| Week of February 9th-13th, 2026 |
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If what happens in Tallahassee matters to your business, this is your best resource for weekly insight into the 2026 legislative session.
Wednesday marked the halfway point of the scheduled 60-day legislative session, set to end on Friday, March 13. This week was the last week of meetings for several policy-related committees in the Senate, leading to the refrain that “bills are dying.” The House still has several subcommittees scheduled to meet into next week. As of the halfway point, only 42 percent of bills filed have received a hearing.
This week, to say the timing on beginning work on the state budget was fluid is an understatement. On Thursday at 2 PM, the Senate announced they would not be releasing their budget this week as planned after House Budget Subcommittee Chairs each announced during their meetings on Thursday that their proposed budgets were sent to House Budget Chair Lawrence McClure but did not reveal any details. Then, Thursday at 5 PM, the House released their proposed $113.6 billion spending plan for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 to be considered during Monday’s House Budget Committee meeting. Late Thursday night, the Senate announced they will follow suit with the release of their proposed budget today (Friday) to be considered during the Senate Appropriations Committee meeting next Wednesday. Once the proposed budgets pass off their respective floors, the two sides will need to negotiate a final state spending plan. A balanced budget is the one item constitutionally required to pass each legislative session and last year led the legislature to extend an additional 45 days.
Below is more on what happened during week 5 of session in Tallahassee. |
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| Below is your weekly rundown of what happened Week 5 in Tallahassee. |
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Florida Chamber-backed Lawsuit Abuse Reforms Pass Senate Judiciary Committee
On Tuesday, two key pieces of Florida Chamber-backed legislation to rein in lawsuit abuse passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in a marathon committee hearing.
SB 692, related to cybersecurity standards and liability by Senator Tom Leek, passed on a 6-2 vote. SB 692 incentivizes companies to adopt strong cybersecurity programs and standards by shielding companies and third-party providers from liability in a cyber-attack when the entity complies with stringent measures to protect and secure electronic data containing personal information as required by Florida law. Currently, companies can have strong cybersecurity protocols in place and still be subject to a data breach, setting up class action litigation. This measure provides a presumption against liability for companies facing class action litigation due to the security measures they put in place. SB 692 and its House companion, HB 635, both have one more committee stop before heading to their respective floors.
SB 1506, related to civil litigation by Senator Clay Yarborough, also passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on an 8-3 vote. The bill seeks to limit jury anchoring by adding additional criteria when determining whether an award of noneconomic damages is excessive or inadequate. Jury anchoring refers to the suggestion of arbitrary values during a trial by the plaintiff or the defense to influence the jury’s verdict on damages. SB 1506 requires courts to examine whether there is a rational, nonarbitrary connection grounded in evidence between the injury and the award of noneconomic damages. The court must also consider whether the award was based on values that do not have a rational connection to the facts of the case. Adding these factors could help reduce litigation costs by creating a clearer standard for noneconomic damages. The bill has one more committee stop before it can be heard on the Senate floor.
The Florida Chamber supports efforts to reduce the cost of litigation in order to meet the Florida 2030 Blueprint goal of becoming a top quartile legal climate in the nation by 2030.
Florida’s lawsuit abuse climate costs households $5,700 annually due to litigation costs that are passed on to consumers. Florida also has the unenviable status of being first in the nation in nuclear verdicts per capita, or verdicts that are $10 million or more. From 2013 to 2022, Florida had 197 nuclear verdicts totaling $33 billion and jury anchoring is often used to drive nuclear verdicts.
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Chamber-backed Housing Bills Clear House Committees this Week
This week, the House Ways & Means Committee unanimously passed HB 311, related to tax credits for contributions to assist homebuyers by Representative Tae Edmonds, on an 18-0 vote. HB 311 is part of a larger solution to address the affordable housing crisis in Florida by incentivizing employers to assist employees in purchasing a home by creating an optional tax credit program for downpayment and closing costs assistance, making homeownership more attainable in some instances. This program also provides employers with an additional tool to be competitive in attracting and retaining a talented workforce. HB 311’s companion, SB 1672 by Senator Stan McClain, is waiting to be placed on the agenda in its second of three committees, Senate Finance and Tax.
