‘Failed experiment:’ Florida committee unanimously OKs plan to scrap HOAs
Read full article: ‘Failed experiment:’ Florida committee unanimously OKs plan to scrap HOAsA new Florida bill would give residents the power to eliminate their HOAs. And that legislation just passed its final committee.
This Florida bill would create a CIA-style counterintelligence, counterterrorism unit
Read full article: This Florida bill would create a CIA-style counterintelligence, counterterrorism unitA proposed bill in the Florida Legislature would create a new statewide Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism Unit within the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, giving the agency expanded authority to identify and respond to perceived threats across the state.
New Florida license plate bill allows frames under these conditions
Read full article: New Florida license plate bill allows frames under these conditionsA new bill heading through the state Legislature will allow drivers to use license plate frames after major confusion erupted over another law last year.
Florida Department of Health moves to cull thousands from AIDS drug program
Read full article: Florida Department of Health moves to cull thousands from AIDS drug programThe Florida Department of Health issued emergency rules Wednesday that will block thousands of Floridians from accessing their HIV medication.
Penny-rounding bill passes Florida Senate, heads for House vote
Read full article: Penny-rounding bill passes Florida Senate, heads for House voteBusinesses could round cash sales up or down to the nearest nickel to account for the discontinuation of the penny under a bill that has passed the Florida Senate.
Florida CFO announces funding for immigration enforcement in Brevard County
Read full article: Florida CFO announces funding for immigration enforcement in Brevard CountyAmid his crusade over illegal immigration and government spending, Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia is headed to Central Florida for another news conference on Thursday afternoon.
Florida House candidate from viral N-word video seeks to unseat Rep. Bruce Antone
Read full article: Florida House candidate from viral N-word video seeks to unseat Rep. Bruce AntoneMichael Lincoln-McCreight aims to become the first person with autism spectrum disorder elected to the Florida House. But, as a first-time candidate and the sole Republican to date running for House District 41, his campaign has been overshadowed by a viral video that shows him yelling a racial slur that has raised questions about his candidacy.
Florida House panel finally takes up data center restrictions bill
Read full article: Florida House panel finally takes up data center restrictions billLegislation putting new restrictions on large-scale data centers, a major plank of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ push to put guardrails on artificial intelligence, cleared its first House committee on Tuesday.
Florida lawmakers push new subject in schools. Here’s what kids may have to learn
Read full article: Florida lawmakers push new subject in schools. Here’s what kids may have to learnA bill making its way through the Legislature right now would introduce a new required subject in schools. And that's only the tip of the iceberg.
Florida Senate passes bill creating public registry of animal abusers
Read full article: Florida Senate passes bill creating public registry of animal abusers“I mean, if we can’t get together on puppies, what can we get together on?” People who abuse animals would be put on a public registry under a bill passed unanimously by the Florida Senate on Friday. The bill (SB 1004) will require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to include information about people who violate animal cruelty laws on its website.
‘Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights’ frozen in Florida House as Senate version reaches floor
Read full article: ‘Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights’ frozen in Florida House as Senate version reaches floorFlorida House Speaker Daniel Perez won’t say whether Governor Ron DeSantis’ push for an “Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights” will advance in his chamber this year. However, three weeks remain in the legislative session, and the bill has not been heard in a single House committee yet.
Florida House gives final OK to property tax cuts. Here’s what happens next
Read full article: Florida House gives final OK to property tax cuts. Here’s what happens nextOn Thursday, Florida House lawmakers finally approved a new bill that would completely remove non-school property taxes from homes across the state.
Politically Motivated: New political ads for governor’s race, Florida’s budget battle
Read full article: Politically Motivated: New political ads for governor’s race, Florida’s budget battleThis week on “Politically Motivated,” Christopher Heath and Lauren Melendez discuss Florida’s costly governor race ads, budget roadblocks in the legislature, and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson.
Florida can dub groups as terrorists under new proposal. Here’s how it works
Read full article: Florida can dub groups as terrorists under new proposal. Here’s how it worksThere’s a new proposal making headway through the Florida legislature that would give the state the power to label certain groups as terrorists.
Florida House panel OKs suits against vaccine makers over ads
Read full article: Florida House panel OKs suits against vaccine makers over adsRep. Monique Miller, R-Palm Bay, sponsored a proposal (HB 339), which would give someone who was harmed after receiving a vaccine up to three years to sue the manufacturer in civil court if that manufacturer advertised the drug in Florida.
