Jim Turner | News Service of Florida

The federal farm bill was last updated in 2018. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson wants state lawmakers to allocate around $50 million to help farmers impacted by the hurricanes.

Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida President-elect Donald Trump to give Florida authority over federal money for Everglades restoration projects. The proposed budget includes $805 million for Everglades restoration and $330 million for targeted water quality projects.

Ten laws passed during the 2024 legislative session will take effect Wednesday. They were among 299 bills approved by the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis, the majority of which took effect July 1.

State Rep. Hillary Casel on Friday became the second House Democrat to switch her party affiliation since the November elections, further adding to Republicans’ supermajority.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Wednesday directed officials to bring forward proposals for a possible bear hunt. The proposals are expected to be completed by a May commission meeting, giving staff members time to compile data from ongoing studies about bear populations and gather more public input.

Customers of Florida’s largest power company will see a bump of about $12 in monthly bills next year to cover restoration costs from the 2024 hurricane season.

The proposed bills include measures aimed at closing loopholes used in condo foreclosure auctions, amending boating laws, and establishing a list of programs and degrees a nonpublic, religious postsecondary educational institution that could be exempt from state licensure.

A new rule now requires school districts to make training available to parents and guardians on the use of FortifyFL, an app where anonymous tips can be submitted about suspicious activities.

Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez, a Cuban American lawyer, outlines plans for fiscal belt tightening and condominium issues in the upcoming 2025 regular session. “We talk about being fiscally responsible. But are we?"

Florida voters approved 2 of four ballot measures proposed by the Legislature, putting hunting and fishing rights in the state Constitution and making a property-tax change. But proposals backed by Republican lawmakers to hold partisan school-board elections and end public financing of political campaigns fell short.

The university system’s Board of Governors agreed to a Florida International University refinancing plan that is part of a $6 million deal to rename the school’s 20,000-seat football stadium as Pitbull Stadium.

Supporters of the measure have raised significantly more money than opponents, and political experts think the proposal likely will receive the required support of 60 percent of voters to pass.