TALLAHASSEE — Nearly 140 new laws passed during Florida's 2026 legislative session are set to take effect July 1, the start of the state's fiscal year, bringing changes that range from airport renamings to school curriculum mandates and public safety reforms. Governor Ron DeSantis has already begun wielding his veto pen on the $114.5 billion state budget, aiming for a fourth consecutive year of reduced state spending.
NOCATEE, St. Johns County — located about 20 miles southeast of Jacksonville in St. Johns County, is a master-planned community near the PGA TOUR headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach.
"After the vetoes, it will represent the fourth straight year where the state of Florida has reduced the amount it's spending at the state level," DeSantis said during a bill signing event this week.
Among the most visible changes: Palm Beach International Airport will be renamed for President Donald Trump under HB 919, State Road 80 will become President Donald J. Trump Highway, and Commercial Boulevard in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea may also bear the president's name if a separate bill is signed. Meanwhile, the late Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden's name will be added to Tallahassee International Airport.
In education, every public school will be required to display portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in a conspicuous place, and elementary students will receive cursive writing instruction under SB 182. High school marching band will satisfy two years of physical education and performing arts requirements under HB 453, and coaches will be allowed to spend up to $15,000 per team per year from their own money on food, therapy, and transportation.
Public safety measures include SB 52, which allows volunteer security guards at houses of worship to carry firearms without a state license, and HB 445 — "Missy's Law" — which requires courts to detain without bond those convicted of violent or sexual crimes pending appeal. The state also gained the authority to designate "domestic terrorist organizations" under SB 1471. Business-related measures include SB 484, requiring the Public Service Commission to create tariffs for data centers to prevent utility cost-shifting to other ratepayers.
DeSantis vetoed his first three bills of the 2026 session on June 26, rejecting statewide e-bike regulations (SB 382), a student poll worker program (HB 461), and a sign exemption for the town of Davie (HB 4075). All three had passed the Legislature unanimously. The governor argued the e-bike bill would lead to increased surveillance of citizens and that the poll worker bill could be exploited by outside groups.
