FL Legislative Update - March 7, 2025

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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