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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026 Session Wrap-Up - CCUA (Dawson) 7,,,,.._.:7:,,,,..,...ta4,.:..::,....:.. .. .‘., .. 7. ...,,......,,y,.. . 1,044414, . . ., . • . . . . s.,. .3,!: ,.. ..‘4•. ..,_:... .. . , Att- .... .:. ..A,. ..,.., .,. . ....,..,. ,..:.,„,,,.„.....f.,,,f . • .,‘ ii.. ,k . . ,,..... . . ... . „ : „ . . 4 . . .. • , .. . ... ,,,. : . . .. ,!. .. . .: ..... „,. ,.:.: ,!.:..., .. , .. .:.,. ... • ., ..:. . ..,._,-.4.:.,........, ,..., ., , . • „, ....,,.. .. . , .. . . ,, . . .... . ,, .. . , .. , . . . , „i.„‘.. .,... . ,, ,..„. . . , ., .. ...... „., . ...... . „ ..t.? : vr. • .. .... .. ..„,, . .,.. .• .. . . . ..4 , . . ,. .. . ,,,•,....,. -4-.- •'•.-.... . 7. L E G S L A T I V E S E S S 0 \ W R A P _ ......) P GRAYROBINSON . _. . . N CO ,vh, // .• \-N ..... I . ' I . , q . ,.. ....;;;.1".11.- : :.,.\. I =,:tv,„ ..„........ APv • • ifi U.........VIA..\* lir -, f .. -., . . fi •// .s. , . .. . -...,.....-- / /1111 • • PRESENTER ONIA Be sincere ; be brief; oe seatec - Fran n D Roosevelt GRAYROBINSON s'. ,1 SENTER 0 Shareholder and government affairs advisor with a unique background as both an attorney and civil engineer. Represents public and private sector clients on legislative, regulatory, appropriations, and infrastructure- related matters across Florida. riot.I Extensive experience in transportation , land use, environmental, construction , utility, and economic development policy. • Helps clients navigate complex government processes, secure 1. funding , and advance large-scale projects and resiliency initiatives. _ , Sixth -generation Floridian recognized for his work in government (•4 relations, construction , and land use law. CHRIS DAWSON Shareholder/Government Affairs Advisor chris. dawson © gray- robinson .com GRAYROBINSON , I air / / -- I illti OH : icir ...• 4 d AS. tar * Whilltim / Ilik 7 fWitfil 111111L i 1115;., THE PLAYERS "The bc /< stops nere . " - Harry S . Truman \ ' A 41114.. V 4 GRAYROBINSON \ A E X E C U T I V E 0 F F I C E ...... :., .ems ...... „ 1 • ‘,..„, I .,, ) kliiillis r111141111'\' '::::' 11 • 4 . 1 RON DESANTIS JAY COLLINS JAMES UTHMEIER Florida Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General 11p. ..it , ( `, \NI' 1\1‘4414:41\ 11,,r . 1 i +•' : -:tom , •;� ilt;• Y" 471/ t• •l tlt' • 44P:: • .ttt'' 1. -.-.7.......--.:.: ''. © v Ali f is '.,� • *si ' 1-rF ,•,' t:1-1......ip �S • 3 • • •s ur ; 0 vC� 1111 t BLAISE INGOGLIA WILTON SIMPSON Chief Financial Officer Commissioner of Agriculture G RAY R O B I N S O N H E F L 0 R I D A H 0 U S E -. __ r -_,, : , _ , ,, ,...._ ef: ,,, , A ik r , I ,11/A'-- -, N ; MN • .111 I 1 1 ij MI"ti&.- ..__ . liSi 1 , i/ \-4 .\L"\7:7\-\\ k , r I-I I 7 riff • it 4 illi / - ,- D A N I E L PEREZ LAWRENCE MCCLURE TYLER SIROIS WY M A N DUGGAN Speaker of the House Appropriations Chair Majority Leader House Speaker Pro Tempore //i �y . , .may-. ' / -f, -i.�s 1lip I A , tie I 4111 4,4- v. 440. . , I/01100‘ t5- 110v v N. 4 A, . IP N v ‘, _ SAM GARRISON FENTRICE DRISKELL Rules Chair and Speaker Designate House Minority Leader G RAY R O B I N S O N T H E F L 0 IR I D A S E N AT E ___ _. ...„..... - _ _ `tea Atifir . YY77 6: ,.... 1114 k i, I . 11/11* • 4 4 -im- , fkA-6,._ ---' - � t _ LCay .4 r i - „.. \s r\ ti , _ ra,„„ 41 11 ‘.:.-: ..', N ,. Ilk.: i _ ..: 4., 0 ) i 4iit. - *' .tis 1.-- dr t ,,i•z:1:::,;:i. BEN ALBRITTON E D HOOPER J I M BOYD J AS O N BRODEUR Senate President Appropriations Chair Senate Majority Leader Senate President and President Designate Pro Tempore -4r..„ . , 4014 ipc Liiii .... Irw. I I7'- --_t t tg ., 1 mil , .►.y ) C isdelsooli 4. ... .„A r --yam. —: . i ~�Fa l ,\. ..r., KATHLEENif PASSIDOMO LORI BERMAN Senate Rules Chair Senate Minority Leader I GRAYROBINSON I ,„,._._, . ,,,,,,-,-,-- ,, ,,, . ,/, .