NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

With Florida lawmakers at odds over budget, House takes Monday off & Dems lose party member amid turmoil
Read full article: With Florida lawmakers at odds over budget, House takes Monday off & Dems lose party member amid turmoilSenate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said philosophical differences are stalling progress with the state budget, specifically over tax relief plans.

Another Douglas Anderson employee removed after ‘inappropriate conduct’ accusations
Read full article: Another Douglas Anderson employee removed after ‘inappropriate conduct’ accusationsA week after a bill sparked by controversy at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts passed unanimously in the Senate, the school confirmed yet another employee has been removed over reports of “inappropriate conduct.”

‘Not going to replace Parkland’: Florida committee won’t take up House-approved bill lowering gun buying age to 18
Read full article: ‘Not going to replace Parkland’: Florida committee won’t take up House-approved bill lowering gun buying age to 18Days after a mass shooting at nearby Florida State University, the state Senate appears poised to scuttle a controversial proposal that would allow people under age 21 to buy rifles and other long guns.

Florida legislators pass bill that could reshape how universities select their leadership
Read full article: Florida legislators pass bill that could reshape how universities select their leadershipAmid fierce opposition from Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Florida House on Wednesday approved revamping laws about leadership of the higher-education system, including opening information about applicants to become college and university presidents.

Florida Senate passes fluoride ban in water supplies
Read full article: Florida Senate passes fluoride ban in water suppliesAs cities and counties across the state debate the issue, the Florida Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would prevent local governments from adding fluoride to water supplies.

‘Problematic situation’: Florida House signs off on bill that could force kids to put down phones during school day
Read full article: ‘Problematic situation’: Florida House signs off on bill that could force kids to put down phones during school dayAn effort to keep students off cell phones throughout the school day passed the Florida House on Wednesday, though differences remain with a Senate proposal.

Florida House passes bill to limit projects like golf courses, pickleball courts at state parks
Read full article: Florida House passes bill to limit projects like golf courses, pickleball courts at state parksDevelopment such as golf courses, pickleball courts and luxury lodges would be prohibited at Florida state parks under legislation passed Wednesday by the state House following a public outcry against such projects that were pushed by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration.

DeSantis officially signs bills enforcing ‘Gulf of America’ name change in Florida schools, geographic materials
Read full article: DeSantis officially signs bills enforcing ‘Gulf of America’ name change in Florida schools, geographic materialsGov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed two bills aimed at carrying out President Donald Trump’s directive to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America, according to the Florida Senate.

Jacksonville lawmaker pushes bill aiming to protect victims from deepfakes after former mayor’s daughter targeted
Read full article: Jacksonville lawmaker pushes bill aiming to protect victims from deepfakes after former mayor’s daughter targetedA bill moving through the Florida Capitol could have significant implications for victims of deepfakes, with its roots firmly planted in Jacksonville.

Florida House committee unanimously approves bill that would prevent development at state parks
Read full article: Florida House committee unanimously approves bill that would prevent development at state parksA bill aimed at preventing a return of efforts to build golf courses, pickleball courts and resorts in state parks is ready to go to the full Florida House.

‘More than a simple name change’: Florida House passes two bills supporting ‘Gulf of America’ name change
Read full article: ‘More than a simple name change’: Florida House passes two bills supporting ‘Gulf of America’ name changeErasing the Gulf of Mexico from state laws and educational materials won Florida House approval Thursday. The Republican-controlled House passed two bills along party lines to carry out President Donald Trump’s directive to rename the gulf as the Gulf of America.

Duval County superintendent warns of challenges from Senate Bill 140 on property sales
Read full article: Duval County superintendent warns of challenges from Senate Bill 140 on property salesSenate Bill 140 could significantly impact how school districts buy or sell property, prompting reactions from Duval County parents and leaders.

