| Week of February 16th-20th, 2026 |
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If what happens in Tallahassee matters to your business, this is your best resource for weekly insight into the 2026 legislative session.
Today is day 39 of the 60-day regular legislative session and week six was largely focused on getting the Senate and House proposed budget and budget-related bills in the proper posture to begin negotiations on a final state spending plan. The House came in on President’s Day for committee meetings to tee up the House’s proposed budget and budget-related bills for a vote by the full House yesterday. The Senate used Wednesday’s Appropriations Committee meeting to ready their budget bills for consideration today on the floor. There are less than three weeks for the Senate and House to determine final budget allocations and iron out differences in the budget for session to end on time, with the budget required to be “on the desk” by March 10 to end on time by the scheduled March 13.
The House also passed the first of its property tax proposals off the House floor and both the House and Senate considered several policy proposals. Keep reading to learn more about what happened during week six of session. |
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| Heard In and Around the Capitol |
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| Engage with us at these Upcoming Events |
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| Below is your weekly rundown of what happened Week 6 in Tallahassee. |
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Florida House and Senate Release First Round of Transportation & Economic Development Budget Proposals
Late last week, the House and Senate released their proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2027 budgets, which passed the House yesterday and will pass the Senate today. The House and Senate’s Transportation and Economic Development (TED) budgets both include $80 million for VISIT Florida, Florida’s tourism marketing arm, $17.5 million for Space Florida, Florida’s space infrastructure agency, $3 million for the Space Florida Financing Program, $70.77 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan Program (SAIL) to assist with affordable housing, and $5 million for Select Florida, which is focused on economic development and Florida’s international business development.
The House and Senate differ in their proposals for other key funding programs, including the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, where the House did not appropriate funding and the Senate appropriated $50 million. This economic development program funds workforce development programs and necessary infrastructure that benefits the broader business community. The House funded $50 million for the Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program, which serves teachers and first responders, and the Senate provided $75 million. The House appropriated $14.4 billion for the Department of Transportation’s 5 Year Work Program, and the Senate is coming in at $12.56 billion. Finally, the House has appropriated $165.7 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership, another state affordable housing program, and the Senate has proposed $184.5 billion.
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Senate AI and Data Center Bills Pass Final Committees Before Heading to the Senate Floor
With more Americans using artificial intelligence and the rise of generative AI, the appropriate regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the infrastructure that supports the digital age continue to be a central topic nationally, with Governor Ron DeSantis and policymakers calling for consumer protections here in Florida as well. In the Florida Senate, two bills are now ready for the floor after advancing through their final committees this week.
SB 482, establishing an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights,” passed its final committee with an amendment. The bill, sponsored by Senator Tom Leek, requires companies offering companion chatbots to obtain parental consent, establish parental controls, and implement safeguards to prevent harmful or inappropriate content to minors and includes a private right of action to enforce these provisions. SB 482 also restricts AI companies from selling or disclosing personal information, requires disclosure when AI is used in chatbots, and prohibits the unauthorized use of a person’s name, image, and likeness, authorizing the Department of Legal Affairs to enforce these provisions. Wednesday’s amendment tweaked the definition of “artificial intelligence” and provided companies’ platforms 45 days to cure alleged violations as long as the company did not willfully or knowingly disregard the account holder’s age. While the cure provisions are a step forward, the bill remains a work in progress.
SB 484, related to data centers and sponsored by Senator Bryan Avila, passed its final committee on Tuesday. SB 484 creates a regulatory framework for the development of data centers in Florida. The Florida Chamber believes there are pathways to welcoming the economic benefits of data centers without negatively impacting communities and utility ratepayers and will continue working to ensure public policy proposals include the business community’s feedback. It’s estimated that the addition of a one-gigawatt data center in Florida would generate $2.6 billion in sustained annual economic impact and an additional $405.8 million annually in state and local tax revenue.