Politically Motivated: How President Trump’s immigration crackdown is straining federal courts
Read full article: Politically Motivated: How President Trump’s immigration crackdown is straining federal courtsChristopher Heath and Lauren Melendez talked about the strain on federal courts as a result of intensified immigration crackdowns, the viral Black History Month “blunder” at FAMU, and a transparency showdown with Florida’s Chief Financial Officer at the center.
Orange County made nearly $400M in tourist taxes in 2025. Here’s what the money is used for and why
Read full article: Orange County made nearly $400M in tourist taxes in 2025. Here’s what the money is used for and whyFlorida law dictates how tourist tax dollars can be used, and lawmakers have been reticent to make changes. Right now tourist tax dollars can only be used for tourism promotion or on facilities and programs that benefit tourism.
Florida bill slows down e-bikes amid safety concerns. What else the bill mandates
Read full article: Florida bill slows down e-bikes amid safety concerns. What else the bill mandatesFlorida lawmakers moved ahead Thursday with a proposal to get cyclists on e-bikes to slow down around pedestrians and make other safety improvements, although many suggested the effort should cover people using electric scooters as well.
Florida Senate approves bill to expand backyard housing
Read full article: Florida Senate approves bill to expand backyard housingThe Florida State Senate has unanimously approved legislation that would allow homeowners across the state to build small homes in their backyards, potentially expanding affordable housing options for residents struggling with rising costs.
Politically Motivated: How Florida’s recreational marijuana amendment failed to make the 2026 ballot
Read full article: Politically Motivated: How Florida’s recreational marijuana amendment failed to make the 2026 ballotChristopher Heath and Lauren Melendez talked about recreational marijuana hurdles making it on the November ballot, former CNN Anchor Don Lemon’s high-profile arrest, and where the governor’s plan to axe property taxes stands in the legislature.
These 2 presidents must be hung in schools across Florida if lawmakers get their way
Read full article: These 2 presidents must be hung in schools across Florida if lawmakers get their wayA new proposal floating through the Legislature would require these two presidents to be placed in children's classrooms across the Sunshine State.
Florida bill to eliminate yellow vehicle registration decals moves forward
Read full article: Florida bill to eliminate yellow vehicle registration decals moves forwardA proposal to eliminate the need to place yellow vehicle registration stickers on license plates has started to move in the Florida Legislature.
No citizen initiatives on 2026 Florida ballot, including marijuana amendment, state says
Read full article: No citizen initiatives on 2026 Florida ballot, including marijuana amendment, state saysFlorida's secretary of state says none of the 22 citizen initiatives proposed for the 2026 ballot got enough verified petitions to make it, including the recreational marijuana amendment. But the initiative's organizers say Byrd's statement is premature.
Florida House panel backs bills to change SNAP, Medicaid, trim health care worker rules
Read full article: Florida House panel backs bills to change SNAP, Medicaid, trim health care worker rulesA Florida House panel Thursday backed a wide-ranging plan that seeks to trim health-care regulations and carry out federal changes in programs such as food stamps and Medicaid.
Florida bill to limit how cities, counties fight climate changes passes Senate committee
Read full article: Florida bill to limit how cities, counties fight climate changes passes Senate committeeSen. Bryan Avila, R-Miami Springs, sponsored the proposal (SB 1628), arguing that “net zero” policies from local governments drove up costs for residents and businesses in pursuit of “some goal that they’re never going to reach.” The bill would, among other things, ban growth plans that discourage fossil fuel use, or taking climate into consideration when making energy-efficient purchases.
Donald J. Trump International Airport? Florida lawmakers may rename an airport in this county
Read full article: Donald J. Trump International Airport? Florida lawmakers may rename an airport in this countyLawmakers started moving forward Tuesday with a proposal that would give the state the power to put President Donald Trump’s name on a Palm Beach County airport, next to a road they renamed after him.
‘Ya Ya Alert’ bill named after Orlando girl killed in 2023 waits in Florida Legislature
Read full article: ‘Ya Ya Alert’ bill named after Orlando girl killed in 2023 waits in Florida LegislatureNearly three years after 9-year-old T’Yonna “Ya Ya” Major was shot and killed in a shooting spree in Pine Hills, her family is pushing for a new statewide alert system aimed at protecting children during active and imminent threats.
Challenge to Florida law letting pregnant women use disabled parking dismissed
Read full article: Challenge to Florida law letting pregnant women use disabled parking dismissedA federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging a new state law allowing pregnant women to use parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities violates federal protections.
