2026 Florida Legislature
FL Legislature Quickly OKs Governor's Plan
Amendment to Cut Property Taxes on the Ballot
In yet another special session June 1-2, the FL Legislature approved a hastily introduced ballot measure that would dramatically cut property taxes in the state --- a pet priority of the governor. The Legislature quickly enacted the Governor's plan with several key changes, including carving out local schools, which stood to lose nearly $5 billion a year under the original proposal. The proposed constitutional amendment hamstrings local governments and special taxing districts, and centralizes responsibility for fiscal decisions at the state level, further eroding home rule.
If approved by 60% of the voters in the November general election, the plan would:
-
increase the homestead tax exemption for non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, with the amount indexed to inflation starting in 2029;
-
provide that new residents receive a smaller exemption until they've lived in the state for five years;
-
decrease the cap on how much the assessed value of non-homestead properties, such as rentals and commercial buildings, can increase each year from 10% to 5%, except for school district taxes;
-
limit how counties and municipalities can spend property tax revenue on public safety, education, infrastructure, natural resource projects and flood control, local bonds, employee retirement benefits, and government operations; and other changes.
Jacksonville and other local governments were quick to oppose the measure, warning that new fees and other taxes would be needed to replace lost revenue to maintain critical quality-of-life services. The Florida Association of Counties calculated county revenues would be reduced by $3.57 billion in fiscal year 2027-2028, leaping to $6.32 billion in fiscal year 2028-2029.
Cartoon by Bill Day.
Legislature Finally Passes 2026-27 State Budget
The FL Legislature finally passed a $114.5 billion state budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year on May 29th. It took a special session to accomplish what lawmakers could not get done in the regular session. The budget is headed for the governor's desk where he is expected to use his line-item veto authority to trim it further.
On the positive side, the budget includes money for teacher raises; on the negative side, it boosts funding for vouchers without needed increased transparency, and includes numerous earmarks and tax cuts for corporate supporters and political allies.
Legislature Adopts Governor's Partisan Maps
Busloads Travel to Oppose Gerrymandering Plan
Genesis Robinson, Executive Director of Equal Ground, leads rally at Capitol before opening of special session.
Meeting in special session on May 1st, the FL legislature rubber-stamped a new map drawn by the Governor, despite overwhelming opposition from constituents who came in busloads from around the state (two from Jax!) to testify against a blatantly partisan effort to redraw Florida's congressional districts before the midterms. The move potentially gives the GOP four more seats, although it could backfire based on the results of recent special elections. Congressional districts in north Florida, including Jacksonville, are not affected by the new map. Hours before the legislative vote, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 vote, struck down a key tool that has been used to challenge racially discriminatory voting practices for nearly 50 years.
Whether the SCOTUS decision negates all or only part of Florida's Fair District amendments --- approved by 2/3rds of voters in 2010 --- is central to arguments and appeals expected to be filed after the Governor signs the redistricting bill. The amendments support minority voting districts, but expressly prohibit partisan gerrymandering.
Lawmakers declined to take up two additional issues on watering down vaccine requirements and parental controls on AI that were added to the agenda by the Governor.
Action you can take now:
-
Support legal challenges to FL maps. Your donation will help voting rights groups fight the new FL congressional maps --- the ACLU, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, Common Cause, Equal Ground, and the FL League of Women Voters are among the organizations expected to lead the fight.
-
Get involved with organizations fighting redistricting. The National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), founded by President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder, is a good place to start.
Rep. Angie Nixon uses a bullhorn to voice her opposition to the gerrymandered map before the vote.
-
Engage in voter outreach & education. Voting rights activists agree the best way to fight efforts to suppress fair representation is to engage and educate voters, particularly those in Black and Brown communities. The Northside Coalition, Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters, Florida Rising, and All Voting is Local are among the organizations doing this work in Jacksonville and around the state.
Advocates Testify at Duval Delegation Meeting
BAM joined Equal Ground, the League of Women Voters-First Coast, Public School Defenders, Jax NOW, the Northside Coalition, Harriet Tubman Freedom Fighters, Florida Rising, and a host of other advocacy organizations, and citizens in presenting testimony to state lawmakers at the 2026 pre-session hearing of the Duval Legislative Delegation on November 12th, 2025.