To learn more on these bills, the House companion measures, and what’s next, click here. |
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| On Thursday, the House passed its first property tax proposal off the floor, HB 203 by Representative Monique Miller, which if passed by the Senate, would place a proposal before Florida voters to eliminate non-school property taxes on homestead properties. Originally, this proposal would have phased out the non-school portion of homestead property taxes over ten years but was amended on the floor to eliminate these taxes upon voter passage. This bill was one of eight proposals released by the House last fall and will reduce local government revenue by $18 billion. The Florida Chamber has been tireless in its advocacy to ensure that any property tax proposal doesn’t ultimately shift the tax burden onto local businesses. The House plan does not consider revenue replacement or require local governments to cut spending. The Senate has committed to reducing property taxes but said their plan would not be as “generous.” |
| During Tuesday’s House floor session, HB 103, related to Local Business Taxes, passed 86-26. This bill, by Representative Adam Botana, eliminates the local business tax, alleviating a financial burden on small and local businesses across Florida, which would increase the ability of job creators to reinvest in their business, employees and communities and enhance Florida’s economic competitiveness. SB 122, the Senate companion, has two committee hearings remaining. |
| On Tuesday, HB 1407, related to the commencement of civil actions by Representative Wyman Duggan, passed the House Floor 108-0. The bill, led by the Florida Chamber, creates clarity on the statute of limitations to file a complaint under the Florida Civil Rights Act and brings certainty to Florida employers on when a civil action might be brought against them. This benefits both the employer and employee by ensuring claims are resolved in a timely manner. The Senate Companion measure is ready for its last committee, the Senate Rules Committee. |
| SB 1506, related to civil litigation by Senator Clay Yarborough, was voted down during a contentious committee hearing after an amendment was filed that could have increased litigation if adopted. The underlying bill seeks to limit jury anchoring by adding additional criteria when determining whether an award of noneconomic damages is excessive or inadequate. Jury anchoring refers to the suggestion of arbitrary values during a trial by the plaintiff or the defense to influence the jury’s verdict on damages. A point of order was called on the amendment, and after several other procedural motions and votes, the bill failed to secure enough votes to pass the committee, effectively ending the underlying policy’s chances of adoption this session. |
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| Chamber-backed SB 1246, the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund bill that expands eligibility to additional health care professions and to an expanded partner field for higher education institutions to seek matching grant funds, passed unanimously through the Senate Fiscal Policy committee. In an interesting development, the Senate, as part of their budget recommendations, included a conforming bill, SB 2516, which includes the provisions of SB 1246 with some changes. These changes include who awards LINE funds to institutions, and the threshold nursing education programs must meet to be considered for LINE funding. SB 2516 passed unanimously through the Senate Appropriations Committee and is on the Senate floor today. HB 1325, the House companion measure, is in its last committee stop, the House Education & Employment Committee. |
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| HB 803, related to building permits and inspections by Representative Dana Trabulsy, unanimously passed the House Commerce Committee. This was its last committee stop before heading to the House floor. HB 803 provides clarity and enhances predictability in the permitting process by establishing a statewide uniform permit application and makes it easier to begin work on minor projects and hurricane and flood resistant barriers by exempting those projects from building permit requirements. HB 803 also prevents duplicate inspections by preventing local building inspectors from performing additional inspections when a private inspector has already completed required inspections. Its companion, SB 1234 by Senator Nick DiCeglie, has one more committee stop remaining before heading to the Senate floor. |
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| HB 1093, related to vertiports by Representative Leonard Spencer, passed its third committee, the House Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee on a 13-0 vote. HB 1093 encourages progress toward the Autonomous Florida goal of becoming the mobility innovation capital of the world and encourages the growth of Advanced Air Mobility. HB 1093 adds “vertiports and charging systems” as qualified projects for public-private partnerships and allows the Florida Department of Transportation to fund public vertiport costs up to 100% in some cases. Its companion bill, SB 1362 by Senator Gayle Harrell, also moved this week, passing its second committee, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, on a 14-0 vote. Both bills have one more committee stop before heading to their respective floors. |
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| Spotted: DeLand Chamber, USF, Coca-Cola, Florida Economic Development Council, Transportation Day, UWF, Congressmen and former Florida Legislators Daniel Webster and Mario Diaz-Balart, Pebbles and Enzi, penguins from Florida Aquarium, former FSU Football Coach Jimbo Fisher, firefighters across the state. |
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“We will talk to anyone; anytime; about anything. We will never let personalities or past resentments impede our work. But also, please understand, we will not be pushed by artificial deadlines. We will not sacrifice a little integrity, to gain a little time.”
– HOUSE SPEAKER DANNY PEREZ in a speech to House members during the Thursday House floor session.
“I have said, in concert with the Governor, is that getting it right is more important than doing it quickly.”
– SENATE PRESIDENT BEN ALBRITTON during his press availability after Thursday’s Senate session to a question on if the Senate and Governor are coordinating on property taxes.
“Right now, this issue is too important to wait on Congress. If your plan is to wait for Congress, God help you.”