‘Citrus not going down on my watch’: Florida Senate President pushing to revitalize struggling citrus industry
Read full article: ‘Citrus not going down on my watch’: Florida Senate President pushing to revitalize struggling citrus industryAs the Florida House and Senate prepare to negotiate a new state budget, among the big issues they will face is a push by Senate President Ben Albritton, a citrus grower, to help the state’s struggling citrus industry.
Florida Senate committee votes against concealed carry on college campuses
Read full article: Florida Senate committee votes against concealed carry on college campusesA Florida Senate bill that would have allowed concealed carry on college and university campuses was voted down in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. Senate Bill 814, introduced by Sen. Randy Fine (R-Melbourne Beach), failed in a 3-4 vote.

Florida House overwhelmingly approves bill allowing families to hold doctors, hospitals accountable for malpractice
Read full article: Florida House overwhelmingly approves bill allowing families to hold doctors, hospitals accountable for malpracticeThe Florida House on Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a proposal that could lead to more medical-malpractice lawsuits, while a similar bill cleared a major hurdle in the Senate.

Automatic gratuity, service charges could become relics of the past if Florida bill is approved
Read full article: Automatic gratuity, service charges could become relics of the past if Florida bill is approvedA Florida lawmaker’s proposal to crack down on automatic gratuity and service charges at restaurants is now part of a bill going through the State House. HB 535 passed its first committee stop on Wednesday. The bill is meant to make it easier for restaurants or public lodging businesses like hotels to remove someone who is not paying their bill.

Florida House, Senate move forward with bill that would allow pay below minimum wage for certain employees
Read full article: Florida House, Senate move forward with bill that would allow pay below minimum wage for certain employeesThe Florida House and Senate on Tuesday continued moving forward with a proposal that would provide an exemption to the state’s voter-approved minimum wage for certain workers in on-the-job training.

Florida House set to discuss bill that would lower minimum age to purchase guns from 21 to 18 this week
Read full article: Florida House set to discuss bill that would lower minimum age to purchase guns from 21 to 18 this weekThe Florida House could move quickly to pass a controversial bill that would lower the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns from 21 to 18.

TELL US: How do you feel about possibly increasing the highway speed limit from 70 mph to 75 mph?
Read full article: TELL US: How do you feel about possibly increasing the highway speed limit from 70 mph to 75 mph?Highway speeds could increase under a bill that has started moving forward in the state Senate. The Republican-controlled Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday approved a wide-ranging measure (SB 462), filed by Sen. Nick DiCeglie, R-Indian Rocks Beach, that includes boosting the maximum speed on interstates and Florida’s Turnpike from 70 mph to 75 mph.

Florida Senate committee approves proposal to set term limits for county commissioners, school board members
Read full article: Florida Senate committee approves proposal to set term limits for county commissioners, school board membersThe Senate Ethics and Elections Committee on Monday voted 6-2 to approve a proposal (SJR 802) that would put in the Florida Constitution eight-year term limits for county commissioners and school board members. The Legislature in 2023 approved eight-year term limits for school board members, but those limits are not in the Constitution.

Florida Senate panel approves measure adding restrictions to ballot initiative process
Read full article: Florida Senate panel approves measure adding restrictions to ballot initiative processA key Senate panel on Monday approved a measure that would place a number of new restrictions on people and groups seeking to make changes to the state Constitution, the latest move in the Legislature’s years-long effort to curtail the ballot-initiative process.

Florida lawmakers propose constitutional amendment to set county commission term limits, cement school board limits
Read full article: Florida lawmakers propose constitutional amendment to set county commission term limits, cement school board limitsHouse and Senate Republicans are proposing a constitutional amendment about eight-year term limits for county commissioners and school board members.

‘Makes this process better and stronger’: Local lawmaker weighs in as bills to tighten ballot-initiative process advance
Read full article: ‘Makes this process better and stronger’: Local lawmaker weighs in as bills to tighten ballot-initiative process advanceAfter fierce — and expensive — political battles last year about abortion rights and recreational marijuana, Florida lawmakers Thursday began moving forward with a proposal that would place additional restrictions on the ballot-initiative process.

