The following is a summary of the legislation and legislative actions that were taken during the 2026 Florida Legislative session.
Florida Legislative Recap — Key Bills (2026)
🚩 Bad Bills That Passed
(Awaiting Governor action or becoming law)
HB 991 — Voting Changes (Florida version of the SAVE Act)
Adds new requirements for voter registration, including additional verification steps and expanded state oversight of voter rolls.
SB 1296 — Public Employee Unions
Increases requirements for public-sector unions to remain certified, including stricter membership thresholds and reporting rules.
HB 1471 — Domestic Terrorism Framework
Creates a state process to designate certain groups as “domestic terrorist organizations” and expands enforcement authority tied to those designations.
SB 1134 — Local Government Restrictions
Limits how local governments can spend funds on certain programs (primarily DEI) and expands state control over local decision-making.
HB 919 — Commercial Service Airports (Kim Kendall co-sponsored)
Shifts control over airport naming and related decisions from local governments to the state, including allowing the renaming of Palm Beach International Airport to “Donald J. Trump International Airport.”
Bad Bills That Were Stopped (Did NOT pass this session)
SB 354 — Large Development Bill (“Blue Ribbon Projects”)
Would have allowed large-scale developments to bypass local zoning and land-use rules.
HB 1119 / SB 1692 — School Material Restrictions
Would have expanded restrictions on books and instructional materials in public schools.
SB 318 — School Funding / Voucher Policy
Would have made changes affecting public school funding and scholarship programs tied to enrollment shifts.
HB 1236 — Anti-Union Incentives
Would have allowed employers receiving incentives to take actions affecting worker union participation.
Good Bills That Were Stopped
SB 1308 / HB 1151 — Reproductive Freedom Act
Would have established statutory protections for reproductive health care access in Florida.
SB 424 — Schools of Hope Roll Back
Would have removed the ability for “Schools of Hope” charter schools to co-locate inside public school buildings
✅ Good Bills That Passed
HB 277 — Domestic Violence Protections
Updates and strengthens laws related to protective injunctions for victims of domestic violence.
SB 1690 — Child Care and Early Learning
Expands support and regulation for early childhood education and care programs.
HB 697 — Drug Prices and Coverage
Maintains access to certain drug assistance programs and limits changes that could reduce coverage.
HB 441 — Conservation Lands
Increases transparency and public notice requirements around the sale or use of conservation lands.
HB 7031 — Taxation
Adjusts state tax policy and revenue structure, including changes tied to broader fiscal planning.
📅 What’s Next: April 20 Special Session –Starts April 20
Only focused on redistricting for Congressional Districts
No other issues are scheduled right now
💰 What’s Next: Budget
A budget still needs to be passed
Lawmakers will return, but no date yet
What they will decide:
School funding
Early learning (VPK)
College funding
Local government funding
Important: Some policies can still be added into the budget, even if bills didn’t pass.
🏠 Property Taxes
Big issue this session, but no agreement reached
One proposal (HJR 203) failed in the Senate
If it had passed, it would have gone on the ballot.
About The Author