More than 60 signed up to make remarks at the meeting. Testimony addressed a range of topics, including mid-decade redistricting, property taxes, rising insurance rates, managed care, Medicaid expansion, funding for public
education, the impact of school vouchers, elimination of vaccine mandates, support for people with disabilities, election funding, and voter suppression. View a video of the delegation hearing here.
The 2026 Florida Legislative session starts January 13th and is slated to end March 13th. The session is expected to be dominated by property tax relief measures, a priority of Governor Ron DeSantis. Check LegisScan for information on bills filed for the session.
Beaches Legislators
Senator Clay Yarborough (R)
District Office
1615 Huffingham Road
Suite 1
Jacksonville, FL 32216
(904) 723-2035
Tallahassee Office
308 Senate Building
404 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
(850) 487-5004
Rep. Kiyan Michael (R)
District Office
421 Third Street North
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250-7028
Phone: (904) 561-1010
Tallahassee Office
300 House Office Building
402 South Monroe Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300
Phone: (850) 717-5016
2026 BAM Legislative Priorities
Oppose: Mid-Decade Redistricting
Florida GOP leaders have responded to calls from the President seeking additional GOP seats before the 2026 mid-term elections by establishing a House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting. Redrawing districts in the state mid-decade -- absent updated census data -- could further distort the political makeup of Florida's congressional delegation. As a result of districts drawn by the Governor in 2022, the delegation is currently comprised of 20 Republicans and 8 Democrats. Yet this state was nearly evenly split (56.1% Trump to 43% Harris) in the 2024 Presidential election. Thanks to the Governor's map, Florida lost three Democrat-held seats, and the complete elimination of a majority-minority district in Northeast Florida.
Mid-decade redistricting is strongly opposed by the League of Women Voters of Florida, Equal Ground and a host of voting rights organizations in the state.
The Case Against Mid-Decade Redistricting
1. Mid-decade redistricting violates the Florida Constitution.
The Florida constitution states: “the legislature at its regular session in the second year following each decennial census, by joint resolution, shall apportion the state.” Changing the districts mid-cycle violates this provision, creating voter confusion and undermining public trust in the stability and fairness of the election process.
Allowing mid-decade redistricting sets a dangerous precedent for continuous redrawing of district lines whenever the party in power fears losing its advantage, leading to a never-ending cycle of partisan maneuvering. In a democracy, voters choose politicians. Politicians do not choose their voters.
2. It further weakens Fair District Amendments, defying the will of Florida voters.
In 2010, Floridians passed a set of constitutional amendments that set standards for fair redistricting, including prohibitions against partisan gerrymandering. The amendments were approved by 63% of voters.
Mid-decade restricting is a blatantly partisan maneuver pushed by President Trump and Governor DeSantis to secure a political advantage for Republicans. Absent updated census data, the sole criterion for redrawing congressional districts is to increase GOP seats, not to reflect legitimate demographic changes.
3. It targets minority voters.
Opponents, including the ACLU and the Legal Defense Fund, argue that mid-decade redistricting in Florida has been used to diminish the ability of minority voters, particularly Black voters, to elect their preferred candidates. This is in direct conflict with the Fair Districts Amendments' protections for racial and language minorities.
4. It wastes taxpayer money.
Drawing new maps and defending them in court costs taxpayers millions of dollars that critics argue could be better used for other state priorities. Proposals for mid-decade redistricting have historically resulted in multiple, costly lawsuits, which are likely to occur again, creating lengthy and expensive legal battles.
Florida families expect their elected leaders to focus on the kitchen table issues affecting voters' daily lives, like property insurance and housing affordability, not divert millions in taxpayer dollars to a rushed and unnecessary redistricting process.
5. It is opposed by a majority of Floridians. Polls have shown that a majority of Floridians across party lines oppose mid-decade redistricting and want the legislature to focus on issues like housing and insurance costs instead.
