Palm Beach County State Legislative Update

Week of February 3

UPDATES FROM THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Governor DeSantis Unveils 2025-2026 "Focus on Fiscal Responsibility" Budget

On Sunday, Governor Ron DeSantis released his "Focus on Fiscal Responsibility" budget, a $115.6 billion budget for the 2025-2026 state fiscal year emphasizing debt reduction, strong reserves, and tax relief. The budget reduces state spending by $3 billion from the previous year while maintaining Florida’s AAA credit rating and $14.6 billion in reserves. Key provisions include an $830 million debt reduction plan aimed at cutting 50% of the state’s tax-supported debt by 2027-2028 and $2.2 billion in tax relief, including business rent tax repeal, venture tax credits, and tax holidays.

Environmental & Natural Resources

The Governor's budget commits over $805 million for Everglades restoration and $550 million for water quality initiatives, including $100 million for the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program. It also includes $85 million for harmful algal bloom mitigation and $132 million for conservation and state parks, with $100 million for the Florida Forever Program. To strengthen coastal resilience, $261 million is allocated for infrastructure, $100 million for beach renourishment, and $26.2 million for coral reef restoration.

Housing & Economic Development

The budget provides $500 million for affordable housing programs, including $227.7 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) program, $178.5 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program, and $100 million for the Hometown Heroes Housing program.

For economic development, $75 million is allocated to the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund for workforce training and public infrastructure, while $80 million is designated for VISIT FLORIDA to promote tourism. The budget also includes $25 million for rural infrastructure, $91.9 million for bridge and road repairs, and $72.3 million for highway improvements.

Disaster Resilience & Insurance

To address homeowners insurance and disaster preparedness, nearly $590 million is allocated to the My Safe Florida Home Grant Program, providing funding for home hardening efforts. This includes $480 million in current-year funding for up to 45,000 grants and $109 million in recurring funds to make the program permanent. An additional $30 million is allocated to the My Safe Florida Home Condominium Pilot Program to assist condominium associations with hurricane resilience.

Arts, Health & Human Services

The budget includes $27 million for cultural and museum grants, $1 million for America 250 projects, and $1.3 million for historic preservation. In healthcare, $151.4 million is dedicated to behavioral health services, including $135.5 million for mental health treatment facilities. Senior care funding increases by $6 million for Alzheimer’s care (total $73.1 million) and $15 million for elderly care programs (total $130 million). $93.7 million is allocated to expand Home and Community-Based Services for individuals with disabilities.

Immigration Enforcement

The budget recommends $505 million for the Division of Emergency Management and $4.4 million to establish a Special Immigration Unit at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to assist with immigration enforcement.

Governor DeSantis’ proposed budget prioritizes fiscal responsibility, infrastructure, environmental conservation, and economic growth, with targeted investments in housing, disaster resilience, public safety, and healthcare services.

Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez to Lead Florida International University

Florida International University’s Board of Trustees voted to appoint Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez as Interim President of FIU, effective February 17th, 2025. In addition, the Board agreed to retain an executive search firm to assist with a forthcoming presidential search and selection. If Nuñez chooses to resign later this month, Governor DeSantis will have the ability to appoint someone to fulfill her position. Among potential successors, Palm Beach County Republican Rep. Mike Caruso and former Speaker of the House José Oliva have been named as possible contenders for the position. 

UPDATES FROM THE LEGISLATURE

The Legislature convened in committee meetings this week to hear presentations from agency heads, industry associations, and state staff on a variety of topics. Some highlights from this week are included below.

Florida House Launches Workgroups to Review Vetoed Budget Items

House Speaker Danny Perez announced Thursday that he has established "combined workgroups" to reassess line-item vetoes from the 2024-25 state budget enacted by Governor Ron DeSantis. This initiative follows the Legislature's recent historic override of a gubernatorial veto, reinstating over $56 million in funding for legislative support services that DeSantis had previously cut.

The newly formed workgroups, each comprising 11 members, are set to convene on Monday, February 10, for a period of up to ten days. They will focus on four key policy areas:

• Human Services: Led by Rep. Mike Redondo (R-Miami).
• Justice Services: Managed by Rep. David Smith (R-Winter Springs).
• Water Programs: Headed by Rep. Michelle Salzman (R-Cantonment).
• Libraries, Cultural, and Historical Preservation: Overseen by Rep. Susan Plasencia (R-Orlando).

Each workgroup is tasked with evaluating vetoed budget items within their respective domains and will submit recommendations for potential legislative action upon concluding their assessments.

Derelict Vessels

The Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources met on February 4, 2025, to hear a presentation from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on derelict vessels, enforcement challenges, and a long-term vessel shortage study. FWC reported 1,040 active derelict vessels in its database, primarily due to neglect, abandonment, and natural disasters, leading to environmental and navigational hazards. The agency is responsible for assessing, investigating, and removing these vessels through contracting, grants, and direct removals, particularly following hurricanes.

A legislative study found 450 long-term anchorages in Florida, with a strong link between long-term stored vessels (LTSVs) and derelict vessels (DVs). Many at-risk vessel citations go unpaid or dismissed, prompting the creation of the Vessel Turn-In Program (VTIP), which allows owners to surrender boats for removal without penalties. Recent policy advancements include an upgraded DV database, a streamlined grant process, and increased public education to prevent vessel abandonment.

During the hearing, senators raised questions on enforcement delays, local government authority, and the handling of removed vessels. FWC officials confirmed efforts to streamline removals, clarified that counties can conduct their own removals and issue fines, and stated that derelict vessels are disposed of in landfills, with recyclable materials salvaged when possible. 

Advanced Air Mobility

On February 4, 2025, the Florida Senate Transportation Committee convened to discuss the integration of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) into the state's transportation infrastructure. The committee emphasized the importance of incorporating emerging aviation technologies, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to enhance urban and regional connectivity.

Discussions highlighted the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) ongoing efforts, including the establishment of the Advanced Air Mobility Advisory Committee. This committee, comprising key industry partners and stakeholders, is tasked with facilitating the integration of AAM into Florida's transportation network. FDOT has conducted tabletop exercises in Tampa, Daytona Beach, and Miami to simulate vertiport site approvals and assess land use considerations. Efforts are underway to integrate AAM into state planning documents, align state and federal airspace protections, and launch pilot programs for early operators.

FDOT is also developing an AAM Local Government Toolkit, which includes fact sheets, public engagement guidelines, and training workshops. Additionally, the agency is working on a framework for the nation’s first operation-focused AAM pilot program to support early market entrants. Moving forward, the focus will be on public education, regulatory alignment, and infrastructure planning to facilitate AAM adoption in Florida.

Palm Beach County Day 2025

Save the date for Palm Beach County Day 2025! Join us in Tallahassee on Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5 to advocate for our community.