Additionally, Chamber-backed HB 1143, related to local government land development regulation and orders by Representative Danny Nix, passed through its first committee, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee on a 14-2 vote. HB 1143 addresses affordable housing options by providing greater flexibility in the minimum lot size requirements for housing and creates a framework to use land more efficiently to increase the supply of affordable homes. Building smaller homes on smaller lots not only increases the supply of new workforce housing options, but it also frees up the existing stock of homes on the market. Additionally, HB 1143 streamlines the development application process by creating a clear and predictable time-certain review and approval process with automatic approvals and fee refunds if local governments fail to act on time. HB 1143’s companion, SB 948 by Senator Stan McClain, is waiting to be placed on the agenda in its second of three committees, Senate Judiciary, which is not expected to meet again. However, there are several other local development bills that are still moving through the process that could be amended to include this language.
These bills are part of the Chamber’s larger strategy to help address the affordability challenge of housing by addressing the supply side to meet the 2030 Blueprint goal of ensuring “diverse, attainable housing to meet future demand.” |
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| HB 1096, related to remedies for violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act by Senator Danny Burgess, passed the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee unanimously. The bill, led by the Florida Chamber, creates clarity on the statute of limitations to file a complaint under the Florida Civil Rights Act and brings certainty to Florida employers on when a civil action might be brought against them. This benefits both the employer and employee by ensuring claims are resolved in a timely manner. The Senate bill has one more committee before it can be heard on the floor, and the House companion is on the Special Order Calendar to be heard on the House floor next week. |
| HB 339, which establishes a new cause of action for those who claim injury or harm by a vaccine manufacturer who advertises their products in Florida, passed with minimal opposition through the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee on a 12-4 vote. Opposed by the Florida Chamber, this newly created strict liability and associated one-way attorney’s fees would be in effect even if the vaccine was properly designed and manufactured, properly advertised to explain all potential side effects and risks, and even if an injured claimant did not see the advertisement. Additional litigation could force manufacturers out of the market, causing vaccine shortages and/or less investment and innovation for new or improved treatments. HB 339 has two committee hearings remaining. |
| Passed unanimously by the House Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee, HB 783 incorporates several recommendations from the Florida Chamber Health Council’s 2024 Making Florida the National Leader for Mental Health and Well-Being report to increase access to behavioral health services. This legislation would establish a pilot program for Northeast Florida that will ensure collaboration between the state, contracting entities, the State University System, a network of behavioral health and social work providers, and community-based organizations all with the goal of improving timely access to behavioral health and social services. HB 783 has moved now through two of three committees and the Senate bill has not been heard. |
| The House Judiciary Committee passed HB 105, related to local government enforcement actions by Representative Robbie Brackett, by a vote of 17-0. The bill helps provide regulatory certainty by preventing local governments from taking arbitrary or unreasonable actions against businesses and creates an efficient resolution process for local businesses to challenge such actions. The bill has been heard in all its committees and is ready to be heard on the House floor, whereas the Senate bill has yet to receive a hearing. |
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| HB 1139, related to impact fees by Representative Richard Gentry, unanimously passed the House State Affairs Committee on a 25-0 vote, and is now ready to be heard on the House floor. HB 1139 provides clarity in the assessment of impact fees by defining “extraordinary circumstances,” ensuring measurable effects exist to justify any increase in impact fees. This bill prevents abuse in the calculation of impact fees by local governments and ensures fees are being used to pay for needed infrastructure investments. Its companion bill, SB 548 by Senator Stan McClain, is waiting to be placed on the agenda of the Senate Finance and Tax Committee. |
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| The House Higher Education Budget Subcommittee unanimously approved HB 1325, which modifies the state’s Linking Industry with Nursing Education (LINE) grant program to expand eligibility to whom higher education institutions can partner with for matching grant funds to expand nursing education opportunities within their service area. Both HB 1325 and the Senate companion have one committee hearing remaining. |