>, . .. . i ......._ . le \ ile 41,4 .F U T U R E LEADE R S , tlek le a I I I Ai , - # • :174 4 34-' +i•:+ k S+�O�a• 0,Aii Itl:e4 . /1) 41)1P 0 ll ibe k/ S A M GARRISON JENNIFER CANADY MIKE REDONDO House Speaker- Designate House Speaker- Designate House Speaker- Designate 2026-2028 2028-2030 2030-2032 •:i4 .liiiiii - _. , 0 JIM10 , 4 4 .? , , ,..„ Li Ali .4141Lbviimpow eg*mt ' \ t,,,0:4. - . iiiitliikH,".-.:: •1t , d . ir , ilk 4%4 BOYD J A Y TRUMBULL T O M LEEK Senate President- Designate Senate President- Designate Senate President- Designate 2026-2028 2028-2030 2030-2032 ,t ...- ----. , /\ i • . kAli , ., f/l ?f 1 P 11 r I I 11 nv aik J. Ale- ilk 0 , i Eign rAl. % / 0 •R.N. / kA‘\ 17 A s iw Ar .. 4. % SETTING .% . , , ... THE SCENE . ,ilt is not wnat we nave tnat wIll ma 1/(e us a great nation it is 1 7 tne way In wnIcn we use It. 4 4' Ak - Teccy Roosevelt 1, GRAYROBINSON PROPERTY TAB REFORM o The singular most dominant issue leading into the start of session . The House convened a select committee, the Senate engaged staff to study the issue extensively, and the Governor spoke about it at every available opportunity. O Changes to local government property tax collections require a constitutional amendment, which must be approved by 60% of Florida voters. O The House passed a joint resolution that would immediately and permanently eliminate all non -school homestead property taxes, but with a requirement that local governments could not cut public safety budgets. o The Senate never took up this bill , and a special session was called forJunel - 3to hear and pass the Governor's proposed property tax plan . GRAYROBINSON CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING Following action by several other states to pursue mid -decade redistricting , Governor DeSantis expressed intent to do the same in Florida . ( The House convened a redistricting select committee and prepared to begin the work. The Senate suggested such work did not need to be done during regular session . * Ultimately, the Governor decided to call a special session on congressional redistricting . roq The House and Senate approved the Governor's proposed map on April 29, and it was signed into law on May 4. Legal challenges are underway. GRAYROBINSON BUDGET__BUILDING WITH DECLINH killtral""-** REV4aikUE FORECAST O The one thing the Legislature must do during regular session is pass a balanced budget. In 2025, the House and Senate's inability to come to an agreement on a spending plan resulted in a 45-day extension to session , finishing just before the end ofJune. In the months leading up to the start of session , Florida 's revenue estimators C. ' released a new long - range financial outlook that suggested significant state revenue shortfalls on the horizon . This forecast, combined with the end of COVID-era federal stimulus dollars created O an atmosphere of budget reduction exercises at the state agencies along with initial House and Senate spending proposals that both began below the final FY 25- 26 level . GRAYROBINSON ,4° r. � � .• LEADERSHIP PRIORITIES " Leacersnio is tne art of getting somcone else to do sometning yo want done because ne wants to do it." -iiigrx - Dwignt D . isennowor • I "'ft k 4 • GRAYROBINSON A R 0 N D E S A N I I IlORIDA COVF- RNOR ....,..,., , � C Data Centers C Renewal of EmergencyTrust Fund le., SB 484: PASSED for Immigration Enforcement fi SB 7040: PASSED �� C Al Bill of Rights DIED @ National Push for Federal Balanced „ vet; - Budget Amendment / i C4i Congressional Redistricting ONGOING overnor's proposed map /Alki \ igned into law May 4. ® State- level SAVE Act -°!! IN AM PASSED 4 Vaccine Mandate Rollback II A DIED GRAYROBINSON ,Z,...,„ N1ALB P I T T O N S ` vAr4I zi*444'''T E P R E S I D E N T \ ,,,, , , . ,'444.,,„..,,..