2025 State Legislative Priorities

Hi everyone,
Valentina here, Advocacy Coordinator at the Florida Oceanographic Society. I wanted to give you a quick update on the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, which officially ended on May 2—but without a final state budget in place. Since passing a balanced budget is the Legislature’s only constitutional requirement each year, this is a significant development, and I know many of you are wondering what’s going on.

So, what’s the holdup?
The main issue is a $4.4 billion gap between the House and Senate budget proposals:

  • The House, led by Speaker Daniel Perez, is pushing for a leaner $112.95 billion budget, which includes a permanent sales tax cut from 6% to 5.25%. They argue that past spending has inflated the budget and left little relief for everyday Floridians.

  • The Senate, under President Ben Albritton, supports a $117.36 billion plan with more moderate, temporary tax cuts, such as sales tax holidays, to help avoid future shortfalls.

This disagreement—large tax cuts vs. cautious fiscal planning—has brought negotiations to a standstill. Tensions are high, with Perez calling the Senate’s position “patronizing,” while Albritton maintains they’ll reach a compromise.

What happens now?
Lawmakers have until July 1 to pass a budget, or the state will face a government shutdown. Albritton has given legislators a week off to celebrate Mother’s Day, but they may return for a special session to finalize a deal. Keep in mind that a 72-hour “cooling-off” period is required before any final vote can take place. While timing is tight, both chambers remain hopeful.

Here at Florida Oceanographic, we’re monitoring this closely, as the delay could affect funding for key environmental programs, including Everglades and coastal restoration efforts we strongly support. We’ll keep you informed as this develops.

In the meantime, we need your voice! Please check out our call to action and urge lawmakers to fully fund Everglades Restoration for Fiscal Year 2025–26.

Urge Florida's Lawmakers to fully fund Everglades Restoration

Florida's iconic waters and coastal ecosystems are under unprecedented pressure. As we face challenges like nutrient pollution, habitat degradation, and climate change, legislative action is critical to protect our natural resources for future generations. Below, we outline our top 2025 state legislative priorities focused on water quality, Everglades restoration, and climate action.

Download the PDF version here

Water Quality: Protecting Florida’s Lifeblood

Improving water quality and ensuring the health of Florida’s coastal ecosystems remains our highest priority. The major threats include nutrient pollution, high-volume discharges from Lake Okeechobee, and the decline of wetlands and aquatic habitats.

To combat these challenges, we urge the Florida Legislature to:

  1. Strengthen Laws to Prevent Nutrient Pollution

    • Enforce nutrient load reductions in Basin Management Action Plans (BMAPs) and Best Management Practices (BMPs).
    • Amend Chapter 403.161 FS and related legislation to ensure compliance with pollution-reduction plans through stronger penalties and agency oversight.

  2. Fund BMP and BMAP Implementation

    • Provide resources for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), and the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) to verify and enforce BMP and BMAP standards under the Northern Everglades and Estuaries Protection Program.

  3. Support Research and Restoration Projects

    • Invest in science-based projects that restore ecosystems, focusing on improving water quality and rebuilding critical habitats like oyster reefs and seagrass meadows.

Everglades Restoration: A Lifeline for Water Quality and Public Safety

The Everglades is the heart of Florida’s water system, providing essential benefits to water quality, flood mitigation, and economic resilience. Continued progress in Everglades restoration requires robust state funding and support.

Our legislative priorities for 2025 include:

  1. Increase Funding for Everglades Restoration

    • Secure at least $805 million in the FY 2025–26 budget for Everglades restoration and water-related projects.

  2. Expand Stormwater Treatment and Water Storage

    • Build more Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs) to clean water from Lake Okeechobee before it flows south.
    • Support dispersed water management and water farming initiatives to enhance water storage, filtration, and nutrient runoff reduction.

  3. Protect Florida’s Wetlands

    • Ensure the preservation of natural wetlands, which are critical for water quality and habitat resilience.

Climate Action and Resilience: Confronting Florida’s Changing Climate

Florida’s coastal ecosystems face mounting threats from climate change, including rising sea levels, saltwater intrusion, and extreme weather events. Taking bold action now is essential to secure our state’s future.

Key legislative actions include:

  1. Promote Climate-Smart Land Use

    • Support land-use planning that limits resource demand, safeguards wetlands, and ensures the viability of Everglades restoration efforts.

  2. Protect Key Ecosystems

    • Fund the restoration of critical ecosystems, including the St. Lucie Estuary, Indian River Lagoon, and the Southeast Florida Coral Reef Tract, which buffer the impacts of climate change and provide essential ecosystem services.

  3. Invest in Resilient Infrastructure

    • Strengthen flood control systems and protect groundwater from saltwater intrusion.
    • Empower local governments to implement community-driven solutions for water quality and habitat resilience.

  4. Tackle Plastic Pollution

    • Advocate for policies that limit single-use plastics and polystyrene foam, which contribute to marine debris and endanger wildlife.

Take Action for a Better Florida

From water quality improvements to Everglades restoration and climate resilience, these legislative priorities are vital to preserving Florida’s natural resources. By acting now, we can ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for our state.

Join us in advocating for these critical priorities. Together, we can protect Florida’s waters and ecosystems for generations to come.

Want to Stay Informed?
Subscribe to our Advocacy Newsletter for updates on legislative progress, advocacy events, and ways to get involved in protecting Florida’s environment. — Sign up here!

Contact Us: Have questions or want to learn more? Email us at info@floridaocean.org.