How to find your Florida House, Senate members ahead of the legislative session
Read full article: How to find your Florida House, Senate members ahead of the legislative sessionThe annual Florida Legislative Session starts Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Tallahassee and runs for 60 days. If you want to see what your state lawmakers are up to, if you want to tell them something, here's how to find and contact them.
‘A simple fate:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis promises to veto this license plate rule
Read full article: ‘A simple fate:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis promises to veto this license plate ruleAfter a license plate law went into effect back in October, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he would deny any legislation implementing another rule if it came across his desk.
Florida lawmakers consider ‘Ya Ya Alert Act’ to improve real-time threat notifications
Read full article: Florida lawmakers consider ‘Ya Ya Alert Act’ to improve real-time threat notificationsThe proposed Ya Ya Alert Act, sponsored by Rep. Rashon Young, would create a mandatory alert system requiring law enforcement to send notifications when a serious threat is within a three-mile radius of schools, childcare facilities, and registered users.
License plate liberation? Florida lawmakers file bills to toss the yellow tag
Read full article: License plate liberation? Florida lawmakers file bills to toss the yellow tagFlorida’s yellow license plate registration decals may soon be a thing of the past with the advent of new legislation calling for an electronic renewal process.
Now what? Here’s everything that’s being done to clarify Florida’s license plate law confusion
Read full article: Now what? Here’s everything that’s being done to clarify Florida’s license plate law confusionFlorida Statutes now upgrade the penalty for anyone covering or interfering with the visibility of a license plate’s primary features to a second-degree misdemeanor. The big question now is, what’s being done to clarify the law?
Downtown Orlando street renamed for late Sen. Geraldine Thompson near Wells’Built Museum
Read full article: Downtown Orlando street renamed for late Sen. Geraldine Thompson near Wells’Built MuseumA stretch of West South Street in downtown Orlando will soon honor the late state Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson, a trailblazing lawmaker and historian who spent decades advocating for her community and preserving Black history.
More property tax amendments just hit Florida. Here’s the full list
Read full article: More property tax amendments just hit Florida. Here’s the full listAnother two property tax proposals were filed on Wednesday, adding to the growing list of plans that lawmakers want to put in front of voters next year.
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia unveils legislative reforms to boost local government transparency, accountability
Read full article: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia unveils legislative reforms to boost local government transparency, accountabilityFlorida CFO Blaise Ingoglia is slated to reveal a “legislative proposal” during a news conference in Winter Park on Thursday morning.
Florida fighting to block lawsuits over unpopular growth law
Read full article: Florida fighting to block lawsuits over unpopular growth lawThe state wants a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by 25 cities and counties, including Orange County, over an unpopular law that blocks local development regulations.
Florida license plate frame law’s confusion forces state to clarify the rules
Read full article: Florida license plate frame law’s confusion forces state to clarify the rulesIs your license plate frame illegal? That is the question Florida drivers and law enforcement officers have been asking after a new law went into effect on Oct. 1. There was so much confusion that the state had to issue a clarification last week.
‘Charlie Kirk Day’ could be coming to Florida next year. Here’s why
Read full article: ‘Charlie Kirk Day’ could be coming to Florida next year. Here’s whyA bill bringing a special day of observation for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk just passed its first hurdle in the Florida Legislature on Tuesday.
Daytona Beach hit with Florida audit amid revenue scrutiny
Read full article: Daytona Beach hit with Florida audit amid revenue scrutinyThe state’s Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, made up of state representatives and senators, voted unanimously Monday to investigate the city of Daytona Beach over reports about spending irregularities and a surplus in building permit revenues.
‘Eliminate them:’ Florida property tax cuts just got closer to becoming real
Read full article: ‘Eliminate them:’ Florida property tax cuts just got closer to becoming realThis week, four proposed constitutional amendments in Florida took another step closer toward becoming reality after getting approved by lawmakers.
‘AI slop:’ Florida governor calls for artificial-intelligence bill of rights. Here’s what it would do
Read full article: ‘AI slop:’ Florida governor calls for artificial-intelligence bill of rights. Here’s what it would doFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis lambasted the potential for abuse in the rising realm of artificial intelligence and called for an “AI Bill of Rights.”
Can Florida redraw Congressional districts now? Lawmakers to inch toward decision with hearing
Read full article: Can Florida redraw Congressional districts now? Lawmakers to inch toward decision with hearingA Florida House committee is meeting on Thursday as state lawmakers inch their way toward a possible mid-decade congressional redistricting.
