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Small Business Insider: May 2026 Edition

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May 2026
 
Welcome back to the Small Business Insider, the go-to resource for essential information that empowers and connects Florida’s local businesses and is made exclusively available to members of the Florida Chamber Small Business Council.
Join Us for Our Next Small Business Council Meeting on June 18th
 
On June 18th, the Small Business Council will hold a webinar to hear a recap of the 2026 special sessions and provide a breakdown of the 2026 election. We will also hear from guest speaker Secretary J. Alex Kelly, Florida Department of Commerce, on Opportunity Zones 2.0, a key economic development tool that is intended to spur economic growth and prosperity at the local level. Be sure to register now for the next meeting on Tuesday, June 18th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. ET below.
Register Here
 
Florida Chamber Supports the Federal Prove It Act of 2025 
 
This month, the Florida Chamber joined the U.S Chamber of Commerce and 300 other organizations in support of the federal Prove It Act of 2025. The letter was sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise. The Prove It Act is intended to close loopholes and bring more transparency to the true cost of red tape on America’s small business community by requiring agencies to fully disclose and justify their analyses of small business impacts and allowing small businesses to provide input early in the rulemaking process. This legislation will reinforce the intent of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) by requiring federal agencies to substantiate their claims about the impact of new regulations on small businesses. For more information and to view the coalition letter, please click here. 
 
Toplines from Tallahassee
 
Toplines from Tallahassee is your monthly briefing on key developments that may impact your business.

 
  • Special Session D: Originally called to address congressional redistricting, Special Session D was expanded to include the “AI Bill of Rights” and “medical freedom” legislation that failed to pass during the regular 60-day session. At the start of the special session, House Speaker Danny Perez announced that both the medical freedom bill and the AI Bill of Rights were not filed in the House and would not be considered during the special session. The new congressional map that was drawn by Governor DeSantis’s office was the only item to successfully pass both chambers, with an 83-28 vote on the House Floor and a 21-17 vote on the Senate Floor.
 
  • Special Session E: Special Session E began on May 12th and is scheduled to run through Friday, May 29 to complete work on the budget, the one item the legislature is constitutionally required to pass each year. The regular session concluded with a $1.4 billion gap between the House and Senate budget. The budget will need to be finalized later today in order for the legislature to end special session on time. The Florida Chamber of Commerce is keeping a close eye on the budget and related conforming bills and will provide updates as necessary. 
 
  • Property Tax Special Session: After a year of calling for property tax reform, Governor Ron DeSantis previewed his property tax plan in a press conference on May 18, 2026. The Governor has called for the full elimination of homestead property taxes, acknowledging the 70% of local property tax revenue that is paid by non-homestead properties, which he stated would not be affected. The Governor believes that non-homestead property taxes are sufficient to fund essential local government services.  He also believes that newcomers from out of state should have to pay property taxes before being eligible for any property tax break. It is expected that the Governor will call a special session on property taxes sometime after the legislature completes work on the budget.
 
2026 Legislative Session Bill Tracker 
 
SB 548/ HB 1139 (Sen. Stan McClain, Rep. Richard Gentry) - Growth Management: Lowers costs on new development by preventing local governments from abusing the calculation of impact fees through establishing specific criteria that must exist to demonstrate “extraordinary circumstances” and justify increases. 
Bill language was amended onto HB 1329, which passed both the House and Senate. PASSED.
SB 1096/ HB 1407 (Sen. Danny Burgess, Wyman Duggan) - 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, benefiting both the employer and employee and ensuring claims are resolved in a timely manner.
HB 1407 passed the House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor for his signature. He has until June 5th to act. PASSED.
If you would like to read the Florida Chamber’s full end of session breakdown of what passed, what remains unfinished business and what was defeated, click here.
 
Federal Corner 
 
The Federal Corner is intended to provide details of what is happening in Washington, D.C., that may impact your business. It’s important that if these federal provisions apply or potentially apply that you are aware so you can take advantage or take the proper steps accordingly. 


On May 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor officially rescinded the previous 2024 overtime rule through a technical amendment. The earnings threshold rule on overtime, which took effect in 2024 under the Biden Administration and was struck down in court, remains at the salary threshold of $35,000 that was set under the previous 2019 rule. This move affirms the 2019 rule and will help employers navigate their employees’ overtime to avoid potential litigation. More information on the overtime rule can be found in the Federal Corner linked below.
Federal Corner




For more information on what is happening at the federal level on labor and other regulatory issues, click the link above. If you would like to engage in our federal legislative or regulatory advocacy efforts, please contact Florida Chamber Vice President of Government Affairs, Carolyn Johnson, at cjohnson@flchamber.com.
 
Florida By The Numbers
 

Latest Data Shows Florida Leading Nation in Income Migration, and February Labor Market Cooling
The April 2026 edition of Florida By The Numbers is now available. Florida continues to lead the nation in attracting new residents and income, reinforcing the state’s long-term economic strength. At the same time, new data points to emerging shifts in the labor market and inflation trends that business leaders should be watching closely. Florida Chamber Foundation Senior Research Economist Sheridan Morby breaks down what the latest numbers mean for Florida's economy and for business leaders as we continue working toward the primary target of becoming a top-10 global economy.


This month's updates include:

 
  • Income Migration:
  • Florida remains a national leader for net income migration, gaining $2.4 million per hour and contributing to $20.6 billion for the year.
  • Florida outpaced the #2 state, Texas, by more than 3.5 times and exceeded the next five states combined.
 
  • Labor Market Outlook:
  • Florida's labor market saw year-over-year job declines, but current conditions reflect a “low hire, low fire” environment, not massive layoffs.
  • Upcoming data will help determine the trend.
 
  • Workforce Leadership in Action:
  • In this month’s Florida By the Numbers, Adrienne Johnston, President and CEO of CareerSource Florida (Florida Chamber Foundation Community Development Partner), shares how data-driven strategies and partnerships are helping keep Florida’s workforce system strong and competitive.
  • CareerSource Florida continues to play a key role in ensuring Florida’s workforce system remains aligned with the evolving needs of employers and job seekers across the state.
 
  • Inflation Outlook:
  • Energy prices are increasing, but core inflation remains relatively stable at 2.6%.
  • Stable core inflation suggests the Federal Reserve may continue a cautious approach.
  • No changes in interest rates.


Additional metrics and more are found on TheFloridaScorecard.org.
 
Upcoming Events and Announcements
The Florida Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with FloridaCommerce, has launched the 2nd annual Coolest Thing Made in Florida competition to spotlight the innovation, talent, and industrial strength behind the products made right here in Florida.


From advanced materials and aerospace components to energy systems, construction technologies, and infrastructure-supporting equipment, this competition highlights the essential role manufacturing plays in supporting Florida’s long-term infrastructure and economic resilience.


Nominations are now open until May 31. Nominate a product today.
Join us for the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2026 Florida Prosperity & Economic Opportunity Solution Summit, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 9:00am-4:00pm ET, at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Florida’s business leaders, community advocates, and policymakers will address the 10 root causes of generational poverty, the business impacts of poverty, and ways to get involved at the zip code level to create a pathway to prosperity for all Floridians.
Join the Florida Chamber Foundation for the 2026 Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit, June 23, 2026, from 8:30am-4:00pm ET at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. Engage with your Florida business peers, education, and workforce advocates, and elected officials as we discuss the importance of investing in the current and future workforce to build a stronger talent pipeline for Florida.
 
 






If your company has an update to feature in the Small Business Insider, please share with Jahvin Gordon, Director of Business Climate & Governance Policy, at jgordon@flchamber.com.

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