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| SB 1234, related to building permits and inspections by Senator Nick DiCeglie, unanimously passed the Senate Regulated Industries Committee, by a vote of 8-0. SB 1234 provides clarity and enhances predictability in the permitting process by establishing a statewide uniform permit application and makes it easier to begin work on minor projects and hurricane and flood resistant barriers by exempting those projects from building permit requirements. SB 1234 also prevents duplicate inspections by preventing local building inspectors from performing additional inspections when a private inspector has already completed required inspections. Both SB 1234 and its companion, HB 803 by Representative Dan Trabulsy, have one more committee stop remaining before heading to their respective floors. |
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| On Wednesday, the Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability passed SB 1296, related to the Public Employees Relations Commission by Senator Jonathan Martin, by a 6-3 vote. The bill provides for additional transparency and accountability of public sector unions through improved collective bargaining standards and by requiring at least 50% support from the entire bargaining unit. It also protects taxpayers by ensuring public dollars are not used to fund union or political activities. SB 1296 still has two committee hearings remaining and the House companion is ready for the floor. |
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| HB 1093, related to advanced air mobility by Representative Leonard Spencer, passed its third committee, the House Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee. HB 1093 encourages progress toward the Autonomous Florida goal of becoming the mobility innovation capital of the world and encourages the growth of Advanced Air Mobility. HB 1093 adds “vertiports and charging systems” as qualified projects for public-private partnerships and allows the Florida Department of Transportation to fund public vertiport costs up to 100% in some cases. Its companion bill, SB 1362 by Senator Gayle Harrell, is waiting to be placed on the agenda for the Senate Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development. |
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| Spotted: FAPEO, a giant vat of paella for Dade days, Zoox, disability advocates, Tallahassee State College, University of Florida, Florida Nonprofit Alliance, Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber, St Pete Chamber, Amplify Clearwater, Destin Chamber of Commerce, Hardee County Chamber of Commerce |
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“The Senate was ready to roll out our budget in week 3… June is lovely in Tallahassee.”
– SENATE APPROPRIATIONS CHAIR ED HOOPER in response to a question on timing of the state budget during a press availability on Thursday.
“Does this even look remotely scripted to you? Hence why I can’t tell you how it’s going to end. It’s not scripted. You want the ending to a movie I’ve never seen. I didn’t write the production. I have no idea. The process is going to work itself out, right?”
– HOUSE BUDGET CHAIR LAWRENCE MCCLURE in response to a question on the budget and how session will end.
“The property tax conversation inside the Senate has been robust. There’s lots of different ideas floating around… I am appreciative of the Governor making the property tax conversation very real, and I applaud him for that…I do want to give the House credit for their proposals that they’ve run through the House system – some of which have made their way over here. The Senate will continue to do what we’re doing and that is to understand... there are ramifications at the local level as well and the impacts of property tax reform or reductions, the impacts of that vary widely across the state…We are looking at this globally… And lots of people including the Governor and the House have given us things to think about.”
– SENATE PRESIDENT BEN ALBRITTON in response to a question on timing of the Senate’s property tax proposal in a press availability after the Wednesday floor session.
“This legislation is forward looking. It’s going to accelerate infrastructure readiness in advanced air mobility while maintaining and being fully in line with Florida’s broader transportation statutes and strategies. In short, this amendment is going to keep the bill focused on getting the physical and financial foundations ‘off the ground’ so this emerging industry can ‘take off.”
– REPRESENTATIVE LEONARD SPENCER closing on HB 1093, related to advanced air mobility. |
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The Florida Chamber’s Florida Business Agenda is guided by our Florida 2030 Blueprint, which outlines our Six Pillars framework, with 39 goals, with the ultimate goal of catapulting Florida from 15th largest economy to 10th largest economy in the world by 2030.
Below is a comprehensive review of legislative activity from Week 5 of the 2026 Legislative Session.
