There was excessive drama, large swings, and some head-scratchers. Florida’s 2025 legislative session wrapped (briefly) with tradition wars, environmental wins, and a few shock upsets.
Florida lawmakers nonetheless should return to the Capitol to finalize a state finances and tax cuts, however most different coverage issues have been settled when the clock ran out on the two-month session Might 2.
With the session now prolonged until June 6, the Legislature is ready to return to Tallahassee as early as Might 12. (So sure, this checklist is admittedly incomplete.)
However the primary stage is cleared — and the scorecards are in. In no specific order, right here’s who walked away grinning, and who (or what) acquired left within the mud.
Winners
Sen. Lori Berman: After State Sen. Jason Pizzo proclaimed the Democratic Social gathering “lifeless” and stepped down because the social gathering’s Senate chief, legislators selected a brand new chief: Lori Berman. The Boca Raton senator has been elected for consecutive phrases since 2018 and served within the Home eight years earlier than that. Berman, an legal professional, is thought for her work with these throughout the aisle and for passing bipartisan laws. “We might not maintain the bulk, however now we have one thing simply as highly effective — a imaginative and prescient, rooted in equity, in justice, in equality, and in care,” Berman informed her Democratic colleagues.
Gulf of America: It was easy crusing for this Trump-mandated identify change. The Gulf of America, previously the Gulf of Mexico, might be utilized in state statute and throughout state companies. And colleges throughout the state, as they substitute their academic supplies, must buy books that embrace “Gulf of America.” In late April on social media, the White Home posted “Christopher Columbus is so again.” Is he subsequent?
Apalachicola River: The Home and Senate agreed to a measure that prohibits the Florida Division of Environmental Safety from issuing oil and fuel drilling permits inside 10 miles of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve – or concerning the closing 52 miles of the Apalachicola River, internationally acknowledged for an uncommon abundance of reptiles, amphibians, and uncommon plant habitats.
Apartment house owners: Residents going through greater prices beneath a 2022 legislation handed after the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside drew a break as lawmakers reshaped the measure. This yr’s modifications enable some rental associations to fund their upkeep reserves by a line of credit score or mortgage; achieve extra authority to pause reserve funds whereas prioritizing wanted repairs; and extends deadlines for when associations should full structural integrity research.
Walton County beachgoers: A 2018 state legislation was repealed that critics stated had empowered beachfront property house owners who contended their stretch of sand was off limits to the general public. If the repeal is signed into legislation, the county fee may now take motion to declare the county’s 26 miles of seashore open to all beachgoers.
State park followers: A yr after a Division of Environmental Safety proposal surfaced geared toward opening state parks to a variety of questionable points of interest, lawmakers responded to public outrage by approving a measure that may stop including golf programs, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts to state parks. The invoice is meant to keep up “conservation-based leisure makes use of” at state parks.
Wrongfully imprisoned: A legislation on the books that saved dozens of individuals wrongfully imprisoned from receiving compensation for years spent behind bars was eradicated. Lawmakers eradicated a so-called “clear fingers” normal that made a former inmate ineligible from receiving paid compensation for being locked up in the event that they have been beforehand convicted of a violent felony or multiple non-violent felony.
Medical malpractice households: The Legislature overturned a legislation in place since 1990 that prevented some households from suing for medical malpractice if their beloved one died attributable to medical negligence and was over 25, single, and had no kids beneath 25. Youngsters and oldsters, no matter age, would now be capable to file lawsuits searching for compensation for ache and struggling if their member of the family dies because of medical malpractice. Opponents of the repeal had argued that it may result in elevated medical malpractice insurance coverage premiums.
Utility staff: Legal sanctions have been strengthened and reclassified in opposition to anybody convicted of assaulting a utility employee on obligation restoring energy or performing different work, a measure that grew out of some latest high-profile assaults.
Holocaust remembrance: January 27 has been declared Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida.
Florida farmers: A Florida farm invoice was authorised that expands entry to housing for agricultural staff, as required by the H-2A visa program, together with tax exemptions and fuel-access ensures throughout emergencies.
Immigration providers: Sure promoting was banned thought-about misleading to people with restricted English proficiency and searching for immigration-related providers. Lawmakers prohibited using such deceptive titles as “notario publico,” immigration advisor or immigration specialist which will indicate authorized {qualifications} which might be missing.
Horse breeders: An try to decouple stay horse racing and playing did not make it to a vote on the Home flooring. Florida’s thoroughbred business lobbied laborious in opposition to the measure, arguing it might weaken the state’s economic system, regardless that horse breeding is on the decline.
