Governor Ron DeSantis’ State of the State address set a bold, forward-looking agenda, celebrating Florida’s dominance in business, tourism, and economic growth. His statement was clear- Florida Leads the Nation!



In his opening statement, the Governor proposed additional sales tax holidays, property tax relief, and protections for homeowners, urging lawmakers to keep Florida thriving. With a focus on efficiency, accountability, and conservative wins, DeSantis called for action that cements Florida’s status as a national leader. His message was clear: tackle big issues, deliver results, and keep Florida’s momentum unstoppable. 

Opening Day Part 2 - A Florida Rural Revival

Senate President Ben Albritton launched the 2025 session with a clear message: “Agriculture matters.” Pledging a “Rural Renaissance,” he vowed to revitalize Florida’s citrus industry, expand rural education and healthcare, and cut government red tape. He promised accountability—holding insurers, industries, and bureaucracy in check.

With cybersecurity, efficiency, and bold reforms on the agenda, Albritton made one thing clear: Florida’s future will not be dictated by outdated systems. Watch out state agencies and be ready to grab new technology by the horns!  

House Speaker Daniel Perez kicked off the 2025 session with a passionate call to action: This isn’t about “me”—it is about “we.” No token priorities, no House Bill 1—just real action.

He challenged lawmakers to cut waste, reject empty gestures, and tackle big issues like insurance, housing, and education. “Fear is the enemy of change,” he declared. “Alone, we are scattered bricks. Together, we are the unbreakable foundation.”

With that, he rallied the House of Representatives to get to work. His comments were short, sweet, and impactful. And did not lead with any personal priority but instead directed the chamber “to take back the House."

The Rural Renaissance

Senate Bill 110 re: Rural Communities, a priority of the Senate President and spearheaded by bill sponsor, Senator Corey Simon, was heard in its first of only two committee stops. SB 110 amends various Florida Statutes to support rural communities by establishing funding, guidelines, and programs across multiple sectors. It also:

• Requires the state land planning agency to prioritize technical assistance funding for governments in rural areas and mandates consultation with the Office of Rural Prosperity when awarding specific funds.
• Redirects a sum to the State Transportation Trust Fund specifically for use by the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program.
• Revises sales and use tax revenue distribution to include allocations to fiscally constrained counties, enhancing financial support for public safety, infrastructure, and other public purposes.
• Establishes reporting and operational protocols for the Office of Rural Prosperity, requiring legislative reviews of its effectiveness and annual reporting on its activities.
• Introduces several grants programs under the Office of Rural Prosperity, including ones for smart technology in public infrastructure and the Renaissance Grants Program, aimed at economic growth and development in rural regions.
• Redefines conditions for a county to be recognized as fiscally constrained and eligible for state revenue distribution, modifying factors like sales and use tax collections and personal income metrics for more nuanced financial support.

There were no comments or questions, and the half-hour of public testimony revolved around rural community leaders praising the bill. The bill passed unanimously.

Senate Prez Mental Health Priority

Senate Bill 168 will be the top behavioral health priority for Senate President Ben Albritton. All others take a backseat! SB 168 (House Bill 1207) passed its first of only two committee stops. SB 168 expands mental health programs and diversion initiatives and sets parameters for mental health evaluations in legal settings. It also:

• Expands grant-supported programs to include special training for 911 telecommunicators and emergency medical technicians, focusing on appropriate crisis response.
• Adds veterans treatment court programs to the initiatives eligible for implementation or expansion grants.
• Exempts fiscally constrained counties from local match requirements for certain grants.
• Includes provisions for both misdemeanor and felony mental health diversion programs, outlining processes and eligibility criteria.
• Proposes consent form requirements for participants in mental health diversion programs, emphasizing voluntary participation and treatment adherence.
• Authorizes courts to consider outpatient treatment and release of defendants based on mental health evaluations.
• Establishes the Florida Behavioral Health Care Data Repository to improve data collection and analysis on mental health care and its intersections with criminal justice.

The bill sponsor, Senator Jennifer Bradley, emphasized the importance of diverting people with mental illnesses toward treatment rather than incarceration. No opposition was voiced, and the committee passed SB 168 unanimously. The House has yet to hear its counterpart bill in committee.

Track it

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

Next week the legislature will be back for a full five days. Committee agendas are on a 48-hour notice but we know there will be bill discussions around affordable housing, school security and potentially the House ME Transparency bill, HB 633 by Representative Traci Koster.