Dear Friends, 

Florida’s 2026 Legislative Session officially kicked off on Tuesday. Opening Day is always a special event. My family joined me on the Senate floor as the Senate President gaveled in the session and gave remarks on our priorities for the session and what we hope to accomplish together. Then, the Senate and House of Representatives came together for a joint session, where Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his State of the State address, reflecting on the last seven years of success we’ve had in the great state of Florida. 

Looking back on the day, I can’t help but think how excited my 18-year-old self would be to be in my shoes now, as a member of this respected body, surrounded by so many great leaders past and present – it’s an opportunity that I never take for granted and I am deeply honored to be able to serve my community in this position. 

During the rest of the week, my team and I were hard at work for the people of District 23. I presented several of my bills before Senate committees and voted on important legislation on the Senate floor, which you can learn more about below. 

Over the next 60 days, the Florida Senate will work to address many important issues. I look forward to keeping you updated on all we accomplish this year. 

Forward March, 

Danny Burgess

State Senator

District 23

Celebrate America250 by Bringing Presidents Washington and Lincoln Back to the Classroom

For years, Florida schools proudly displayed portraits of United States Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. However, over time and as classroom designs and curricula evolved, these historic figures were slowly removed from classrooms. As we look toward America’s 250^th birthday, I believe there is no better time to return to our roots and reflect on our nation’s history. That’s why I have filed legislation to require portraits of George Washington, our first president, and Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, to be displayed in all K–5 classrooms and in social studies classrooms for grades 6–12.

The bill received approval from the Senate Education PreK – 12 Committee this week. Bringing these portraits back to Florida classrooms will give students the opportunity to learn about the vision, courage, and character that shaped our nation – and to be inspired by two of our greatest leaders.

Supporting Vulnerable Children

Grandparents often play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren. This can be especially true when a child has lost one or both parents and the child spent time living with their grandparent(s). That’s why I filed legislation this session, Senate Bill 674, to strengthen Florida’s grandparent visitation considerations. In this unique instance, the courts should be able to fully weigh the grandparent-child bond and the child’s emotional well-being and decide whether visitation with the grandparent(s) would be in the best interest of the child. 

This legislation was inspired by a constituent of mine who had personal experience with this issue. I was honored to invite her to Tallahassee this week to share her story on why visitation rights for grandparents are so important and advocate for this legislation, which will ensure judges have the tools and guidance they need to put Florida’s children first.

Meaningful Updates to Florida’s School Choice Scholarship Program

This week, the Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 318, which makes meaningful transparency and efficiency updates to Florida’s school choice scholarship program. I was proud to co-sponsor this legislation and play an integral role in crafting the bill and working toward its passage. 

During committee weeks, the Senate Appropriations Committee on PreK-12 Education, which I chair, received an update from the Auditor General on K-12 scholarship funding and program implementation and discussed accountability and ways to strengthen the program. This legislation addresses the primary issues identified by the Auditor General and will: 



• Safeguard and improve school choice and parent empowerment, ensuring funding follows the student.
• Streamline registration through reasonable, consistent timeframes.
• Update reimbursement and payment schedules to ensure consistency and reliability of scholarship funds.

The Florida Senate is committed to expanding opportunities for every student and every family in the state. With SB 318, we are strengthening Florida’s school choice scholarship programs while enhancing taxpayer accountability.

Lawmakers took another step toward welcoming former Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln into Florida classrooms Tuesday when the Senate Education Pre-K-12 committee approved SB 420.

The measure passed the committee on a 6-1 vote. It would require portraits of Washington and Lincoln in all K-5 classrooms and all other classrooms primarily used for social studies.

Sen. Danny Burgess, a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserve and a Republican from Zephyrhills, is the Senate sponsor and Rep. John Snyder, a Marine Corps veteran and Republican from Stuart, is sponsor in the House of HB 371.

Burgess, in announcing the bill, in particular cited a trip he took during the summer to “a historic classroom where portraits of Presidents Washington and Lincoln still hung on the wall.”

“They’re routinely ranked as the greatest presidents in our history, time and time again through those polls and the folks that do that type of data crunching. These individuals helped us become who we are as a country. It’s a return to, really, our roots,” Burgess said during the committee meeting Tuesday.

Burgess, chair of the Senate Education Appropriations committee, committed to advocating for fully funding the portraits.

Read the full article by Jay Waagmeester in the Florida Phoenix here. 

Introduced in 2026 by Senator Danny Burgess

S 258 Public Records/Medical Examiners 

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 260 Removal, Storage, and Cleanup of Electric Vehicles

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 262 Storage and Disposal of Prescription Drugs and Sharps

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 326 Curators of Estates

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 420 Patriotic Displays in Classrooms

Last Action: 1/14/2026 Now in Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education

S 504 Code Inspector Body Cameras

Last Action: 1/14/2026 Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

S 506 Public Records/Body Camera Recordings Recorded by a Code Inspector

Last Action: 1/14/2026 Now in Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

S 558 Standards for Storm Water Systems

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 642 Foreign and Alien Bail Bond Insurers

Last Action: 1/14/2026 Now in Criminal Justice

S 658 Water Safety Requirements for the Rental of Residential Property

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 674 Grandparent Visitation Rights

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 736 Medicaid Coverage of Blood Pressure Monitoring Devices

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 772 Limited Licenses for Portable Electronics and Eyewear Insurance

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 798 Locations of Sheriffs’ Offices

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 872 Division of State Fire Marshal

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 1096 Remedies for Violations of the Florida Civil Rights Act

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 1226 Refrigerant Safety and Agricultural Continuity

Last Action: 1/13/2026 Introduced

S 1376 Grants for Genetic Counseling Education

Last Action: 1/7/2026 Filed

S 1512 Space Florida

Last Action: 1/8/2026 Filed

S 1514 Public Records and Meetings/Space Florida

Last Action: 1/8/2026 Filed

S 1552 Experimental Treatments for Terminal Conditions and Life-threatening Rare Diseases

Last Action: 1/9/2026 Filed

S 1554 Public Records/Experimental Treatment Outcomes

Last Action: 1/9/2026 Filed

S 1556 Experimental Treatment Access Trust Fund/Department of Health

Last Action: 1/9/2026 Filed

S 1652 Terminology Associated with Autism

Last Action: 1/9/2026 Filed

S 1656 Designation of the Official State Flagship

Last Action: 1/9/2026 Filed

S 1666 Department of Business and Professional Regulation

Last Action: 1/9/2026 Filed

The Florida Senate | Flsenate.gov