While the 2026 Florida Legislative Session concluded on Friday, March 13, 2026, several CFHLA priority issues have not been resolved or completely closed out. Unfortunately, both the House and the Senate did not pass a completed budget in time for the March 13th deadline. Therefore, they will have to reconvene during an upcoming Special Session to finish the process before the June 30th deadline. Currently there is one special session scheduled for April 20th – 24th on Redistricting, but the Governor and Legislature have indicated that both the budget and the elimination of residential homestead property taxes would also be concluded in a special session sometime in April.

 

CFHLA will continue to monitor the upcoming special session(s) and the remaining priorities for the hospitality industry, including TDT, the funding for education, transportation, infrastructure, and housing initiatives, funding for Visit Florida, and commercial property taxes. Once the Legislature has finalized the FY 2026-2027 state budget and policy issues, we will provide a complete Post 2026 Legislative Session Report. Stay Tuned!

Throughout the month of March, several members of the CFHLA PAC engaged with our members at two key CFHLA events including the March Allied Relations Council (ARC) breakfast and the St. Patrick's Day Golf Open.

 

First, the ARC breakfast offered a unique opportunity for several hospitality leaders to participate in a panel discussion which explored key legislative priorities, industry challenges, political landscapes, and the importance of unified advocacy among the hospitality industry. Additionally, the panelists offered timely insights into policy developments affecting the hospitality sector, while encouraging continued involvement and support from members to help shape a strong future for the industry.

The Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports), alongside partners at the City of Orlando, Orlando Venues, Camping World Stadium, Kia Center, Orange County, Visit Orlando, CFHLA, and the State of Florida, have taken a significant step toward elevating the region’s profile on the global sports stage.

 

Recently, Orange County leaders have approved up to $35 million in tourist development tax funding to support mulitple bids for major upcoming events. These include the final stop in the Olympic Qualifier Series (OQS) 2028 leading up to the LA 2028 Olympic Games and a future NBA All-Star Weekend.

 

The funding, approved unanimously by county commissioners, is contingent upon successfully securing the events and is intended to cover key costs such as venue operations, security, and event production.

The NBA All-Star Week would deliver international exposure and attract large crowds, while Olympic qualifiers will further cement Orlando’s role as a premier destination for global competition. CFHLA enthusiastically supports both efforts and is excited for the economic and visibility benefits these high-profile and global sporting events will bring to the Central Florida Region!

On March 10th, voters in Apopka held their municipal election, as incumbent Mayor Bryan Nelson was eliminated from contention and no candidate secured the majority needed to win outright. Orange County Commissioner Christine Moore and Apopka City Council Member Nick Nesta emerged as the top two finishers, earning roughly 31% and 41% of the vote respectively, setting the stage for a decisive runoff election in April. The results reflect a competitive race and highlight shifting priorities among residents in one of Central Florida’s growing communities.

 

With turnout just over 20% in the initial election, both campaigns are now focused on energizing voters ahead of the April 14 runoff, where the final decision will be made. The candidates have emphasized key issues such as growth management, infrastructure, and the future direction of the city, while encouraging broader civic participation in the upcoming vote. The runoff is expected to play a critical role in shaping Apopka’s leadership and policy direction for the next four years.

This week, CFHLA was proud to attend our CFHLA member the West Orange Chamber of Commerce and their Motion to Adjourn: Legislative Recap Luncheon. This luncheon brought together business and community leaders for an insightful discussion on the state’s legislative landscape and featured a panel of lawmakers representing the West Orange County area, including Senators LaVon Bracy Davis and Keith Truenow, as well as Representatives Bruce Antone, Doug Bankson, Rita Harris, Leonard Spencer, and RaShon Young.

 

During the luncheon, legislators provided a comprehensive recap of the 2026 Regular Legislative Session, highlighting key policy decisions and their potential impact on local businesses and the hospitality industry. The discussion also offered a forward-looking perspective on the anticipated topics and priorities for the upcoming Special Session(s), including completing the Budget, tackling Property Taxes, and Congressional Redistricting, giving attendees valuable insight into what lies ahead and reinforcing the importance of continued advocacy and engagement at the state level.