Legislative Update: Legislature completes Special Session on redistricting
May 01, 2026
By FICPA Governmental Affairs
This week, the Florida Legislature convened in a Special Session. This Session was originally called by Gov. Ron DeSantis in January through an executive order focused on congressional redistricting.
On Tuesday morning, lawmakers formally gaveled into the Special Session and began considering legislation filed in both chambers. The Florida Senate introduced a series of bills, including proposals on AI regulation and health care. The Florida House, however, moved forward only with legislation addressing congressional redistricting and did not introduce companion measures on the other Senate bills.
The Senate did take up SB 2-D - Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights by Sen. Brodeur, which passed by a vote of 36-1. However, with no House companion, the bill did not advance further and did not pass. SB 6-D - Medical Freedom by Sen. Yarborough was postponed in Senate Rules with no House companion filed, and therefore did not advance or pass.
As a reminder, for legislation to pass in Florida, it must be approved by both chambers. As a result, the Legislature ultimately only advanced congressional redistricting during the Special Session.
Members first heard detailed presentations on the proposed congressional maps from the Governor’s Office during committee meetings in the House Select Committee on Redistricting and Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday. After the legislation passed its committees, both chambers then took it up on Wednesday and passed a newly redrawn congressional map for Florida. House Bill 1D - Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State passed the Florida House, 83-28. The bill was then sent to the Florida Senate and passed, 21-17. The bill still must be signed by the governor.
Following final passage of the redistricting legislation, the Legislature concluded the Special Session and adjourned sine die.
The FICPA will continue monitoring future legislative developments in the weeks ahead. As a reminder, the Legislature will return the week of May 11 for Special Session to complete their work on the state budget.
Governor Continues Review of Bills from 2026 Regular Session
As the Legislature focused on the Special Session, Gov. DeSantis continued reviewing and finalizing the bills that passed during the 2026 Regular Session. This week, the governor received 16 more bills and signed four. In total, there are now 63 bills approved and 16 on the governor’s desk pending review; 157 bills have yet to be sent to the governor.
Of note to the profession, HB 7031- Internal Revenue Code by Rep. Duggan, which would decouple the state of Florida from several tax provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, has not yet been sent to the Governor.
Board of Accountancy Meeting – Scarborough Announces Retirement
On April 17, the Florida Board of Accountancy held a virtual meeting. The Board considered a full agenda covering various items of importance to the profession. As always, FICPA’s President & CEO, Shelly Weir, Chief External Affairs Officer, Jason Harrell, and our external consultant, Jennifer Green from Liberty Partners of Tallahassee, all attended to represent the FICPA and profession.
The FICPA team was able to provide a brief legislative update to the Board, summarizing the major takeaways from the 2026 Regular Session and looking ahead to the special session to complete the state budget.
Also during the meeting, the Board’s Executive Director, Roger Scarborough, announced that he would retire from his position in June. The FICPA appreciates our fantastic working relationship with the Board, and thanks Director Scarborough for his dedicated service and partnership over the years. The Department has posted the open director position here.
The next Board meeting will be held on May 29 in Orlando.