The winners and losers (so far) of the 2025 Florida legislative session

There was high drama, big swings, and a few head-scratchers. Florida’s 2025 legislative session wrapped (temporarily) with culture wars, environmental wins, and some surprise upsets.

Florida lawmakers still must return to the Capitol to finalize a state budget and tax cuts, but most other policy matters were settled when the clock ran out on the two-month session May 2.

With the session now extended till June 6, the Legislature is set to return to Tallahassee as early as May 12. (So yes, this list is admittedly incomplete.)

But the main stage is cleared — and the scorecards are in. In no particular order, here’s who walked away grinning, and who (or what) got left in the dust.

Winners

Sen. Lori Berman: After State Sen. Jason Pizzo proclaimed the Democratic Party “dead” and stepped down as the party’s Senate leader, legislators chose a new leader: Lori Berman. The Boca Raton senator has been elected for consecutive terms since 2018 and served in the House eight years before that. Berman, an attorney, is known for her work with those across the aisle and for passing bipartisan legislation.  “We may not hold the majority, but we have something just as powerful — a vision, rooted in fairness, in justice, in equality, and in care,” Berman told her Democratic colleagues.

Gulf of America: It was smooth sailing for this Trump-mandated name change. The Gulf of America, formerly the Gulf of Mexico, will be used in state statute and across state agencies. And schools across the state, as they replace their educational materials, will have to purchase books that include “Gulf of America.” In late April on social media, the White House posted “Christopher Columbus is so back.” Is he next?

Apalachicola River: The House and Senate agreed to a measure that prohibits the Florida Department of Environmental Protection from issuing oil and gas drilling permits within 10 miles of the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve – or about the final 52 miles of the Apalachicola River, internationally recognized for an unusual abundance of reptiles, amphibians, and rare plant habitats.

Condo owners: Residents facing higher costs under a 2022 law passed after the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside drew a break as lawmakers reshaped the measure. This year’s changes allow some condo associations to fund their maintenance reserves through a line of credit or loan; gain more authority to pause reserve payments while prioritizing needed repairs; and extends deadlines for when associations must complete structural integrity studies.

Walton County beachgoers: A 2018 state law was repealed that critics said had empowered beachfront property owners who contended their stretch of sand was off limits to the public. If the repeal is signed into law, the county commission could now take action to declare the county’s 26 miles of beach open to all beachgoers.

State park fans: A year after a Department of Environmental Protection proposal surfaced aimed at opening state parks to a wide range of questionable attractions, lawmakers responded to public outrage by approving a measure that would prevent adding golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball courts to state parks. The bill is intended to maintain “conservation-based recreational uses” at state parks.

Wrongfully imprisoned: A law on the books that kept dozens of people wrongfully imprisoned from receiving compensation for years spent behind bars was eliminated. Lawmakers eliminated a so-called “clean hands” standard that made a former inmate ineligible from receiving paid compensation for being locked up if they were previously convicted of a violent felony or more than one non-violent felony.

Medical malpractice families: The Legislature overturned a law in place since 1990 that prevented some families from suing for medical malpractice if their loved one died due to medical negligence and was over 25, unmarried, and had no children under 25. Children and parents, regardless of age, would now be able to file lawsuits seeking compensation for pain and suffering if their family member dies as a result of medical malpractice. Opponents of the repeal had argued that it could lead to increased medical malpractice insurance premiums.

Utility workers: Criminal sanctions were strengthened and reclassified against anyone convicted of assaulting a utility worker on duty restoring power or performing other work, a measure that grew out of some recent high-profile attacks.

Holocaust remembrance: January 27 has been declared Holocaust Remembrance Day in Florida. 

Florida farmers: A Florida farm bill was approved that expands access to housing for agricultural workers, as required by the H-2A visa program, along with tax exemptions and fuel-access guarantees during emergencies.

Immigration services: Certain advertising was banned considered deceptive to individuals with limited English proficiency and seeking immigration-related services. Lawmakers prohibited the use of such misleading titles as “notario publico,” immigration consultant or immigration specialist that may imply legal qualifications that are lacking.

Horse breeders: An attempt to decouple live horse racing and gambling didn’t make it to a vote on the House floor. Florida’s thoroughbred industry lobbied hard against the measure, arguing it would weaken the state’s economy, even though horse breeding is on the decline.

