Becker’s State Lobbying Update – Week 6: February 16th-20th, 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 6 (February 16-20th) of the 2026 Legislative Session.
Top Trending Topics
- House Votes to Eliminate Most Local Business Taxes
- House and Senate Passes Budget
- House Passes Property Tax Cut Measure
House Votes to Eliminate Most Local Business Taxes
On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the House approved legislation that would eliminate most local business taxes. By a vote of 82-26, approval of this legislation would provide relief to small businesses but could put a strain on local governments where local business taxes account for a portion of their budgets. HB 103 by Representative Botana, would repeal Chapter 205, Florida Statutes, and eliminate the ability for local governments to levy local business tax. One exception is included in the bill for local governments that collect a local business tax through the use of gross sales receipts. This means that municipalities that already impose a business tax based on gross receipts as opposed to a flat annual fee could continue to collect but would be barred from increasing rates. In addition, counties that were using this tax for economic development purposes could continue to levy it as of January 1. The tax could be repealed by an ordinance, however, once repealed the authority to reinstate it would permanently expire. The Senate companion, SB 122 by Senator Truenow has two more committee stops. If passed by the Legislature and approved by the Governor, this bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.
House and Senate Passes Budget
Last week, both Chambers presented their proposed budgets. The Senate proposed a $115 billion budget, and the House proposed a $113.5 billion budget. Both plans are under the proposal released by Governor DeSantis who proposed a $117.4 billion budget. The two Chambers, being less than $2 billion apart approved their proposed budgets this week with the Senate substituting their budget, SB 2500, for the House budget, HB 5001. On Thursday, February 19, 2026, the Senate approved the budget by a vote of 36-0 and the House approved the budget by a vote of 101-4. With three weeks left in the legislative session, Budget conferencing will take place in the next couple of weeks to agree on a final budget package. A final agreement must be reached by March 10 to adhere to the constitutionally mandated 72-hour “cooling off” period if the Legislature is to end the session on time on Friday, March 13.
House Property Tax Measure
On Thursday, February 19th, the House passed property tax proposal HB 203 Elimination of Non-School Property for Homesteads by Representative Miller by a vote of 80-30. This proposal is asking voters to repeal all property taxes on homesteaded property except for those funding schools. In 2037, any homestead properties with taxable valuation remaining will be considered fully exempt from non-school ad valorem property taxes. HB 203 has now been referred to Senate Appropriations. At this time, the Senate has not released a proposal regarding the elimination of property taxes.
Bills Under Discussion
Banking
Virtual Currency Kiosks
HB 505 by Representative Owen and SB 198 by Senator Rouson
HB 505 by Representative Owen places new restrictions and regulations on virtual currency kiosks. This bill lowers the daily new customer limit to $500, lowers the existing customer daily limit to $1000, requires both an electronic and paper receipt, and mandates a full refund of transaction fees within 72 hours. HB 505 passed the House by a vote of 108-0. It has now been referred to Senate Rules. Its Senate companion, SB 198 by Senator Rouson, has been placed on the calendar for 2nd reading.
Child Welfare
Child Care and Early Learning Services
HB 765 by Representative McFarland and SB 1690 by Senator Calatayud
HB 765 by Representative McFarland exempts certain before and after-school programs administered by schools from licensure as a childcare facility. Additionally, this bill prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage to a residential property solely on the basis that childcare services are provided at the residence. Lastly, the bill expands the scope of the Department of Education’s direct-support organization to include early learning programs and creates the Brighter Futures Program to support childcare and early learning funding needs. HB 765 passed the Budget Committee by a vote of 28-0 and now moves to its final committee, Health & Human Services Committee. Its Senate companion, SB 1690 by Senator Calatayud is scheduled to be heard in its final committee, Senate Appropriations on Tuesday, 2/24/26 at 9:00 am.
Construction
Blue Ribbon Projects
HB 299 by Representative Melo and SB 354 by Senator McClain
HB 299 by Representative Melo creates a framework for a new type of planned community referred to as a “blue ribbon project” (BRP) that is intended to balance environmental stewardship with the need for development to provide for future growth. The bill designates at least 60% of project land as reserve areas for conservation, agricultural, or other public benefit uses and permits up to 40% for development with mixed residential and commercial uses. It also requires a minimum of 20% of residential units in each phase be affordable or missing-middle housing or reserved for participants in the Florida Hometown Hero Program. The bill permits local governments to adopt the blue-ribbon plan by a site-specific text amendment, incorporating the project into the comprehensive plan and future land use map. Lastly, the bill also provides an appeal procedure if denied approval of BRP. HB 299 passed the House Commerce Committee with a vote of 18-3 and now heads to its final committee, House State Affairs Committee. Its Senate companion, SB 354 by Senator McClain, is now in its final committee, Senate Rules but has not been scheduled to be heard.
Florida Building Code
SB 1614 by Senator Leek and HB 1169 by Representative Tramont
SB 1614 by Senator Leek provides that a local government is ineligible to receive state funds from a local funding initiative if the local government has been subject to a legislative committee’s audit within one year after the request. Additionally, this bill removes the law that authorizes a local government to use excess funds received from enforcing the Florida Building Code for the construction of a building that houses a local government building code enforcement agency. SB 1614 passed the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government by a vote of 11-0 and now moves to its final committee, Senate Appropriations Committee. Its House companion, HB 1169 by Representative Tramont, is now in its final committee, House State Affairs Committee, but has not been scheduled to be heard.
