Florida Legislature

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Tuesday that will expand early detection, intervention, and support for children in Florida with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart) sponsored the bill (SB 112) in the Senate. Rep. Randy Maggard (R-Zephyrhills) carried the House version. The new law expands several measures related […]

When high schooler Lucy Stevenson’s godbrother used AI to create an explicit video of her—based solely on a photo she posted to Instagram at 16—the Pensacola teen’s family was stunned to learn he couldn’t be criminally charged. A new Florida law would change that. HB 757, approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, makes it […]

The worst-kept secret in Florida is not that First Lady Casey DeSantis is considering a run for governor in 2026, but what about State Senator Blaise “Donuts” Ingoglia (R) being tapped as the next Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the state? For several months now, The Floridian has been told that Cannoli caucus member Senator […]

Florida animal abusers will be publicly tracked while those who abandon pets during emergencies will face prison time, according to two new laws signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday. Named after two dogs abused by their owners, HB 255 and SB 150 strengthen penalties and increase transparency for those who neglect, harm, or kill […]

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday approved a new law allowing Floridians to use gold and silver in certain transactions. The DeSantis-backed measure, HB 999, recognizes gold and silver coins as "legal tender" to pay down debts incurred after July 1, 2026. At an Apopka press conference on Tuesday, DeSantis claimed this law is the latest […]

TALLAHASSEE—Florida can use new death penalty methods in inmate executions. Gov. Ron DeSantis broke his personal record for most death warrants signed in a year. And the state Supreme Court upheld a lower court's decision to execute a man who brutally murdered his young nephews. Thursday and Friday of last week were rife with pro-death […]

TALLAHASSEE—A controversial new law overhauling how amendments are put on the ballot was challenged by three activist groups during an hours-long hearing Thursday, resulting in unusual comparisons to sausage and references to “killing babies.” The odd debate centered on HB 1205, a sweeping law backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.  The measure changes how sponsors of […]

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed a sweeping bill hardening schools against would-be attackers into law—the seventh anti-school shooter legislation passed in seven years. The massive bill, SB 1470, employs a wide range of new security protocols for schools, including expanding the state's Guardian Program to child care facilities. This means daycares can use sheriff-trained, […]

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Tuesday that will require staff of traditional and charter public schools serving kindergarten through eighth grade to be ready and able to administer EpiPens to students going through an allergic reaction before, after, and during school hours. Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D-Orlando) sponsored the bill (SB 1514). Rep. Rita […]

Gov. Ron DeSantis has just six days left to sign a controversial new bill allowing Florida to use more—or create new—execution methods for the state's worst offenders. If he doesn't, the bill will die on May 26, exactly one week after the legislature sent him HB 903. Sponsored by Republicans Rep. Berny Jacques and Sen. […]

As the Supreme Court edges closer to a Florida war over rifle restrictions—a fight that state Attorney General James Uthmeier has preemptively refused to fight—Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday defended the chief legal officer's move as "credible." At a Tampa press conference Tuesday morning, DeSantis also shut down a comparison between Uthmeier and two state […]

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a new law preventing Florida Fish and Wildlife officers from searching boaters without probable cause. Calling it the "boater freedom act," the governor approved the legislation at a Panama City press conference Monday morning. The DeSantis-backed legislation—proposed by the governor and carried by Republican lawmakers Rep. Griff Griffits and […]

Jon Maples, a Republican with a 17-year career in finance, is running for Florida House District 87 in Palm Beach County. Maples, a supporter of President Donald Trump and his America First economic agenda, hopes his background is enough to earn Trump's coveted endorsement. "What I understand from business is that it takes time when […]

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a sweeping bill on Thursday banning fluoridated water in Florida, condemning cities for imposing the "forced medication." The new law, SB 700, will take effect on July 1—banning all Florida counties from using the anti-tooth decay mineral in the public water supply. The bill signing comes amid a federal push to […]

President Donald Trump recently pledged to lift blistering sanctions on Syria to facilitate the latter’s transition into a prosperous and civilized state.  The sanctions relief promise was made during President Trump’s address at the Saudi-US investment forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  Trump pledged that he “will be ordering the cessation of sanctions against Syria, to […]

Houthi terrorists continue threatening Israel’s civilian population with daily missile attacks, the latest of which occurred within the last 24 hours.  The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported “projectile fire from Yemen” that could have impacted dozens of civilian areas.  The Houthis’ latest attacks on Israel follow recently signed agreements with the US to cease attacks […]

The US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) is scheduled to hear oral arguments over President Donald Trump’s recent executive order exempting illegal immigrants from birthright citizenship rights.  President Trump’s executive order symbolizes the zenith of an underlying legal and political debate over the meaning of the Constitution’s 14th Amendment and the United States v. Wong Kim Ark […]

President Donald Trump recently arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the start of his first major foreign trip of his second term. President Trump’s decision to pick Saudi Arabia as the first foreign country he visited mirrors that of his first administration, where he similarly chose Saudi Arabia as his first destination.  Besides Saudi Arabia, […]