– SENATOR TOM LEEK closing on the “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” after hearing concerns SB 482 conflicts with the Trump AI plan. |
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The Florida Chamber’s Florida Business Agenda is guided by our Florida 2030 Blueprint, which outlines our Six Pillars framework, with 39 goals, with the ultimate goal of catapulting Florida from 15th largest economy to 10th largest economy in the world by 2030.
Below is a comprehensive review of legislative activity from Week 6 of the 2026 Legislative Session.
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| Improving Florida’s Talent Pipeline for a Better Workforce |
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Resident Status for Tuition Purposes
Allows inmates to retain residency status for tuition purposes at a Florida postsecondary institution which expands educational opportunities for those that are incarcerated to promote second chances, reduce recidivism and create a pathway toward long-term economic self-sufficiency. |
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SB 720: Sen. Rosalind Osgood
Language incorporated into SB 7038, which is on Committee agenda - Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Advanced Education Options
Expands dual enrollment opportunities for students with an emphasis on STEM courses. Additionally, the legislation provides detailed incentive funding to schools that provide advanced education options. |
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SB 1676: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund
Modifies the Linking Industry to Nursing Education funding to allow for other related health science professions, allowing higher education institutions greater flexibility to collaborate with their healthcare partners and seek grant funding to combat healthcare workforce shortages. |
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SB 1246: Sen. Tracie Davis
Passed Senate Fiscal Policy Committee (19-0); Waiting for 2nd reading in the Senate. |
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HB 1325: Rep. Erika Booth
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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SB 2516: Sen. Gayle Harrell
Passed Senate Appropriations Committee
(18-0); Placed on Senate Special Order Calendar 2/20/26, 9:00 am. |
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Mathematics Education
Allows students to take an applied math course that is tailored to industry training and real-world applications for their algebra credit while still requiring students to take the end-of-course Algebra 1 exam. |
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SB 920: Sen. Don Gaetz
Language incorporated into SB 7036, which is on Committee agenda - Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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| Creating Quality Jobs by Diversifying Florida’s Economy |
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Manufacturing
Enhances Florida’s competitiveness in manufacturing by creating the Statewide Office of Manufacturing within the Department of Commerce, led by a Chief Manufacturing Officer, as recommended by the Florida Trade & Logistics 2030 Study, who is responsible for state manufacturing activities and strategy. |
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SB 528: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 483: Rep. Nan Cobb
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Rural Communities
Seeks to advance the 2030 Blueprint goal of doubling the rural share of state GDP by establishing programs aimed at addressing the challenges rural communities face, such as economic development, transportation and broadband connectivity, healthcare access, education, workforce development, and more. The bill also creates the Office of Rural Prosperity with the purpose of supporting rural communities by helping rural stakeholders navigate available programs and resources and representing rural interests across state government. |
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SB 250: Sen. Corey Simon
Previously passed the Senate Floor (39-0); Now in House Messages. |
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Rural Communities
Seeks to advance the 2030 Blueprint goal of doubling the rural share of state GDP by establishing programs aimed at addressing the challenges rural communities face, such as transportation infrastructure, healthcare access, and workforce development. |
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HB 723: Rep. Shane Abbott
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Research and Development Tax Credit
Makes progress towards the 2030 Blueprint goal of being a top 3 state for research and development funding by increasing the R&D tax credit cap to attract and incentivize companies to perform R&D in Florida. |
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SB 1076: Sen. Alexis Calatayud
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 847: Rep. Doug Bankson
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Space Florida
Promotes Florida’s space industry by exempting defense and aerospace businesses partnering with Space Florida from property taxes, use taxes, and sales tax. |
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SB 1512: Sen. Danny Burgess
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| Improving Florida's Infrastructure for Smart Growth and Development |
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Tax Credits for Contributions to Assist Homebuyers
Incentivizes employers to assist employees in purchasing a home by creating an optional tax credit program for downpayment assistance. |
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SB 1672: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 311: Rep. Tae Edmonds
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Housing
As part of an all-of-the-above strategy to addresses affordable workforce housing challenges, requires local governments to adopt ordinances that allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas to create more housing options. |
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SB 48: Sen. Don Gaetz
Previously passed the Senate Floor (38-0); Now in House Messages. |
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HB 313: Rep. Danny Nix, Jr.