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| Improving Florida’s Talent Pipeline for a Better Workforce |
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Resident Status for Tuition Purposes
Allows inmates to retain residency status for tuition purposes at a Florida postsecondary institution which expands educational opportunities for those that are incarcerated to promote second chances, reduce recidivism and create a pathway toward long-term economic self-sufficiency. |
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SB 720: Sen. Rosalind Osgood
Language incorporated into SB 7038, which the Senate took no action on this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Advanced Education Options
Expands dual enrollment opportunities for students with an emphasis on STEM courses. Additionally, the legislation provides detailed incentive funding to schools that provide advanced education options. |
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SB 1676: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund
Modifies the Linking Industry to Nursing Education funding to allow for other related health science professions, allowing higher education institutions greater flexibility to collaborate with their healthcare partners and seek grant funding to combat healthcare workforce shortages. |
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SB 1246: Sen. Tracie Davis
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1325: Rep. Erika Booth
Passed House Higher Education Budget Subcommittee (13-0); Now in House Education & Employment Committee. |
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Mathematics Education
Allows students to take an applied math course that is tailored to industry training and real-world applications for their algebra credit while still requiring students to take the end-of-course Algebra 1 exam. |
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SB 920: Sen. Don Gaetz
Language incorporated into SB 7036, which passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education with CS (12-0); Now in Senate Rules Committee. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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| Creating Quality Jobs by Diversifying Florida’s Economy |
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Manufacturing
Enhances Florida’s competitiveness in manufacturing by creating the Statewide Office of Manufacturing within the Department of Commerce, led by a Chief Manufacturing Officer, as recommended by the Florida Trade & Logistics 2030 Study, who is responsible for state manufacturing activities and strategy. |
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SB 528: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 483: Rep. Nan Cobb
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Rural Communities
Seeks to advance the 2030 Blueprint goal of doubling the rural share of state GDP by establishing programs aimed at addressing the challenges rural communities face, such as economic development, transportation and broadband connectivity, healthcare access, education, workforce development, and more. The bill also creates the Office of Rural Prosperity with the purpose of supporting rural communities by helping rural stakeholders navigate available programs and resources and representing rural interests across state government. |
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SB 250: Sen. Corey Simon
Previously passed the Senate Floor (39-0); Now in House Messages. |
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Rural Communities
Seeks to advance the 2030 Blueprint goal of doubling the rural share of state GDP by establishing programs aimed at addressing the challenges rural communities face, such as transportation infrastructure, healthcare access, and workforce development. |
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HB 723: Rep. Shane Abbott
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Research and Development Tax Credit
Makes progress towards the 2030 Blueprint goal of being a top 3 state for research and development funding by increasing the R&D tax credit cap to attract and incentivize companies to perform R&D in Florida. |
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SB 1076: Sen. Alexis Calatayud
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 847: Rep. Doug Bankson
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Space Florida
Promotes Florida’s space industry by exempting defense and aerospace businesses partnering with Space Florida from property taxes, use taxes, and sales tax. |
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SB 1512: Sen. Danny Burgess
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| Improving Florida's Infrastructure for Smart Growth and Development |
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Tax Credits for Contributions to Assist Homebuyers
Incentivizes employers to assist employees in purchasing a home by creating an optional tax credit program for downpayment assistance. |
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SB 1672: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 311: Rep. Tae Edmonds
Passed House Ways & Means Committee with CS (18-0); Now in House Commerce Committee. |
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Housing
As part of an all-of-the-above strategy to addresses affordable workforce housing challenges, requires local governments to adopt ordinances that allow accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas to create more housing options. |
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SB 48: Sen. Don Gaetz
Previously passed the Senate Floor (38-0); Now in House Messages. |
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HB 313: Rep. Danny Nix, Jr.
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Former Phosphate Mining Lands
Encourages economic development and smart growth by creating a process to put safe former phosphate mine sites to productive economic use. |
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| No Senate Companion measure filed. |
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HB 167: Rep. McClure
Previously passed House Floor (87-24); Waiting for 2nd reading in the Senate. |
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Land Use and Development Regulations
Streamlines the permitting application process by providing clarity in how “compatibility” is assessed.