Education
Parental Rights
HB 173 by Representative Kendall and SB 166 by Senator Grall
HB 173 by Representative Kendall expands the express rights of a parent relating to the child’s health care and health records. The bill grants additional rights to parents relating to surveys and questionnaires intended for their child and requires a parent’s express consent prior to the use of a biofeedback device on their child. In addition, the bill also removes or limits several provisions of law that currently allow for minors to receive specified health care services or treatments without parental consent. HB 173 passed its final committee, House Education & Employment Committee by a vote of 12-4. It has now been placed on the calendar for 2nd reading. Its Senate companion, SB 166 by Senator Grall, has not been heard in any of its committees of reference.
Government
Foreign Influence
HB 905 by Representative Persons-Mulicka and SB 1178 by Senator Grall
HB 905 establishes a framework to limit foreign influence by foreign countries of concern and designated terrorist organizations across government operations. The bill prohibits the accepting of gifts or contributions from FCOCs, and requires agents working with FDOCs to register and disclose their activities and funding. HB 905 passed its final committee, House States Affairs Committee with a vote of 24-1. Its Senate companion, SB 1178 by Senator Grall, is now in its final committee, Senate Appropriations, but has not been scheduled to be heard.
Healthcare
Sickle Cell Disease Care Management and Treatment Continuing Education
SB 844 by Senator Jones and HB 353 by F. Robinson
SB 844 by Senator Jones requires that the standard continuing education course on prescribing controlled substances must include information regarding the treatment of pain for patients with sickle cell disease. SB 844 passed its final committee, Senate Fiscal Policy with a vote of 19-0, and has now been placed on the calendar for 2nd reading. Its House companion, HB 353 by Representative Robinson, is in its final committee, House Health and Human Services Committee but has not been scheduled to be heard.
Housing
Community Associations
HB 657 by Representative Porras
HB 657 by Representative Porras updates the dispute resolution process within community associations, imposes new Home Owner Associations conflict of interest procedures, and establishes a new termination framework for Home Owner Associations. Additionally, this bill eliminates presuit mediation and requires arbitration for certain disputes, requires a two-thirds owner vote to amend governing documents, and mandates a written disclosure for directors with financial conflicts. This bill authorizes a formal court-monitored Home Owners Association termination plan and creates a community association court program for enforcement and dispute resolution. HB 657 passed the Budget Committee by a vote of 24-0 and now moves to its final committee, House Commerce Committee. HB 657 does not have a Senate companion.
Technology
Local Government Cybersecurity
SB 576 by Senator Harrell and HB 1085 by Representative Miller
SB 576 by Senator Harrell creates the Local Government Cybersecurity Protection Program, administered by the Florida Digital Service, to provide information technology services to local government participants to develop and enhance their cybersecurity risk management programs. Additionally, this program will assist local governments in strengthening their defense against cybersecurity threats, including ransomware incidents. SB 576 passed the Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government by a vote of 11-0 and now moves to its final committee, Senate Appropriations but has not been scheduled to be heard. Its House Companion, HB 1085 by Representative Miller is now in its final committee, House State Affairs but has not been scheduled to be heard
Utilities
Data Centers
SB 484 by Senator Avila and HB 1517 by Representative Joseph
SB 484 by Senator Aliva revises Florida law regarding the regulation of large scale data centers and certain other large electricity users. The bill specifies rules and regulations for agencies entering an agreement, provides definitions for language used, and establishes a district large consumptive use permit (CUP) requirements and application process, as well as specifying modifications to CUP. SB 484 passed its final committee, Senate Rules, by a vote of 24-0. It has now been placed on the calendar for 2nd reading. Its House companion, HB 1517 by Representative Joseph has not been heard in any committees of reference.
Provision of Municipal Utility Service to Owners Outside the Municipal Limits
SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield and HB 1075 by Representative Sirois
SB 1014 by Senator Mayfield prohibits municipal water and wastewater utilities from declining to extend water or wastewater service to a property outside of the corresponding municipality’s corporate limits solely based on the owner of such property’s refusal to allow the property to be annexed by the municipality. In addition, the bill creates a procedure and requirements to determine when such utilities must extend service to a customer outside the municipality’s corporate limits. An amendment was adopted clarifying the eligibility for municipal utility service applies when the property is within one mile, measured from the closest boundary line, of a main utility line. SB 1014 passed its final committee, Senate Rules by a vote of 24-0. It has now been placed on the calendar for 2nd reading. Its House companion, HB 1075 by Representative Sirois, is now in its final committee, House Commerce, but has not been scheduled to be heard.
Utility Services
SB 1724 by Senator Martin and HB 1451 by Representative Busatta
SB 1724 by Senator Martin mandates that any new or extended agreement for retail electric, water, or sewer services be in writing and includes joint public meetings within every jurisdiction served. It requires rates, fees, and charges for water or sewer services to comply with the revised statutory limitations and public hearing requirements. Lastly, the bill obligates to hold annual public meetings to solicit customer feedback on utility-related matters.SB 1724 passed its final committee, Senate Rules by a vote 21-3. It has now been placed on the calendar for 2nd reading. Its House companion, HB 1451 by Representative Busatta, is now in its final committee, House Commerce Committee, but has not been scheduled to be heard.
