On Monday, state economists raised the state's general revenue projections by nearly $1.3 billion over the next two years, offering lawmakers additional funds as they begin to craft the upcoming 2025-26 fiscal year budget.



However, Chief Economist Amy Baker, cautioned that "economic uncertainty" could still pose risks moving forward. The state's Office of Economic and Demographic Research's Revenue Estimating Conference revised its forecast to reflect stronger-than-expected tax collections, particularly from sales taxes and investment earnings. Through January, revenue collections had already exceeded earlier projections by nearly $600 million. Most of the gains came from sales taxes, which are outperforming expectations despite concerns about consumer spending and a looming economic downturn. Investment earnings also saw a significant upward revision, benefiting from favorable interest rates and high balances in state accounts. Economists said that while revenue estimates are higher for now, the state faces “economic headwinds” that could impact long-term collections.

On the Line ... One More Time

This week the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, again, called back two state agencies to drill down and ask detailed questions on their budget practices.

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) and Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) spent eight hours shy over the two committee meetings, answering questions on unspent appropriations, reversions to the General Appropriations Act, accountability of payments, APD ibudget waitlists and waivers and AHCA trust fund payments, federal disallowances and cash management. 

On the Senate side of the aisle, Senator Brodeur’s SB 1060 was heard in the Senate Policy Committee and it passed unanimously. The bill creates the Joint Legislative Committee on Medicaid Oversight within the Office of the Auditor General to ensure Medicaid operates as intended and promotes spending transparency. It also:

• Appoints six members from the Senate and House, with alternating chair positions, to meet biannually and as needed.
• Enables reimbursement for members' expenses without compensation.
• Mandates the committee to evaluate Medicaid's financing, quality, administrative, and operational aspects, aiming to improve care and budget stability.
• Requires developing policies to manage Medicaid spending growth and improve health outcomes.
• Obliges data sharing between the Auditor General and AHCA by July 1, 2025, for full committee access to necessary information.
• Grants the committee authority to access records, compel testimony, and secure evidence from state officials and entities.
• Specifies that AHCA must inform the committee of changes to Medicaid capitation rates and provide detailed reports.

The Senate President's priority bill, SB 110, sponsored by Senator Simon and dubbed The Rural Renaissance, proposes the creation of the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce and allocates over $200 million in funding for infrastructure, education, and health care improvements and expansion in rural communities passed the Senate this week and is on its way over to the House.

In the closing remarks, Senate President Albritton emphasized its focus on local decision-making, enabling residents and businesses to guide community development. The bill passed unanimously. 

Choo Choo...

We are not calling it a Department of Children and Families (DCF) train bill yet….however…. this week the DCF behavioral health priority bill, HB 1091/SB 1240, was amended with a Committee Substitute amendment that added the Senate’s “glitch” fixes to the Baker Act/Marchman Act legislation from last session. The bill now expands mental health crisis services and modifies regulations for involuntary placement and guardian advocates. It also:

• Defines the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline call center within crisis services and mandates Department of Children and Families oversight.
• Authorizes discharge of guardian advocates when patients are released from involuntary outpatient services.
• Requires clinical psychologists to have specific clinical experience for determinations of involuntary mental health facility placements.
• Details cross-reference criteria for orders of involuntary outpatient placement.
• Stipulates that orders by administrative law judges for continued involuntary placement are final and enforceable, subject to judicial review.
• Includes provisions for immediate scheduling of hearings and sharing of crucial documents concerning continued involuntary services.
• Revises training requirements and continuing education for mental health professionals and court-appointed experts.
• Eliminates the need determination for opiate addiction medication-assisted treatment providers.



Both the Senate and House bills passed their respective first committees.

In the Name of Transparency

Behavioral Health Managing Entity (ME) Transparency HB 633 by Representative Koster passed its first committee stop this week. This is the Behavioral Health ME Transparency bill. We expect the Senate to hear its counterpart, SB 1354, next week in committee. There was one amendment that made technical changes to the bill but as it is now, the bill continues to be in its original posture.



State Rule-Making Transparency  A bill aimed at revamping Florida's rulemaking process to add oversight and transparency passed the Senate this week, sending the bill to the House. SB 108 by Senators Grall and Burgess updates Florida's Administrative Procedures Act to require all state agencies to conduct regular reviews of their existing rules. Under the bill, state agencies would have to coordinate with the Legislature's Joint Administrative Procedures Committee to evaluate whether their rules align with current laws and its need for updating. Each agency would be required to review about 20% of its rules annually and submit a five-year review schedule as part of its annual regulatory plan. The measure also sets a 90-day deadline for agencies to publish proposed rules after new laws take effect. Any changes to rules would have to be published electronically, clearly marking additions and deletions, in an effort to make it easier for the public to track updates. The House counterpart, HB 433, by Representative Overdorf passed the House Government Operations Subcommittee on a 12-3 vote earlier this week. It has two more committees of reference to clear before it goes to the House floor. 

An ASSET for Technology

The Senate Appropriations Committee discussed a two-bill package this week aimed at boosting government efficiency and accountability. Sponsored by Senators Brodeur and Harrell, the bills focus on modernizing performance metrics, improving cybersecurity, and tightening IT oversight. SB 7026 proposes the creation of the Agency for State Systems and Enterprise Technology (ASSET) for better data protection, while SB 7024 introduces new reporting requirements to enhance transparency and performance metrics. The bills reflect Florida’s push for smarter, more efficient governance. This bill creates a new state agency, and does not “take over” already in place state systems.

Track it

The Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA) creates and maintains a legislative bill tracking document each session. The 2025 FBHA Bill Track will be reported out and included in each weekly update. You can also receive the bill tracking document by emailing Shane@floridabha.org.

On Deck

Budget Budget Budget… FBHA expects both chambers to begin initial budget work next week. At the same time, they will knock out a record amount of bills waiting on their first committee. We are only going into week 4, but the clock is ticking.