Florida's Legislative Session Ends Without Budget, More Work Ahead

Lawmakers must return for special session to tackle unfinished business, including passing a state budget.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 3:03pm

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The 2026 Florida legislative session has ended, but lawmakers still need to pass a state budget. House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton say they will return for a special session in mid-April to focus on the budget. Other priorities that didn't get resolved, like a potential property tax reduction measure, are also expected to be addressed in the special session. Democrats criticized the session as "too much talk and too little action," while Republican leaders defended the process and said there is "still plenty of time" to get the budget done before the July 1 deadline.

Why it matters

The failure to pass a budget during the regular legislative session means Florida faces the prospect of a partial government shutdown if lawmakers can't reach an agreement by the July 1 deadline. The special session will also address other unfinished business, including potential changes to the state's election laws and school safety measures, underscoring the high-stakes nature of the legislature's work.

The details

Several high-profile bills did pass during the regular session, including measures prohibiting local governments from funding diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, creating a state process to designate domestic terrorist organizations, and allowing high school head coaches to use their own money to help student-athletes. However, other proposals like expanding the use of utility terrain vehicles on public roads and lowering the age to buy rifles failed to gain traction. Democrats' affordability agenda, including creating a disaster insurance pool and eliminating taxes for first-time homebuyers, was also largely ignored by the Republican-controlled legislature.

  • The 2026 Florida legislative session ended on March 10, 2026.
  • Lawmakers will return for a special session in mid-April 2026 to focus on passing a state budget.
  • A separate special session for potential redistricting is set for late April 2026.

The players

Daniel Perez

The Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.

Ben Albritton

The President of the Florida Senate.

Fentrice Driskell

The Democratic Leader in the Florida House of Representatives.

Don Gaetz

A Republican state senator and former Senate president.

Lori Berman

The Democratic Leader in the Florida Senate.

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What they’re saying

“Now we can really focus in on the budget.”

— Ben Albritton, Senate President

“This was too much talk and too little action.”

— Fentrice Driskell, Florida House Democratic Leader

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, Grocery employee

What’s next

The Florida legislature will return for a special session in mid-April 2026 to focus on passing a state budget before the July 1 deadline.

The takeaway

The failure to pass a budget during the regular legislative session highlights the ongoing partisan divisions and unfinished business in Florida's government, raising concerns about the potential for a partial shutdown if lawmakers can't reach an agreement in the upcoming special session.