Florida is selling your driver’s license data to companies, a state lawmaker says. She filed a bill to stop it
Read full article: Florida is selling your driver’s license data to companies, a state lawmaker says. She filed a bill to stop itA Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation that seeks to end a statewide practice of selling residents’ driver’s licenses and ID card information to private companies, data brokers, insurance analytics firms, and foreign-owned entities, according to reporting from News 6 sister station WJXT News 4 in Jacksonville.
Pregnancy and parking: Florida’s new law could make finding spots harder
Read full article: Pregnancy and parking: Florida’s new law could make finding spots harderStarting in July, any pregnant woman in Florida can apply for a handicap parking permit valid for up to one year. The change comes as part of a sweeping transportation bill that passed unanimously in the state legislature.
‘Non-starter:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis says no to seniors on property tax reform
Read full article: ‘Non-starter:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis says no to seniors on property tax reformDeSantis has been a vocal supporter for property tax reform. But this week, he put his foot down on providing relief to seniors alone.
As DeSantis, Florida House speaker fight over property tax reform, Senate moves deliberately
Read full article: As DeSantis, Florida House speaker fight over property tax reform, Senate moves deliberatelyProperty taxes will be a big issue on the election ballot in 2026. Florida House lawmakers unveiled a slate of seven potential constitutional amendments, including changes to homestead exemptions, or eliminating some residential property taxes. But Gov. Ron DeSantis is dismissing the proposals.
Florida lawmakers push bill to put Winter Springs changes to voters
Read full article: Florida lawmakers push bill to put Winter Springs changes to votersOn Thursday, state lawmakers gave their support to a bill that could lead to major changes in Winter Springs ahead of next year’s mayoral election. But city leaders say voters should decide what changes need to be made, not Tallahassee.
Florida’s property tax overhaul: Impact on schools, safety, and your county
Read full article: Florida’s property tax overhaul: Impact on schools, safety, and your countyGov. Ron DeSantis has made it clear — he wants sweeping changes to Florida’s property tax system. What does that mean for counties, cities, and the services they provide?
Florida House pitches property tax proposals for 2026 ballot. Read the bills
Read full article: Florida House pitches property tax proposals for 2026 ballot. Read the billsThe Florida House on Thursday rolled out a series of proposed constitutional amendments to cut property taxes, while looking to shield funding for schools and law enforcement. One bill would get rid of most homesteaded residential property taxes.
Florida lawmakers refile medical malpractice lawsuit bill DeSantis vetoed
Read full article: Florida lawmakers refile medical malpractice lawsuit bill DeSantis vetoedMore than four months after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the idea, the Florida House on Wednesday began a renewed effort to repeal a decades-old law that has prevented some people from pursuing key damages in medical-malpractice lawsuits.
Insurance industry uses AI in claims handling, officials tell Florida lawmakers
Read full article: Insurance industry uses AI in claims handling, officials tell Florida lawmakersA panel of insurance and tech officials told the Florida House Insurance & Banking Subcommittee that insurers are using artificial intelligence in a variety of ways, including in claims handling, and tried to dispel concerns that the technology could be misused.
Osceola County students ‘Build a Bill’ to take mental health concerns to Tallahassee
Read full article: Osceola County students ‘Build a Bill’ to take mental health concerns to TallahasseeWhat were you thinking about when you were in middle school? On Friday morning in Osceola County, these teens were telling community leaders why they wanted to pass a law.
‘A turning point for Florida:’ Tristin Murphy Act aims to get people into mental health treatment
Read full article: ‘A turning point for Florida:’ Tristin Murphy Act aims to get people into mental health treatmentDubbed the Tristan Murphy Act, the law is named after a 37-year-old man who killed himself while incarcerated at a state prison work program. Murphy had a history of schizophrenia and had been imprisoned on a littering charge.
Orange County, 24 other cities and counties sue over Florida law that hampers development decisions
Read full article: Orange County, 24 other cities and counties sue over Florida law that hampers development decisionsOrange County, the town of Windermere, and the cities of Deltona and Edgewater in Volusia County joined the lawsuit Monday against several Florida officials over a new law that limits the way these governments can make decisions about developments.
Primary Tuesday to choose GOP candidates for Florida Senate District 11 election
Read full article: Primary Tuesday to choose GOP candidates for Florida Senate District 11 electionRepublican voters in Sumter County will decide Tuesday who will win a special primary election for the only Florida Senate seat in the county, and move on to the November election.
As Florida lawmakers consider property tax cuts, local governments defend spending
Read full article: As Florida lawmakers consider property tax cuts, local governments defend spendingWith a Florida House panel finishing a two-day review of property-tax issues, city and county officials defended their financial management amid Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to ask voters next year to slash taxes on homesteaded properties.
