Welcome to Committee Week 1 of the 2026 Session! 

Both chambers convened this week for their first round of interim committee meetings. Committees heard from agency leaders regarding their FY 2025-26 legislative priorities, as well as several presentations from subject matter experts on key state issues. The remaining interim committee schedule is as follows:  

• October 13-17, 2026 
• November 3–7, 2026  
• November 17-21, 2026 
• December 1-5, 2026 
• December 8-12, 2026 



Regular session will begin on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.  

Significant property tax reform is a highly publicized, top priority for the Governor and the Florida Legislature. In response to a request from the Florida House Select Committee on Property Taxes, FAC has prepared a Report on Florida County Property Taxes.  

ICYMI: FAC and County Administrators present to the House Select Committee on Property Taxes 

In the report, you’ll find a statewide summary along with county-by-county tables. Visit the webpage to view all county snapshots and the individual links to your county snapshot.  

Tune in to this week’s episode of Capital Recap for the latest updates on legislative meetings, policy discussions, and key developments from the Capitol that impact counties across Florida.

On Wednesday, the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee held a panel discussion on impact fees, providing the House of Representatives with the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of impact fees across the state, pose questions, and explore innovative solutions for financing growth in Florida. The panel began with an overview presented by Eric Poole, Director of the Institute for County Government (FAC). Poole explained the role of impact fees in supporting infrastructure and services at the state, county, and municipal levels. He emphasized the vital relationship between homebuilders and local economies in Florida, underscoring the importance of collaboration among counties, cities, the construction industry, and the legislature to develop solutions that fund growth without increasing the cost of living for Florida residents. 

The panel featured insights from both public and private sector stakeholders, including representatives from FAC, the Florida League of Cities, the Florida Home Builders Association, and Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida. Each shared their perspectives on how impact fees are structured and utilized in communities across the state. The discussion centered on balancing the need for sustainable development and infrastructure investment with the goal of maintaining affordability and economic vitality in Florida’s rapidly growing regions.  



Click here to watch FAC present on Impact Fees. 

On Tuesday, the House Economic Infrastructure Subcommittee held a discussion focused on expanding broadband access to rural and underserved areas in Florida. Leo Garcia, Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Division of Community Development and Director of the Office of Broadband at the Florida Department of Commerce, provided an update on the state and federal broadband expansion programs currently underway. He was joined by Casey Reed, Vice President of Government Affairs at AT&T; Albie Kaminski of Charter Communications; and Charlie Dudley, General Counsel to the Florida Internet and Television Association, representing providers such as Comcast, Cox, and Breezeline Communications. Mr. Garcia highlighted the progress of key initiatives, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the recently launched Utility Relocation Reimbursement Grant Program. The panel also introduced a roadmap for the next phases of BEAD, complete with interactive provisional trackers and funding allocation details. 

Charlie Dudley reported on his members' deployment of funds from the Broadband Opportunity Program and described joint efforts with the Florida Association of Counties to educate local officials on regulatory timelines, including the 60-day permitting “shot clock.” Additional representatives from Florida's telecommunications sector shared updates on broadband expansion efforts within their service areas, underscoring the collaborative approach between public agencies and private providers to improve internet connectivity across the state. 



Click here to view the committee presentations. 

On Tuesday, the Senate Agriculture Committee received a presentation from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) on the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. FDACS provided an overview of the program, emphasizing its importance in protecting agricultural lands and natural resources across Florida. The presentation highlighted the program’s role in preventing the conversion of rural lands into developments incompatible with agriculture or conservation, while underscoring the need to balance responsible growth with the preservation of Florida’s rural heritage. It was also noted that the program supports the state’s $180 billion agricultural sector, helping maintain its stability amid Florida’s rapid development. The presentation included videos from Florida farmers demonstrating how the program fosters sustainable agricultural practices and long-term viability. 

Committee members asked questions regarding eligibility criteria, funding mechanisms, and the awards process. The panel also heard from a representative of Conservation Florida, who discussed the program’s vital role in preserving wildlife habitats and expanding public access to natural lands. The presentation emphasized the interconnectedness of Florida’s wild, agricultural, and urban green spaces, and their collective importance to rural communities and the state’s environmental health. 

The final presentation was delivered by the Department of Environmental Protection, providing an overview of the Florida Forever program. The discussion outlined the program’s process for evaluating and acquiring conservation projects and noted that more than 80 percent of the work plan projects are within the Florida Wildlife Corridor. The presentation concluded with a summary of the program’s 2025 achievements, including the acquisition of 79,387 acres and the completion of its 200th conservation easement. To date, the Florida Forever program has protected a total of 364,117 acres statewide. 



Click here to view the committee presentations. 

On Wednesday, the Senate Appropriations Committee heard a review of the state’s Long-Range Financial Outlook for FY 2026-27 through 2028-29 presented by EDR’s Amy Baker. The outlook shows Florida’s economy stabilizing after years of post-pandemic growth, with GDP expected to grow around 2.1% annually by 2028-29. Personal income remains strong, with annual growth projected above 5%, while population growth—driven entirely by net migration—is expected to push the state’s population near 25 million by 2030. 

According to EDR, Florida is in a favorable short-term position with a projected $3.77 billion surplus in FY 2026-27, thanks to strategic legislative actions and high reserve levels nearing $15 billion. However, deficits are expected to return in the following years, with shortfalls of $1.5 billion in FY 2027-28 and $6.6 billion in FY 2028-29. Major spending drivers include Medicaid, Emergency Preparedness, and Education, which contribute to over $20 billion in new General Revenue needs. The report urges lawmakers to consider early fiscal strategies to avoid deeper cuts later. 

Additionally, concerns persist around housing affordability, declining building permits, and subdued consumer sentiment. The outlook also highlights risks from potential “Black Swan” events, like catastrophic hurricanes, which could strain Florida’s robust reserves. Overall, while the near-term outlook is positive, sustained fiscal balance will require proactive planning and discipline. 

Chair Hooper anticipates the Senate budget to be rolled out during week 3 of the legislative session, earlier than last year, and cautioned that the budget may be more stringent than the prior year. 



 Click here to view the committee presentations.