Florida Lawmakers Debate Oversight of Governor-Controlled Emergency Fund

The state's Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund has expired, setting up a dispute over spending rules and accountability.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Florida's Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund, a key disaster response fund controlled by Governor Ron DeSantis, has officially expired after the state legislature failed to agree on an extension plan. Lawmakers are now divided over whether the fund should be revived and if tighter rules should be imposed on how the governor can use the money, with some arguing the fund has been misused for initiatives beyond traditional disaster response.

Why it matters

The fund's expiration could impact Florida's ability to quickly deploy resources after hurricanes and other emergencies. The debate centers on balancing speed and flexibility in disaster response with increased legislative oversight to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent appropriately.

The details

The Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund was created in 2022 to give the state a dedicated source of money for the Department of Emergency Management to respond to disasters without needing a special legislative session. However, some lawmakers argue Governor DeSantis has used the fund for initiatives beyond natural disaster response, including more than $500 million for state-run immigration detention facilities and other expenses they say stretch the definition of an emergency.

  • The Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund expired in February 2026 after the House and Senate failed to agree on an extension plan.
  • The House has proposed a plan to limit spending from the fund to natural disaster response only and impose additional oversight, while the Senate version would revive the fund with fewer restrictions.

The players

Governor Ron DeSantis

The Republican governor of Florida who has controlled the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund since its creation in 2022.

Sen. Carlo Guillermo Smith

A Democratic state senator who has raised concerns about how the emergency fund has been used, including $2,100 in spending at a Tallahassee taco restaurant.

Rep. Lindsay Cross

A Democratic state representative who said the House's proposal for tighter rules is a "good fiscally responsible way to ensure we're prepared for natural disasters" due to "mismanagement of funds" and "mistrust in the executive branch."

Rep. Griff Griffitts

A Republican state representative who said the House's bill is about "ensuring some accountability with taxpayer dollars" and not eliminating the fund entirely.

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What they’re saying

“Some of the details around what the emergency spending is for a state of emergency, as we understand it in the state of Florida, include $2,100 of spending at Pedro's Tacos and Tequila here in Tallahassee.”

— Sen. Carlo Guillermo Smith, State Senator (fox13news.com)

“It's unfortunate that we have to go this route because of mismanagement of funds, and I think a lot of mistrust in the executive branch, but I think this is a good fiscally responsible way to ensure we're prepared for natural disasters.”

— Rep. Lindsay Cross, State Representative (fox13news.com)

“This bill, all it does is ensure some accountability with taxpayer dollars. We are asking our locals to do it every day, with every bill that we run up here, to tighten the budget and watch out. We are just asking to do the same thing within ourselves.”

— Rep. Griff Griffitts, State Representative (fox13news.com)

What’s next

Lawmakers in both the Florida House and Senate must negotiate a final agreement on funding levels, timelines, and spending restrictions for the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund before it can be reactivated. The outcome is expected to be tied to broader budget and policy negotiations during the legislative session.

The takeaway

The debate over the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund highlights the ongoing tension between the governor's authority and legislative oversight when it comes to the use of taxpayer dollars for emergency response and other initiatives. Striking the right balance between speed, flexibility, and accountability will be crucial as Florida prepares for future disasters.