Dear Colleagues and Friends,

As previously reported, Lawmakers returned to Tallahassee this week for a Special Session called by the Governor to address the redrawing of Congressional Districts, Artificial Intelligence, and Medical Freedom. It was a brief but turbulent session, which saw the passage of the Congressional Redistricting bill largely upon party lines. The House once again declined to consider legislation relating to Artificial Intelligence and Medical Freedom. 

CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING

As planned, on Monday, April 27 the Governor’s Office provided the Legislature with a proposed congressional map and accompanying legal memo in support of mid-decade redistricting efforts in Florida. The Governor’s proposal was filed in both the House and Senate that day, received a single committee hearing in each chamber on the following day and passed the Legislature, unamended, two days later on Wednesday, April 29 as HB 1-D. Interestingly, Wednesday was also the day that the United States Supreme Court announced its long-awaited decision in Louisiana v. Callais, relating to the constitutionality of certain majority-minority Congressional districts. 

SPECIAL SESSION ON THE BUDGET

The Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate reached an agreement on budget allocations and announced that they expect lawmakers will come back to Tallahassee in May to finalize the spending plan for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The Budget Special Session is scheduled to begin Tuesday, May 12 and end no later than Friday, May 29. Budget conference committee meetings will be held during the first week, and any unresolved matters after Friday, May 15 will be elevated to the senior leadership of the respective chambers. Members are expected to return between May 26 and May 29 to vote on the final budget.

PROPERTY TAXES

Earlier this week, the Governor reiterated his commitment to placing a measure on the November ballot that would allow voters to repeal homestead property taxes. In a speech before the National Mining Association Board, the Governor told the audience that he plans to work with the Legislature on a Special Session that would likely be held no earlier than June.