The 2026 Florida Legislative Session has wrapped up, and I want to share a recap of what happened and how it affects Winter Springs. I want to thank our city lobbyist, Andrew Kalel of Sunrise Consulting Group, for briefing the Commission on this session and for the information behind this recap. The session was originally scheduled to run from January through the first week of March, but it extended well beyond that timeline, requiring three special sessions on redistricting, the state budget, and property taxes. In total, 1,926 bills were filed and 237 passed, a 12.3 percent pass rate, down from 13.5 percent last year.
The State Budget
The Governor proposed the Floridians First Budget, and the House and Senate each proposed different spending levels before reaching a final agreement during Special Session E. The final budget settled at $114.4 billion, below both the Governor’s and the Senate’s initial proposals.
Funding Secured for Winter Springs
Some Winter Springs specific projects were vetoed this session, but our legislative delegation worked to secure funding for two important local priorities. Representative Smith secured $500,000 for the Sheoah Asbestos Cement Water Main Replacement, and Representative Plakon secured $300,000 for the Water Treatment Plants SCADA Upgrade.
Property Taxes and Special Session F
During Special Session F, the Governor released a ballot referendum proposal offering a phased approach to homestead exemption increases rather than full elimination of property taxes. The proposal creates a new $150,000 homestead exemption in 2027, increasing to $250,000 in 2028, and indexed for inflation beginning in 2029. It requires 60 percent voter approval to take effect, and school taxes are not exempt from the proposal.
Senate Bill 4F, passed during this special session, also establishes higher approval thresholds for local governments seeking to exceed the rolled back millage rate. Rates up to 110 percent of the rolled back rate now require a two thirds vote of the governing body, and rates above that threshold require a unanimous vote, a three fourths vote for larger boards, or voter approval through referendum.
HB 4083, the Winter Springs Local Bill
This bill would require a municipal charter referendum in November, decrease overall elected commission membership from six to five, and make the Mayor a voting member of the commission. It was heard in its first House committee but was not heard in any subsequent committees this session.
Setting the Record Straight on Accessory Dwelling Units
I have heard from residents about a bill that would have required Winter Springs to allow accessory dwelling units, or ADUs, in all single family residential areas. I want to clarify where that stands. SB 48 passed the Senate but did not pass the full Legislature, it died in messages. This language did not make it into the Live Local Act, the development bill, or the building permits bill. Some inaccurate reporting suggested otherwise, similar to confusion that occurred in another Florida county, but as of now, Winter Springs is not required to adopt an ADU ordinance under this bill.
Other Bills Affecting Local Government
Several other bills passed this session with implications for how local governments operate. HB 1329 mandates an annual 10 percent budget reduction exercise and requires local governments to publicly post employee salaries. HB 1389 extends an existing opt-out exemption tied to the Shimberg study from one year of historical data to three. HB 803 makes several changes to building permits and inspections, including prohibiting inspection fees based on total project cost and removing permit requirements for most single family work valued under $7,500.
I will continue to monitor how these changes affect Winter Springs as implementation moves forward, and I will share updates as they become available.
Thank you again to Andrew Kalel and Sunrise Consulting Group for their work representing Winter Springs in Tallahassee this session.
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