Florida bill expands vaccine exemption reasons, allows ivermectin sale without prescription
Read full article: Florida bill expands vaccine exemption reasons, allows ivermectin sale without prescriptionA Florida Senate bill would allow parents to opt out of vaccines if they conflict with their conscience, adding to an already-existing exemption for religious beliefs. The bill would also allow Ivermectin to be sold without a prescription.
Florida Senate President Ben Albritton hospitalized with blood clot in his lung
Read full article: Florida Senate President Ben Albritton hospitalized with blood clot in his lungSenate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, was hospitalized Sunday after experiencing chest pain, with emergency physicians discovering a small blood clot in his lung, according to a memo sent Monday to senators.
Here’s how Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to replace property taxes in Florida
Read full article: Here’s how Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to replace property taxes in FloridaProperty tax cuts are one of the biggest themes of this year's Legislative session. But it has critics wondering: how do we replace those funds?
Impact fee limits, ‘agricultural enclave’ development bills pass 1st Florida Senate committee stop
Read full article: Impact fee limits, ‘agricultural enclave’ development bills pass 1st Florida Senate committee stopProposals that would allow single-family homes on some property zoned for agriculture and make it more difficult for local governments to increase impact fees started to move forward Tuesday in the Florida Senate.
Florida lawmaker pushes for flashing lights at crosswalks to improve pedestrian safety
Read full article: Florida lawmaker pushes for flashing lights at crosswalks to improve pedestrian safetyFlorida is one of the deadliest states for pedestrians, with Central Florida especially dangerous. An Osceola County state representative is pushing a bill to increase technology at crosswalks around the state.
‘I’m very optimistic:’ Florida bill banning recreational nitrous oxide sales gives family hope
Read full article: ‘I’m very optimistic:’ Florida bill banning recreational nitrous oxide sales gives family hopeHB 1341—and its companion bill in the Senate—would make it illegal for licensed dealers to sell any amount of nitrous oxide from the dealer’s premises. The prohibition, however, would not apply to places like grocery stores or supermarkets, where nitrous oxide is used in products as a propellant.
Rejected for the My Safe Florida Home program? This bill would make it easier to get a second chance
Read full article: Rejected for the My Safe Florida Home program? This bill would make it easier to get a second chancePeople who have been rejected from getting Florida government help to hurricane-proof their homes may get a second chance under a bill filed by an Orlando-area lawmaker.
WATCH LIVE: Gov. DeSantis to open Florida legislative session with property taxes, redistricting on agenda
Read full article: WATCH LIVE: Gov. DeSantis to open Florida legislative session with property taxes, redistricting on agendalorida’s annual legislative session formally opens at 11 a.m. with representatives and senators gathering in the Florida House chamber to hear opening remarks from their leaders, and also to hear from Gov. Ron DeSantis, who will be giving his last State of the State address as Florida’s governor.
Kids absent from school too much? Florida lawmakers file bills to stop that
Read full article: Kids absent from school too much? Florida lawmakers file bills to stop thatTruancy is a significant issue across Central Florida, where six counties—Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola and Volusia—have rates above the state average for students missing 21 or more days. To intervene early, legislators are considering HB 1181 and SB 1190, which would create a mandatory alert system. This system would require school districts to notify parents when students reach truancy levels.
‘Outdated bureaucracy:’ New bill streamlines Florida’s motor vehicle agency, moves FHP oversight
Read full article: ‘Outdated bureaucracy:’ New bill streamlines Florida’s motor vehicle agency, moves FHP oversightTwo Florida lawmakers say the agency overseeing the state’s driver’s licenses, license plates, and the Florida Highway Patrol is a mess, and something needs to change.
10 legal issues in Florida to watch in 2026
Read full article: 10 legal issues in Florida to watch in 2026Alligator Alcatraz. Guns. Social media. Legal battles about those and myriad other Florida issues remain unresolved heading into 2026. Here are 10 big Florida issues to watch in the courts in the coming year.
Where the chemtrails aren’t: Florida airport reports show no weather modification activity
Read full article: Where the chemtrails aren’t: Florida airport reports show no weather modification activityFlorida's airports are now required to submit monthly reports on weather-modification activities. Have there been any? News 6 requested the reports.
How to find your Florida House, Senate members ahead of the legislative session
Read full article: How to find your Florida House, Senate members ahead of the legislative sessionThe annual Florida Legislative Session starts Tuesday, Jan. 13 in Tallahassee and runs for 60 days. If you want to see what your state lawmakers are up to, if you want to tell them something, here's how to find and contact them.
