Becker’s State Lobbying Update – Week 3: January 26th-31st, 2026
Welcome to Becker’s Weekly Spotlight! As your trusted lobbyists we are proud to provide the latest developments in politics and policy in Tallahassee. Here is what happened in Tallahassee Week 3 (January 26-31st) of the 2026 Legislative Session.
Top Trending Topics
- President of Senate
- House and Senate Tackle New Education Bills
- Property Tax Cut Proposal Heads to House Floor
President of Senate
Senate President Ben Albritton was hospitalized this past Sunday after experiencing chest pains. Doctors discovered that he had a small blood clot in his lung. After extensive tests and continuous monitoring, doctors released President Albritton providing him with a detailed treatment plan. Through a memo released by President Albritton, he is now resting and will return to the Senate soon. During his absence, Senate business continued as normal.
Education
Education
HB 1071 by Representative Trabulsy requires each school district to create a comprehensive system of mathematics instruction for students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. The bill amends provisions relating to parental rights to exempt their child from specified health education topics. The bill also amends provisions of the education code relating to multiple programs, committees, councils, as well as requirements for certification and scholarships recipients. HB 1071 also directs the State Board of Education to identify and authorize at least two high school equivalency assessments to satisfy diploma requirements by December 1, 2026. Lastly, the bill directs the Department of Education to review and revise specific requirements for educational facilities by December 1, 2026. HB 1071 passed its second committee of reference with a vote of 12 Yeas and 3 Nays. It now moves to its final committee, House Education & Employment Committee, and is waiting to be heard.
Parental Rights
HB 173 by Representative Miller expands the express rights of a parent relating to their child’s health care and health records. The bill significantly limits the circumstances in which a minor can receive health care without first obtaining express parental consent for such care, removing the exception in current law which allows for a minor to do so. In addition, the bill expands a parent’s express rights to access and review all medical records of their child by specifying that a parent’s access to such records may only be limited if the parent is the subject of an investigation of a crime committed against the minor child and a law enforcement agency or official requests that the information not be released. Lastly, the bill mandates school districts to provide parents with specified questionnaires or forms in full and offer an opt-out option before administering them to students in kindergarten through grade 12. HB 173 passed its first committee, Health and Human Services with a vote of 19 Yeas and 7 Nays. It is now waiting to be heard in its second committee, Judiciary.
Its Senate companion, SB 166 by Senator Grall, has not been heard in any of its three committees of reference.
Property Tax
Modification of Limitations on Property Assessment Increases
HJR 213 by Representative Griffitts is a joint resolution that proposes an amendment to the Article VII, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution to provide that changes in the assessed valuation of individual parcels of real property may only occur once every three years. These changes only apply to ad valorem taxes levied by counties, cities, and special districts. The amendment specifically changes the existing limitation on the annual increase of three (3) percent for homestead properties to apply every third year instead of each year. For non-homestead property, the limitation is increased to 15 percent every third year, instead of 10 percent each year. This resolution is subject to approval by 60 percent of voters during the 2026 general election, the proposed amendment will take effect on January 1, 2027. The joint resolution is not subject to the Governor’s veto powers. HJR 213 passed its final committee, House Ways and Means, with a vote of 11 Yeas and 4 Nays. It is the third property tax proposal that has passed all committees and has been placed on the calendar for 2nd reading.
Bills Heard
Banking:
Virtual Currency Kiosks
HB 505 by Representative Owen limits daily transaction amounts for new and existing customers of virtual currency kiosks. The bill caps the new customer daily limit at $500 and the existing customer limit at $1000 and requires both an electronic and paper receipt of transaction details. Additionally, the bill mandates a full refund of transaction fees within 72 hours if the customer presents a law enforcement case number within 60 days. HB 505 passed its final committee, House Commerce Committee, with a vote of 24 Yeas and 1 Nay. Its next stop is to be heard on the House floor.
SB 198 by Senator Rouson passed its first committee, Banking and Insurance, with a vote of 10 Yeas. It is now headed to its second committee, Senate Commerce and Tourism and is waiting to be heard.
