A Quick Update on the 2026 Legislative Session

Dear Agents,

Hi, I’m Shannon Widman, Legislative Counsel for Old Republic Title. Before stepping into this role, I spent 24 years on the agent side of the industry, running my title business through my law firm with help from my husband, a Licensed Title Agent. Because I’ve lived the agent experience, I know how challenging it can be to keep up with our constantly shifting regulatory world (FinCEN, anyone?). Now, I use that background to help Old Republic Title agents stay informed, supported, and a little less stressed.

For most of us, the year just got started, but Florida’s legislature is in the home stretch of the 2026 Legislative Session. Here’s a quick update on what’s happening and what’s not.

2026 Legislative Session Update 

About half of the 1,577 bills filed this year have not made it through a committee, and less than 200 of them have passed both chambers. Not surprisingly, the House and the Senate are not exactly on the same page for most legislative priorities. When you find out what could have passed but didn’t (thankfully) you might want to celebrate.

“Affordable housing” is a popular phrase at every level whether local, state, or federal. Senate Bill 48 passed, requiring local governments to adopt ordinances to allow accessory dwelling units (“ADUs”) in areas zoned single-family residential. The House counterpart, HB 313, has not moved forward. Land use measures by Sen. McClain CS/SB 208 and CS/CS/HB 399 by Rep. Borrero have a similar purpose. Although they do not specifically address ADUs, these bills seek to require (1) a “reasonable” fee from local governments for development permits (not based on construction costs), and (2) a more inclusive interpretation of “compatibility” when approving design standards for new residential development.

The definitions of gold and silver coins may be changing soon. Sen. Gruters sponsors SB 1588 and Rep. Bankson sponsors CS/HB 1311 which are companion bills that revise the definitions of gold and silver coins to be recognized as legal tender. Similar bills were filed last year but didn’t make it through. This year, the bills have traction.

In Condo news, CS/HB 465 by Rep. Nix and CS/SB 822 by Sen. Gruters requires condominiums, multi-condominiums, cooperatives, and homeowners associations with an annual budget of $500,000 or more to hire a community association management firm. This measure would not apply to voluntary homeowner associations.

Vacation rental homes with swimming pools (or a body of water within 150 feet of the residence) must be outfitted with one or more safety features required under 515.27(1) Florida Statutes. These include a self-latching fence or door alarm. Rep. Maggard sponsors CS/HB 79 and Sen. Burgess sponsors CS/CS/SB 658.

Although the regular session ends March 13, a special session is already planned for the week of April 20 to address congressional redistricting. A second special session (not yet scheduled) is expected to address the possible elimination of homestead property taxes. 

Don’t miss it. Register now for the next Title Talk webinar, March 19, 2026, at noon, with my guest Ashley Kalifeh, a partner with Capital City Consulting, LLC in Tallahassee. Ashley leads Old Republic’s lobby efforts in Florida and will be joining me to discuss the current legislative session, bills we avoided this year, and Florida’s political landscape heading into election season. She’ll also share some exciting news about Old Republic's newest investment in agent advocacy. Sign up here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2234612701606248542

That’s all for now. Stay tuned.

Shannon Widman 
Legislative Counsel, Old Republic Title