Gov. Ron DeSantis criticized House Speaker Danny "Daniel" Perez (R-Miami) and members of the House Legislature for not filing any bills related to artificial intelligence regulations and expanded vaccine exemptions in a social media post this week.
"Voters elected Republicans to protect freedom against both the Big Tech cartel and the medical industrial complex. Yet, when given the chance to deliver for their constituents, not a single Republican House member could even be bothered to file a bill," DeSantis wrote. "Typical political shenanigans."
Speaker Perez indicated no bills on AI or vaccines would be taken up while speaking on the House floor during Florida's Special Legislative Session on Monday. Notably, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Perez have had a tense relationship in the past, including over immigration issues and the state budget.
"There are, of course, other issues contained in the call. However, there were no bills filed on these policies prior to the start of this special session," Perez said. "Consequently, we will not be taking up those issues."
The Florida Senate passed an AI Bill of Rights to provide consumer protections and safeguards for vulnerable adults and children against the growing threat of AI during the 2026 Florida Legislative Session in March. However, it did not receive a vote in the House, with Speaker Perez arguing that AI regulation should be handled at the federal level under President Donald Trump.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state would work with the Florida Legislature on an AI Bill of Rights in December 2025. DeSantis has also called for a "medical freedom" bill that would create an exemption from school-required vaccinations for children by allowing parents to opt out of any mandate.
Neither looks like it's happening.
The House and Florida Senate are in special session on congressional redistricting. A vote is expected on Wednesday.
"It is my intention to bring those maps to the House floor for consideration by this body tomorrow," Perez said on redistricting.
