Southwest Florida lawmakers are lining up behind a slate of local funding requests for the 2026-27 state budget, pushing for well over $670 million in state dollars to widen evacuation routes, stabilize aging utility systems, and expand health care capacity in Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier counties.

The local funding initiative requests, filed by individual legislators on behalf of local governments, hospitals, schools and nonprofit organizations, range from large fixed capital outlay projects to smaller operating requests. While legislative approval is far from guaranteed, the filings offer an early look at what local lawmakers are prioritizing as budget talks begin.

Across the region, the biggest asks focus on storm resilience and growth, road construction, dredging projects, sewer and wastewater upgrades, and emergency response investments.

Manatee County

Manatee County lawmakers are backing requests that combine long-planned transportation projects with storm-related utility work, major port infrastructure, and several large education and social service initiatives.

Fort Hamer Interchange: Sen. Jim Boyd and Rep. Will Robinson requested $5 million to support continued Manatee County’s work on the Fort Hamer Interchange. The project has received prior state funding.

Bradenton wastewater projects: Boyd, Robinson and Rep. William Conerly are sponsoring multiple Bradenton requests tied to chronic wastewater issues that worsen during major storms. The city is seeking $1.5 million to continue a sanitary sewer lining program aimed at reducing groundwater infiltration, along with a $3 million request for construction of a pumping facility for an injection well at the city’s wastewater treatment plant and $2 million for an off line storage tank.

51st Street West Extension: Boyd and Robinson requested $3 million for a project extending 51st Street West between 53rd Avenue and El Conquistador Parkway.

Singletary Road Bridge replacement: Boyd requested $1.5 million, while Rep. Michael Owen seeks $15 million, for design, land acquisition and construction of a replacement bridge on Singletary Road over the Myakka River.

Bill Evers Reservoir study: Boyd and Conerly are carrying a $1.5 million feasibility study request aimed at protecting the Bill Evers Reservoir Dam from saltwater intrusion. The funds would be used to study brackish water backflow during extreme weather events.

Ninth street park: Boyd and Conerly are carrying a $1.5 million request for phase two of the 9th Street Park redevelopment near LECOM Park, with the filing noting interest from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who train in Bradenton during the Spring. The funds would support a recreation complex meant to allow local teams to practice and compete.

Anna Maria Island infrastructure: Boyd and Robinson requested $6 million for a project meant to underground power lines along Gulf Drive in Bradenton Beach. The legislators are also supporting the city of Anna Maria in seeking $1.25 million to replace a public works building damaged during the 2024 hurricane season. Robinson also requested $5 million for stormwater flood resiliency projects, and $1.26 million for phase one of Holmes Beach stormwater improvements near State Road 64 and State Road 789, an area heavily impacted by recent hurricanes.

BayCare Hospital Manatee Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Boyd and Robinson requested $5 million for the buildout of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at BayCare Hospital Manatee.

Pace Center for Girls Manatee Building: Boyd and Robinson request seek $2.5 million to complete a new building at the Pace Center for Girls. The effort will add classrooms and improve technology, increase support services, add office space, and feature a full health clinic and an industrial kitchen.

Fresh Start Manatee: Boyd and Owen are sponsoring a $2.5 million request for the Fresh Start Manatee Phase 2 project. Fresh Start Manatee offers support for formerly incarcerated individuals and the funds would provide reentry support, job training, mental health and substance abuse services and case management.

SeaPort Manatee: Boyd and Robinson are sponsoring a SeaPort Manatee container yard expansion request for $22.97 million. Robinson also requested $10.35 million for a Berth 4 extension, and $12.85 million for a warehouse project.

Higher education and workforce training: Robinson is sponsoring a $7.5 million request for a permanent facility for the State College of Florida Collegiate School in Parrish, replacing aging portable classrooms and expanding dual-enrollment and accelerated academic opportunities.

MCR Health: Boyd and Robinson are carrying a $2.8 million request to renovate the MCR Advanced Specialty Institute in Bradenton. The project would convert a former ambulatory surgery center into a modernized facility serving uninsured and underinsured patients. Conerly is also sponsoring a $1.5 million request for MCR Health’s Emergency Room Diversion program, which would expand community-based alternatives to emergency department care for patients experiencing nonviolent behavioral health or substance-use crises.

Behavioral health services: Boyd is requesting $950,000 for a Centerstone Trauma Recovery Center, while both Boyd and Robinson are requesting a separate $1 million for an Centerstone Inpatient Behavioral Health Facility to support a new psychiatric and addiction facility.

Veterans services and community facilities: Robinson is requesting $3 million for a Veterans Resource Hub and Memorial Park. The Manatee County Government project would create a centralized campus offering veteran services, referrals, community programming and memorial space.

Health care access: Boyd and Conerly are sponsoring a $2.5 million request for LECOM Health Clinic-Based Outreach, a program designed to expand access to primary care, behavioral health services and preventive treatment through community-based clinics in Manatee County. The funding would support staffing, equipment and outreach services.

Behavioral health for seniors: Boyd and Conerly are sponsoring a $5.15 million request for construction of a geriatric behavioral health unit at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The project would add specialized inpatient beds and treatment space for older adults experiencing mental health crises.

