Florida’s 2026 legislative committee weeks, held this Fall preceding the January–March 2026 Regular Session, were used primarily for briefings, issue framing, and early vetting of policy concepts rather than final votes. Legislative leadership relied on standing committees to review agency presentations, hear stakeholder input, and refine draft legislation that will move quickly once session is convened. Official schedules and agendas were published through the Florida Senate and House interim calendars, which remain the best reference points for committee activity (Florida Senate Committee Schedule, Florida House Committees).

In education, committee discussions focused on K–12 policy implementation, educator workforce and certification issues, and the continued expansion of virtual and alternative education models. Interim meetings explored how existing programs, including Florida Virtual School, could be leveraged to serve specialized populations, including justice-involved youth, signaling crossover with juvenile justice policy. These discussions set the groundwork for bills expected to move early in session through the House Education & Employment Committee and corresponding Senate education committees, with an emphasis on accountability, access, and workforce alignment (Florida Department of Education). Presentations included significant discussion on Florida’s School voucher system as well as an overview of early learning programs during the last committee week.

Health and juvenile justice committees concentrated on system capacity, staffing, and budget pressures. Health-related committees reviewed behavioral health services, provider regulation, and Medicaid-adjacent issues, while appropriations subcommittees examined cost drivers heading into the budget process. Juvenile justice discussions featured Department of Juvenile Justice briefings on staffing shortages, program effectiveness, and facility operations, reinforcing the likelihood of budgetary and statutory proposals in early session to address workforce retention and community-based services (Florida Department of Health, Florida Department of Juvenile Justice). Collectively, these interim discussions positioned education, health, and juvenile justice as interrelated priorities for the opening weeks of the 2026 Regular Session.

Child welfare committees emphasized implementation of recently enacted reforms and system oversight, as well as reviewed Department of Children and Families (DCF) operations, case management capacity, domestic violence coordination, and the practical impacts of child welfare legislation, with a strong emphasis on cost, staffing, and service outcomes rather than new policy frameworks.

Additionally, property tax relief emerged as one of the most prominent issues under discussion, particularly in the Florida House. Lawmakers focused largely on proposals that would reduce or eliminate the non-school portion of property taxes on homesteaded homes, with several options framed as constitutional amendments that could appear on the 2026 ballot. Ideas ranged from a full elimination of non-school homestead property taxes to phased-in reductions, to targeted relief for specific groups such as seniors. These proposals were advanced through key House committees, including the Select Committee on Property Taxes, State Affairs, and Ways & Means, signaling strong House interest in pursuing broad structural changes rather than incremental adjustments.

Furthermore, on December 10, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis released his $117.4 Floridians First Budget for fiscal year 2026-2027 highlighting tax relief for today and tomorrow. Find the press release here. To read the Governor’s entire 2026-2027 fiscal year budget recommendations click here.

As we wind down committee weeks for the 2026 Legislative Session, FACCT would like to wish everyone a happy holiday season, and we look forward to bringing you weekly coverage beginning the week of January 19, 2026.

Until next time!

Sincerely,

The Florida Alliance of Children’s Councils & Trusts