Florida lawmakers approve bill that could place additional restrictions on ballot-initiative process
Read full article: Florida lawmakers approve bill that could place additional restrictions on ballot-initiative processAfter fierce — and expensive — political battles last year about abortion rights and recreational marijuana, Florida lawmakers Thursday began moving forward with a proposal that would place additional restrictions on the ballot-initiative process.

Local lawmakers push for statewide anti-DEI bills that would prohibit local government DEI policies
Read full article: Local lawmakers push for statewide anti-DEI bills that would prohibit local government DEI policiesAs the Florida Legislative session enters its third day, developments are unfolding with the introduction of bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at the local government level.

Florida bill proposes lowering firearm purchase age from 21 to 18 with no exceptions
Read full article: Florida bill proposes lowering firearm purchase age from 21 to 18 with no exceptionsSenator Randy Fine has introduced a bill for the 2025 Florida legislative session that would permit individuals under 21 to purchase firearms. Senate Bill 94, aims to repeal a law that currently prohibits licensed firearms dealers from selling or transferring firearms to those younger than 21.

Proposed Florida bill aims to create efficiency commissioner, remove lieutenant governor position
Read full article: Proposed Florida bill aims to create efficiency commissioner, remove lieutenant governor positionA newly filed bill in the Florida Legislature, House Joint Resolution 1325, proposes eliminating the office of lieutenant governor and replacing it with a new Cabinet-level position: the commissioner of government efficiency.

Florida lawmakers file bill to repeal state’s 6-week abortion ban
Read full article: Florida lawmakers file bill to repeal state’s 6-week abortion banSenate minority leader Tracie Davis, who represents Jacksonville, and House minority leader Fentrice Driskell of Tampa filed a bill on Tuesday to repeal Florida’s six-week ban on abortion.

Florida lawmaker proposes new bill to stiffen state’s laws on dangerous dogs
Read full article: Florida lawmaker proposes new bill to stiffen state’s laws on dangerous dogsState Sen. Tom Wright filed Senate Bill 572 after an 8-year-old boy was mauled to death last month in Volusia County, which Wright represents.

DeSantis continues to criticize immigration bill by Florida Legislature, hopes stronger bill will be passed
Read full article: DeSantis continues to criticize immigration bill by Florida Legislature, hopes stronger bill will be passedFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday continued to blast an immigration bill passed by the Florida Legislature and expressed frustration over politicians' inaction and the need for strong border policies.

‘Not going to get my signature’: DeSantis says he’ll veto Florida’s new ‘TRUMP’ immigration bill after calling it ‘weak’
Read full article: ‘Not going to get my signature’: DeSantis says he’ll veto Florida’s new ‘TRUMP’ immigration bill after calling it ‘weak’As the Florida Legislature holds a special session this week tackling only one issue -- immigration -- Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a roundtable on Wednesday in Titusville signaling a possible veto of the bill that lawmakers passed on Tuesday night.

Florida Legislature will tackle immigration bill in special session — but not the way DeSantis wanted
Read full article: Florida Legislature will tackle immigration bill in special session — but not the way DeSantis wantedFlorida lawmakers gaveled in the special session Gov. DeSantis asked for on Monday, then quickly gaveled out of it and started their own, News4JAX sister station WKMG reported.

Gov. DeSantis calls for special session, proposes reform to petition, amendment process
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis calls for special session, proposes reform to petition, amendment processGov. Ron DeSantis on Monday morning announced plans to reform Florida’s petition and amendment process, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.

Florida Democrats are jumping ship and joining the GOP. What does it mean for state politics?
Read full article: Florida Democrats are jumping ship and joining the GOP. What does it mean for state politics?Two Florida House Representatives, Hillary Cassel and Susan Valdés, recently announced they were leaving the Democratic Party to join the GOP.