6. It opens the door to further partisan manipulation.
If mid-decade redistricting is successful, it could embolden the ruling party to continue manipulating the system for partisan gain in the future, further eroding democratic norms.
Demand Florida lawmakers UPHOLD the state constitution and comply with the Fair District Amendments! OPPOSE mid-decade redistricting. In a democracy, voters choose their politicians; politicians do not choose their voters.
Oppose: Elimination of Vaccine Mandates
Several developments in the early 19th century significantly improved life expectancy: chlorination of public water, pasteurization, and the discovery of antibiotics and vaccines.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, while vaccines decrease the severity and spread of viral infections. Most viruses can only be treated with supportive care, which is why VACCINE PREVENTION is so critical.
FL Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced September 3rd a move to “end all vaccine mandates” backed by Governor DeSantis. Ladapo has the power to end vaccine mandates established by the Florida Department of Health (FDOH), but eliminating others requires legislative action. At the Surgeon General's discretion, FDOH may schedule a workshop or comment period on these changes. If he decides not to, the changes go into effect on December 3. The Governor has also established the state Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission, to recommend state-level health policies, focusing on principles like parental choice, informed consent, and ending vaccine mandates.
The move to end state vaccine mandates is opposed by all major public health and medical groups, including the American Medical Association (AMA), the Florida Medical Association (FMA) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Florida has an established system for opting out of vaccines. There is no need to eliminate the state's mandates, which would mean many insurers will no longer cover them. This disproportionately affects low-income and fixed-income people.
Why It Is Important to Maintain Vaccine Mandates for School Children in Florida
1. Protects public and community health.
Widespread vaccination is a cornerstone of public health, protecting entire communities from outbreaks of infectious diseases. Vaccine mandates help achieve the high rates of immunity that keep populations safe.
2. Creates herd immunity.
Herd or community immunity protects the most vulnerable, including infants too young for certain vaccines, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Ending mandates could lower vaccination coverage below the necessary threshold for herd immunity and leave these susceptible individuals at risk.
3. Prevents infectious disease outbreaks.
Historically, mandatory vaccination policies have been highly effective at controlling and even eradicating diseases like smallpox and polio. Declining vaccination rates have resulted in a surge in measles outbreaks across the country with over 1600 cases reported in the US so far this year --- the highest in 70 years.
4. Safeguards children's health.
For decades, school vaccine mandates have been a proven method for preventing the spread of dangerous, contagious diseases in close-proximity environments. Ending these requirements would place school- and pre-school children at a higher risk of contracting preventable illnesses.
5. Reduces serious illness, disability, and death.
Vaccine-preventable diseases like measles, mumps, polio, and chickenpox can not only cause death, but also serious complications, including blindness, deafness, paralysis and other problems.
6. Ensures protection for those unable to be vaccinated.
Vaccine mandates help protect individuals who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons, such as those undergoing chemotherapy. Their safety relies on the immunity of those around them.
7. Saves money and resources.
Vaccination is a highly cost-effective public health intervention. It prevents the significant medical costs associated with treating infectious diseases, including physician visits, hospitalizations, and long-term care.
8. Preserves decades of public health progress.
Medical experts and organizations, such as the American Medical Association, warn that ending vaccine mandates represents a dangerous rollback of decades of established public health policy and threatens to undo significant progress in controlling infectious diseases.
9. Counters vaccine misinformation.
Repealing vaccine mandates lends credence to anti-vaccination arguments, undermining public trust in vaccines and public health institutions. Removing requirements can confuse parents and signal that vaccines may not be as necessary or effective as previously thought.
Urge Florida lawmakers to PROTECT FLORIDA CHILDREN! OPPOSE the elimination of vaccination mandates for children in school or daycare.
Vaccines Currently Required by State Law
Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis (DTaP)
Polio (IPV)
Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap) for 7th grade and up
Vaccines Currently Required by FL DOH
Chickenpox (Varicella)
Hepatitis B,
Haemophylus Influenza type b (Hib),
Pneumococcal conjugate (PVC)