Early voting in Florida Senate District 11 GOP special primary election starts this weekend
Read full article: Early voting in Florida Senate District 11 GOP special primary election starts this weekendRepublican voters in Sumter County can go to the polls early in a special primary election for the only Florida Senate seat in the county. Early voting in Sumter County runs from Saturday, Sept. 19, through Saturday, Sept. 27.
Appeals court upholds Florida law barring noncitizens from gathering voter petitions
Read full article: Appeals court upholds Florida law barring noncitizens from gathering voter petitionsProvisions of a Florida law restricting the state’s process for getting citizens’ initiatives on the ballot can go into effect.
Florida appeals court strikes down ban on openly carrying guns
Read full article: Florida appeals court strikes down ban on openly carrying gunsIn a major decision, a state appeals court on Wednesday ruled that Florida’s ban on openly carrying guns is unconstitutional. A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal, pointing to U.S. Supreme Court rulings on Second Amendment issues, said the open-carry ban is incompatible with the nation’s “historical tradition of firearm regulation.”
Sumter County will need new Florida rep. as Temple becomes state college chief
Read full article: Sumter County will need new Florida rep. as Temple becomes state college chiefRepublican State Rep. John Temple is getting a new gig -- president of a state college. Temple, 49, was selected as the next president of Lake-Sumter State College this week.
DeSantis says new Florida law allows removal of crosswalk art. What the law says
Read full article: DeSantis says new Florida law allows removal of crosswalk art. What the law saysFor the second straight day, Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned a law that he claimed pertained to the removal of street art from crosswalks. So what is the law?
Early voting begins in Central Florida special elections after sample-ballot debacle
Read full article: Early voting begins in Central Florida special elections after sample-ballot debacleEarly voting starts soon in the special elections for Florida Senate District 15 and House District 40 after a printing error reached tens of thousands of people in the form of faulty sample ballots.
Mental health group moves forward with Sanford free clinic, with state help
Read full article: Mental health group moves forward with Sanford free clinic, with state helpSeminole County lacks 100% no-fee providers, making the Mental Health Association’s planned Sanford Clinic the sole free service provider for individuals under 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Central Florida law enforcement cracks down on reckless speeding, driving in sting operation
Read full article: Central Florida law enforcement cracks down on reckless speeding, driving in sting operationVolusia County is joining law enforcement agencies across the Southeast United States for Operation Southern Slow Down, a crackdown on reckless drivers. They say a new law that lets them arrest "super speeders" will make that more efficient.
Florida funding $1M to help Edgewater fight flooding
Read full article: Florida funding $1M to help Edgewater fight flooding$1 million in state funds will be used to reinforce canals in Edgewater, especially around the Florida Shores neighborhood. Many of these canals have not been upgraded since they were built in the 1990s, despite significant growth in the area.
Orlando leaders thankful as state money for Pulse memorial survives DeSantis’ veto pen
Read full article: Orlando leaders thankful as state money for Pulse memorial survives DeSantis’ veto penTucked into the Florida budget that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed this week was $394,421 for the Pulse National Memorial. Since the budget allocation survived DeSantis’ line-item veto, that money will now go to the city of Orlando, which is getting close to construction on a permanent memorial to the 49 people killed in the 2016 shooting.
DeSantis vetoed over half a billion from the budget. Here’s which Central Florida projects lost money
Read full article: DeSantis vetoed over half a billion from the budget. Here’s which Central Florida projects lost moneyGov. Ron DeSantis signed a $115.1 billion budget for Florida in Wildwood Monday, but not everything lawmakers wanted made it past the governor. DeSantis released a veto list that included $1.35 billion in cuts, largely to local programs.
Democrats Bracy Davis, Young win Florida Legislature special primaries in Orange County
Read full article: Democrats Bracy Davis, Young win Florida Legislature special primaries in Orange CountyState Rep. LaVon Bracy Davis won a four-way primary race for Florida Senate District 15, while Bracy Davis’ chief of staff, RaShon Young, won the primary to fill her Florida House District 40 seat. Both candidates now go on to face Republican opponents in the special general elections on Sept. 2.
Gov. Ron DeSantis approves 13 more Florida laws. Here’s the full list
Read full article: Gov. Ron DeSantis approves 13 more Florida laws. Here’s the full listThis latest batch of laws involves a variety of topics, including the definition of child neglect, mandated flood disclosures, and even attempts to control the weather.
Florida school supply tax holiday here to stay, hurricane supply holiday goes away in new tax bill
Read full article: Florida school supply tax holiday here to stay, hurricane supply holiday goes away in new tax billAfter months of contentious debate, some in public, Florida lawmakers passed a budget Monday that included $1.3 billion in state and local tax cuts, but nothing as radical as leaders were proposing.
