Legislative Session Update | April 4

We’ve reached the halfway point of the 2025 Florida Legislative Session with budget negotiations in full swing. The House and Senate have unveiled their proposals revealing a $4.4 billion gap between the two chambers. Key differences include a 4% state worker pay raise in the Senate plan versus cuts to unfilled positions in the House version, and a House-proposed $5 billion sales tax reduction compared to the Governor’s proposed property tax reduction. The Senate has urged that any tax cut package be predominantly nonrecurring while permanent tax cuts are explored during the interim. The two chambers are expected to vote on their respective budgets next week, setting up the budget conference process to work out the differences between the two proposals. Once a final budget is agreed upon, a 72-hour “cooling-off” period will begin, allowing time for public and legislative review of the budget before a vote on final passage.

The House bill proposing to repeal Florida’s motor vehicle no-fault auto insurance, HB 1181, advanced in the House this week, while the Senate measure, SB 1256, has still not moved forward. The Legislature agreed in 2021 to repeal the no-fault system and the minimum mandated coverages and return to a fault-based system, but Governor DeSantis vetoed the bill (SB 54). Following his State of the State speech in March, the Governor indicated he had not changed his mind, stating he did not want to do anything that would raise rates.

HB 1437 was reported favorably in the House Civil Justice & Claims Committee in mid-March but has not moved forward since then. The bill would award attorney fees and costs to prevailing parties in lawsuits for overdue medical benefits under PIP policies. The companion Senate bill, SB 1840, has not been heard in any of its three Senate committees. 

Legislation to allow policyholders to recover attorney fees when they prevail in disputes against insurers, HB 1551, has passed two of its assigned House committees but the Senate has not held any hearings on its bill, SB 426. Similarly, a bill to allow plaintiff and defense attorneys to present what they determine to be the best evidence of damages, letting the judge or jury weigh all admitted evidence, HB 947, is in its final House committee while the Senate companion, SB 1520, has not moved.

Two bills aimed at improving the practice of chiropractic medicine in Florida, SB 564 and HB 849, have received committee references. This is a critical moment to make your voice heard and help move these bills forward. To help advance HB 849, we encourage you to email Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee Chairwoman Kaylee Tuck and respectfully request that she place the bill on the committee’s agenda. Similarly, to support SB 564, please email Senate Health Policy Chairwoman Colleen Burton and ask her to schedule the bill for a hearing in the Senate Health Policy Committee.

We’re dedicated to protecting and advancing chiropractic care across Florida—and we can’t do it without your support. Your contributions help power our advocacy in Tallahassee and beyond. Stay connected for the latest updates on legislation impacting our Florida chiropractors.