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Running in Place

What will the Florida Legislature accomplish during the 2024 session? With all eyes on the elections, it's unlikely the Legislature will make big waves like last year.  

What did the Florida Legislature accomplish during the 2024 session? With all eyes on the fall elections, it was uncertain if the Legislature would make big waves like last year.

A team of legal and political experts will provide insight and background about the session, which bills passed and what the legislation means to voters. Retired Chief Circuit Judge Fred Lauten will moderate. Panelists include Jason Garcia of the "Seeking Rents” newsletter and podcast, Skyler Swisher of the Orlando Sentinel and Florida politics analyst and UCF professor Aubrey Jewett.

As we prepare for the 2024 elections, the public affairs forum will explore recent laws enacted by Florida:

• In earlier years, the Legislature worked closely with Gov. Ron DeSantis on his priorities. However, DeSantis hasn’t been as involved this year and suspended his presidential campaign shortly after the session began. The session focused more on the wishes of the Senate president, the House speaker and committee chairs on issues like health care.
• Showing a more independent streak, the Legislature recently defied the governor by approving a bill that bans children under 16 from social media platforms. DeSantis said the bill needed more work to include parents.
• Sen. President Kathleen Passidomo said the Senate won’t take up controversial bills such as a complete abortion ban, reducing the age limit for semi-automatic guns from 21 to 18, protection for Confederate monuments and a measure that would severely restrict mail-in ballots. The Legislature will have new leaders in the House and Senate next year. What is likely to happen then?