‘A simple fate:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis promises to veto this license plate rule
Read full article: ‘A simple fate:’ Florida Gov. DeSantis promises to veto this license plate ruleAfter a license plate law went into effect back in October, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced he would deny any legislation implementing another rule if it came across his desk.
Florida lawmakers consider ‘Ya Ya Alert Act’ to improve real-time threat notifications
Read full article: Florida lawmakers consider ‘Ya Ya Alert Act’ to improve real-time threat notificationsThe proposed Ya Ya Alert Act, sponsored by Rep. Rashon Young, would create a mandatory alert system requiring law enforcement to send notifications when a serious threat is within a three-mile radius of schools, childcare facilities, and registered users.
License plate liberation? Florida lawmakers file bills to toss the yellow tag
Read full article: License plate liberation? Florida lawmakers file bills to toss the yellow tagFlorida’s yellow license plate registration decals may soon be a thing of the past with the advent of new legislation calling for an electronic renewal process.
Now what? Here’s everything that’s being done to clarify Florida’s license plate law confusion
Read full article: Now what? Here’s everything that’s being done to clarify Florida’s license plate law confusionFlorida Statutes now upgrade the penalty for anyone covering or interfering with the visibility of a license plate’s primary features to a second-degree misdemeanor. The big question now is, what’s being done to clarify the law?
Downtown Orlando street renamed for late Sen. Geraldine Thompson near Wells’Built Museum
Read full article: Downtown Orlando street renamed for late Sen. Geraldine Thompson near Wells’Built MuseumA stretch of West South Street in downtown Orlando will soon honor the late state Sen. Geraldine F. Thompson, a trailblazing lawmaker and historian who spent decades advocating for her community and preserving Black history.
More property tax amendments just hit Florida. Here’s the full list
Read full article: More property tax amendments just hit Florida. Here’s the full listAnother two property tax proposals were filed on Wednesday, adding to the growing list of plans that lawmakers want to put in front of voters next year.
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia unveils legislative reforms to boost local government transparency, accountability
Read full article: Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia unveils legislative reforms to boost local government transparency, accountabilityFlorida CFO Blaise Ingoglia is slated to reveal a “legislative proposal” during a news conference in Winter Park on Thursday morning.
Florida fighting to block lawsuits over unpopular growth law
Read full article: Florida fighting to block lawsuits over unpopular growth lawThe state wants a judge to dismiss a lawsuit filed by 25 cities and counties, including Orange County, over an unpopular law that blocks local development regulations.
Florida license plate frame law’s confusion forces state to clarify the rules
Read full article: Florida license plate frame law’s confusion forces state to clarify the rulesIs your license plate frame illegal? That is the question Florida drivers and law enforcement officers have been asking after a new law went into effect on Oct. 1. There was so much confusion that the state had to issue a clarification last week.
‘Charlie Kirk Day’ could be coming to Florida next year. Here’s why
Read full article: ‘Charlie Kirk Day’ could be coming to Florida next year. Here’s whyA bill bringing a special day of observation for slain conservative commentator Charlie Kirk just passed its first hurdle in the Florida Legislature on Tuesday.
Daytona Beach hit with Florida audit amid revenue scrutiny
Read full article: Daytona Beach hit with Florida audit amid revenue scrutinyThe state’s Joint Legislative Auditing Committee, made up of state representatives and senators, voted unanimously Monday to investigate the city of Daytona Beach over reports about spending irregularities and a surplus in building permit revenues.
‘Eliminate them:’ Florida property tax cuts just got closer to becoming real
Read full article: ‘Eliminate them:’ Florida property tax cuts just got closer to becoming realThis week, four proposed constitutional amendments in Florida took another step closer toward becoming reality after getting approved by lawmakers.
‘AI slop:’ Florida governor calls for artificial-intelligence bill of rights. Here’s what it would do
Read full article: ‘AI slop:’ Florida governor calls for artificial-intelligence bill of rights. Here’s what it would doFlorida Gov. Ron DeSantis lambasted the potential for abuse in the rising realm of artificial intelligence and called for an “AI Bill of Rights.”
Can Florida redraw Congressional districts now? Lawmakers to inch toward decision with hearing
Read full article: Can Florida redraw Congressional districts now? Lawmakers to inch toward decision with hearingA Florida House committee is meeting on Thursday as state lawmakers inch their way toward a possible mid-decade congressional redistricting.