Construction:
Land Use Regulations
SB 218 by Senator Gaetz amends the undesignated section of law created by Section 28 of chapter 2025-190, Laws of Florida, (CS/CS/SB 180 (2025)) to reduce the areas of the state to which the land use regulation restrictions of that section apply. SB 218 states that all cities and municipalities in the state of Florida have been subject to the 3-year prohibition on proposing or adopting certain moratoriums and placed more restrictive plan amendments and land development regulations. The bill defines the term “impacted local government” to refer to areas designated as eligible for individual and public assistance in the federal disaster declarations for Hurricane Debby, Helene, and Milton; applies their restrictions to these impacted local governments. SB 218 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee with a vote of 8-0 and now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Its House companion, HB 217 by Representative Abbott, has not been heard in any of its committees.
Land Use and Development Regulations
HB 399 by Representative Borrero makes changes concerning land use and development regulations. SB 399 requires application fees for development permits and orders. The bill also requires each local government’s comprehensive plan and land development regulations to include factors for assessing compatibility of residential uses, as well as establishing requirements for examining an application for development for compatibility. The bill requires the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to conduct a study to identify the effect of removing the Urban Development Boundary in Miami-Dade County and other counties. HB 399 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee with a vote of 10 Yeas and 3 Nays and now heads to the House Housing, Agriculture, & Tourism Subcommittee. Its Senate companion, SB 208 by Senator McClain, has passed two of its committees and is now waiting to be heard in its last committee, Senate Rules.
Local Government Land Development Regulations and Orders
SB 948 by Senator McClain creates the “Florida Starter Homes Act,” a framework for preempting how local governments approach single-family residential zoning. Under SB 948, a local government may not adopt land development regulations that govern lots on residential real property. The bill introduces a new framework for the application for and approval of development applications. The bill states that the framework includes strict timelines and penalties. The bill offers specific guidelines for adjudication of a suit against a local government in violation of the new framework and entitles a prevailing plaintiff to attorney fees and costs. The bill also waives sovereign immunity for any local government and deletes the administrative procedures for approving a development permit or order. SB 948 passed the Senate Community Affairs Committee with a vote of 7-1 and now heads to the Senate Judiciary. Its House companion, HB 1143 by Representative Nix, Jr. has been referred to three committees and has yet to be heard.
Cultural Arts:
Florida Museum of Black History
SB 308 by Senator Leek designates St. Johns County for the Florida Museum of Black History by the Florida Museum of Black History Task Forces and specifies the board of directors of the museum. The St. John Board of County Commissions is directed to provide administrative assistance and staffing to the board of directors until building of the museum is complete. SB 308 passed the Governmental Oversight and Accountability Committee by a vote of 9-0 and is scheduled to be heard in its final committee, Senate Rules, on Tuesday February 3, at 9:00 am. HB 525 by Representative Michael has been referred to three committees but has yet to be heard.
Government:
Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act
SB 1178 by Senator Grall creates a “Foreign Interference Restriction and Enforcement Act,” which amends and establishes numerous statutory provisions to reduce interference and influence by foreign countries of concern. Specifically, the bill requires agents of foreign countries of concern and foreign supported political organizations to register with the Division of Elections and periodic updates by these organizations. The bill defines the terms “designated foreign terrorist organization” and “foreign country of concern”. Lastly, the bill prohibits a government entity from entering into certain contracts with certain entities owned or partially owned by foreign sources of concern. SB 1178 passed the Senate Ethics and Elections Committee with a vote of 7-0 and now heads to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Healthcare:
Use of Professional Nursing Titles by Representative Salzman
HB 237 by Representative Salzman authorizes nurses licensed to practice in Florida and hold doctoral degrees to use the titles “Doctor of Nursing Practice,” “Doctor of Philosophy,” and the abbreviations of “D.N.P.,” “Ph.D,” in a manner consistent with the degree possessed. The bill requires nurses to specify their profession when using the title of “doctor” in a clinical setting. HB 237 passed its final committee, House Health & Human Services Committee with a vote of 25 Yeas and is now ready for the House floor. Its Senate companion, SB 36 by Senator Sharief is scheduled to be heard in its first committee, Senate Health Policy, on Monday, February 2nd at 3:30 pm.
