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Reminder: Rep. Toby Overdorf – May Newsletter

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Residents of District 85,


Residents of District 85, Summer is officially here, and it’s hard to believe we’re already into June. As always, I wanted to take a moment to share what I’ve been working on and what’s ahead.


I was back in Tallahassee for the Special Session focused on finalizing the state budget and continuing important conversations about property tax relief. After hearing from hundreds of Floridians through emails, phone calls, and meetings across the state, it’s clear that property taxes remain one of the top concerns for families and homeowners. While there is still work to be done, meaningful progress is being made. One proposal advancing this year is HJR 1F, which would provide additional protections for homeowners under Florida’s Save Our Homes program. The Legislature has taken action, and now the next step is in the hands of Florida voters this November. I’ll continue fighting for solutions that provide real relief while keeping you informed every step of the way.


Beyond Tallahassee, I’ve enjoyed spending time throughout our community attending local events, meeting with residents, and celebrating the accomplishments of so many organizations and individuals making a difference in District 85.


On a personal note, our family recently celebrated a special milestone as our grandson turned one year old. It was a wonderful reminder of how quickly time passes and how important it is to cherish these moments together.


Thank you for the opportunity to serve you. As we move through the summer, I look forward to continuing our work both here at home and in Tallahassee, and I’ll keep you updated on the issues that matter most to our community. 


Sincerely,
Representative Overdorf
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Here’s a recap of session:

 

2026 Legislative Session Recap



The 2026 Legislative Session was a productive one for our district and the Treasure Coast. This year, I was proud to help pass legislation that reduces government red tape, modernizes outdated laws, protects taxpayers, and improves Florida’s infrastructure.

 

Passed Legislation



✔ HB 803 – Building Permits and Inspections
Streamlines the permitting process, creates greater consistency across Florida, reduces unnecessary costs, and increases transparency for homeowners and businesses.


✔ SB 1074 – One-Cent Piece
Establishes guidelines for rounding cash transactions should the penny ever be removed from circulation, while protecting consumers and maintaining fairness in pricing.


✔ HB 1137 – Deductions for Certain Losses of Alcoholic Beverages
Provides relief for distributors by allowing tax deductions on products that become unsellable due to spoilage, breakage, evaporation, or expiration.


✔ SB 848 – Stormwater Treatment
Improves water quality management by modernizing stormwater permitting and creating new tools to support environmental restoration projects.

 

Securing Funding for District 85



In addition to passing legislation, I successfully advocated for key appropriations that will directly benefit our communities:

 
  • Walkabouts Special Citizens Program – $375,000
  • Carrier Pigeon Post Program – $875,000
  • Youth & Family Services – $125,000
  • Port St. Lucie Reverse Osmosis Water Treatment Facility – $1,000,000
  • Port St. Lucie Policing Drone Program – $750,000
  • St. Lucie River Submerged Vegetation Enhancement Project – $512,000
  • Best Buddies Florida – $350,000
  • Treasure Coast Wildlife Education Center – $350,000


As my final term in the Florida House continues, I remain focused on delivering results, protecting taxpayers, strengthening our environment, and investing in programs that improve the quality of life for families across the Treasure Coast. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve our community

Property Tax Update



After receiving hundreds of emails and calls from homeowners across Florida concerned about rising property taxes, the Legislature continued working toward meaningful relief. One proposal, HJR 1F – Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes, seeks to strengthen protections for Florida homeowners and help ensure families are not taxed out of their homes as property values increase.


The Legislature has done its part, and now the decision is in the hands of Florida voters. This constitutional amendment will appear on the November ballot, giving voters the opportunity to decide whether these additional protections should become part of Florida’s Constitution.


As Chairman of the House Select Committee on Property Taxes, I remain committed to finding solutions that protect taxpayers and keep Florida affordable for future generations.
Thankful for the Florida Chamber who gave me an A rating on this year’s Legislative Report Card. Holding government accountable is necessary for producing the best results. This rating tells me we’re on the right track, cutting red tape & making Florida more affordable for working families & small businesses.
The Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking event at the Henry Morrison Flagler Museum was an ABSOLUTE success. Maggie Overdorf and Erin Collins outdid themselves.


