Florida Legislative Update for the week ending 03/07

The Florida Legislature convened its session this week with Governor Ron DeSantis using his State of the State address to push for repealing gun control measures enacted after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting, eliminating property taxes, and restricting citizen-led ballot initiatives. DeSantis’ agenda continues to prioritize ideological battles over addressing the real crises Floridians face, such as skyrocketing housing costs and an unaffordable insurance market.

While DeSantis is pushing to weaken gun safety laws, House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton signaled they were not eager to revisit post-Parkland measures such as the "red flag" law or the ban on gun sales to those under 21. Albritton even said these laws have helped law enforcement, making it clear that Florida Republicans are not fully aligned on DeSantis’ push to roll back common-sense gun reforms.

On the growing property insurance crisis—an issue Republicans have largely ignored despite Floridians paying the highest premiums in the country—Speaker Perez acknowledged concerns over insurers funneling profits into affiliated companies. He promised to bring the matter before the House Commerce Committee, where insurance executives will testify under oath. Whether this will lead to meaningful reform or just more political theater remains to be seen.

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell criticized DeSantis for failing to deliver solutions for working Floridians, instead using the legislative session to posture for political relevance. With Republicans controlling both chambers, the session is likely to continue prioritizing right-wing culture wars over the urgent economic struggles facing everyday people.

Here are some bills of concern that moved through committees in the legislature this week

HB 1205 Persons-Mulicka/ SB 1414 Ingoglia

Citizen Led Ballot Initiatives

This bill shuts everyday Floridians out of the process for amending their own constitution. It further corporatizes the citizen-led initiative process, increasing the overall cost of collection and qualification and providing additional criminal charges that could lead to the targeting of campaign staff and leadership. Most of these obstacles can be overcome with significant financial resources, but everyday citizens would face extreme hurdles in moving a ballot initiative through the process. Includes a million dollar bond & immense barriers to petition collection.

Passed it’s first house committee this week, next up State Affairs committee

HB 1495/ SB 440 Plakon

Gender Identity Employment Practices

This bill bans employers from disciplining employees for speech based on their "beliefs". Bans businesses receiving state funds from requiring trainings on gender ID or sexual orientation.

Assigned 3 house committees

HB 1505 Plakon/ SB 1288 Grall

Parental Rights

Birth Control Ban for Minors: Attempts to restrict the freedom of minors to access birth control, family planning, a judicial waiver for abortion, and risk assessment surveys without parental consent.

Assigned 3 House committees, assigned 3 Senate committees

HB 123 Andrade/ SB 140 Gaetz (Similar)

Education- Relaxing Requirements around Charter School Conversions

A continued push to undermine public schools, easing the path for more charter conversions while limiting school districts' ability to manage real estate for the public good.

Now in education & employment committee

Florida Politics article on HB123

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Find your state lawmakers and their contact information here:
📍 Duval County: Duval Elections → “Voter Status” → Enter Name & DoB → Scroll to “View Office Holders”
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Florida’s 2024 Legislative Session Starts Tuesday 03/04

Here’s What You Need to Know

Florida’s legislative session begins this Tuesday, and lawmakers are advancing proposals that could have a major impact on the state. Efforts to restrict citizen-led ballot initiatives, eliminate property taxes, restructure state government, and investigate rising insurance rates are all on the table.

Now is the time to stay informed and engaged. These decisions will shape Florida’s future, and legislators need to hear from their constituents. Whether it’s protecting direct democracy, maintaining local control, or demanding accountability from the insurance industry, your voice matters.

Find your state lawmakers and their contact information here:
📍 Duval County: Duval Elections → “Voter Status” → Enter Name & DoB → Scroll to “View Office Holders”
📍 St. Johns County: St. Johns Elections → “Voters” → “Check My Status” → Enter Name & DoB → Scroll to “View Office Holders”

Legislative Updates from Tallahassee for the week of 02/24-02/28:

HB 1205/SB 1414 Citizen Led ballot initiatives

A new legislative proposal, House Bill 1205, poses a significant threat to our constitutional right to direct democracy. This bill seeks to impose stringent restrictions on citizen-initiated ballot initiatives, effectively silencing the voice of the people. Key Concerns of HB 1205:

Petition Handling: The bill introduces complex regulations on how petitions must be managed, potentially creating bureaucratic hurdles for grassroots movements.

