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Special Edition VII • March 2, 2026 |
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2026 Legislative Session Update - Week 7 |
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Last week, signaled the start of the final stretch of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session. With attention intensifying around budget negotiations and an end-of-session strategy as key deadlines are approaching. Now the House and Senate leadership, along with the appropriations chairs are under pressure to finalize top-line allocations and major funding priorities, with the budget serving as the central driver of nearly all policy decisions due to its fiscal impact.
Additionally, tax policy, especially unresolved property tax reform and broader tax packages have stalled. These policies are pivotal, as lawmakers begin to weigh revenue reductions against long-term fiscal sustainability. As Week 8 begins, the pace is expected to quicken, amendments will narrow, leadership control will tighten, and final negotiations will ultimately determine this session’s outcomes. CFHLA will continue to monitor our priorities closely and will keep our members updated, if there are any bills moving that require immediate action over the final two weeks of the 2026 Florida Legislative Session. |
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Tourist Development Tax (TDT) |
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CFHLA strongly opposes modifying, increasing, or expanding the uses of the Tourist Development Tax (TDT) revenues. Any modifications of TDT will only serve to dilute the effectiveness of these dollars, which are statutorily established for the local promotion and marketing of tourism. Instead, CFHLA supports a local sales tax referendum that addresses our infrastructure and transportation needs.
Additionally, CFHLA opposes the dissolution of county Tourist Development Councils and using TDT revenues to offset local residential property tax relief.
Thanks to your advocacy, all of the standalone bills regarding TDT are now officially dead due to time constraints. Additionally, there was no language regarding TDT included in the tax packages, for either chamber.
CFHLA will continue to monitor for any language that appears as an amendment to any bills that are still moving through the process.
CFHLA also opposes SB 446 related to Large-Scale County Destination Marketing Organizations by Senator Smith. All county DMOs are already governed by and report to each respective County Commission. Requiring that certain DMOs register with the Department of State would be redundant and unnecessary. Requiring a public-private match for every dollar spent by these organizations would also risk limiting the amount of funds that can be spent on marketing efforts that have a direct impact on tourism across the state. This bill is dead due to time constraints.
Each chamber’s tax package, HB 7031 and SB 7046, were released and considered in their respective taxation committees last week, with initial language not including any changes related to TDT. Both bills were reported favorably out of those committees. The Senate Bill will be considered by the Appropriations Committee early this week.
CFHLA OPPOSES |
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Open Carry Clarification |
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In September 2025, a court ruling paved the way for open carry of firearms in Florida. This ruling has led to questions about where it is acceptable to carry a firearm openly throughout the state, leading to clarifying statements having to be made by businesses and law enforcement officials.
CFHLA supports any efforts by the Legislature to update statutes to reflect the open carry ruling and clarify that private property owners, including hotels, restaurants, theme parks, and other privately owned venues, retain the right to prohibit weapons of any kind, including firearms, on their property.
To date, no bills have been filed.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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Increased Funding for Transportation and Infrastructure Projects |
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CFHLA supports the increased funding of essential transportation and infrastructure projects across the Central Florida region (excluding using TDT funds). This includes the Moving Florida Forward Initiative and expanding our region's intermodal transportation system through projects including the Sunshine Corridor, connecting SunRail to MCO, and the tourism corridor.
Within the Governor's proposed budget, $14.3 billion was recommended for the Florida Department of Transportation Work Program, which is used for the construction and maintenance of Florida’s roads, bridges, rails, seaports and other public transportation systems such as "The Moving Florida Forward Plan." This accelerated plan will resurface 80 lane miles and add 54 lanes set to be completed in 2026.
The Senate proposal includes $12.56 billion for the Transportation Work Program. The House proposal includes $11.61 billion for the Program. The differences will be negotiated and resolved during the upcoming Budget Conference.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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VISIT FLORIDA Funding |
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CFHLA supports the full funding of VISIT FLORIDA at the Governor’s recommended funding level of $80 Million. Funding of VISIT FLORIDA ensures that our state continues to be top of mind as the leading vacation destination in the country. Additionally, CFHLA supports eliminating or extending VISIT FLORIDA's sunset date to facilitate strategic planning and marketing for the near and long term.
CFHLA also opposes any efforts to replace VISIT FLORIDA funding from the state budget with county-level TDT revenues. Local TDT revenues are committed to vital projects and organizations that generate visitation - providing local economic development and job creation.
Great News! Currently, the House and Senate both allocated $80 million for VISIT FLORIDA in their initial budget proposals. We will continue to keep the pressure on to keep this level of funding during the upcoming budget conference.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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Additional Education Funding for Hospitality/Culinary Programs at our Local Schools, Colleges, and Universities |
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CFHLA supports additional funding for our hospitality and culinary programs at our local high schools, as well as the increased per-student funding at Valencia College, Seminole State College, and the University of Central Florida. Currently, Valencia College and Seminole State College are among the lowest per-student funding institutions in the state. This is why it is imperative that CFHLA supports the Governor’s proposed budget of $1.9 billion for the Florida College System, a $100 million in new recurring funding (from FY 2025-2026), distributed through the formula agreed by the Florida College System.
This additional funding will help recruit and retain the best faculty and invest in rapid credentialling workforce development programs that increase capacity within our region (including new and existing advanced accelerated programs).
