2026 Florida Legislative Session: A Comprehensive Overview

The 2026 Florida legislative session addressed a wide range of policy areas, from public safety and healthcare to environmental conservation and emerging technology. Lawmakers advanced significant measures on school safety, elections, labor law, and more. The session also ended without a finalized state budget, with a special session expected to resolve outstanding appropriations differences. Below is a policy-by-policy overview of the session's major legislative activity.

Public Safety

School safety was a prominent issue this session. The ARMOR Act (HB 757 / SB 896), sponsored by Rep. Salzman and Sen. Gaetz, expands the Aaron Feis Guardian Program to allow trained personnel at additional educational institutions. The legislation reflects continued legislative attention to campus security in the wake of prior tragedies.

Healthcare and Human Services

Healthcare legislation included the AIDS Drug Assistance Program measure (HB 697 / SB 1760), sponsored by Rep. Jonsson and Sen. Brodeur, which addresses ADAP funding and prescription drug pricing for program participants.

Two broader healthcare policy discussions drew significant attention: the free kill law debate, centered on potential changes to Section 768.21 of Florida's wrongful death statute, and the vaccine exemption discussion, which examined immunization policies and exemption requirements.

Elections and Government

Environment and Natural Resources

Environmental priorities this session included the Ocklawaha River restoration effort (SB 1066 / HB 981), sponsored by Sen. Brodeur and Rep. Duggan, which advances the potential removal of the Rodman Dam to restore the river's natural flow.

The Florida Wildlife Corridor received formal legislative recognition through SR 1800 (Sen. Brodeur), designating a Florida Wildlife Corridor Day and reaffirming the state's commitment to conservation lands.

Labor and Workforce

The union and labor overhaul (SB 1296 / HB 995), sponsored by Sen. Martin and Rep. Persons-Mulicka, reforms the Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) framework and updates rules governing public employee unions in Florida.

Property tax reform through HJR 209 and HJR 201 proposes changes to homestead exemption provisions, which would require voter approval as a constitutional amendment.

Technology and Regulation

The CyberBay designation (SR 1816, Sen. Burgess) recognizes the Tampa Bay region as a technology and cybersecurity innovation hub, supporting efforts to attract tech investment and talent to the area.

E-bike safety regulation (SB 382 / HB 243) establishes a micromobility task force to study and recommend safety standards for electric bicycles and similar devices on Florida roads and pathways.

Insurance

Infrastructure and Designations

Road designations legislation (SB 628 / HB 885), sponsored by Sen. Gaetz and Rep. Brannan, includes multiple honorary road designations, among them the Trump Highway proposal that drew significant public attention.

Foreign Policy

The Legislature considered Cuba and foreign policy resolutions addressing U.S.-Cuba relations and related issues of interest to Florida's communities.

The Budget

In one of the session's most notable developments, the Legislature ended the regular session without passing a state budget. Differences between the chambers on spending priorities remained unresolved as the constitutional deadline arrived. A special session is anticipated in the coming weeks to finalize the state's fiscal plan for the upcoming year.

Looking Ahead

The 2026 session produced a diverse array of legislation across multiple policy domains. For detailed analysis of individual bills, see our full session insights recap. Government affairs professionals can track ongoing developments -- including any special session activity, bill signings, and vetoes -- through LobbyScape's legislative intelligence platform.