I had the honor of giving Tiffany and Kyle Greene a Hope Award recognizing their decision to train all of their employees to spot the signs of human trafficking. Just an amazing evening!
One of the most interesting stops this month was a tour of a tire recycling facility in Port St. Lucie. The visit provided an up-close look at how discarded tires are repurposed and kept out of landfills through innovative recycling processes.
It was great to join members of our Treasure Coast legislative delegation and local REALTORS for the Treasure Coast Legislative Forum. The event provided an opportunity to share updates from the 2026 Legislative Session, discuss property tax relief efforts, and answer questions on issues impacting homeowners and businesses across our region.


Thank you to Broward, Palm Beaches & St. Lucie REALTORS® for hosting and for your continued advocacy on behalf of our communities. I always appreciate the chance to hear directly from stakeholders and residents about the issues that matter most.
As many of you know, I was proud to sponsor the legislation that brought cursive writing instruction back into Florida classrooms. This month, I had the honor of serving as a judge for Martin County’s Cursive Writing Contest and attending the Martin County School Board meeting to recognize the finalists and winners.


It was inspiring to see so many students embrace this important skill and showcase their hard work. Thank you to the Martin County School District for organizing such an outstanding program and for continuing to highlight the value of cursive handwriting in education.
A huge highlight of the month was the opportunity to spend a day at the White House participating in leadership briefings with Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Deputy Chief of Staff James Blair, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Deputy Secretary Kate MacGregor, and many other administration leaders.


The day offered valuable insight into the policies and priorities shaping our nation and provided an opportunity to engage in meaningful discussions on the issues impacting Americans every day. Thank you to the America First Policy Institute for helping kick off the day and to the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) for closing out an outstanding experience.
I was honored to join FOX 35 Orlando’s Good Day Orlando to discuss the House Select Committee’s work on property tax reform and the importance of finding meaningful relief for Florida homeowners. These conversations are critical as we continue exploring solutions that protect taxpayers while maintaining the essential services our communities rely on.


Thank you to Garrett Wymer and the FOX 35 team for the opportunity to share our progress and discuss what lies ahead for Florida families.


Watch the interview here: https://www.fox35orlando.com/video/1742288
I recently joined Ty Russell on Battleground Florida to discuss the conclusion of the 2026 Legislative Session and some of the most pressing issues facing Floridians today. Our conversation focused on property tax relief, affordability, the state budget, and the work being done to ensure Florida remains the best place to live, work, and raise a family.


I always appreciate the opportunity to share updates directly from Tallahassee and discuss how legislative decisions impact residents here on the Treasure Coast and across our state.


Watch the interview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu6n4K2wYLw
Great to join the St. Lucie County Tea Party for their Legislative Update and provide an overview of the 2026 Legislative Session. The evening was filled with thoughtful discussion on issues that matter most to our community, including property tax relief, insurance reform, water quality, and public safety.


Thank you to everyone who attended, asked questions, and took part in an engaging conversation about the future of Florida and the Treasure Coast.
A special congratulations to my Legislative Aide, Blake Cross, on earning his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Indian River State College. This is a tremendous accomplishment and a testament to his hard work, dedication, and commitment to serving others. Balancing college coursework while helping serve the residents of District 85 is no easy task, and Blake has done so with professionalism and determination. We are proud of all he has achieved and look forward to seeing the impact he will continue to make in public service. Congratulations, Blake!

Constituent Services



A constituent recently contacted our office after discovering that his Florida real estate license had lapsed. With a major real estate transaction pending, time was of the essence, and any delay could have jeopardized the deal.


Our office immediately reached out to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to help resolve the issue. Working closely with the department, we were able to facilitate communication, identify the necessary steps for reinstatement, and help move the process forward quickly.


Thanks to the responsiveness of DBPR and the efforts of our team, the constituent’s licensing issue was resolved within a day, allowing him to move forward with the transaction and avoid a potentially costly delay. Helping constituents navigate state agencies and find timely solutions to complex issues remains one of the most rewarding parts of serving our community.


Sincerely,

Rep. Toby Overdorf
 

Reminder: Rep. Toby Overdorf – May Newsletter
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