Florida lawmakers wrapped up their 60-day legislative session last week, leaving more than 120 approved bills awaiting action from Gov. Ron DeSantis that could soon become the state’s first new laws of 2026.
The session of the Florida Legislature formally ended Friday, though lawmakers have already filed hundreds of additional bills for future consideration. As of March 11, a total of 122 measures had been approved by both the state House and Senate and are now awaiting the governor’s signature.
Among the proposals is House Bill 33, which would rename portions of two roadways in South Florida. The measure designates part of State Road 985 in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue and a section of State Road 870 in Broward County as President Donald J. Trump Boulevard. The Florida Department of Transportation would be required to install markers reflecting the new designations.
Another measure, House Bill 178, would allow high school athletic coaches to use personal funds—up to $15,000 per year—to support the welfare of student athletes, including providing food, transportation and recovery services. The bill directs the Florida High School Athletic Association to permit the practice.
Lawmakers also approved House Bill 271, which would require foreign and alien bail bond insurers operating in Florida to follow the same reporting rules as domestic companies.
Under House Bill 277, penalties for domestic violence would be strengthened when a suspect has prior convictions for the offense. The measure would also increase relocation assistance available to victims—from $1,500 to $2,500 per claim—and raise the lifetime maximum from $3,000 to $5,000. It also expands factors judges may consider when issuing domestic violence injunctions, including threats against family pets and the existence of a military protective order.
Another proposal, House Bill 359, sets deadlines for law enforcement agencies to return executed search warrants to courts. The bill generally requires warrants to be returned within 10 days, though longer timeframes would apply for electronic communications data, DNA evidence or computer-related searches.
Lawmakers also passed House Bill 429, which expands the definition of a “criminal gang member” under Florida law. The bill outlines several new criteria, including admissions of gang membership, identification by known gang members and online communications indicating gang activity.
Another measure, House Bill 445, adds computer pornography and child exploitation offenses to the list of dangerous crimes, meaning individuals arrested for such charges would not be eligible for nonmonetary pretrial release at their first court appearance.
Education-related legislation also advanced. House Bill 453 would allow students with disabilities to substitute a year of participation in the Special Olympics for the physical education requirement for a standard high school diploma. The bill also provides that completing two years of marching band would satisfy both physical education and performing arts credit requirements.
Meanwhile, House Bill 461 clarifies that the state’s ban on private funding for election-related expenses does not prevent high school students who are registered voters from volunteering at polling sites for community service hours.
Public health legislation includes House Bill 477, which expands exemptions in the state’s drug paraphernalia law to include testing products used solely to determine whether a substance contains xylazine.
Another high-profile measure, House Bill 919, would give the state authority over the naming of major commercial airports. The bill would rename Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J. Trump International Airport while allowing other airports to keep their current names.
Most of the measures would take effect July 1 if signed into law, while the expanded criminal gang definition under House Bill 429 would take effect Oct. 1.
