On June 16, 2025, the Florida Legislature adjourned the 2025 legislative session. During the extended session, 1,959 bills and resolutions were filed, with 269 passing both chambers. This was one of the longest legislative sessions in recent history due to delays in passing the state budget and a tax package.
Here’s what you may have missed:
Education
Lawmakers introduced and passed various education policy changes, from K-12 curriculum requirements to school conduct revisions. HB 1255, an 83-page bill, includes numerous education provisions that address opioid antagonist administration in schools, require students to learn about the cost of college before graduation, and require parents to approve the administration of corporal punishment on students. This bill was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis (R) on May 30 and took effect on July 1.
Governor DeSantis also signed HB 1105 into law on May 30. This bill implements a high school cell-phone ban pilot study in 6 counties and completely bans phone use for elementary and middle school students during the school day statewide. It also eliminates certificates of completion that are granted to students who earn enough credits to graduate but have a grade point average in certain required subjects that is too low.
The Legislature also passed a bill, HB 447, to make the instruction of disability history and awareness mandatory in schools during the first 2 weeks of October. This mandatory instruction will include specific material for different grades. The bill was signed into law on May 20.
Healthcare
The Legislature was able to pass a Department of Health revision package, HB 1299, which was signed into law on June 2. This bill addresses various issues, including reducing the active practice requirement for licensure by endorsement in the Interstate Mobility Act from 3 years to 2 years. This bill took effect on July 1.
HB 907 was also signed into law on June 25. This bill establishes the Florida Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases as the statewide resource intended to enhance the quality of life and health outcomes for pediatric populations affected by rare diseases. The Institute is required to establish a pilot program that offers opt-in newborn genetic screening and to maintain a database so that the de-identified data may be used for research.
Budget
The Florida Legislature extended its legislative session due to disagreements in budget negotiations. A new budget was approved 6 weeks after the scheduled adjournment of the session and 2 weeks before the July 1 beginning of the new fiscal year.
The new budget totaled $115.1 billion, along with a $1.3 billion tax cut package. The majority of these tax cuts will go towards the elimination of commercial lease sales taxes. It also requires a recurring tax holiday on back-to-school items every August.
This budget bill also includes a 2% raise for most state employees, $356,046 to the Department of Education to procure and pilot a solution to restrict the use of wireless communication devices in public school classrooms, and $505,791,009 to the Department of Children and Families to competitively procure emergency opioid antagonist products, including naloxone, for distribution to eligible entities engaged in opioid overdose prevention and response efforts.
Governor DeSantis line-item vetoed $567 million upon signing the budget bill, intending to align budget spending with his own recommendations. These vetoes included funding for certain environmental and water quality projects and a study of the consequences of eliminating property taxes.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 legislative session is expected to begin on January 13, 2026, with interim committees beginning to meet on October 4, 2025.
Florida will also be looking to replace a term-limited Ron DeSantis in the upcoming 2026 election cycle. 26 candidates have filed for candidacy as of July 2, 2025. A number of state House and Senate seats will also be up for election in 2026.