Property insurance coverage firms: A invoice to rollback the 2022 legislation eliminating one-way legal professional charges for owners suing their insurer in a dispute over a declare did not cross. Trial attorneys and shopper advocates say the statute and the charges are wanted to make sure owners obtain a great lawyer in the event that they get stiffed or underpaid on a declare. Insurers, although, stated frivolous lawsuits have been driving up losses and due to this fact, premiums. The invoice handed by two committees within the Home however failed to maneuver within the Senate.
Losers
Late sleeping teenagers: Lawmakers backed off a 2023 legislation supposed to ban excessive colleges from beginning courses sooner than 8:30 a.m., to offer teenagers extra sleep time. Whereas the legislation wasn’t scheduled to take impact till 2026, a number of counties complained that the time restriction made it more durable to rent college bus drivers. The associated later finish of the college day additionally may have an effect on after-school actions and household childcare, opponents stated.
Children who like their cell telephones: College students in elementary and center colleges could be barred from utilizing cell telephones through the college day, with a pilot testing program of the ban additionally set for top colleges in six counties. Present legislation prevents college students from utilizing cellphones throughout educational time, however the change would broaden that prohibition to all through the college day in lower- and middle-grades.
Flag watchers: A perennial tradition warfare demand that authorities officers be banned from flying Delight flags, Black Lives Matter and different banners with a “political viewpoint,” from public buildings failed when its prime sponsor, Sen. Randy Tremendous, R-Melbourne, left the Legislature in April due to his election to Congress.
DEI opponents: The state has executed lots lately to assault and restrict variety, fairness and inclusion in colleges and the office. However this yr, payments failed that may’ve banned cities and counties from following DEI tips and prohibit state contractors and grant-holders from utilizing state funds for DEI.
Individuals with tooth decay: Florida may change into the second state within the nation to ban fluoride in public ingesting water, following Utah. The ban would prohibit cities and counties from including fluoride to public water sources. Fluoride is taken into account useful in stopping dental cavities, however Gov. Ron DeSantis declared it “compelled medicine.”
Residents’ poll teams: Poll initiatives in Florida will now face harder guidelines. Organizations should meet greater monetary necessities and threat steep fines if signatures aren’t submitted to elections officers inside 10 days. Some felons, non-Floridians, and noncitizens are barred from accumulating signatures, whereas paid gatherers should register and full coaching. Fines for late submissions may attain hundreds. Additionally, the governor is now banned from utilizing taxpayer funds to assist or oppose poll measures—a response to DeSantis’ actions final yr.
President Trump’s election ID necessities: A invoice following a White Home govt order requiring potential voters to indicate proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote failed amid protests. Voter teams warned the Florida measure’s calls for would create obstacles that might block hundreds of Floridians from casting ballots. The invoice additionally would’ve required that, subsequent yr, Florida drivers’ licenses would show whether or not the holder is a U.S. citizen.
Babysitters: Candidates nonetheless will not be capable to use campaign donations to pay for youngster care after they’re collaborating in marketing campaign occasions, canvassing, collaborating in debates, and assembly with constituents or donors. The Senate model of the invoice was unanimously handed in two committee conferences, however the Home model by no means even acquired a listening to. There are 13 states which have legal guidelines that enable marketing campaign donations for use to pay for youngster care, however Florida will not be becoming a member of them any time quickly.
Gun advocates: A push to roll again a ban on individuals beneath age 21 from shopping for rifles, together with AR-15s, failed, upholding a measure that was authorised following the 2018 bloodbath at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive College.
Low cost labor seekers: Efforts did not let teenagers work longer hours on college nights and carve an exemption within the state’s minimal wage for individuals working in internships, as apprentices or work-study positions.
Immigration crackdown supporters: A measure failed that may’ve required small enterprise to make use of the E-Confirm database to test staff’ authorized standing.
Property insurance coverage skeptics: Home-supported efforts did not additional regulate property insurers on how they’ll transfer cash between affiliated firms.
Hemp: A yr after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a hemp regulation invoice, lawmakers this yr did not agree on measures supposed to impose stricter laws on the sale and manufacturing of euphoria-inducing hemp merchandise.
Hope Florida: The Home spent a big a part of the session exposing how the inspiration behind First Girl Casey DeSantis’ social providers initiative might have been used as a funnel to get no less than $8.5 million linked to a Medicaid settlement to the coffers of political committees opposing poll questions on abortion and adult-use pot. No shock, laws that may’ve made Hope Florida a everlasting a part of the governor’s workplace failed to realize traction.
Open presidential searches: A push to repeal a 2022 legislation and once more make college presidential searches open to the general public failed. As earlier than, solely the identify of finalists are public.
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This text initially appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Thrill of victory, agony of defeat in 2025 Florida legislative session
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