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Special Edition I • January 19, 2026 |
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The 2026 Florida Legislative Session has begun! |
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Last week, the 2026 Florida Legislative Session opened with a strong emphasis on affordability across the state, as Governor Ron DeSantis delivered his final State of the State address. He framed the session around continuing Florida’s “free state” model, outlining key priorities that include property tax reform, immigration enforcement, insurance and housing relief, and investments in infrastructure.
While much of the address highlighted accomplishments from his two terms, the Governor also renewed his call for significant property tax cuts and urged lawmakers to act swiftly on his remaining legislative priorities. House Speaker Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton echoed affordability as a central theme, even as they acknowledged the challenges ahead. Speaker Perez and President Albritton both opened the regular session by emphasizing rising costs for Floridians and the need to address taxes, insurance, and economic growth.
Additionally, Speaker Perez reflected on last year’s difficult and extended session, urging members to move forward and focus on governing. President Albritton renewed his commitment to a rural economic development initiative and suggested that sweeping property tax changes may be better handled after session, setting up potential friction with the House and Governor. |
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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.
Furthermore, CFHLA opposes reducing the 40 percent threshold and/or creating an annual dollar cap on local tourism promotion before counties would have the option to expand uses on broader infrastructure projects.
Lastly, CFHLA opposes the periodic readoption of the TDT through local voter referendum. Requiring the periodic readoption of the TDT through voter referendum would eliminate the ability of local governments to pledge these funds for bonding for any project that would exceed the period of readoption (typically 30 years). In addition to expending the additional dollars to pay for these referenda, local governments will spend time and resources every five years to promote re-adoption rather than concentrating their efforts on the work of tourism promotion.
SB 454 / HB 6007 by Senator Smith / Representative Eskamani – No action was taken in either the Senate or the House last week.
SB 456 by Senator Smith – No action was taken in the Senate last week.
SB 458 by Senator Smith – No action was taken in the Senate last week.
SB 976 by Senator Smith – No action was taken in the Senate last week.
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.
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 |
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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. CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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VISIT FLORIDA |
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CFHLA supports the Governor's proposed budget, which includes $80 million in annual funding for VISIT FLORIDA (same from FY 2025-2026). 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 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. 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 to by the Florida College System. |
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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.
The House bill was approved by a vote of 17 - 0 during the the House Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee last Wednesday, January 14th. This bill is now in the House Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee and this is the second of three committee stops. No action was taken in the Senate last week. No action was taken in the Senate last week. |
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Workforce Housing |
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CFHLA supports the continued full funding for the Sadowski Fund, as the Central Florida community has a dire need for more reliable and affordable housing options. 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). SB 48/HB 313: Housing, by Gaetz/Nix - SUPPORT |
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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/HJR 203: Phased Out Elimination of Non-school Property Taxes for Homesteads, by Miller – MONITOR No action was taken in the House last week. However, this House joint resolution has passed its committee stops and is ready for a vote on the House Floor. |
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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. Existing point-of-sale systems can be programmed to accommodate this change, and certain cards are already capable of being processed in a manner that makes it clear which taxes are collected. The legislation proposed in 2023 also allowed for a rebate to the merchant upon the submission of appropriate tax records. This would not change the responsibility of the merchant to pay interchange fees on the items and services that they sell.
Interchange fees are being increased yet again, and more merchants are turning to surcharging as a means of absorbing this cost, which impacts consumers directly.
CFHLA supports prohibiting the collection of interchange on sales tax will provide relief to businesses, which will in turn provide relief to consumers. 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. The House bill was approved by a vote of 16 - 0 during the the House Housing, Agriculture and Tourism Subcommittee last Tuesday, January 13th. This bill is now in the House Commerce and this is the final committee stop. No action was taken in 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 it impacts 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.
The Senate bill was approved by a vote of 10 - 0 during the the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee last Tuesday, January 13th. This bill is now in the Senate Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government and this is the second of three committee stops. No action was taken in the House last week.
CFHLA SUPPORTS |
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Other Issues/Bills CFHLA is Monitoring
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Schedule for Session Week 2 (January 19-23, 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 Meeting |
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The next CFHLA PAC Board of Directors 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. |
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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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