News Summary
Florida lawmakers wrapped up their regular session without a budget, leading to a reconvening on May 12 to address a $4.4 billion gap. While around 230 bills were passed, key issues like property insurance reforms and child labor laws remain unresolved. The urgency to finalize the budget by July 1 reflects significant disagreements among lawmakers. House Speaker Daniel Perez noted that budget priorities played a crucial role in the session’s delays, making upcoming negotiations critical for addressing unresolved state funding and legislative matters.
Tallahassee, Florida – Florida lawmakers concluded their regular session on Friday without passing the constitutionally required budget, setting the stage for a reconvening of the Legislature starting May 12. This critical meeting will aim to finalize the state budget, as leaders have indicated that they have developed a framework for its approval.
The decision to extend the session until June 6 reflects the urgency to address the state’s funding priorities, with significant disagreements still in play. A gap of approximately $4.4 billion exists between the proposals from the House and Senate, adding pressure to reconcile differences before the budget deadline of July 1.
Throughout the session, lawmakers passed approximately 230 bills covering various issues, including local government regulations, state parks protection, and ballot initiative processes. However, notable legislative issues remained unresolved. Among them were property insurance regulations, hemp marketplace reforms, and child labor laws, which did not make it through the legislative process.
Efforts to increase transparency from property insurance companies encountered hurdles, leading to the failure of a proposed bill aimed at reforming the My Safe Florida Home program. Additionally, extending eligibility for the Citizens Property Insurance to include all residents was also halted in this session.
The DeSantis administration championed the codification of the Hope Florida program but faced funding conflicts within the House, which complicated the proposal’s advancement. Similarly, legislation intended to regulate Florida’s hemp marketplace and reform its testing requirements was unable to gain consensus between the House and Senate.
In a bid to adjust labor laws, a bill allowing certain teenagers to work overnight was proposed but failed to pass in the Senate, despite receiving amendments from the House. Additionally, significant initiatives aimed at reducing or eliminating property taxes did not advance for the 2026 ballot, leaving this pressing issue unaddressed.
A push to mandate E-Verify for all employers in Florida also did not achieve final approval in the Senate after passing in the House, illustrating the complexities of labor regulations faced by lawmakers. Similarly, efforts to reshape the governor’s influence over university hiring processes stalled in the Senate, despite having House support.
House Speaker Daniel Perez highlighted that disagreements over budget priorities were a key factor contributing to the delays in the legislative session. The next few weeks are critical for lawmakers as they head into negotiations to address unresolved issues and finalize a balanced budget.
This legislative session has featured an array of ongoing discussions and significant disagreements not only on budget particulars but also on broader issues affecting Florida residents. As the state approaches its July 1 deadline, the focus remains on achieving consensus to meet the fiscal responsibilities mandated by the state constitution.
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Additional Resources
- Miami Herald: Florida Lawmakers Conclude Regular Session
- Wikipedia: Florida State Legislature
- ABC News: Florida Lawmakers Face Budget Challenges
- Google Search: Florida budget 2026
- Tallahassee.com: Lawmakers Send State Parks Bill to Governor
- Google Scholar: Florida lawmakers 2025
- Florida Phoenix: Budget Disagreement Extends Session
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Florida
- ABC Action News: Unfinished Budget Session in Florida
- Google News: Florida legislature
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
