Summary of Weeks 10 & 11 of the 2025 Florida Legislative Session

As of mid-May 2025, the Florida Legislature remains in a holding pattern as Session drama unfolds between the House, Senate, and Governor. What began as a routine end-of-session wrap-up has now escalated into an extended negotiation with billion-dollar tax implications—and a looming threat of a temporary state government shutdown.

📌 Legislative Developments at a Glance

• The original $2.8 billion tax cut deal, including a proposed sales tax rate reduction, has collapsed.
• House and Senate leaders are at odds, with the Senate refusing to support the House tax package.
• A new concurrent resolution to extend Session to June 30 was passed by the House—but not yet by the Senate.
• If no budget is approved by June 27, Florida risks entering a shutdown as the fiscal year begins July 1.
• 255 bills have passed both chambers; only budget-related measures and a few leadership priorities like the Rural Renaissance bill remain active.

What Happened in Week 10 (May 6–10)?

On May 9, legislative leaders announced that their agreement to extend Session had collapsed. This deal included:

• $2.8 billion in tax cuts, including the House Speaker’s proposed sales tax rate reduction.
• Fiscal relief provisions aimed at both individual taxpayers and Florida businesses.

Senate President Ben Albritton later confirmed that the Senate was withdrawing support, citing the Governor’s intent to veto the measure—particularly over concerns with mailing $1,000 checks to residents.

Speaker Daniel Perez responded with disappointment and moved forward with a new concurrent resolution to continue Session through June 30. The House approved it on May 13.

Week 11: House Acts, Senate Stalls

The House reconvened and passed the resolution, but the Senate did not return to Tallahassee during Week 11. The resolution cannot take effect unless passed by both chambers. Instead, Senate President Albritton told members to return after Memorial Day, with hopes that a resolution could be reached by June 6.

Both chambers acknowledge that Florida’s mandatory 72-hour budget cooling-off period must begin no later than June 27, to avoid delays before the new fiscal year starts on July 1, 2025.

Florida Tax Legislation That Passed in 2025

Several state tax and business bills have been successfully enrolled and are awaiting gubernatorial action or already signed into law.

✅ HB 157 / SB 576 – Service of Process Modernization

• Expands hours for registered agents.
• Allows service of process during receiverships.
• Clarifies that Florida’s Department of State is not considered a party for substituted service purposes.

📅 Approved by Governor on 4/29/25 | Chapter No. 2025-13

✅ HB 385 / SB 262 – Trust Administration and Property Transfers

• Authorizes trustees to invade principal under broader conditions.
• Clarifies tax treatment of gifts from revocable trusts.
• Homestead property moved into a community property trust will not trigger reassessment.

📅 Passed Both Chambers Unanimously on 4/29/25

✅ HB 403 / SB 316 – Limited Liability Companies and Series LLCs

• Authorizes protected series LLCs, aligning Florida with modern business structures used in other jurisdictions.
• Introduces the “Uniform Protected Series Provisions.”
• Effective Date: July 1, 2026

This new framework may reshape Florida’s corporate compliance, liability protection, and sales tax nexus considerations for multi-entity businesses.

Remaining Bills in Play

According to the Florida Bar Tax Section, the only remaining active measures are:

• Budget-related bills, including the General Appropriations Act.
• Senate President Albritton’s Rural Renaissance legislation.

All other legislation not passed by the end of the regular Session is considered dead for 2025.

What Happens If Florida Misses the June 27 Deadline?

Florida’s 2025–2026 fiscal year begins on July 1, and if the Legislature fails to finalize and pass a budget:

• No budget = No legal authority to spend funds.
• Government departments may face a temporary shutdown.
• Contractors, vendors, and state employees may experience delays in payments or service interruptions.

While state shutdowns are rare, the political and economic consequences of even a brief pause could be considerable.

Final Thoughts: What Florida Tax Professionals Should Monitor

Tax attorneys, CPAs, financial advisors, and businesses should pay attention to:

• The final version of the FY 2025–26 budget and any embedded tax policies.
• Whether the sales tax rate reduction is revived or reworked into future legislation.
• Structural changes for trusts, LLCs, and service of process that impact estate planning and litigation strategy.

This extended Session is far from over, and the next few weeks will shape Florida’s tax and business environment for the year ahead.