Sponsor and Circulator Registration: It mandates rigorous registration requirements for petition sponsors and circulators, which could deter individuals from participating in the democratic process.

Signature Verification Procedures: The proposed changes to signature verification may lead to the unjust disqualification of valid signatures, undermining genuine public support.

Signature Revocation: The bill allows for the revocation of signatures under certain conditions, adding uncertainty and potential manipulation to the initiative process.

Record Retention: It imposes strict record-keeping obligations on petition organizers, increasing the administrative burden and risk of non-compliance.

Criminal Penalties: The introduction of severe penalties for non-compliance could intimidate citizens and discourage participation in future initiatives. These provisions collectively aim to stifle grassroots efforts and limit our ability to effect change through direct democracy. If there is ever a time to take action, this is it!

What Can You Do?

Contact Your State Representatives: Express your opposition to HB 1205 and any measures that restrict citizen-initiated ballot initiatives!

Stay Informed: Follow reputable news sources and organizations monitoring this bill's progress.

Spread the Word: Share this information with your community to raise awareness and mobilize action. Our democratic rights are at stake. Now is the time to make your voice heard and stand against this infringement on our freedoms. For more details on HB 1205, visit the Florida Senate's official page: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1205

Florida’s Property Tax Gamble: A Power Grab in Disguise?

Gov. DeSantis wants to eliminate property taxes, but that means slashing funding for schools, police, and local infrastructure. Property taxes make up 73% of school funding and billions for cities and counties. Cutting them would leave a $43 billion hole, forcing higher sales taxes that disproportionately hit working families.

This would centralize power in Tallahassee. Right now, local governments control their own funding—without property taxes, they’d be completely dependent on state handouts. This shift could weaken local decision-making and leave communities struggling to fund essential services.

Less funding, less local control, and more power to the state—is this really what’s best for Florida?

Sources:
📌 USA Today
📌 MSN
📌 Florida Policy Institute

DeSantis Mimics Trump and Musk with Florida's Own DOGE—But at What Cost?

Governor Ron DeSantis is following in the footsteps of President Trump and Elon Musk by introducing Florida's very own Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). While touted as a move to eliminate waste and ensure accountability, this initiative raises concerns about potential job cuts, erosion of public services, and the motives behind such drastic measures.

Under the federal DOGE, Musk has implemented aggressive policies, including mass layoffs and relocation ultimatums for federal employees, leading to widespread uncertainty and disruption. Now, DeSantis aims to replicate this approach at the state level, targeting jobs in state agencies, universities, and local governments. Source

Moreover, the federal DOGE's track record includes controversial actions like mandating immediate responses from employees under threat of resignation and freezing government credit cards, which have been criticized for undermining worker morale and operational stability. source

Is this really about efficiency, or is it an excuse to dismantle essential public services and concentrate power? Florida deserves thoughtful governance, not reckless imitation of flawed federal policies.

Florida Democrats Call for Investigation into Insurance Industry Profits Amid Rate Hikes

House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell is calling on Governor Ron DeSantis to petition for a statewide grand jury to investigate insurance company profits, following revelations from a Miami Herald/Tampa Bay Times investigation. Driskell also urged House Speaker Daniel Perez to form a legislative committee to examine the industry’s financial practices. The calls come in response to a 2022 draft study by consultants for the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, which suggests insurers have inflated expenses to justify higher premiums while reaping record profits. The report was never finalized or publicly released but was recently obtained by journalists (Miami Herald, Feb. 29, 2024).

An editorial from the Miami Herald (March 1, 2024) criticized state leaders for pushing insurance reforms that have largely benefited companies rather than homeowners. Despite legislative changes aimed at stabilizing the market, Floridians continue to face soaring home insurance costs. As pressure mounts ahead of the 2024 elections, the demand for greater transparency and accountability in the insurance industry is growing. Read the full report here.

