Budget session could shape housing priorities

Florida lawmakers return to the Capitol today for a special session that could decide several Florida Realtors®' budget priorities left pending when the regular legislative session ended.

The 2026 regular session, which ran from January through March, ended without a final state budget agreement. The special session is scheduled to run through May 29, giving the House and Senate more time to resolve spending differences before the new fiscal year begins July 1.

For real estate professionals, the budget talks could help determine funding for housing, property-hardening programs, local infrastructure, environmental projects and other priorities tied to Florida’s continued growth.

Among the unresolved budget issues:

• Hometown Heroes Housing Program: Both chambers proposed additional funding, but at different levels. The Senate proposed $75 million, while the House proposed $50 million.
• My Safe Florida Home and My Safe Florida Condo: Both House and Senate budget proposals would move unused money from last year’s budget into the 2026-27 budget, including $444 million for My Safe Florida Home and $30 million for My Safe Florida Condo.
• Housing Trust Funds: Both chambers proposed fully funding the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program, known as SHIP, at $165.7 million and the State Apartment Incentive Loan program, known as SAIL, at $70.8 million.
• Water quality and environmental projects: House and Senate proposals include funding for Everglades restoration, springs protection, beach and inlet management, flood and sea-level rise planning, wastewater grants and other environmental projects.
• Tax relief and budget legislation: Lawmakers also are expected to reestablish tax relief proposals during the special session.

The final budget could shape programs tied to homeownership, home hardening, affordable housing and long-term growth planning across Florida.

Gov. Ron DeSantis continues to act on bills passed during the 2026 legislative session. As of May 11, he has signed 72 of the 237 bills approved by lawmakers. Another 30 bills are awaiting action, while 134 have not yet been formally presented to him.

Among the signed measures is HB 589, a Florida Realtors®' bill of interest that aims to streamline permitting for onsite sewage treatment and disposal systems, known as OSTDS. The bill allows local governments to accept proof that an OSTDS construction permit application has been submitted when an applicant applies for a building permit. The change is intended to help reduce delays for properties that rely on septic systems, including land, new construction, older homes and planned additions.

The governor has also signed HB 1417, which was a bill that Florida Realtors worked to make better. It originally included well-intended language outlining a septic tank disclosure that was confusing to consumers and would have been difficult to implement. Florida Realtors successfully worked with the bill sponsors to remove the disclosure and give stakeholders an opportunity to work on legislation more meaningful to consumers and will reduce litigation.

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