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SB 208: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 399: Rep. David Borrero
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Growth Management
Lowers costs on new development by preventing local governments from abusing the calculation of impact fees by defining “extraordinary circumstances” to justify increases. |
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SB 548: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1139: Rep. Richard Gentry
Passed House State Affairs Committee with CS (25-0); Waiting for 2nd reading in the House. |
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Commercial Construction Projects
Enhances predictability in the permitting process by establishing a statewide uniform permit application and reduces costs through a uniform fee reduction when private provider services are used. |
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SB 526: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 405: Rep. Griff Griffitts
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Cybersecurity Standards and Liabilities
Strengthens critical infrastructure by protecting local governments, companies, and third-party providers from liability in a cyber-attack when the entity has adopted a qualified cybersecurity program. |
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SB 692: Sen. Tom Leek
Passed Senate Judiciary Committee (9-2); Now in Senate Appropriations Committee. |
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HB 635: Rep. Mike Giallombardo
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Electric Vehicle Registration Fees
Supports the maintenance of Florida’s roadways by establishing a reasonable fee for electric vehicles to help offset lost revenues from the collection of gas taxes. |
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SB 804: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Infrastructure and Resiliency
Strengthens resiliency efforts by expanding eligibility for public-private partnerships to include coastal resiliency projects. |
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| No Senate companion measure filed. |
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HB 751: Rep. Chip LaMarca
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Local Goverment Land Development Regulations and Orders
Addresses attainable workforce housing challenges by providing greater flexibility in the minimum lot size requirements for housing to allow for more units. |
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SB 948: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1143: Rep. Danny Nix
Passed House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee with CS (14-1). |
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Building Permits and Inspections
Streamlines the building permit process for single family dwellings by relaxing minor projects from permitting, creating a uniform building application, and preventing delays in construction by encouraging private provider options and preventing duplicate inspections. |
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SB 1234: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
Passed Senate Regulated Industries Committee with CS (8-0); Now in Senate Rules Committee. |
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HB 803: Rep. Dana Trabulsy
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Public Employee Housing Benefits
Increases access to affordable workforce housing by creating an alternative method to assist public employees with buying homes through the optional “Heroes Reward Program.” |
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SB 1432: Sen. Alexis Calatayud
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1065: Rep. J.J. Grow
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Advanced Air Mobility
Encourages progress toward the Autonomous Florida goal of becoming the mobility innovation capital of the world and encourages the growth of Advanced Air Mobility by adding “vertiports and charging systems” as qualified projects for public-private partnerships and allows the Florida Department of Transportation to fund public vertiport costs up to 100% in some cases. |
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SB 1362: Sen. Gayle Harrell
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1093: Rep. Leonard Spencer
Passed House Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee with CS (15-0). |
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Delivery of Commercial Goods by Autonomous Vehicles
While Florida has been a national leader in the safe deployment bill of autonomous vehicles through Autonomous Florida, this bill moves Florida backward by blanket prohibiting the use of autonomous vehicles for commercial deliveries without a licensed human operator. |
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SB 1258: Sen. Tracie Davis
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Autonomous Vehicle Safety
While Florida has been a national leader in the safe deployment bill of autonomous vehicles through Autonomous Florida, this bill moves Florida backward by blanket prohibiting the use of autonomous vehicles from engaging in interstate commerce or transporting passengers or goods for hire without a licensed human operator. |
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HB 1469: Rep. Angela Nixon
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| Building the Perfect Climate for Business |
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Local Business Taxes
Reduces taxes on local businesses and allows for the reinvestment of that capital into employees, communities or the business itself by eliminating the local business tax. |
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SB 122: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 103: Rep. Adam Botana
Placed on House Special Order Calendar, 2/17/2026, 1:00 pm. |
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Rates for Citizens Property Insurance Corporation Coverage
Advances the goal of having a competitive and stable private insurance market by ensuring actuarially sound rates for Citizens insurance policies, reducing the likelihood of assessments or “hurricane taxes” on Floridians, and reinforcing efforts to return Citizens to insurer of last resort. |
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SB 634: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 275: Rep. Jose Alvarez
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Products Liability Actions Under the Florida Pesticide Law
Protects Florida’s agriculture industry and the reliability of the food supply chain by preventing product liability lawsuits unless the business did not follow governmental use and application guidelines in using certain agricultural products. |
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SB 518: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 443: Rep. J.J. Grow
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Rate Fillings for Property Insures
Caps the amount of future insurance rate increases, discouraging new and existent insurance companies from doing business in Florida by disregarding free market principles. |
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SB 30: Sen. Barbara Sharief
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Corporate Income Tax
