Previewing Florida’s 2025 State Legislative Session
Bottom Line: The state legislature has assembled in Tallahassee and Governor DeSantis is set to deliver the State of the State address this morning. Today kicks off Florida’s annual 60-day fast and furious legislative session. And at the onset, 1822 Bills have been filed between the two chambers but in reality, only approximately 200 of them are likely to see their way to Governor DeSantis’ desk to be signed into law.
Republicans hold a super majority, or a greater than two-thirds majority of the state legislature for the third consecutive year. This dynamic will limit the ability for Democrats to engage in debate on bills under consideration and will allow the Republican agenda to more quickly work its way through the legislature. The most notable change heading into this year’s session is the change in leadership.
House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton have already shown a willingness to act independently of Governor DeSantis and his agenda. This showed up last month during a dispute over the governor’s decision to call a special session to pass legislation aimed at assisting the Trump administration’s efforts to combat illegal immigration (though in a third declared special session, the legislature and governor were on the same page). This dynamic will be worth watching as the session plays out.
Given the short length of the session, a key to success in the legislative session is for bills to have companions in both chambers. Bills which lack companions in each chamber often aren’t given consideration before committees, which is the first step in the legislative process. Speaking of committees, based on what’s already occurred in committees in the state legislature in advance of today’s kickoff – we have an idea of several high-profile issues which are likely to be quick movers as debate gets underway. Here are the top five on my radar as the session begins:
- Condo affordability: Proposed legislation would ease mandates passed under the post-Champlain Towers South collapse that significantly increased costs for older condo associations.
- Illegal immigration: Proposed legislation would mandate E-Verify for all employers regardless of size. Currently businesses with 25 or more employees must comply with E-Verify
- Gun regulations: Multiple bills are under consideration including measures that would allow for open carrying within the state and changing the age to legally purchase a firearm from 21 to 18.
- Property Insurance: Among measures under consideration is a proposal that would allow Floridians to access Citizens Property Insurance, which is commonly lower cost than other insurance options, by choice as opposed to being an “insurer of last resort”.
- Education/Child Care: Multiple bills are being considered. Among them measures to expand VPK. Currently the state provides coverage for up to four hours of pre-K education per day. A proposal would raise the coverage to eight.
Governor DeSantis will layout his agenda from the session which was outlined in what he calls The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget.