2026 Florida Legislature

Undocumented immigrants in Florida won’t be able to attend public universities if a sweeping new education bill passes the state Legislature.

The optional program has been passed in several states over the last few years. Supporters say it will help drivers with autism and law enforcement officers communicate better. Critics worry it'll be used to create a statewide autism registry.

HB 655, a bill that amends property insurance to include coverage for pets, is one of two insurance-related bills that take effect Jan.1. The other, SB 158, prohibits the state group health insurance program from imposing any cost-sharing requirements with respect to coverage for diagnostic breast examinations and supplemental breast examinations.

Calling it the “Health Care Medical Freedom Act,” a House Republican on Monday filed a bill that says health-care providers could not “discriminate” against patients based on vaccination status and seeks to add disclosure requirements when children get vaccinated.

The proposal (SB 482), filed by Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, includes such things as steps to keep “harmful” content from minors. It comes after DeSantis called for an AI bill of rights — and after President Donald Trump issued an executive order seeking to limit state-by-state regulation of the fast-growing technology.

State House Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland) is proposing legislation that would protect minors from the potential psychological risks of AI companion apps.

DeSantis, who can’t run for another term next year, said the proposal “builds off the success that we've had” during his time as governor.

House Speaker Daniel Perez on Tuesday rolled out a far-reaching proposal to cut Medicaid and a low-cost state children’s health insurance program while tightening work requirements for people who rely on the state’s food-assistance program.

Florida is poised to join the wave of states debating how they might reshape congressional voting districts, as political parties grapple for an edge in next year’s midterm elections.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday proposed an artificial intelligence “bill of rights” to stymie unfettered AI growth, crack down on sexual AI chatbots, and restrict AI data centers in Florida.

The Florida House is set to hold its first Congressional redistricting committee meeting this Thursday.

As Florida lawmakers dig into issues involving artificial intelligence, state Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky wants to make sure regulators can properly oversee AI use by insurance companies.