The Senate budget has proposed $1.75 billion ($90 Million increase for workload) and the House budget has proposed $1.8 billion in their proposals. The differences will be negotiated and resolved during the upcoming Budget Conference.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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Statewide Regulation of Vacation Rentals and Advertising Platforms |
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While vacation home rentals have long been available in Florida, the option to list available units online through advertising platforms has caused this lodging sector to explode by more than 50,000 units across the Central Florida region. Florida’s statutes need to be updated to ensure that all of Florida’s public lodging establishments provide safe and quality experiences for their guests and communities - without infringing on the rights of local governments or unduly burdening vacation rental owners and rental platforms.
Florida also ranks as the third highest state for human trafficking cases in the United States. Each year, thousands are trafficked in the United States, and traffickers often rely on businesses to sustain their operations. Recently, traffickers have begun to utilize vacation home rentals for their criminal activity. With millions of visitors coming to our state each year, Florida’s hospitality industry must serve as a leader in the fight to combat human trafficking, and it is critical that our industry continues to raise awareness through education and training.
CS/HB 79 | CS/CS/SB 658: Water Safety Requirements for the Rental of Residential Property, by Maggard/Burgess – SUPPORT The Senate bill was passed unanimously by a vote of 37-0 by the full Senate on Thursday, February 19th. This bill is now in House Messages. No action was taken in the House last week.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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Workforce Housing |
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CFHLA supports the Governor's proposed budget, which fully funds affordable and workforce housing programs. This includes $72.9 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program and $170.8 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP), and $50 million for the fifth year of the Hometown Heroes Housing Program, which helps make homeownership more affordable for eligible frontline community workers and other Florida families.
CFHLA also urges the Legislature to continue encouraging and empowering local county and municipal governments to implement innovative approaches to affordable housing development (excluding using TDT funds). Currently, the Sadowksi Trust Fund is fully funded in both Senate and House initial budget proposals. The Senate budget proposal includes $220.8 million for SAIL and other state level affordable housing programs, $184.5 million for SHIP, and $100 million for the Hometown Heroes Housing Program. The House budget proposal includes $70.8 million for SAIL and other state level affordable housing programs, $165.7 million for SHIP, and $50 million for the Hometown Heroes Housing Program. The differences will be negotiated and resolved during the upcoming Budget Conference.
No action was taken in the House last week.
The House bill was approved by a vote of 18 – 5 during the Commerce Committee on Tuesday, February 24th. This bill is now on the Floor, ready for a final vote by the full House. No action was taken in the Senate last week.
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Property Taxes |
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CFHLA supports ensuring that any property tax changes do not lead to an increase in commercial property taxes and that they provide fair treatment for all property owners.
CS/CS/HJR 203: Phased Out Elimination of Non-school Property Taxes for Homesteads, by Miller – MONITOR The House joint resolution was approved by a vote of 80-30 on Thursday, February 19th. The joint resolution is now in Senate Messages.
CFHLA MONITORING |
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Interchange Fees on Sales Tax |
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The cost of labor, goods, and equipment continues to rise, while margins continue to remain tight. Florida merchants pay over $288 million annually in interchange fees on the sales taxes and bed taxes they are required to collect. Credit card companies and banks should not be permitted to profit from merchants’ required performance of a public duty. Interchange fees should not be paid on sales taxes collected by Florida merchants.
CFHLA supports prohibiting the collection of interchange on sales tax, which will provide relief to businesses, which will in turn provide relief to consumers.
To date, no bills have been filed.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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Timeshares |
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CFHLA also supports the American Resort Development Association’s legislative priority: Clarifying conflicts between Florida’s Timeshare Act, Chapter 721 F.S., and Florida’s Community Association Manager statutes, Chapter 468, Part VIII, F.S.
No action was taken in either the House or the Senate last week.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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Commercial Property Insurance Reform |
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The cost of insurance has increased significantly – not just for residents, but also for Florida businesses. The cost increases for commercial payers are often so large that they impact customers, guests, and employees. As the Florida Legislature continues its work to make insurance more affordable for residential and individual customers, so too do commercial insureds need the attention of the Legislature so that Florida’s businesses can continue to thrive.
CFHLA supports any legislative efforts that are aimed at reducing the cost of commercial insurance in Florida.
CS/HB 943 | CS/SB 1028: Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, by Redondo/Gruters – SUPPORT The House Bill was approved by a vote of 21-3 during the Commerce Committee on Tuesday, February 24th. This bill is now on the Floor, ready for a final vote by the full House. The Senate Bill is also on the Floor, ready for a final vote by the full Senate.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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Other Issues/Bills CFHLA is Monitoring
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Schedule for Session Week 8 (March 2-6, 2026) |
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To view the Senate's schedule, CLICK HERE. To view the House's schedule, CLICK HERE. |
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Upcoming CFHLA PAC/PC Meeting |
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The next CFHLA PAC/PC Boards of Director Meeting will be on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, from 8:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Upcoming CFHLA Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting The next CFHLA Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting will be on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Orlando Theme Park Resort. |
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Donate to the CFHLA PAC |
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CFHLA MEMBERS - Please consider making a small donation of $30 via the link below to the CFHLA PAC. This suggested donation was included on your annual dues invoice and all contributions help CFHLA expand its efforts to support Hospitality-Friendly candidates who are running for local and state offices throughout the 2026 election cycle. Throughout the 2025 Election Cycle, five (5) CFHLA PAC endorsed candidates were elected into office. This was an 83% success rate. |
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IN THE NEWS |
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CONNECT WITH CFHLA |
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WWW.CFHLA.ORG |
About CFHLA
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