Special Session Delayed

Next week should have been a busy time for Tallahassee and Florida’s Legislature, with a special session scheduled. But as we come to expect in these uncertain times, the special session has been delayed by Governor DeSantis.

House and Senate members are now scheduled to meet from April 28 to May 1 to discuss Congressional redistricting. The Governor has also asked lawmakers to address two of his key issues that failed to win House support in the 2026 regular session: a bill expanding vaccine exemptions for public K-12 students and legislation aimed at protecting consumers’ interactions with artificial intelligence.

The vaccine proposal, SB 1756, seeks to expand exemptions for students to enter public K-12 schools and create a new “conscience” category for parents to opt out of immunizations. The measure also would have required health care practitioners who administer vaccines to offer parents an alternative vaccine schedule and to provide parents with information about the benefits and risks of vaccines at the time of vaccination.

The artificial intelligence bill, SB 482, otherwise known as the “AI Bill of Rights,” establishes a right for parents to control children’s interactions with AI chatbots. The proposal also declares that people have a right to know when they’re communicating with a human or an AI system or chatbot and sets rules about the unauthorized use of people’s names, images, or likenesses. The bill also says that people have a right to know whether political advertisements were created in whole or in part with the use of artificial intelligence.

As for the redistricting debate, Senate President Ben Albritton has said, “The Senate is not drafting or producing a map for introduction during this special session.” He is expecting a proposal will be sent from the Governor’s office for approval.

The one outstanding issue missing from this special session is the state budget. Since the end of the regular session, there has been very little discussion on the budget, which must be approved and signed by the Governor before the start of the new fiscal year, on July 1, to avoid a government shutdown.

Stay tuned to the FASA Friday Facts and Daily Announcements, as well as the Leadership Lounge Podcast and our social media, for any legislative updates during this and any additional special sessions.