„, ,..;:::.:.,s7 - , Ali" it o RuTal Renaissance DIEDNwttahlrittcoeS I % �1iltikl;�School District Deregulation DIED . 4, School Scholarship Reform DIED ra-.. .._--=4 , • ,` GRAYROBINSON D A N I E L P E R E Z - HOUSE SPF- AKF- R \ - - 4 -'1210* Sovereign Immunity PASSED " Free Kill " Medical Malpractice Elimination DIED 0 Material Harmful to Minors V47c DIED a � ODEI PASSED (10 GRAYROBINSON CCUA PRIORITIES Policy • HB 1417 Department of Environmental Protection o Successfully advocated with regional partners for the legislative ratification of Rules 62-42.200 and 62-42.300, Florida Administrative Code, titled " Definitions" and "The Lower Santa Fe and Ichetucknee Rivers and Priority Springs" Appropriations • $1 ,000,000 for Clay County Utility Authority OT, SCADA, and Cybersecurity Improvements (Subsequently Vetoed ) f/is flat/ GRAYROBINSON BY THE NUMBERS • Determne never to oe lc le \ o person will nave tne occasion '� to complain of tne want of time wno never loses any. " \ - Thous Jefferson s , i GRAYROBINSON B Y T H E N U M B E R *As of end of regular session ei•-- , 1- 7 111 4) 1E1 /— ,,a( - 1122 Total Bills Filed Total Bills Enrolled Bills Signed by Governor 17 0 '91 Bills Pending in Governor's Office Bills Vetoed by Governor Bills Awaiting Presentation GRAYROBINSON Total Housc Total Scntc Aoorooriations Aoorooritions HHcd HHcd 7 8 /1 6 7 8 GRAYROBINSON V , *it �•y r, 7 ' 1 4 . y 5 44, 4' . : / '1 ; ram. itce i # i lir 41 4 0 v 9 i#:'0 i TH E B U DG ET "Tne time to repair the roof is when tnc s � n is sH n i ng . " , 111 -14....... - Jonn F. Kennedy GRAYROBINSON STATE BU D _ GE P o House and Senate adjourned , Sine Die, WITHOUT passing or even conferencing on a State Budget. As a result, when they met again in special session , they had to "start over" on the o budget process... not simply pick up where they left off ( like last session - which was extended , not adjourned ) . o The Governor proposed a $117.4 billion budget, the House $113.6 billion , and the Senate $115 billion . Final budget came in at $114.5 billion . () BELOW current FY spending . 0 Budget Special Session held May 12-29. GRAYROBINSON T A E UDGET C nl�n flual agglee O 6% Health and Human Services: $49 billion Transportation E)ud Econo ia@ Devepnon op @Gi Education: $31 billion Ti 6% ' ., Transportation and Econ Dev: $19 billion cligdgh Qnd ld[n:r��� SeEgfices r Ag Qn d gmfironatan 43% �� Ag and Environment: $9 billion 8% Criminal Justice: $6.5 billion Education 27% In addition to the $114.5 billion budget, lawmakers maintained more than $14 billion in reserves, including $8.6 billion in unallocated General Revenue and $5.7 billion in the Budget Stabilization Fund, while authorizing $150 million for debt reduction. GRAYROBINSON BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS Reduced spending for a second consecutive year: Florida lawmakers approved a budget that is smaller than the FY26 budget, continuing a trend of spending restraint despite continued population growth and service demands. State Employee Benefits Protected: State employees and retirees will see no increase in health insurance premiums, while special risk class retirees receive a cost-of- living adjustment with a minimum increase of 1 .5% Targeted increases in public safety and justice compensation: Correctional officer salary increase, law enforcement raises, firefighter raises, and prosecutor/public defender compensation increases collectively represent one of the clearest policy priorities in the budget. n $1.1 billion invested in education infrastructure projects: Including funding for university and college facilities, charter school repairs and maintenance, small school district facilities, and developmental research schools. O Approximately $150 million in tax relief measures: Including the back-to-school sales tax holiday and new tax exemptions for items such as home-hardening products and propane tanks. Shift in conservation funding priorities: Environmental funding discussions focused heavily on directing resources Qtoward agricultural conservation easements through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, while traditional land-acquisition programs such as Florida Forever received significantly less emphasis. GRAYROBINSON V;141b1:4 PROPERTY TAB REFORM/ " \ o taxes can oe ceviscc wnicn are not more or less inconvenient anc unpleasant. " - Gcorge WasnIngton p 9NO% * I, � : • • 1. 