Uterine Fibroids
HB 327 by Representatives Dunkley & Valdes requires healthcare providers to submit identified information to the Department of Health (DOH) for inclusion in the Uterine Fibroid Research Database. The bill also adds uterine fibroids to the list of infectious or noninfectious diseases of public health significance, which requires health care providers to submit identified uterine fibroid data DOH for epidemiological research purposes. HB 327 passed its final committee, House Health & Human Services Committee with a vote of 26-0 and now heads to the House Floor. Its Senate companion, SB 196 by Senator Sharief, has been referred to three committees and has yet to be heard.
Housing:
SB 48 by Senator Gaetz expands affordable housing options by allowing accessory dwelling units in single-family residential areas. The bill will allow for certain land donated to a local government to go towards affordable housing for military families. In addition, the bill expressly allows local governments to regulate the permitting, construction, and use of ADUs, with specified exceptions. Lastly, the bill directs the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability to evaluate efficacy of using mezzanine finance, or second position short-term debt, to stimulate the construction of owner-occupied affordable housing, and evaluate potential for tiny homes to meet affordable housing needs. SB 48 passed its final committee, Senate Rules, with a vote of 22 Yeas. Its House companion, HB 313 by Representative Nix by is waiting to be heard in its second committee, House Intergovernmental Affairs.
Insurance:
Roofing Requirements for Property Insurance
SB 808 by Senator Simon has been temporarily postponed as of 1/28/26 by the Banking and Insurance Committee. Its House companion, HB 815 by Representative Gottlieb, was referred to three committees and has yet to be heard.
Justice:
Civil Liability for the Wrongful Death of an Unborn Child
SB 164 by Senator Grall expands Florida’s Wrongful Death Act to allow the parents of a unborn child to recover damages pursuant to the Act from a person who committed a negligent act that caused the death of the unborn child. The bill defines “unborn child” and provides that the death of an unborn child at any stage of the pregnancy gives rise to a statutory wrongful death action. The bill also provides that the mother cannot be sued in a wrongful death action for the death of her unborn child, as well as a health care provider providing proper lawful medical care pursuant with the mother’s consent. The bill specifies that lawful medical care includes assisted reproductive technologies. SB 164 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice with a vote of 5-3 and now heads to its final committee, Senate Rules.
Taxes:
Local Business Taxes
HB 103 by Representative Botana removes the ability of local governments to impose a local business tax. It is estimated that the bill will not impact state government revenues. The bill was scheduled to be heard on Tuesday, January 27th in House State Affairs but was temporarily postponed.
Local Government Enforcement Actions
HB 105 by Representative Brackett establishes a new, exclusive mechanism for challenging “enforcement actions,” as the bill defines that term, taken by counties and municipalities. The bill prohibits counties and municipalities from initiating or threatening enforcement actions found to be arbitrary, unreasonable, or unauthorized by local ordinance. The bill requires local governments to establish a review process and respond within 30 days to requests for review process and respond within 30 days to requests for review of enforcement actions. The bill will also allow persons or businesses to file legal action for arbitrary or unreasonable enforcement and receive attorney fees, costs, and damages up to $50,000. HB 105 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee with a vote of 12-0 and now heads to the House Judiciary Committee. Its Senate companion, SB 588 by Senator McClain was referred to three committees and has yet to be heard.
Impact Fees
HB 1139 by Representative Gentry revises the process for calculating and collecting impact fees. The bill requires the use of plant-based methodology to calculate fees as well as in determining whether extraordinary circumstances exist. The bill prohibits a local government, school board, or special district from increasing its impact fee rate as well as prohibiting the increase of impact fees by more than 100 percent divided equally over a four-year period. HB 1139 passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee with a vote of 13-0 and now heads to the House Ways & Means Committee. Its Senate companion, SB 548 by Senator McClain was heard in its first committee last week and is waiting to be heard in its second committee, Senate Finance and Tax.
