2026 Florida REALTORS® Legislative Session Recap: Wins, Progress, and What Comes Next

Each year, the Florida Legislature convenes to debate policies that shape the future of our state, and for REALTORS®, the stakes are always high. From protecting private property rights to preserving the integrity of our profession, this year’s session once again highlighted the importance of strong advocacy on behalf of Florida’s real estate industry.

As in past years, Florida REALTORS® remained actively engaged throughout the process, working alongside lawmakers to support good policy, improve legislation where needed, and stop proposals that would have created unintended consequences for both consumers and real estate professionals.

Preserving Florida’s Real Estate Regulatory Framework

For the second consecutive year, Florida REALTORS® successfully opposed legislation that would have significantly altered the state’s real estate regulatory structure. HB 607 proposed eliminating the Florida Real Estate Commission and the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board, replacing key education requirements with minimal annual updates, and weakening Florida’s mutual recognition agreements with other states.

These changes would have reduced important consumer protections and diminished the value of holding a Florida real estate license. Maintaining a strong regulatory framework ensures that REALTORS® continue to meet high professional standards while providing confidence to the consumers we serve.

Strengthening Protections for Property Owners

Property rights remain a core issue for REALTORS®, and this session brought meaningful progress in addressing fraudulent occupancy. Building on prior efforts to combat squatting, Florida REALTORS® supported SB 1293, which targets individuals who use forged documents or false identities to gain access to rental properties.

The legislation establishes clear criminal penalties and provides landlords with more efficient tools to remove bad actors. This is a practical solution that protects property owners while reinforcing accountability within the housing market.

Improving Legislation Through Collaboration

Not every bill begins in a perfect place. A significant part of the legislative process involves working with policymakers to refine proposals so they are both effective and practical.

One example from this session was HB 1417, a broader Department of Environmental Protection bill that initially included a septic system disclosure requirement at the point of sale. While well-intentioned, the language would have created confusion for consumers and challenges for implementation. Florida REALTORS® worked with bill sponsors to remove the provision, allowing time to develop a clearer and more meaningful approach that avoids unnecessary litigation.

Similarly, SB 856 addressed how property tax estimates are presented to prospective buyers. The bill modernizes disclosure requirements to better reflect how taxes may change after a sale. Importantly, it also ensures that REALTORS® and other information providers are not held liable for the accuracy of third-party estimates.

While this legislation has not yet fully crossed the finish line, it is expected to be included in upcoming budget-related measures. Continued engagement will be important as the details are finalized.

Looking Ahead

At the time of this article’s publication, the legislature still has not passed a budget. A handful of REALTOR® priorities are passed during this budget process. The legislature will weigh in on the historic Hometown Heroes housing program, with estimates coming anywhere from $50 million to $75 million for that program. My Safe Florida Home and Condo, which has provided millions of dollars for home and condo owners to harden their properties and reduce their insurance costs, will be deliberated during this time. The ever-important affordable housing trust funds will be funded during this process. Over a billion dollars of funds for water quality and environmental projects will be decided as well.

In addition to those funding programs above, the legislature has also indicated that they may decide on the hot topic everyone’s been discussing: property tax reform. This is an issue the REALTOR® Association is keeping a close eye on, as it can significantly impact our industry and your clients. We will make sure that, if and when anything happens on that front, you will get that information quickly so you can best serve your clients.