Legislative Update - October 10, 2025

Florida’s legislative calendar is officially in motion. Committees met this week in Tallahassee to begin working in advance of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, scheduled to convene in January. Lawmakers reviewed agency reports, consider budget priorities, and discuss policy issues that could define the session, while also confirming key appointments and leadership roles.

At the same time, the state’s political dynamics are evolving with new leadership and major endorsements making headlines.

State Representative Sam Garrison will be officially nominated and elected as Speaker-designate of the Florida House of Representatives by the Florida Republican House Conference this morning at 11 a.m. in the House Chamber.

Garrison will be the 91st Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives after the November 2026 Elections and will become the first Speaker from Clay County since the late John Thrasher presided from 1998 to 2000.

Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, an Ocoee Democrat elected in a Sept. 2 special election, was sworn into the Florida Senate on Tuesday after winning 72.6% of the vote in the special election for Orange County's Senate District 15. Bracy Davis succeeds the late Sen. Geraldine Thompson, who died in February following complications from a surgical procedure.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday endorsed Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier for a full term, praising him as a staunch conservative and ally of his “America First” agenda.

Governor …

“Future of Ron DeSantis’ Hope Florida in doubt amid funding requests” via Lawrence Mower and Justin Garcia of the Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times

Legislature …

First Legislative Committees Meet Ahead of 2026 Session - Lawmakers will be in Tallahassee today and Wednesday for the first committee meetings ahead of the 2026 regular legislative session slated to begin January. Several committees will hear presentations from state agency officials, including updates on recently implemented laws, legislative budget requests, policy discussions, and consideration of some executive appointments subject to Senate confirmation. On Tuesday, the Senate will also hold a swearing-in ceremony for Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, an Ocoee Democrat elected in a Sept. 2 special election. The Legislature is set to reconvene for two more weeks of committee meetings in both November and December before the upcoming session opens on Jan. 13. LobbyTools Calendar

Garrison Formally Designated as Next House Speaker - House Republicans on Thursday officially named Rep. Sam Garrison of Fleming Island as the next speaker of the Florida House, setting him up to lead the chamber for his final two-year term after the 2026 elections. During a designation ceremony at the Capitol, the 48-year-old attorney offered a forward-looking speech that mixed humility, historical reflection, and a warning to fellow Republicans — who currently hold a supermajority: not to grow complacent in power. Garrison called Florida "the envy of the nation," but reminded members that political dominance can fade. He pointed to history, noting that Democrats controlled the Florida House for 122 years before losing power in the mid-1990s, not only because of Republican ideas but also because of Democratic "infighting" and failure to connect with voters. "By any measure, Florida Republicans enjoy a success that our predecessors could have never dreamed of," he said, cautioning that "political successes bring their own set of challenges," including the risk of "complacency." Garrison urged lawmakers to do the "arduous work" of policymaking rather than rely on outside groups or settle for symbolic politics. "If the halls of power appear more interested in political performance art than in fighting for a strong economy, safe streets and quality schools, we need to self-correct," he said. Garrison also gifted members a copy of The Federalist Papers marked at Federalist No. 51 — a reflection of his belief in legislative authority and the importance of checks and balances. The incoming speaker also invoked former House Speaker John Thrasher, a fellow Clay County Republican who died earlier this year, closing his speech with Thrasher's words: "History is indeed ours for the making; let us make it together." Garrison will officially assume the speakership following the 2026 general elections next November, succeeding current Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, so long as Garrison is reelected and the GOP maintains a majority in the chamber. News Service Florida / Florida Politics / USA Today Network / Florida's Voice / Florida Phoenix / LobbyTools Calendar

“History, philosophy and policy: Garrison’s designation speech sets an ambitious course” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

"Sam Garrison excited about what being House Speaker will mean for Northeast Florida" via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

Bracy Davis Sworn In as Senator After Special Election Win: Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, an Ocoee Democrat elected in a Sept. 2 special election, was sworn into the Florida Senate on Tuesday after winning 72.6% of the vote in the special election for Orange County's Senate District 15. Bracy Davis succeeds the late Sen. Geraldine Thompson, who died in February following complications from a surgical procedure. Bracy Davis previously served in the Florida House from 2022 until her state Senate special election victory. Her election brings the Senate's composition to 26 Republicans, 11 Democrats, and one unaffiliated member, with two seats still vacant following Gov. Ron DeSantis' appointments of Republican former Sens. Jay Collins as lieutenant governor and Blaise Ingoglia as state chief financial officer. Democrat Rep. RaShon Young of Orlando won the Sept. 2 special election to fill Bracy Davis' former House District 40 seat. Florida Politics / News Service Florida

"Retiring Boomers, increasing wages create budget challenges for legislators" via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Florida’s aging population is no longer a distant concern but an immediate challenge shaping the state’s economic future. Rising wages and benefit payments are boosting personal income; however, an older demographic will demand more health care, transportation, and tax adjustments, as nearly a quarter of Floridians will be 65 or older by 2030. Slowing population growth, a weakening housing market, and persistently low consumer confidence threaten state revenues, with deficits projected to hit $1.5 billion by 2027-28 and $6.6 billion the following year. Lawmakers face pressure to act early, as delaying adjustments could result in significantly higher costs. Budget leaders insist proactive planning now is essential to prevent future shortfalls and ensure Florida remains financially stable amid demographic shifts.