1k ::• : ‘. GRAYROBINSON PROPERTY TAB REFORM On the ballot for the November General Election . \ , 0 Increases the homestead tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 on January 1 , 2027. o Increases again to $250,000 on January 1 , 2028 and then indexed with CPI thereafter. School taxes are exempted and , if passed by the voters in November, would continue being QI_19 collected as they are today. 0 { Total impact on a county- by-county and city- by-city level is not fully known , but it totals in the tens of billions annually. O Also reduces the cap on non - homestead property tax increases from 10% annually (current) to 5% annually. O Allows local governments to still increase millage rate with a super- majority vote of the city/county commission . GRAYROBINSON ' ALLOT SUMMARY LEGAL 04,......, ..,,. , . "iii 1 �CHALLENG E CChallenge filed by Save Our Voters From Misleading Ballot Language nonprofit. Claims the ballot title and summary are unconstitutional because they advocate for the amendment rather than neutrally describe it. Alleges: • Promotional and emotionally charged wording, including, "Save Our Homes From Excessive Property Taxes," " protecting small businesses," and "ensuring fairness," which they contend are campaign slogans rather than neutral descriptions. • Suggests that the amendment would eliminate excessive property taxes, when the measure actually expands homestead exemptions and reduces assessment growth caps but does not eliminate property taxes. • Fails to adequately disclose significant fiscal impacts on local governments and other affected taxing authorities. • Florida law requires ballot summaries to be clear, accurate, and impartial, and that this summary instead encourages a "yes" vote. Review by Florida Supreme Court CIf found misleading, Attorney General will prepare revised ballot language. Revised language may be subject to additional judicial review. Approved language is certified for use on the ballot. GRAYROBINSON 7 v.- • 4 , , . 44 Tj - . / .. ib /://if ' , ,.. 7 't , , . at. 7 TA /4"/ iVillr I 4 NOTABLE BILLS Tie best way to get a oac lass repealed is to enforce it strictly. " Abranaln Lincoln • GRAYROBINSON BILLS THAT PASS . D ACRICULIURE , LAND / ) I AND DEVELOPI�/ E 1SB 290: Florida Farm Bill Safeguards right to use gas-and diesel - powered equipment; expands agri -tourism to include " rural event venues" ; and , among other things, restricts commercial solicitation on farm lands. o 111139140 Use anevelopment Limits permit fees for developments; streamlines permit approvals for large destination resorts. HB 803: Building Permits and Inspections Directs Florida Building Commission to adopt uniform commercial and residential permit applications for statewide use. GRAYROBINSON BILLS THAT PASSED IO C A L S ON IY HB 1217: Net Zero Prohibits governmental entities from enacting or enforcing a resolution, ordinance, rule, code, or policy to support a net zero policy. SB 1134: Official Actions of Local Government Prohibits local governments from funding , promoting , or taking official action on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. HB 1019: PFAS Prohibits use of PFAS chemicals for non -emergency purposes effective July 1 , 2026. Exempts airports due to federal requirements. 