Florida is on the brink of a significant legal overhaul as more than 120 new laws are set to take effect on July 1, 2026. These changes span a broad spectrum of issues, from enhancing penalties for domestic violence to introducing new protections for pet buyers. Governor Ron DeSantis has already vetoed four bills, shaping the final landscape of these legislative updates.
The new laws also include measures to streamline the dissolution of teacher, nurse, and government worker unions, expand affordable housing protections, and establish a more detailed state animal abuse database. Additionally, there are new public records exemptions for victims of domestic and dating violence, increased autism training for law enforcement and schools, and regulations for data centers.
Key Legislative Changes
Among the notable changes, the Florida Fair Housing Act will now include affordable housing, providing greater protections for residents. Pet buyers will also see enhanced safeguards when purchasing dogs and cats. The state will gain the authority to designate both foreign and domestic terrorist organizations, reflecting a shift in security policies.
Other significant updates include the extension of the President Donald J. Trump Highway and the renaming of the Palm Beach International Airport to honor the former president. The state will also ban carbon taxes and eliminate the need for building permits for most small projects, streamlining development processes.
Budget and Vetoes
governor desantis signed the $117.6 billion state budget on June 29, 2026, after vetoing almost $1.6 billion in programs and projects. The budget includes several related bills that redistribute fuel sales tax revenue, revise retirement contribution rates, and implement new health care programs. Notably, the budget also cuts over $100 million in taxes through various reductions and exemptions.
DeSantis vetoed four bills, including one that would have allowed non-violent inmates to enroll in commercial driver license training programs and another that would have added a 10-mph speed limit for e-bikes around pedestrians. The vetoed bills also included measures to allow high school students to volunteer at polling locations and to permit a sign on specified agriculturally zoned property in the Town of Davie.
Specific Legal Amendments
The new laws also bring specific amendments to various sectors. For instance, the term habitual traffic offender will now include driving without a valid license, leading to potential felony charges for repeat offenders. Volunteers providing armed security services at places of worship will be exempt from state private investigator and security service regulations, allowing for easier recruitment.
Veterinarians will be required to inform clients of their rights to receive written prescriptions for medication, ensuring transparency in veterinary services. The Florida Virtual School will see several technical changes, including the removal of priority requirements for certain students and the inclusion of all full-time and part-time students in full-time equivalent student calculations.
Additionally, the new laws will establish a defense from strict liability for lawsuits related to phosphate mining, provided certain conditions are met. Gambling houses will be declared public nuisances, with increased fines and foreclosure provisions for non-compliance.
