while making others optional. This public sentiment emerges as the Governor and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo push to make Florida the first state to eliminate all school vaccine requirements for diseases such as measles and polio. The controversial plan has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who warn it will endanger children’s health.

Florida COVID Deaths Near 2,000 in 2025: Florida has recorded nearly 2,000 COVID-19 deaths so far this year, with the total reaching 1,954 as of Monday, according to state health department data. Miami-Dade County reported the highest number at 174, followed by Palm Beach with 135, Broward with 131, Pinellas with 126, and Hillsborough with 105. While deaths continue to climb, the pace remains far lower than in previous years, including 23,353 recorded in 2020, a peak of 39,878 in 2021, then declining to 21,320 in 2022, 8,454 in 2023, and 6,034 in 2024. News Service Florida

Elections & campaigns …

Massullo Wins SD 11 Primary, Zack Gets GOP Nod in HD 90: Former Rep. Ralph Massullo, R-Lecanto, easily won Tuesday's special Republican primary in Senate District 11, defeating Anthony Brice with commanding margins across four counties. Massullo, who took more than 77% of the vote in each county, will face Democrat Ash Marwah in the Dec. 9 special general election. SD 11 covers all of Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties, and part of northern Pasco County. It's considered a safe Republican district. Massullo, a dermatologist, was first elected to the state House in 2016, served eight years and left office in 2024 due to term limits. The race was triggered after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed former GOP state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia as Florida's chief financial officer. Also Tuesday, Republican Maria Zack won her party's primary in Palm Beach County's House District 90, defeating Bill Reicherter with about 53% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Zack is set to face Democrat Rob Long and no-party candidate Karen Yeh in the Dec. 9 special election, called after the July death of Rep. Joe Casello, D-Boynton Beach. News Service Florida / Florida Politics / LobbyTools Special Election for SD 11 & HD 90

Paul Renner helped DeSantis mold Florida. Can he be Governor without his support?" via Claire Heddles of the Miami Herald — Former House Speaker Renner is pitching himself as the continuity candidate in the 2026 Governor’s race, telling voters he “stood shoulder to shoulder” with DeSantis in shaping the “Free State of Florida.” Renner, who spearheaded school vouchers, classroom content restrictions and a six-week abortion ban as speaker, promises similar policies if elected. He faces a crowded Republican Primary without endorsements from DeSantis or Trump, who called his run “ill-advised,” and will likely compete against Trump-backed Rep. Byron Donalds and Lt. Gov. Jay Collins. A Navy veteran and former prosecutor, Renner pledges to cut property taxes, curb emergency powers, roll back vaccine mandates and tighten immigration enforcement while emphasizing Latin American relations and regulating social media.

“114,650 voters in Palm Beach County may go without representation in 2026 Session” via Anthony Man of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel — President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump and the other 114,648 registered voters in a House district in Palm Beach County may go unrepresented during the 2026 Session. That possibility was raised this week by former Rep. Mike Caruso. He resigned from the House District 87 seat when DeSantis appointed him Palm Beach County Clerk. It’s up to DeSantis to set Special Election dates. “I’m not sure if there’s going to be a Special Election,” Caruso said, adding that he doesn’t want to see his former District go unrepresented. “It is important that the seat does get filled because we’ve got so many issues in the county. We want District 87 represented in the Florida House.”