Florida Legislature

The Floridian is a statewide and national political media platform that covers government affairs, elections, public policy, and campaigns on Florida politics. These stories are focused on Florida and the inner workings of the Florida Legislature
A Senate bill is expected to be heard on Tuesday that would prohibit the use of preferred pronouns in Florida workplaces and limit gender identity training for state and local government employees. Sen. Stan McClain (R-Gainesville) sponsored the bill (SB 440). Rep. Rachel Plakon (R-Lake Mary) leads the House version (HB 1495). Under the "Freedom […]
The US Department of State recently announced new sanctions against certain commercial entities for aiding Iran’s global illicit oil sales. Sanctions target a crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal in the port of Huizhou in China for allegedly receiving nearly one million barrels of Iranian crude oil. The sanctions come as the State Department […]
Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis sidestepped a Friday question about whether she will run to succeed her husband as governor, telling onlookers at a conservative conference: "We'll see." Gov. Ron DeSantis and the First Lady spoke with conservative magazine National Review's senior political correspondent, Jim Geraghty, where they fielded a slew of Florida-related questions on […]
President Donald Trump recently issued an executive order mandating the closing of the US Department of Education (DOE). The Department of Education, established in 1979, was intended to “support and complement” the educational efforts of the states, whose authority over education is enshrined in the Constitution’s tenth amendment. In the Executive Order, President Trump directs […]
Just two weeks into the 2025 legislative session, the Florida House of Representatives began an investigation into a newly-discovered 2022 Department of Insurance report about potentially hidden insurance profits. The testimony from that hearing — given under oath — has raised more questions than answers about the failure to release the report, why it was […]
Trooper’s Law, inspired by a Bull Terrier who was abandoned and tied to a pole during Hurricane Milton evacuations last October, unanimously passed 39-0 in the Florida Senate on Wednesday. Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola) sponsored the bill (SB 150) in the Senate. Rep. Philip Wayne "Griff" Griffitts, Jr. (R-Panama City) filed a House version (HB 205). […]
TALLAHASSEE—A Florida bill expanding the state’s wrongful death act to fetuses passed its first House committee on Thursday, sparking a debate on IVF procedures and causes of action against Floridians who help women get abortions. This is the second time Florida lawmakers have attempted to get a fetal wrongful death bill across the finish line. […]
President Donald Trump is advocating for the election of Florida Sate Senator Randy Fine (R) in the upcoming special election for the US’ House of Representatives 6th Florida seat. The special election is occurring due to the vacancy caused by former Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL) becoming President Trump’s National Security Advisor. Trump claimed Fine has […]
Sen. Tom Leek reaffirmed his commitment on Wednesday to a bill that would increase penalties for animal cruelty offenders after a woman allegedly drowned her dog before boarding her flight at Orlando International Airport. Sen. Leek shared a statement after the horrific incident. “This is yet another horrible example of why I filed Senate Bill […]
TALLAHASSEE—Days after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that he would not defend a contentious law banning under-21-year-olds from buying firearms, a House committee on Thursday advanced a bill overturning the Parkland-era law. The measure, HB 759, repeals part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act to allow 18 to 20-year-olds to purchase long guns. It […]
The Florida Senate passed a bill 39-0 on Wednesday that would expand data collection to fight child exploitation, start a recruitment program for child welfare professionals, and begin a professional foster care pilot program to better serve children with high behavioral acuity. Sen. Erin Grall (R-Vero Beach) led the way on the child welfare bill […]
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at President Donald Trump’s direction, has released a new Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) ‘Home’ Application. The CBP Home App is designed to facilitate illegal immigrants’ voluntary departure from the US. Illegal immigrants who voluntarily depart the US will still be eligible to return to the US through […]
The Senate Committee on Governmental Oversight and Accountability favored a bill 8-0 on Tuesday that would expand Florida's present anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) law to include academic institutions and non-profit organizations that participate in boycotts against Israel. Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) filed the Senate bill (SB 1678). Rep. Hillary Cassel (R-Dania Beach) filed […]
The Senate Committee on Regulated Industries favored a bill 8-0 on Wednesday that would require labels for any food product that contains vaccines or vaccine material. Sen. Joe Gruters filed the bill (SB 196). Rep. Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay) sponsored a House version (HB 525). “Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, more Americans are […]
Some Republicans in the House of Representatives are pushing for the impeachment of District of Columbia District Court Judge James Boasberg after he issued rulings to block President Donald Trump’s deportation of hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members. Judge Boasberg ruled President Trump’s deportation flights of the Tren de Aragua (TDA) members ought to turn […]
The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice favored a bill 8-0 on Tuesday that would make it a third-degree felony for adults to entice a minor to commit, or in a minor's presence, offenses related to aggravated animal cruelty, animal fighting or baiting, and sexual activities involving animals. Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) filed the Senate Bill […]
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have brokered a partial ceasefire deal between Ukraine and Russia and agreed to schedule future negotiations for a full ceasefire. Presidents Trump and Putin reached the agreement during a highly anticipated phone call between the two leaders. “My phone conversation today with President Putin of Russia […]
TALLAHASSEE—As Florida aligns with President Donald Trump's "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, a new bill targeting vaccine material in food and banning harmful chemicals in makeup flew through its first Senate committee on Wednesday. During the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries Wednesday morning, Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud tacked a ban on lead and harmful substances […]