Legislative Updates from Tallahassee for the week of Feb 17-21:

As we head closer the legislative session, it’s a busy time in Florida’s Capitol with committee weeks in full swing:

983 bills have been filed so far, with another week to submit bills before session officially begins.
In a major development for reproductive rights, SB 870 (Davis) has been introduced in the Senate. This bill would effectively roll back Florida’s current six-week abortion ban and restore the protections previously provided under Roe v. Wade. If passed, it would ensure that abortion remains accessible through the point of fetal viability, with appropriate exceptions. As attacks on reproductive rights continue across the country, this legislation represents a critical effort to reclaim bodily autonomy for Floridians.
Governor DeSantis is pushing to drastically limit citizen-led ballot initiatives, a process Floridians have long used to amend the state constitution on issues like minimum wage increases, medical marijuana legalization, and restoring voting rights for people with past felony convictions. His proposal would eliminate third-party signature collection, instead requiring individuals to submit petitions in person at their local elections office or by mail—an unworkable system that would make future citizen-led amendments nearly impossible. This blatant attempt to strip Floridians of their right to direct democracy has been met with sharp criticism, with experts warning that it would effectively kill the citizen initiative process under the guise of reform.
Senate President Ben Albritton has called for a rural renaissance, and Senator Corey Simon has filed SB 110 to address various provisions for rural areas.
House workgroups have been reviewing Governor DeSantis’s vetoes from last year, including 160 vetoed water projects. Another group examined vetoes on arts, cultural, and historical projects and recommended 6 overrides.
Rep. Plascencia introduced HB 223, which would allow for cameras to be installed in elder care facilities to protect residents.
The Senate is exploring ideas for affordable housing, including the option for accessory dwellings but there are strong concerns about their use as vacation rentals.
The Board of Governors recently approved Jeanette Nunez as Interim President of FIU and Adam Hasner as President of FAU.
James Uthmeier was sworn in as Florida Attorney General to replace Ashley Moody, who was appointed to the U.S. Senate.

Earlier in February:

Immigration Bills Pass in Florida

Earlier this month, the Florida Legislature passed three controversial immigration bills in special session, which were signed into law by Governor DeSantis. These bills represent a dramatic shift in the legislature’s stance on immigration:

One of the new laws creates a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, controlled by DeSantis and state officials, to oversee $250 million in grants for local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws. It also establishes an Immigration Enforcement Council made up of sheriffs and police chiefs.
SB 4-C introduces the death penalty for undocumented immigrants convicted of capital crimes, which Democrats argue is unconstitutional.
SB 2-C repeals in-state tuition for Dreamers, making higher education unaffordable for many young undocumented students.

These measures, costing $298 million, will severely impact immigrant communities and young people seeking an education. No stipulations were put in place for businesses hiring undocumented workers. Let’s continue asking tough questions and holding our leaders accountable!

Protecting Florida’s State Parks

Senator Gayle Harrell’s SB 80, the State Park Preservation Act, passed its first committee hearing. This bill ensures public hearings for land management changes, requires transparency in leases and permits, and involves advisory groups in planning—all aimed at preventing backroom deals like DeSantis's attempt to put a golf course on state park land.

Last summer’s proposal to commercialize state parks sparked outrage across party lines, and rightfully so. Our state parks are meant to be preserved, not commercialized! Hats off to Senator Harrell and the committee for standing up for Florida’s natural treasures!

Culture Wars Diverting Attention from Critical Issues

For the 3rd year in a row, a flag ban bill is being proposed in Tallahassee, taking up valuable legislative time and resources. While important issues like rising property insurance premiums and cuts to arts funding remain unaddressed, lawmakers are focusing on divisive cultural debates. This bill has already passed through one committee, despite opposition from some Senate members.

This was the final committee week before the start of session. 983 bills have been filed so far, but still another week to file.

Sen Pres Ben Albritton called for a rural renaissance, Sen Corey Simon filed SB 110 to this end with various provisions.

House workgroups reviewed DeSantis budget vetoes from last year, including 160 vetoed water projects. Another group examined arts, cultural and historical vetoes and recommended 6 overrides.

Plascentia put forth HB 223 which would allow installation of cameras in elder care facilities.

The Senate is looking at ideas for affordable housing including allowing ‘accessory dwellings’ but the fear is that they will be used as vacation rentals.

The Board of Governors approved former Lt. Governor Jeanette Nunez as Interim President of FIU, and approved former State Rep. Adam Hasner as President of FAU.

James Uthmeier was sworn in this week as Florida Attorney General to replace Ashley Moody who was appointed by the governor to the US Senate.

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