0 SB 168: Public Nuisanc� Strengthens Florida 's public nuisance laws by allowing local governments to take stronger action against properties repeatedly used for illegal gambling . HB 925: Clerks of Courli Multi -year effort pushed by Florida's Clerks of Court to retain more of their collected revenue and better serve their counties without additional fees assessed to court users. HB 1103: Local Administration of Vessel Restrictions Authorizes local governments to expand local enforcement of vessel regulations, including derelict vessel , anchoring , and boating -restricted area requirements, to improve safety and waterway management. GRAYROBINSON BILLS THAT D � D SB 354/HB 299: Blue Ribbon Projects Established a new framework for large-scale development that exempts qualifying projects from local regulation if they encompass at least 15,000 acres, with a requirement that 60% of the land be preserved for conservation , agriculture, or public use. FB 122/H B 103: Local Business Tax Would have repealed Chapter 205, which authorizes local business taxes. HB 203: Elimination of Non -School Homestead Property Taxes Passed by the House CO) but never taken up by the Senate. Likely a topic for future special session . O SB 446: Large Scale County Changes to TDT Aimed at opening tourist development taxes to more and different uses in large scale counties (such as Orange) . o HB 11 : State Bird Change to Flamingo Would have changed Florida 's State Bird from the Mockingbird to the Flamingo. Passed by House but did not move in Senate. GRAYROBINSON B I L L S THAT D I Ez . , , 1 , SB 7036: State Department of Education Package An omnibus education bill that " bounced " back @and forth between the House and Senate in the final days, the bill included several statutory changes sought by the DOE and other education interests. Expect many of the provisions - especially those tied tangentially to the budget - to be back in special session and during the next regular session. l HB 27: Term Limits for County Commission and School Boards Sought to establish 12-year term limits for school boards and county commissions. HB 733/SB 902: Department of Health Another agency package, including several provisions Csought by the Florida Department of Health , that was a victim of the end -of-session " bouncing " and ultimately failed to reach passage in both chambers. Expect much of this to be back in 2027. SB 1756/HB 917: Medical Freedom Would have expanded vaccine opt-outs, further prohibited Cvaccine mandates during states of emergency, and increased disclosures for vaccines. Received considerable attention in the Senate but never really gained traction in the House. GRAYROBINSON N O T A B L E DATES , 4. 4, /if,/ - ' 14ii. O Primary Election August 18, 2026 ft i - .,- 7. -""" %%%,, , -,, O General Election November 3, 2026 i Organization Session November 17, 2026 -y � '� 0 12027 Regular Session Convenes March 2, 2027 O Last Scheduled Day of Session April 30, 2027 '\\\:\‘‘ ‘‘ ;., GRAYROBINSON Q E S T I O \ S flli ..1 GRAYROBINSON iti=1 A Y IR B I NSON I H A \ This presentation is for the general education of our audience, and should not be your sole source of information in handling a legal issue, nor should you substitute it for legal advice, which relies on specific factual analysis and the laws of the relevant jurisdictions. Also, this presentation is not intended to create nor does its receipt constitute an attorney-client relationship. If you have specific questions, consult your GrayRobinson representative or other competent legal counsel. Certain images used in this presentation are sourced from third parties and are used under applicable licenses or in a manner believed consistent with fair use under U.S. copyright law. All rights remain with their respective owners.