Florida Legislature

Loud music and take-out alcohol. Here are all the new Florida laws going into effect Friday

Starting July 1, the Sunshine State will have new laws that could affect a host of different issues — from what Floridians learn in school to how loudly they can play music in their vehicles.

New Florida laws: From big budget to strawberry shortcake

Nearly 150 laws that Florida legislators passed this year are set to hit the books Friday.

U.S. Supreme Court ruling adds fuel to Florida abortion battles

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision Friday to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling drew fiercely polarized reactions in Florida, with Gov. Ron DeSantis saying the state will “work to expand pro-life protections.”

DeSantis touts budget increases, signs Alzheimer’s education bill

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday that will require the Florida Department of Health to improve education and community outreach programs related to Alzheimer’s and dementia-related disorders.

Historic ‘Old Stanton’ High School to be renovated

An iconic downtown Jacksonville landmark that’s currently boarded up is about to get a makeover.

Florida abortion law hit with 2nd challenge

A South Florida Jewish congregation has challenged a new state law that blocks abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, contending the measure violates privacy and religious-freedom rights.

Gov. Ron DeSantis signs school safety bill

Two weeks after the deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1421, a bill that is designed to improve school safety in Florida.

Florida’s ‘red-flag’ law eyed as example amid gun debate

As a national debate rages over gun laws after last month’s mass shooting at a Texas elementary school, proponents of “red-flag” policies point to a Florida law as a model for states seeking to strip deadly weapons from people who could cause harm.

Insurance changes hit with second lawsuit

A contractors group and an Orlando-area roofing firm Thursday challenged the constitutionality of a new law that combines a property-insurance change with efforts to bolster the safety of condominium buildings.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs budget, vetoes $3.13 billion

Pointing to a need to further brace the state against a potential recession, Gov. Ron DeSantis issued $3.13 billion in vetoes Thursday as he signed a record $109.9 billion budget for the fiscal year that will begin July 1.

Florida abortion restriction law challenged with lawsuit

Reproductive health providers have sued Florida over a new law banning abortions after 15 weeks.

Contractors challenge new insurance law

Less than a week after Florida lawmakers rushed to make property-insurance changes, a contractors group Tuesday filed a constitutional challenge that targets a new restriction on attorney fees in lawsuits against insurance companies.

Appeals court blasts redistricting injunction

An appeals court Friday said a circuit judge issued a “patently unlawful” temporary injunction against a congressional redistricting plan pushed through the Legislature by Gov. Ron DeSantis, giving another sign that the controversial plan likely will be used in this year’s elections.

Florida lawmakers leave out Citizens insurance issues

With more than 850,000 policies, the state-backed Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has become an 800-pound gorilla in Florida’s troubled insurance market.

Florida passes condominium safety bill in wake of Surfside

A bill has been sent to Florida's governor that would require statewide recertification of condominiums over three stories tall, in response to the Surfside building collapse that killed 98 people.

Property insurance changes going to DeSantis

Supporters said the plan will stabilize the property-insurance market. Critics said it doesn’t do enough to help homeowners.

Florida Senate passes property insurance package

The Florida Senate has approved a sweeping legislative package meant to combat rising property insurance rates and other problems in the state’s turbulent insurance market, creating a $2 billion reinsurance fund and writing new rules around coverage denials and attorney fees.

One of the biggest takeaways so far from special session: There’s no quick and easy fix to property insurance crisis

Lawmakers are trying to find a way to lower home insurance premiums for Floridians.

Florida lawmakers take up condo bill in wake of Surfside

A judge says homeowners with condos in the Florida building that collapsed and killed 98 people nearly a year ago but whose families suffered no loss of life will share at least $96 million from a court settlement.

Florida insurance bills clear committee, move to Senate

The Florida Legislature on Monday began a special session focused on fixing the state's turbulent property insurance market.

State takes aim at redistricting ruling

The state asked an appeals court Wednesday to reinstate a stay on a circuit judge’s ruling that blocked a congressional redistricting plan pushed through the Legislature by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Property insurers seek hefty rate hikes

Roof-damage claims. Lawsuits. Reinsurance costs. For tens of thousands of homeowners, those issues could add up to large property-insurance rate increases if state regulators sign off on proposals presented Tuesday.

State appeal puts redistricting ruling on hold

New tax incentive aims to make homes more resilient to storms, provide opportunity for owners to save on insurance

Starting this summer, the home hardening incentive removes sales tax from storm resistant windows, exterior doors and garage doors.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis takes wait-and-see stance on abortion ruling

Gov. Ron DeSantis was noncommittal Wednesday about whether he will ask lawmakers to further restrict abortion in Florida, as the nation awaits a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis unsure about ‘constitutional carry’ timing

The Republican-dominated Legislature might not have the votes yet for Gov. Ron DeSantis to push for a major change in Florida gun laws during a special legislative session this month.

FDOE reinstates more textbooks previously rejected over ‘prohibited’ content; questions remain over examples released

The Florida Department of Education has reinstated more math textbooks that were previously rejected because the state said they contained “prohibited” content such as critical race theory, social emotional learning and Common Core frameworks.

Florida’s education department reinstates 9 textbooks previously rejected over ‘prohibited’ content

The Florida Department of Education reinstated nine math textbooks that were previously rejected because the state said they contained “prohibited” content.

Florida seeks to end lawsuit after redistricting plan passes

As a new round of legal battling begins about congressional redistricting, the state is asking a federal court to dismiss a lawsuit that has urged judges to draw new district lines.

DeSantis tests limits of his combative style in Disney feud

In taking on Disney, Florida’s Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis is testing the limits of his combative leadership style while sending an unmistakable message to his rivals.

Governor DeSantis signs redistricting map passed during special session

Governor Ron DeSantis announced Friday he signed a new congressional redistricting bill.

DeSantis’ push to end Disney self-government would impact Bradford County

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the state Legislature to revoke a provision that gives Walt Disney World autonomy in governing areas near its theme parks.

Florida Senate passes DeSantis’ plan, setting stage for final redistricting vote in House

Over the objections of Democrats who contend Republicans are being “bullied” by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the Senate on Wednesday approved a congressional redistricting plan that would favor the GOP.

Curry for Congress? Mayor ducks questions after governor’s new map favors Jacksonville Republicans

Now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has put out his proposed map for Florida’s congressional seats, there’s talk Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry could have his sights set on one of those dramatically redrawn districts.

Florida lawmakers crack down on parking lot takeovers, street racing

The Florida Legislature has moved forward with making certain types of car meetups and street races illegal.

Mike Vasilinda, a fixture of Florida political reporting, is retiring after nearly 50 years

Television viewers across Florida will soon be losing a very familiar face who has been a broadcasting institution in the state. Mike Vasilinda is retiring.

NEWS FROM THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

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Connecticut governor invites Florida businesses to move to his state ‘that supports rights of women’

Judge to temporarily block Florida’s 15-week abortion ban