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Former Phosphate Mining Lands
Encourages economic development and smart growth by creating a process to put safe former phosphate mine sites to productive economic use. |
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| No Senate Companion measure filed. |
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HB 167: Rep. McClure
Previously passed the House Floor (87-24); Waiting for 2nd reading in the Senate. |
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Land Use and Development Regulations
Streamlines the permitting application process by providing clarity in how “compatibility” is assessed.
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SB 208: Sen. Stan McClain
On Committee agenda – Senate Rules Committee, 2/24/26, 12:00 pm. |
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HB 399: Rep. David Borrero
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Growth Management
Lowers costs on new development by preventing local governments from abusing the calculation of impact fees by defining “extraordinary circumstances” to justify increases. |
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SB 548: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1139: Rep. Richard Gentry
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Commercial Construction Projects
Enhances predictability in the permitting process by establishing a statewide uniform permit application and reduces costs through a uniform fee reduction when private provider services are used. |
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SB 526: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 405: Rep. Griff Griffitts
Placed on House Special Order Calendar, 2/25/26, 10:00 am. |
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Cybersecurity Standards and Liabilities
Strengthens critical infrastructure by protecting local governments, companies, and third-party providers from liability in a cyber-attack when the entity has adopted a qualified cybersecurity program. |
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SB 692: Sen. Tom Leek
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 635: Rep. Mike Giallombardo
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Electric Vehicle Registration Fees
Supports the maintenance of Florida’s roadways by establishing a reasonable fee for electric vehicles to help offset lost revenues from the collection of gas taxes. |
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SB 804: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Infrastructure and Resiliency
Strengthens resiliency efforts by expanding eligibility for public-private partnerships to include coastal resiliency projects. |
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| No Senate companion measure filed. |
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HB 751: Rep. Chip LaMarca
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Local Goverment Land Development Regulations and Orders
Addresses attainable workforce housing challenges by providing greater flexibility in the minimum lot size requirements for housing to allow for more units. |
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SB 948: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1143: Rep. Danny Nix
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Building Permits and Inspections
Streamlines the building permit process for single family dwellings by relaxing minor projects from permitting, creating a uniform building application, and preventing delays in construction by encouraging private provider options and preventing duplicate inspections. |
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SB 1234: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
On Committee agenda – Senate Rules Committee, 2/24/26, 12:00 pm. |
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HB 803: Rep. Dana Trabulsy
Passed House Commerce Committee with CS (22-0). Placed on House Special Order Calendar, 2/25/26, 10:00 am. |
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Public Employee Housing Benefits
Increases access to affordable workforce housing by creating an alternative method to assist public employees with buying homes through the optional “Heroes Reward Program.” |
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SB 1432: Sen. Alexis Calatayud
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1065: Rep. J.J. Grow
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Vertiports
Encourages progress toward the Autonomous Florida goal of becoming the mobility innovation capital of the world and encourages the growth of Advanced Air Mobility by adding “vertiports and charging systems” as qualified projects for public-private partnerships and allows the Florida Department of Transportation to fund public vertiport costs up to 100% in some cases. |
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SB 1362: Sen. Gayle Harrell
Passed Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development with CS (14-0). |
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HB 1093: Rep. Leonard Spencer
Passed House Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee with CS (13-0). |
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Delivery of Commercial Goods by Autonomous Vehicles
While Florida has been a national leader in the safe deployment bill of autonomous vehicles through Autonomous Florida, this bill moves Florida backward by blanket prohibiting the use of autonomous vehicles for commercial deliveries without a licensed human operator. |
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SB 1258: Sen. Tracie Davis
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Autonomous Vehicle Safety
While Florida has been a national leader in the safe deployment bill of autonomous vehicles through Autonomous Florida, this bill moves Florida backward by blanket prohibiting the use of autonomous vehicles from engaging in interstate commerce or transporting passengers or goods for hire without a licensed human operator. |
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HB 1469: Rep. Angela Nixon
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| Building the Perfect Climate for Business |
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Local Business Taxes
Reduces taxes on local businesses and allows for the reinvestment of that capital into employees, communities or the business itself by eliminating the local business tax. |
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SB 122: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 103: Rep. Adam Botana
Passed House Floor (82-26); referred to Senate Appropriations Committee. |
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Rates for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Coverage
Advances the goal of having a competitive and stable private insurance market by ensuring actuarially sound rates for Citizens insurance policies, reducing the likelihood of assessments or “hurricane taxes” on Floridians, and reinforcing efforts to return Citizens to insurer of last resort. |
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SB 634: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 275: Rep. Jose Alvarez
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Products Liability Actions Under the Florida Pesticide Law