Property insurance companies: A bill to rollback the 2022 law eliminating one-way attorney fees for homeowners suing their insurer in a dispute over a claim failed to pass. Trial attorneys and consumer advocates say the statute and the fees are needed to ensure homeowners receive a good lawyer if they get stiffed or underpaid on a claim. Insurers, though, said frivolous lawsuits were driving up losses and therefore, premiums.  The bill passed through two committees in the House but failed to move in the Senate.

Losers

Late sleeping teens: Lawmakers backed off a 2023 law intended to prohibit high schools from starting classes earlier than 8:30 a.m., to give teens more sleep time. While the law wasn’t scheduled to take effect until 2026, several counties complained that the time restriction made it harder to hire school bus drivers. The related later end of the school day also could affect after-school activities and family childcare, opponents said.

Kids who like their cell phones: Students in elementary and middle schools would be barred from using cell phones during the school day, with a pilot testing program of the ban also set for high schools in six counties. Current law prevents students from using cellphones during instructional time, but the change would expand that prohibition to throughout the school day in lower- and middle-grades.

Flag watchers: A perennial culture war demand that government officials be banned from flying Pride flags, Black Lives Matter and other banners with a “political viewpoint,” from public buildings failed when its prime sponsor, Sen. Randy Fine, R-Melbourne, left the Legislature in April because of his election to Congress.

DEI opponents: The state has done plenty in recent years to attack and limit diversity, equity and inclusion in schools and the workplace. But this year, bills failed that would’ve banned cities and counties from following DEI guidelines and prohibit state contractors and grant-holders from using state funds for DEI.

People with tooth decay: Florida could become the second state in the nation to ban fluoride in public drinking water, following Utah. The ban would prohibit cities and counties from adding fluoride to public water sources. Fluoride is considered helpful in preventing dental cavities, but Gov. Ron DeSantis declared it “forced medication.”

Citizens’ ballot groups: Ballot initiatives in Florida will now face tougher rules. Organizations must meet higher financial requirements and risk steep fines if signatures aren’t submitted to elections officials within 10 days. Some felons, non-Floridians, and noncitizens are barred from collecting signatures, while paid gatherers must register and complete training. Fines for late submissions could reach thousands. Also, the governor is now banned from using taxpayer funds to support or oppose ballot measures—a response to DeSantis’ actions last year.

President Trump’s election ID requirements: A bill following a White House executive order requiring prospective voters to show proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote failed amid protests. Voter groups warned the Florida measure’s demands would create obstacles that could block thousands of Floridians from casting ballots. The bill also would’ve required that, next year, Florida drivers’ licenses would display whether the holder is a U.S. citizen.

Babysitters: Candidates still won’t be able to use campaign donations to pay for child care when they’re participating in campaign events, canvassing, participating in debates, and meeting with constituents or donors. The Senate version of the bill was unanimously passed in two committee meetings, but the House version never even got a hearing. There are 13 states that have laws that allow campaign donations to be used to pay for child care, but Florida won’t be joining them any time soon.

Gun advocates: A push to roll back a ban on people under age 21 from buying rifles, including AR-15s, failed, upholding a measure that was approved following the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Cheap labor seekers: Efforts failed to let teens work longer hours on school nights and carve an exemption in the state’s minimum wage for people working in internships, as apprentices or work-study positions.

Immigration crackdown supporters: A measure failed that would’ve required small business to use the E-Verify database to check workers’ legal status.

Property insurance skeptics: House-supported efforts failed to further regulate property insurers on how they can move money between affiliated companies.

Hemp: A year after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a hemp regulation bill, lawmakers this year failed to agree on measures intended to impose stricter regulations on the sale and production of euphoria-inducing hemp products.

Hope Florida: The House spent a large part of the session exposing how the foundation behind First Lady Casey DeSantis’ social services initiative may have been used as a funnel to get at least $8.5 million connected to a Medicaid settlement to the coffers of political committees opposing ballot questions on abortion and adult-use pot. No surprise, legislation that would’ve made Hope Florida a permanent part of the governor’s office failed to gain traction.

Open presidential searches: A push to repeal a 2022 law and again make university presidential searches open to the public failed. As before, only the name of finalists are public.

What’d we miss? Let us know. Send an email to News@tallahassee.com.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Thrill of victory, agony of defeat in 2025 Florida legislative session