Florida Legislature Ends Session Without Budget, Sets Mid‑April Special Session

Overview

• The House proposes a $113.6 billion plan and the Senate $115 billion, leaving roughly $1.4 billion to reconcile for the 2026–27 budget.
• Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed an April budget special session and urged a swift resolution, saying lawmakers could “cut and paste” from prior budgets.
• Senate President Ben Albritton told members they will not return until joint allocations are set, with Appropriations Chair Ed Hooper continuing negotiations with the House.
• A separate special session on congressional redistricting is scheduled for the week of April 20.
• Lawmakers advanced several measures, including a DEI funding prohibition, limited campus staff carry authority, and higher pay for high school coaches, while proposals on vaccine-mandate bans and AI protections did not pass.