Tax Revenues Exceed August Forecast by $127M - Florida's general-revenue collections in August surpassed expectations by 3.4%, bringing in $3.874 billion — about $127.1 million more than state economists projected, according to a report published this week by the Legislature's Office of Economic & Demographic Research. General revenue, which funds key state priorities such as education, health care, and prisons, was boosted primarily by stronger-than-expected sales-tax receipts, which totaled $3.012 billion, or $61.4 million above forecast. Other revenue sources also exceeded projections, including earnings on state investments, which came in at $146 million, up $27 million, insurance taxes at $223.5 million for the month, up $12.8 million, and documentary stamp taxes on real estate transactions brought in $114.2 million, up $15.6 million. Economists from the Revenue Estimating Conference will use the latest figures to inform future budget forecasts as Florida heads into the next fiscal planning cycle. The upcoming 2026 regular legislative session is slated to begin on Jan. 13, when lawmakers will begin work on crafting the 2026-27 fiscal year budget poised to take effect on July 1. News Service Florida

House Will Again Consider Effort to Lower Rifle Buying Age - Republicans will try again to lower the legal age for purchasing rifles in Florida by reversing the age restriction put in place after the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting in Parkland in which 17 people were killed. Legislation (HB 133) filed Wednesday in the House by Merritt Island GOP Rep. Tyler Sirois would lower the minimum age to purchase firearms from 21 to 18. Lawmakers raised the age to 21 after the 2018 Parkland shooting, but Florida House Republicans have since changed their position on the restriction. Legislation (HB 759, HB 1223) to lower the gun-buying age has passed in the House the last two years, but has failed to get a vote in the Senate. The measure technically would apply to all guns, but if it were to pass, people under 21 would still be barred under federal law from purchasing a handgun from a federally licensed firearms dealer, though they would be allowed to buy them from private sellers. News Service Florida

“Shevrin Jones wants to bar mid-decade redistricting now and forever” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics — Sen. Jones wants to ban Florida from mid-decade redistricting. Jones said such political maneuvering will only hurt voters. “The fight for fair districts is paramount — it’s about ensuring every single voter’s voice is not just heard, but truly represented in government at every level,” Jones said. “When district lines are drawn fairly and with transparency, not to tip the scales for one political party or another, we can actually empower and strengthen our communities.” He filed the Voter Protection in Redistricting Act (SB 112), which would mandate that the Legislature could redraw Florida’s legislative or congressional lines only once every decade, following the federal census, typically held every 10 years.

Business …

Florida Gas Prices Swing Again as Oil Costs Fall: Florida drivers are seeing another week of price whiplash at the pump, with gas prices rising and falling in a familiar pattern, according to AAA. The state average climbed 18 cents per gallon early last week before easing 9 cents by Sunday to $3.04 per gallon — still eight cents higher than a week ago, but 10 cents lower than last month and seven cents below this time last year. AAA reported that Florida's gas prices have repeatedly fluctuated between $2.92 and $3.23 per gallon since September 2024, typically dropping gradually over 10 days before rebounding sharply. "Since the fuel market has been stable, retailers are constantly adjusting prices to attract customers," said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins. "But once those prices fall below a profitable margin, stations raise them again, and the cycle repeats." The latest swing comes as oil and gasoline futures trend downward, with U.S. crude prices falling 7% last week to $60.88 a barrel and gas futures down 18 cents from the week prior. AAA Press Release / News Service Florida / Florida Politics

“Florida allows open carry of guns, so Publix will too, workers say” via Susannah Bryan and Cristóbal Reyes of the Orlando Sentinel — Publix, Florida’s dominant grocery chain, is now allowing customers across the state to openly carry guns due to a recent court ruling, employees say. Florida began allowing open carry on Sept. 25 after an appeals court overturned the state’s ban on openly carrying firearms, deeming it unconstitutional. Under the law, businesses and other private property owners have the option of banning open carry. Other grocery stores said they do not plan to allow open carry. But Publix, which has a large presence in Florida with more than 900 stores, has opted to allow it, though it has made no corporate announcement. That marks a sharp reversal for the privately-owned, Lakeland-based chain. Publix, although it has been associated with conservative political causes, previously did not permit open carry in its stores in states that allowed it.

Campaigns & Elections …

"Donald Trump endorsement in Attorney General race changes GOP Primary outlook” via Alexandra Glorioso of the Herald/Times Tallahassee Bureau — President Trump on Wednesday endorsed Attorney General Uthmeier’s 2026 campaign, cementing him as the GOP front-runner and shutting down speculation of a proxy battle with DeSantis. Trump’s team had courted House Speaker Daniel Perez, but Perez opted out, avoiding what would have been a high-profile showdown.

Former House Speaker Paul Renner is reporting a strong start to his campaign for Governor, raising $3.7 million over just 35 days. Renner’s team says more than $3 million of that came in before the end of the third quarter on Sept. 30.