Florida Legislature

The bills would require owners to document employees' status through the federal E-Verify program. Construction, agriculture and landscaping would be impacted the most, economic forecasters say.

The proposal would result in recruiting case managers, combatting child sex trafficking, and creating a professional foster care pilot program.

State Rep. Berny Jacques, R-Seminole, filed the bill, which he says would be a critical tool in the fight against human trafficking,. He calls the crime "a scourge that is worth taking on."

The proposed constitutional amendment would require the Legislature by March 2027 to appoint a commissioner of government efficiency, who would serve until the office is up for election in 2028.

The proposal would require schools to display 22-by-28-inch signs bearing the state motto, “In God We Trust,” in school libraries, cafeterias, gymnasiums and main offices.

Condo associations must comply with state laws passed after the 2021 deadly building collapse. Lawmakers say any new proposals out of Tallahassee won’t involve direct financial assistance.

The Environment and Natural Resources Committee unanimously forwarded the measure, a product of last year's heavily criticized plan to add recreational development to state parks.

With the feuding over, a new measure would form a State Board of Immigration Enforcement, made up of the governor, Agriculture commissioner, attorney general and chief financial officer.

Florida Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez, both Republicans, indicated they want to wait until the regular session to address Gov. Ron DeSantis' concerns on immigration and other issues.

Valdes, elected to the House four times as a Democrat, wrote that she didn’t expect to agree with “fellow Republicans” on every issue, but “that in their caucus, I will be welcomed and treated with respect.”

The plan would expand a pilot program that pays growers to provide excess dairy, beef and eggs to food banks.

Florida's 2025 legislative session will begin with 26 new lawmakers in the 120-member state House and nine new Florida senators out of 40 — but the make-up of the chambers will shift in the coming months due to President-elect Donald Trump.