The 2023 session of the Florida Legislature adjourned sine die on May 5.

Florida lawmakers approved a $117 billion budget that includes $2.7 billion in tax cuts for consumers and businesses, then moved quickly to adjourn their regular session.

The new budget that starts July 1 is $5 billion higher this last year’s, thanks largely to unexpectedly high revenue collections.

The budget adds nearly $2 billion to the state’s reserves, bringing the total to about $10.9 billion, about $4 billion less than Gov. Ron DeSantis requested.

The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature will hold a special session this week to deal directly with Disney World’s Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Gov. Ron DeSantis previously pushed lawmakers to end the existence of Reedy Creek and in April of 2022, signed into law the legislation abolishing the Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Now, the state must decide whether to assume control of the district and how to deal with the district’s debts.

The special session began February 6.

A special election has been set for February 27, to fill the seat recently vacated by former Commissioner Ken Russell.

Commissioners had 10 days to appoint a replacement to serve out the remainder of Russell’s term but could not find a consensus candidate.

District 2 comprises portions of Coconut Grove, Brickell, Edgewater, Morningside and downtown.

Gov. Ron DeSantis scheduled a special primary and election to replace former state Rep. Joe Harding who resigned after he was indicted on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements.

Harding previously represented House District 24.

The special primary is scheduled for March 7 with the special election following on May 16.

The Office of Secretary of State is expected to announce reporting dates for any PACs making contributions or expenditures to influence the elections.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis won his bid for reelection against his Democratic challenger Charlie Crist.

DeSantis won by a wide margin with almost 60% of the vote.

DeSantis appears to have done well in Miami-Dade County, which has historically voted Democratic.

Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost has won the seat for Florida’s 10^th Congressional District.

Frost becomes the first member of Generation Z to serve in the United States Congress.

Frost defeated his Republican opponent Calvin Wimbish and will succeed the current Democratic Representative Val Demings.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is planning to call another special session to address the property insurance industry.

The governor is working with lawmakers to schedule the upcoming session.

While no confirmed date has been announced, DeSantis indicated lawmakers could convene sometime after the November 8 election and before the end of the year.

Democrat U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch has submitted his resignation, which became effective September 30.

Deutch was first elected to Congress in 2010, representing northern Broward County and southern Palm Beach County in what is now Florida’s 23^rd  Congressional District.

Deutch is leaving to join the American Jewish Committee where he will become the new CEO.

The district will be without a representative until a winner of the November election replaces him in January.

The Tallahassee City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 22-O-20 and Resolution 22-R-22, amending certain lobbying provisions.

Ordinance No. 22-O-20 repeals the requirement of quarterly compensation reports and requires lobbyists to register individually rather than by firm.

Resolution 22-R-22 raises the registration fee from $25 to $500. The changes are effective December 31.

A federal judge rejected a Florida law limiting contributions to political committees that support ballot initiatives.

U.S. District Judge Winsor has issued a permanent injunction against Senate Bill 1890 and House Bill 921.

These bills placed a $3,000 contribution limit on donors to political committees sponsoring or opposing ballot initiatives.

Senate Bill 1890 was scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2021, and House Bill 921’s effective date was July 1, 2022, but neither bill will take effect following the ruling.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bills 7001 and 7003 to prohibit lobbying by a public officer and a former justice or judge during public service and for a six-year period after leaving public office.

The bills were passed to implement Amendment 12, a 2018 constitutional amendment.

Both bills will take effect December 31, 2022.

Florida state legislators concluded a five-day special session after passing two bills addressing insurance rates.

The first bill helps insurers with their risk portfolio by creating reinsurance to assist policyholders.

The second requires condominiums to have thorough inspections and includes an entire section about roofing systems.

Legislatures felt the pressure of addressing these issues as soon as possible because of the continuous increase in insurance rates and because hurricane season is expected to begin on June 1.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has called for a special session to consider legislation related to property insurance.

This session will convene on May 23 and adjourn no later than May 27.

The main purpose of the special session is to make changes to the Florida Building Code in order to improve the affordability of property insurance prior to the next Atlantic hurricane season.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed Senate Bill 102 establishing the new congressional districts, citing the new maps were in violation of the 14th Amendment.

Further, Gov. DeSantis has called a special session of the Florida Legislature to address the rejected maps.

The special session will convene on April 19 and can adjourn no later than April 22.