A few noteworthy (mostly bad) bills coming up in 2026
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If you don't see a bill listed here that should be on this list, email Hank at hb120mc@outlook.com
"Rural Renaissance Bill"
Rural Communities; Requiring the state land planning agency to give preference for technical assistance funding to local governments located in a rural area of opportunity; revising the conditions required for a county to be considered a fiscally constrained county; creating the Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce; requiring the Office of Rural Prosperity to administer the Renaissance Grants Program to provide block grants to eligible communities; creating the Public Infrastructure Smart Technology Grant Program within the Office of Rural Prosperity; creating the Florida Arterial Road Modernization Program within the Department of Transportation, etc.
Gay and Transgender Panic Legal Defenses; Prohibits use of nonviolent sexual advance or specified perceptions or beliefs about another person as defense to criminal offense, to excuse or justify person's conduct, or to mitigate severity of offense.
“Local Government Enforcement Actions,” are an identical pair of bills which would prohibit local governments from taking enforcement actions deemed “arbitrary or unreasonable,” which could be defined as anything causing “unreasonable” delays to development. Violators could face up to $50,000 in damages, along with court costs and attorney fees.
Education; Repealing a provision relating to prohibited training or instruction in specified concepts which constitutes discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, or sex; repealing a provision relating to personal titles and pronouns; deleting a prohibition against classroom instruction, in specified grades, on sexual orientation and gender identity; authorizing and encouraging Florida College System institutions, state universities, and direct-support organizations to develop programs based on diversity, equity, and inclusion principles; authorizing school library media centers to provide materials and information presenting all points of view
“Land Use and Development Regulations,” would forbid local governments from denying or delaying approval of a residential development for being incompatible with existing nearby development if certain requirements are met. It also provides that an application for an infill residential development must be administratively approved without public hearing and treated as a conforming use if the proposed development meets certain standards
“Local Government Enforcement Actions,” are an identical pair of bills which would prohibit local governments from taking enforcement actions deemed “arbitrary or unreasonable,” which could be defined as anything causing “unreasonable” delays to development. Violators could face up to $50,000 in damages, along with court costs and attorney fees.
Dubbed the “Florida Farm Bill,” would radically expand the state’s existing “food libel law,” effectively allowing Florida’s sugar industry to sue and perhaps silence its critics. The bills would allow agricultural producers to sue for disparagement of non-perishable products — like sugar — and expand the definition of “agricultural food product” to include farming practices, such as sugarcane burning prior to harvest. Bottom line, if passed, the bills would curtail the free-speech rights of Floridians who scrutinize and criticize Big Sugar.
“Land and Water Management,” would prohibit local governments from adopting any regulations on water quality or quantity, pollution control or wetlands, preempting all such authority to the state. Vulnerable communities that have chosen to enact additional protections for sensitive environmental areas could see those protections evaporate — with huge repercussions
Forbids counties and municipalities from denying, conditioning, or delaying approval of residential development on the basis of compatibility issues if the proposed residential use is located adjacent to existing residential development within the same land use category. Provides that an application for an infill residential development must be administratively approved without public hearing and treated as a conforming use if the proposed development meets certain standards. Provides requirements around fees and charges in connection with the review, processing, and inspection of a residential development.
Attacks on unions and working people. Makes it more difficult for workers to have a collective voice. This bill restricts the ability of local union officers to carry out their duties of advocating for educators, students and public education and adds onerous new requirements for employees to rectify their union.
Teacher retention. Good for students, educators and school communities
This bill fulfills several of FEA’s legislative priorities by removing burdensome regulations that keep teachers from receiving fair raises and re-establishing multi-year contracts, and providing flexibility in funding.