By establishing a mandatory unitary combined reporting approach for corporate income tax, this bill hurts certain businesses in Florida by requiring a consolidated return and excluding certain deductions that are currently allowable for corporate income tax purposes. |
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SB 238: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Rating Factors for Automobile Liability Insurers
Limits the ability of insurers to develop actuarially sound auto insurance rates by prohibiting certain risk factors from being included in rates. |
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SB 224: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Motor Vehicle Insurance
Repeals Florida’s No-Fault Motor Vehicle Law and increases insurance requirements, which will result in higher premiums, an increased uninsured motorist rate, and a rise in litigation under a pure liability system. |
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SB 522: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 769: Rep. Meg Weinberger
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Division of Labor Standards
Negatively impacts Florida’s business-friendly climate by creating the Division of Labor standards, which establishes new layers of government bureaucracy that interfere in the employer-employee relationship. |
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SB 358: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 987: Rep. Angela Nixon
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Multifamily Residential Properties
Eliminates a key-provision of the Florida Chamber-led lawsuit abuse reforms from 2023 by removing a presumption against liability for multifamily property owners for certain intentional acts on the property. |
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SB 956: Sen. Jennifer Bradley
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1423: Rep. Michelle Salzman
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Remedies for Violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act
Creates clarity on the statute of limitations for alleged violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act, benefitting both the employer and employee and ensuring claims are resolved in a timely manner. |
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SB 1096: Sen. Danny Burgess
Passed Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (9-0); Now in Senate Rules Committee. |
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HB 1407: Wyman Duggan
Placed on House Special Order Calendar, 2/17/2026, 1:00 pm. |
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Homeowner’s Insurance Premium Reductions
Discourages a competitive and stable insurance market and companies writing policies in Florida by instituting government-mandated price controls lowering premiums charged by insurance companies. |
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SB 1476: Sen. Mack Bernard
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 775: Rep. Jervonte Edmonds
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Restrictions on Employer-owned Life Insurance Policies
Creates a new private cause of action and adds state regulations around employer-owned life insurance policies that are already regulated at the federal level. |
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SB 894: Sen. Jonathan Martin
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 261: Rep. Peggy Gossett-Seidman
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Attorney Fees and Costs for Motor Vehicle Personal Injury Protections Benefits
Worsens Florida’s Lawsuit abuse climate by reinstating attorney fee awards in Florida’s Personal Injury protection system, which will increase frivolous litigation and auto insurance rates for consumers. |
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SB 926: Sen. Johnathan Martin
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Coverage by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation
Increases the probability of assessments or “hurricane taxes” on Floridians by increasing the eligibility for Citizens’ Insurance policies and further capping rate increases in specified counties, ensuring premiums are not actuarially sound and anti-competitive with the private market. |
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SB 1024: Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 909: Rep. Jim Mooney
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Assessed Value of Nonhomestead Property
Creates parity for non-homestead properties and lessens the property tax burden on renters and local businesses by reducing the cap on the annual increase in the assessed value of property to match the cap on homestead properties. |
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| No Senate companion measure filed. |
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HB 903: Rep. J.J. Grow
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Litigation Financing
In order to further improve Florida’s legal climate, supports efforts to create transparency around and accountability for third party financers who invest in Florida's lawsuits for economic gain. |
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SB 1396: Sen. Colleen Burton
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1157: Rep. Fabián Basabe
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund
Increases the risk of hurricane taxes on all Florida policyholders by shifting storm risk away from the private market to the public market via the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund. |
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SB 1448: Sen. Nick DiCeglie
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1349: Rep. Hillary Cassel
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Awards of Attorney Fees in Insurance Claims
Worsens Florida's lawsuit abuse climate by reinstituting attorney fees that were eliminated in 2022 & 2023 for insurance cases- reopening a legal mechanism that led to fraud and abuse and drove up insurance rates for all Floridians. While these bills are not identical, the intent of both is to undo the 2022-2023 reforms. |
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SB 1268: Sen. Tracie Davis
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1269: Rep. Michael Gottlieb
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Admissible Evidence in Personal Injury or Wrongful Death
Eliminates a key provision of the Florida Chamber-led 2023 lawsuit abuse reform by shifting the burden on the defense to rebut damages instead of the plaintiff proving the actual cost of medical damages owed. |
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SB 1558: Sen. Ralph Massullo
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1553: Rep. Robert Brackett
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Pricing Based on Collection of Consumer Information
Creates a new private right of action that enhances billboard trial attorneys’ efforts to increase litigation, worsening our lawsuit abuse climate in Florida and is duplicative to the data privacy laws already passed. |
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SB 1746: Sen. Tracie Davis
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1499: Rep. Dotie Joseph
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Civil Litigation