Protects Florida’s agriculture industry and the reliability of the food supply chain by preventing product liability lawsuits unless the business did not follow governmental use and application guidelines in using certain agricultural products. |
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SB 518: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 443: Rep. J.J. Grow
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Rate Fillings for Property Insures
Caps the amount of future insurance rate increases, discouraging new and existent insurance companies from doing business in Florida by disregarding free market principles. |
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SB 30: Sen. Barbara Sharief
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Corporate Income Tax
By establishing a mandatory unitary combined reporting approach for corporate income tax, this bill hurts certain businesses in Florida by requiring a consolidated return and excluding certain deductions that are currently allowable for corporate income tax purposes. |
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SB 238: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Rating Factors for Automobile Liability Insurers
Limits the ability of insurers to develop actuarially sound auto insurance rates by prohibiting certain risk factors from being included in rates. |
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SB 224: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Motor Vehicle Insurance
Repeals Florida’s No-Fault Motor Vehicle Law and increases insurance requirements, which will result in higher premiums, an increased uninsured motorist rate, and a rise in litigation under a pure liability system. |
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SB 522: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 769: Rep. Meg Weinberger
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Division of Labor Standards
Negatively impacts Florida’s business-friendly climate by creating the Division of Labor standards, which establishes new layers of government bureaucracy that interfere in the employer-employee relationship. |
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SB 358: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 987: Rep. Angela Nixon
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Multifamily Residential Properties
Eliminates a key-provision of the Florida Chamber-led lawsuit abuse reforms from 2023 by removing a presumption against liability for multifamily property owners for certain intentional acts on the property. |
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SB 956: Sen. Jennifer Bradley
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1423: Rep. Michelle Salzman
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Remedies for Violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act
Creates clarity on the statute of limitations for alleged violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act, benefitting both the employer and employee and ensuring claims are resolved in a timely manner. |
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SB 1096: Sen. Danny Burgess
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1407: Wyman Duggan
Passed House Floor (108-0); referred to Senate Rules Committee. |
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Homeowner’s Insurance Premium Reductions
Discourages a competitive and stable insurance market and companies writing policies in Florida by instituting government-mandated price controls lowering premiums charged by insurance companies. |
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SB 1476: Sen. Mack Bernard
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 775: Rep. Jervonte Edmonds
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Restrictions on Employer-owned Life Insurance Policies
Creates a new private cause of action and adds state regulations around employer-owned life insurance policies that are already regulated at the federal level. |
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SB 894: Sen. Jonathan Martin
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 261: Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Attorney Fees and Costs for Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Protections Benefits
Worsens Florida’s Lawsuit abuse climate by reinstating attorney fee awards in Florida’s Personal Injury protection system, which will increase frivolous litigation and auto insurance rates for consumers. |
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SB 926: Sen. Johnathan Martin
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Coverage by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Increases the probability of assessments or “hurricane taxes” on Floridians by increasing the eligibility for Citizens’ Insurance policies and further capping rate increases in specified counties, ensuring premiums are not actuarially sound and anti-competitive with the private market. |
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SB 1024: Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 909: Rep. Jim Mooney
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Assessed Value of Nonhomestead Property
Creates parity for non-homestead properties and lessens the property tax burden on renters and local businesses by reducing the cap on the annual increase in the assessed value of property to match the cap on homestead properties. |
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| No Senate companion measure filed. |
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HB 903: Rep. J.J. Grow
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Litigation Financing
In order to further improve Florida’s legal climate, supports efforts to create transparency around and accountability for third party financers who invest in Florida's lawsuits for economic gain. |
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SB 1396: Sen. Colleen Burton
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1157: Rep. Fabián Basabe
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund
Increases the risk of hurricane taxes on all Florida policyholders by shifting storm risk away from the private market to the public market via the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. |
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SB 1448: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1349: Rep. Hillary Cassel
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Awards of Attorney Fees in Insurance Claims
Worsens Florida's lawsuit abuse climate by reinstituting attorney fees that were eliminated in 2022 & 2023 for insurance cases- reopening a legal mechanism that led to fraud and abuse and drove up insurance rates for all Floridians. While these bills are not identical, the intent of both is to undo the 2022-2023 reforms. |
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SB 1268: Sen. Tracie Davis
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1269: Rep. Michael Gottlieb
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Admissible Evidence in Personal Injury or Wrongful Death
Eliminates a key provision of the Florida Chamber-led 2023 lawsuit abuse reform by shifting the burden on the defense to rebut damages instead of the plaintiff proving the actual cost of medical damages owed. |
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SB 1558: Sen. Ralph Massullo
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1553: Rep. Robert Brackett