Neonatal care expansion: Gruters and Conerly are sponsoring a $6.2 million request to establish a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Lakewood Ranch Medical Center. The project would fund construction and buildout of a six-bed NICU, along with specialized equipment and staffing.

Fire rescue: Boyd and Conerly are backing a $3 million request for construction of Parrish Fire District Station No. 3, a new facility intended to serve rapidly developing areas of north Manatee County.

Pedestrian safety: Conerly is carrying an $891,000 request to install a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk beacon system near East Manatee Fire Rescue Station 9.

Drinking water system resilience: Boyd and Conerly are sponsoring a $1.5 million request for Bradenton potable water supply resiliency improvements. Planned upgrades include redundancy improvements and equipment hardening to maintain service continuity during extreme weather events.

Stormwater runoff: Conerly is sponsoring a $1.7 million request for The Nature Conservancy’s Runoff to Resilience stormwater pilot project, which would test innovative approaches to managing stormwater and reducing nutrient pollution flowing into sensitive coastal waters.

City of Palmetto: Boyd and Robinson are sponsoring a $1 million request for city of Palmetto sanitary sewer inflow and infiltration pipe lining. Boyd is also carrying a $750,000 request to rehabilitate four sanitary sewer lift stations, adding upgraded pumps, controls, backup power and remote monitoring. Boyd is also sponsoring a $2 million request for additional utility upgrades to replace Palmetto’s water meters and backflow prevention devices with modern automated systems.

Robinson is also sponsoring a $2 million request to fund a complete streets project along 10th Avenue West to improve pedestrian safety and traffic flow, along with a $1.5 million request for a new recreational facility on 14th Avenue West. The two legislators also requested $380,000 for police department dispatch software upgrades.

Sarasota County

Sarasota County’s largest funding requests focus on evacuation capacity, flood mitigation and water system resilience.

Dredging and flood mitigation: Sen. Joe Gruters and Rep. Fiona McFarland are sponsoring a $8 million request to dredge Phillippi Creek from Bee Ridge Road to Beneva Road. The funding would address sediment buildup that caused flooding during the 2024 hurricane season, most notably during Hurricane Debby. Gruters and Rep. James Buchanan are also sponsoring a $2.5 million request to dredge Whitaker Bayou, described as protecting roughly 210 at-risk homes in the city of Sarasota.

River Road widening: Gruters and Rep. Danny Nix are sponsoring a $10 million request by Sarasota County to widen the southern portion of River Road to four lanes between U.S. 41 and Winchester Boulevard. Gruters and Buchanan are also carrying a $7 million request for phase two of the Lorraine Road extension east of Interstate 75, framed as improving evacuation routes and relieving severe congestion on I-75.

Tourism corridors and water quality: Gruters and McFarland are carrying Sarasota requests for $2.5 million for St. Armands Key roadway improvements. Gruters is carrying a $500,000 request to monitor and maintain Midnight Pass following its storm-driven reopening.

Sarasota Police Department: Gruters and McFarland are sponsoring a $1 million request for the Sarasota Police Department to acquire drones and training. The drones would support disaster response, search and rescue operations, traffic incidents and marine patrols. The legislators also requested $300,000 for a high-water rescue vehicle for the department.

New College of Florida campus expansion: Gruters and Buchanan are sponsoring a $31.7 million request for construction of a multipurpose academic and administrative building at the New College of Florida campus. The project would add new classrooms, study and office space, student services including a common dining area, and administrative functions.

Water system resilience: Gruters and Buchanan are also supporting a $2 million request to harden the Verna Wellfield against extreme weather and cybersecurity threats. Planned upgrades include replacing underground electrical vaults, adding real-time monitoring systems and improving surge protection to maintain service continuity during emergencies. Gruters and Buchanan are backing a $1.04 million request for the North Port Emergency Water Main Interconnect. The project would allow Sarasota County and the City of North Port to transfer potable water during emergencies, relieving system disruptions.

Emergency staging and community facility: Gruters and Buchanan are sponsoring a $5 million request for construction of a multipurpose facility at the Sarasota County Agricultural Fairgrounds. The project would replace a 75-year-old structure damaged during Hurricane Milton. The facility would be designed to serve as a regional disaster staging site for utilities and emergency responders, while also supporting community events and agricultural programming during non-emergency periods.

Airport emergency operations: Gruters and Buchanan are sponsoring a $7.5 million request for phase one of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Emergency Operations and Public Safety Complex. The project would construct a hardened, centralized facility to house airport law enforcement, fire rescue, emergency medical services and communications operations, replacing existing space that is not hurricane-resistant.

Large-animal disaster response: Gruters and Buchanan are sponsoring a $3 million request for a Fox Lea Foundation hurricane and disaster facility in Sarasota County. The project would construct two hurricane-rated barns to serve as evacuation and recovery centers for horses and other large animals during storms. The facilities would include restrooms, showers, kitchen space and generator power for caretakers and first responders.

