Legislative Update 2026.1

As Governor Ron DeSantis enters the final stretch of his time in office, don’t expect a quiet exit. Those close to the process anticipate the Governor will exercise his authority right up until the very last moments of his final day, with a the possibility of multiple special sessions in the months ahead. The pace in Tallahassee is only accelerating.

Property taxes are shaping up to be the defining issue of the year and a central focus of the upcoming legislative session. While dramatically restructuring Florida’s system of government through a single ballot initiative would require significant hurdles to be cleared, there is momentum to accomplish something historic. In the meantime, the Florida House is taking a multipronged approach as lawmakers await Governor DeSantis’ own proposal on the issue.

Budget negotiations are already raising eyebrows. Lingering questions and early warning signs have fueled speculation that this year’s session could extend beyond the traditional 60 days (again). As House and Senate leadership begin negotiations in the coming weeks, we’ll be watching closely to see how the process unfolds.

Our Priority Legislation

Momentum continues to build for our top priority this session. The Senate and House companion bills addressing RV park assessments have both cleared their first committee stops with strong bipartisan support. No additional committee hearings have been scheduled yet, but we are monitoring the calendar closely and will alert members the moment the next hearing is set.

Special Election Updates

December special elections resulted in decisive victories for Senator Ralph Massullo, representing Citrus, Hernando, Sumter, and parts of Pasco counties, and Representative Rob Long representing parts of Palm Beach County. Attention now turns to the next expected special election, which would elevate Representative Josey Tomkow of Polk County to the Senate seat vacated by Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins.

The Big Prize: The Governor’s Race

Beyond the legislative session, all eyes are increasingly focused on the race to succeed Governor DeSantis. On the Republican side, Trump-endorsed Congressman Byron Donalds has emerged with a commanding fundraising advantage. Former House Speaker Paul Renner has made early inroads, while outsider candidate James Fishback has drawn attention through a series of high-profile social media stunts. Meanwhile, speculation continues over whether Lieutenant Governor Collins will enter the race.

On the Democratic side, former Congressman David Jolly—whose political journey has spanned Republican, Independent, and now Democrat—will square off against Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings. Both face an uphill climb as Republicans continue to expand their voter registration advantage statewide.

The next three months will be critical for any candidate hoping to close the gap with Congressman Donalds’ significant financial lead.

The year ahead…

The 2026 legislative session officially kicks off next week with Governor DeSantis delivering his final State of the State address, expected to outline his priorities as House and Senate leaders work to strike a balance on the budget. We’ll continue to keep you informed every step of the way. Don’t forget to support the PAC. Your support is essential to advancing and protecting our industry’s priorities.