As Florida gears up for the 2025 Legislative Session, significant procedural changes are on the horizon. These changes aim to enhance the legislative process efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez has laid out a promising reform agenda to streamline operations, making it easier for lawmakers to focus on the state's pressing issues.

Streamlined Legislative Operations

One of the most noteworthy proposals is simplifying the bill filing process. With a single deadline for bill drafting set for January 24, 2025, and a filing deadline of February 28, 2025, members will now have a clearer timeline for submitting their legislation. Additionally, a limit of seven bills per member, including House Memorials, encourages a more focused approach to legislative priorities.

The introduction of combined workgroups marks a valuable shift. This new forum will facilitate in-depth discussions across multiple committees, promoting collaborative engagement among lawmakers. Allowing members to drive their recommendations for proposed committee bills can make the legislative process more participatory and representative of diverse perspectives.

Uniform deadlines for committee matters, now set at 5 p.m., add another layer of organization. Members must submit written requests to add bills to agendas, ensuring that all proposals are handled systematically. Furthermore, members will now only need to notify the Speaker’s Office if they are absent from a floor session—although those who fail to provide prior notice will forfeit their voting privileges, reinforcing accountability.

Lastly, the Rules & Ethics Committee will play a pivotal role in addressing breaches of conduct independently, bolstering trust in the legislative process. By establishing clear rules surrounding member conduct, the committee is positioned to maintain a high standard of ethics within the House.

Hot Topics Heating Up

As procedural changes take shape, several preliminary bills are already generating significant attention and discussion ahead of the session. Here are some of the key topics on the table:

1. Nature-based Methods for Improving Coastal Resilience(SB 50) Proposed bill by Sen IIeana Garcia requiring the Florida Flood Hub for Applied Research and Innovation at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science to develop design guidelines and standards for green and gray infrastructure and models for conceptual designs of green infrastructure and green-gray infrastructure; requiring the Department of Environmental Protection to adopt rules for nature-based methods for coastal resilience; requiring the department, in consultation with the Division of Insurance Agent and Agency Services of the Department of Financial Services, to conduct a statewide feasibility study regarding the value of nature-based methods being used for a specified purpose, etc.

2. Resilient Buildings SB 62): Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez is advocating for tax incentives to promote buildings that meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, encouraging environmentally conscious practices. Defining the term “resilient building”; specifying that owners of resilient buildings are eligible to receive a specified tax credit; requiring building owners to file a specified application with the Department of Environmental Protection by a specified date in order to claim such tax credit; creating the Florida Resilient Building Advisory Council adjunct to the Department of Environmental Protection.

3. State Land Management (SB 80): Proposed by Sen. Gayle Harrell, this bill focuses on preserving natural habitats by banning sports facilities in state parks, promoting public access instead. Citing this act as the “State Park Preservation Act”; requiring public hearings for all updated conservation and nonconservation land management plans; requiring the Division of Recreation and Parks of the Department of Environmental Protection to comply with specified provisions when granting certain privileges, leases, concessions, and permits; requiring that individual management plans for parcels located within state parks be developed with input from an advisory group.

4. Housing for Legally Verified Agricultural Workers (SB 84): Sen. Jay Collins introduces legislation aimed at prohibiting governmental entities from adopting or enforcing any legislation that inhibits the construction of housing for legally verified agricultural workers on agricultural land operated as a bona fide farm; specifying applicability of permit allocation systems in certain areas of critical state concern.

5. Sales or Transfers of Firearms to Persons Under 21 Years of Age (SB 94): Proposed bill by Sen. Randy Fine deleting a prohibition on sales or transfers of firearms to persons under 21 years of age and exceptions.

6. Display of Flags by Governmental Entities (SB 100): This bill from Sen. Randy Fine aims to restrict government entities from displaying political flags, ensuring that the American flag remains the predominant symbol. Display of Flags by Governmental Entities; Defining the term “governmental entity”; prohibiting governmental entities from erecting or displaying certain flags; requiring governmental entities to remain neutral in certain circumstances; authorizing a current or retired member of the United States Armed Forces or the National Guard to use reasonable force to prevent the desecration, destruction, or removal of the United States flag or to replace such flag to a position of prominence, etc.

7.  Storage of Handguns in Private Conveyances and Vessels (HB 15): Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson’s bill povides requirements for storage of handguns in private conveyances & vessels; requires law enforcement agencies to engage in specified promotional campaign; requires counties to adopt specified ordinances concerning parents of children who have been found to have stolen handgun from conveyances or vessels.

7. Recreational Customary Use of Beaches (HB 6001): Rep. Joel Rudman seeks to repeal a law restricting public access to private beaches, which could reframe local governance of coastal areas. Repeals provisions relating to establishment of recreational customary use of beaches.

8. Windstorm Coverage by Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (HB 13): Proposed legislation by Rep. Hillary Cassel aims to ensure that all homeowners receive windstorm coverage from the state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.

9. Agreement Among the States to Elect the President by National Popular Vote (HB 33): Proposed bill by Rep Michael Gottlieb provides for enactment of Agreement Among States to Elect President by National Popular Vote; provides method by which state may become member state; requires statewide popular election for President & Vice President of U.S.

10. Heat Illness Prevention (HB 35): Proposed bill by Rep. Michael Gottlieb would require certain employers to implement outdoor heat exposure safety program that has been approved by specified departments; specifies requirements for safety program; provides responsibilities for certain employers & employees; provides exceptions; requires specified annual training on heat illness & providing requirements for such training.

These proposed bills reflect a diverse array of priorities that will characterize the upcoming session. With fresh procedural changes in place, lawmakers will be better equipped to address these critical issues effectively.

The convergence of procedural reforms and key legislative proposals marks an important chapter in Florida's governance. As the Regular Session begins on March 4, 2025, the commitment to transparency and efficiency will be crucial in navigating the complex discussions surrounding vital issues in the state. Whether through streamlined processes or focused legislative attention on pressing concerns, the 2025 session promises to be dynamic and impactful for all Floridians. Stay tuned as we follow the developments closely!