Attempts to address jury anchoring and reduce the cost of litigation by requiring the court to consider additional information in the award of noneconomic damages. |
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SB 1506: Sen. Clay Yarborough
Passed Senate Judiciary Committee (8-3). On Committee agenda – Senate Rules Committee, 2/17/26, 12:00 pm. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Prohibition on Levying Ad Valorem Taxes on Tangible Personal Property
Prohibits local governments from levying ad valorem taxes on tangible personal property, providing annual savings on the taxation of office equipment, machinery, vehicles, livestock, and personal items for local businesses, money that they can invest back in their business, their employees, or in their local communities. |
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SB 552 & SB 550: Sen. Mack Bernard
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 1277 & HB 1275: Rep. Chip LaMarca
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| Making Government and Civics more Efficient and Effective |
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Local Government Enforcements Actions
Ensures local governments are applying rules and regulations uniformly and provides legal remedies for businesses to challenge enforcement actions that are unreasonable or arbitrary. |
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SB 588: Sen. Stan McClain
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 105: Rep. Robert Brackett
Passed House Judiciary Committee (17-0); Waiting for 2nd reading in the House. |
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Regulation of Auxiliary Containers
Improves Florida's regulatory climate by strengthening a Florida Chamber-backed preemption preventing a patchwork of local ordinances on packaging materials used by food service or retail establishments. |
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SB 766: Sen. Jonathan Martin
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 629: Rep. Tiffany Esposito
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Threshold for Voter Approval of Constitutional Amendments
Further exposes Florida voters to out-of-state and special interests attempting to thwart the legislative process through amending Florida’s foundational document— lowering the threshold to pass a constitutional amendment or revision from 60% to 50%. |
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SB 1406: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| No House companion measure filed. |
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Public Employees Relations Commission
Ensures transparency and accountability in the collective bargaining process while also promoting the fiscal health of our state by limiting the ability of public sector workers to use government-paid time for union activities. |
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SB 1296: Sen. Jonathan Martin
Passed Senate Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee (6-3) with PCS. |
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HB 995: Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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| Championing Florida’s Quality of Life |
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Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact
As recommended in the Florida Chamber Health Council’s Mental Health Report, this legislation would allow licensed social workers to practice across member states under the Social Work Licensure Compact, improving access to behavioral health services. |
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SB 74: Sen. Gayle Harrell
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 13: Rep. Christine Hunschofsky
The House did not take action on the bill this week. |
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Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Autonomous Practice
Expands access to behavioral health services by authorizing psychiatric mental health APRNs to provide mental health services through telehealth at the level they are already licensed and trained to serve. |
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SB 138: Sen. Keith Truenow
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 301: Rep. Jason Shoaf
Previously passed House Floor (88-18); Now in Senate Rules Committee. |
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Recovery of Damages for Medical Negligence Resulting in Death
Vetoed previously by Governor Ron DeSantis following the 2025 Legislative Session, this legislation would drive up medical malpractice insurance rates by broadening the scope of who is allowed to recover non-economic damages in medical negligence claims. Florida has the highest-in-the-nation medical malpractice insurance costs which place an undue burden on physicians wanting to practice in Florida and ultimately limits the availability of quality and affordable care. |
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SB 1700: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 6003: Rep. Dana Trabusly
Previously passed the House Floor (88-17); Now in Senate Rules Committee. |
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Advertisement of a Harmful Vaccine
Creates a new cause of action, increasing Florida’s already litigious environment and opens drug companies to endless lawsuits for side-effects they already disclose to consumers in their advertisements. |
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SB 408: Sen. Erin Grall
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 339: Rep. Monique Miller
Passed House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee (12-4) with CS; Now in House Health and Human Services Committee. |
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Coordinated Access Model Pilot Program
Creates a pilot program public-private partnership between the Department of Children and Families, a state university system institution and qualified contracted entities to provide timely and better access to behavioral health services through a single point of entry. |
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SB 1618: Sen. Tom Leek
The Senate did not take action on the bill this week. |
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HB 783: Rep. Judson Sapp
Passed House Information Technology Budget & Policy Subcommittee (14-0) with CS. |
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Leadership Conference on Safety, Health + Sustainability
May 14-15
Disney’s Contemporary Resort |
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40th Annual Environmental Permitting Summer School
July 21-24
JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort |
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Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit
June 9
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay |
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Florida Technology & Innovation Solution Summit
August 11
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay |
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Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit
June 23
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay |
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Future of Florida Forum (F3) & Florida Chamber Annual Meeting
October 27-28
Grand JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa |
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