TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Legislature has passed 166 bills that now await Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, any of which could become the first new state laws of 2026. The latest legislative session concluded last week after lawmakers filed hundreds of bills for consideration, though only a portion received approval from both the state House and Senate.
Among the most notable legislation is House Bill 33, which renames two major roadways in South Florida. The bill designates Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue as the portion of State Road 985 between Southwest 24th Street and State Road 90 in Miami-Dade County. It also creates President Donald J. Trump Boulevard along the portion of State Road 870 between West Tradewinds Avenue and the eastern end of Commercial Boulevard in Broward County. Under this bill, the Florida Department of Transportation must erect suitable markers for these new designations.
House Bill 35 addresses traffic safety by adding driving without a license to the list of offenses that can designate someone as a habitual traffic offender. If someone accumulates a certain number of convictions within a five-year period, they can be prosecuted for a third-degree felony if caught driving again. The legislation takes effect July 1 if approved by DeSantis.
Parental rights receive attention through House Bill 47, which allows parents whose child is removed by the Department of Children and Families to request a second medical evaluation within five days of an initial examination. The healthcare practitioner performing the second evaluation must submit a written report to both DCF and the parents within 10 days. The bill also permits DCF to delay forwarding allegations of criminal conduct to law enforcement pending the outcome of child protection investigations if parents allege preexisting conditions or request second evaluations.
Veterinary practice faces new transparency requirements under House Bill 89, which mandates that licensed veterinarians clearly inform clients of their right to receive written prescriptions for medications that can be filled at any pharmacy of the client’s choice. The bill also requires veterinarians to disclose if their clinic can fill the prescription directly. This legislation takes effect July 1 if signed.
Political candidates will face stricter oversight through House Bill 91, which allows qualified candidates to challenge in court whether opponents have met the 365-day party affiliation requirement. This requirement mandates that candidates must have been registered members of their political party for 365 days before the beginning of the qualifying period preceding the general election. Unlike most bills, this legislation takes effect immediately upon approval.
RV park operators will benefit from Senate Bill 118, which revises how special assessments can be levied against recreational vehicle parks. The bill prohibits counties and other local governments from levying special assessments against areas greater than 400 square feet for each RV parking space or campsite. This legislation also takes effect immediately if approved.
The financial sector sees regulatory changes through House Bill 175, which creates a framework for issuers of payment stablecoin, a type of cryptocurrency typically pegged to the U.S. dollar to maintain stability. The bill requires money services businesses to obtain a license from the Office of Financial Regulation to issue payment stablecoin. This legislation takes effect immediately upon DeSantis’ signature.
Estate administration receives updates through House Bill 131, which amends the state’s Probate Code governing how estates may be administered. The bill modifies provisions including curator bond requirements and circumstances when courts may appoint curators. House Bill 145 increases caps on recovery awards against governmental entities and prohibits insurance policies from conditioning benefit payments on claim bill enactment, taking effect October 1.
Environmental liability finds new protections under House Bill 167, which establishes a defense from strict liability for causes of action based on natural geological substances at former phosphate mine sites. The Department of Environmental Protection and others would face limitations in pursuing such cases under this legislation, which takes effect July 1 if approved.
DeSantis has not indicated when he will begin reviewing and signing the 166 bills passed by the Legislature. The governor typically has 15 days to sign or veto legislation once it reaches his desk, though he can take longer during certain periods.