Florida lawmakers pass charter school expansion on last day of session
Read full article: Florida lawmakers pass charter school expansion on last day of sessionOn the 105th day of what was supposed to be a 60-day legislative session, Florida lawmakers passed a bill to allow charter schools to “co-locate” inside traditional public schools.
Florida bills cracking down on sex offenders, deepfake sex images signed into law
Read full article: Florida bills cracking down on sex offenders, deepfake sex images signed into lawFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs a raft of bills into law that would crack down on sexual offenders, human sex trafficking, and unauthorized deepfake sex images.
Debbie Mayfield wins Senate race, Brian Hodgers wins House seat in Brevard special election
Read full article: Debbie Mayfield wins Senate race, Brian Hodgers wins House seat in Brevard special electionA special election Tuesday will chose two new state lawmakers for some residents in Brevard County.
Students plan rally for advanced class funding as Florida finalizes budget
Read full article: Students plan rally for advanced class funding as Florida finalizes budgetA group of Orange County high school students will protest Tuesday afternoon against proposed changes to advanced academic programs, a move they say could impact their access to college-level coursework.
Florida lawmakers want to pump up rainy day fund with constitutional amendment
Read full article: Florida lawmakers want to pump up rainy day fund with constitutional amendmentFlorida lawmakers Thursday started moving forward with a proposed constitutional amendment that supporters say would bulk up financial reserves to help the state weather potential problems such as economic recessions.
Mobile home residents in Central Florida face eviction risks as lot rents surge
Read full article: Mobile home residents in Central Florida face eviction risks as lot rents surgeMobile home residents in Central Florida say they are being priced out of what was supposed to be an affordable place to live.
Federal judge blocks Florida from enforcing social media ban for kids while lawsuit continues
Read full article: Federal judge blocks Florida from enforcing social media ban for kids while lawsuit continuesA federal judge has barred state officials from enforcing a Florida law that would ban social media accounts for young children, while a legal challenge against the law plays out.
‘Rural renaissance’ plan, Florida sales tax cut sidelined amid budget battle
Read full article: ‘Rural renaissance’ plan, Florida sales tax cut sidelined amid budget battleWhen lawmakers begin budget conference talks Tuesday, a couple of priorities of Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, and House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, likely will already be off the table, including a plan to bolster rural areas and cut the overall sales tax rate.
Agreement sets stage for budget talks among state lawmakers
Read full article: Agreement sets stage for budget talks among state lawmakersNearly a month after leaving the Capitol without passing a budget, House and Senate leaders said Friday night they had reached an agreement that will clear the way for lawmakers to begin hammering out details of a spending plan Tuesday.
Floridians will be able to pay some bills with gold or silver coin under new law
Read full article: Floridians will be able to pay some bills with gold or silver coin under new lawFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Tuesday in Apopka that would allow people to use gold or silver coin to pay for bills, calling it a way to give people financial independence from the federal government.
Florida lawmakers told to stay home next week as budget talks drag on
Read full article: Florida lawmakers told to stay home next week as budget talks drag onFlorida lawmakers are no closer to releasing a budget proposal, and on Friday, state House leaders told representatives that they shouldn’t expect to be in Tallahassee next week.
DeSantis signs another boatload of new Florida laws. Here’s what each one does
Read full article: DeSantis signs another boatload of new Florida laws. Here’s what each one doesThese new laws cover a wide range of issues, including new crimes, state parks, and even what’s methods are allowed for the death penalty.
DeSantis signs Florida state parks bill born from outcry over golf course plans
Read full article: DeSantis signs Florida state parks bill born from outcry over golf course plansA bill to restrict Florida from building sports facilities and large lodges on state parks is now a law, born from last year's outcry over plans to add golf courses, pickleball courts and more to several parks.
Gov. DeSantis signs 16 new Florida laws. Here’s the full lineup
Read full article: Gov. DeSantis signs 16 new Florida laws. Here’s the full lineupMany of these new laws are set to take effect in July, and they cover a wide range of issues, including dangerous dogs, school start times, and arrest rules for law enforcement.
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs 8 more bills into law. Here’s when they take effect
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs 8 more bills into law. Here’s when they take effectOn Tuesday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed another bunch of bills into law, just a day after giving his signature to the largest batch yet.
Florida Gov. DeSantis signs biggest batch of new laws yet. Here’s the full list
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis signs biggest batch of new laws yet. Here’s the full listOn Monday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 13 new bills into law as the latest state Legislative session approaches its end.
Florida Gov. DeSantis just signed a huge bill into law. Here’s what you should know
Read full article: Florida Gov. DeSantis just signed a huge bill into law. Here’s what you should knowFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis has already signed off on over a dozen bills this Legislative session, though a newly signed bill on Thursday packs plenty of big changes on its own.