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Pricing Based on Collection of Consumer Information
Creates a new private right of action that enhances billboard trial attorneys’ efforts to increase litigation, worsening our lawsuit abuse climate in Florida and is duplicative to the data privacy laws already passed. |
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SB 1746: Sen. Tracie Davis
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1499: Rep. Dotie Joseph
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Civil Litigation
Attempts to address jury anchoring and reduce the cost of litigation by requiring the court to consider additional information in the award of noneconomic damages. |
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SB 1506: Sen. Clay Yarborough
Unfavorable by Senate Rules Committee (11-13); Laid on the table. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Prohibition on Levying Ad Valorem Taxes on Tangible Personal Property
Prohibits local governments from levying ad valorem taxes on tangible personal property, providing annual savings on the taxation of office equipment, machinery, vehicles, livestock, and personal items for local businesses, money that they can invest back in their business, their employees, or in their local communities. |
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SB 552 & SB 550: Sen. Mack Bernard
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1277 & HB 1275: Rep. Chip LaMarca
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| Making Government and Civics more Efficient and Effective |
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Local Government Enforcements Actions
Ensures local governments are applying rules and regulations uniformly and provides legal remedies for businesses to challenge enforcement actions that are unreasonable or arbitrary. |
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SB 588: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 105: Rep. Robert Brackett
Placed on House Special Order Calendar, 2/25/26, 10:00 am. |
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Regulation of Auxiliary Containers
Improves Florida's regulatory climate by strengthening a Florida Chamber-backed preemption preventing a patchwork of local ordinances on packaging materials used by food service or retail establishments. |
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SB 766: Sen. Jonathan Martin
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 629: Rep. Tiffany Esposito
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Threshold for Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments
Further exposes Florida voters to out-of-state and special interests attempting to thwart the legislative process through amending Florida’s foundational document— lowering the threshold to pass a constitutional amendment or revision from 60% to 50%. |
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SB 1406: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Public Employees Relations Commission
Ensures transparency and accountability in the collective bargaining process while also promoting the fiscal health of our state by limiting the ability of public sector workers to use government-paid time for union activities. |
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SB 1296: Sen. Jonathan Martin
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 995: Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| Championing Florida’s Quality of Life |
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Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact
As recommended in the Florida Chamber Health Council’s Mental Health Report, this legislation would allow licensed social workers to practice across member states under the Social Work Licensure Compact, improving access to behavioral health services. |
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SB 74: Sen. Gayle Harrell
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 13: Rep. Christine Hunschofsky
Placed on House Special Order Calendar, 2/25/26, 10:00 am. |
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Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Autonomous Practice
Expands access to behavioral health services by authorizing psychiatric mental health APRNs to provide mental health services through telehealth at the level they are already licensed and trained to serve. |
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SB 138: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 301: Rep. Jason Shoaf
Previously passed the House Floor (88-18); Now in Senate Rules Committee. |
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Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death
Vetoed previously by Governor Ron DeSantis following the 2025 Legislative Session, this legislation would drive up medical malpractice insurance rates by broadening the scope of who is allowed to recover non-economic damages in medical negligence claims. Florida has the highest-in-the-nation medical malpractice insurance costs which place an undue burden on physicians wanting to practice in Florida and ultimately limits the availability of quality and affordable care. |
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SB 1700: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 6003: Rep. Dana Trabusly
Previously passed the House Floor (88-17); Now in Senate Rules Committee. |
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Advertisement of a Harmful Vaccine
Creates a new cause of action, increasing Florida’s already litigious environment and opens drug companies to endless lawsuits for side-effects they already disclose to consumers in their advertisements. |
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SB 408: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 339: Rep. Monique Miller
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program
Creates a pilot program public-private partnership between the Department of Children and Families, a state university system institution and qualified contracted entities to provide timely and better access to behavioral health services through a single point of entry. |
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SB 1618: Sen. Tom Leek
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 783: Rep. Judson Sapp
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability
May 14-15
Disney’s Contemporary Resort |
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40th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School
July 21-24
JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort |
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Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit
June 9
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay |
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Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit
August 11
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay |
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Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit
June 23
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay |
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Future of Florida Forum (F3) & Florida Chamber Annual Meeting
October 27-28
Grand JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa |
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