Affordable housing: Gruters and Buchanan are sponsoring a $4 million request for phases four and five of the Senator Nancy C. Detert Home of Your Own project in Sarasota County. The funding would support construction of 20 additional affordable housing units developed by The Loveland Center, with at least 60 percent reserved for workforce families and up to 40% designated for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Disability services: Gruters and Buchanan are sponsoring a $1.5 million request to support construction of a new community center at Community Haven for Adults and Children with Disabilities in Sarasota County. The facility would provide social, educational, vocational and health programming for individuals with developmental disabilities while also serving as a special-needs hurricane shelter.

Regional water supply expansion: Boyd and Buchanan are sponsoring a $7 million request for the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority’s Surface Water Expansion Project, which would expand alternative water supply infrastructure serving Sarasota and Charlotte counties. The project includes construction of a new Peace River intake, a 9-billion-gallon off-stream reservoir and up to 24 million gallons per day of additional treatment capacity. Boyd and Conerly are also sponsoring a $3 million request to expand the Authority’s regional transmission system through the construction of two large diameter regional drinking water transmission pipelines.

Environmental resilience and agriculture: Buchanan is sponsoring a $2 million request to establish the Florida Native Seed Partnership, a statewide initiative led by the Florida Wildflower Foundation to create Florida’s first coordinated system for native seed collection, certification, storage and distribution.

SCF Collegiate School — Venice: Boyd and Buchanan requested $5 million for a permanent facility for the State College of Florida Collegiate School in Venice that would replace aging portable classrooms. The project would expand dual-enrollment opportunities for Sarasota County students.

Venice Theatre: Gruters and Buchanan are requesting $2 million for construction and renovation of the Venice Theatre, which was heavily damaged in Hurricane Ian. Gruters and McFarland are also requesting a separate $500,000 for the Venice Theatre to rebuild classroom studios at its Raymond Arts Education Center.

Jewish Housing Council: Gruters and Buchanan requested $927,150 for the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Housing Council’s Aviva Safe and Secure Campus project. The project includes entrance hardening with hurricane resistant glass, improved security and exterior lighting.

Workforce development: Gruters and Conerly is sponsoring a $1 million request for the Building Industry Institute’s Construction Industry Workforce Institute, a workforce development initiative aimed at expanding training pipelines for skilled construction trades. The funding would support apprenticeships, certification programs and employer partnerships.

Charlotte County

Charlotte County lawmakers are backing funding requests focused on emergency preparedness, storm resilience, wastewater treatment and public safety infrastructure.

Florida Gulf Coast University Babcock Ranch: Rep. Tiffany Esposito is sponsoring a $59.7 million request for construction of the Florida Gulf Coast University Babcock Ranch Learning, Research and Outreach Facility, a new academic and research hub to be built at Babcock Ranch in Charlotte County. The facility would support teaching, research and community outreach focused on environmental resilience, agriculture and workforce training, including service-learning programs, internships and partnerships with regional industries.

Emergency operations center improvements: Rep. Vanessa Oliver is sponsoring a $10 million request to expand and modernize the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center. The project would enlarge the EOC command room, add a full-service kitchen, showers and additional coordination space, and upgrade situational awareness capabilities.

Neighborhood sewer conversion: Oliver is sponsoring a $2 million request for phase two of the Ackerman neighborhood septic-to-sewer project. The project is part of a larger effort to replace approximately 730 septic tanks with sewer service.

Stormwater system and flood resilience: Nix is sponsoring a $3.5 million request for a countywide stormwater system assessment and flood resilience initiative. The project would update Charlotte County’s stormwater planning framework, develop maintenance optimization manuals and prioritize rehabilitation strategies.

Traffic signal resilience: Nix is backing an $800,000 request to install uninterruptible power supply battery backups at traffic signals throughout the county. The upgrades are designed to keep signals operational during power outages caused by storms.

Public safety readiness: Nix is sponsoring a $2 million request for construction of a Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office equipment warehouse. The warehouse would provide secure storage for large-scale public safety equipment used during natural disasters and major incidents.

Wastewater treatment expansion: Nix is sponsoring a $5 million request to expand and upgrade the West Port Water Reclamation Facility. The effort is part of an $83.7 million multiyear project that would increase treatment capacity to 2.5 million gallons per day with advanced wastewater treatment, expand reclaimed water use, and reduce nutrient loading.

Higher education and workforce training: Nix is carrying a $2.46 million request to renovate Building E at Florida SouthWestern State College’s Charlotte Campus into an upgraded nursing and health professions training space. The project would add modern classrooms and simulation labs. Meanwhile, Oliver is sponsoring a $7.09 million request to remodel Yarger Science Hall on the same campus, modernizing science labs and classrooms to expand STEM programs.

Firefighter training facilities: Oliver is sponsoring a $2 million request to construct a new Charlotte County Fire Training Tower, replacing an outdated facility that no longer meets national fire training standards. The tower would support live-fire training, search and rescue exercises and incident command simulations.

Advanced wastewater treatment upgrades: Oliver is carrying a $5 million request for expansion and wastewater treatment upgrades at the Burnt Store Water Reclamation Facility. The funds would support plans to expand treatment capacity to 1.25 million gallons per day.

YMCA Babcock Ranch community facilities: Sen. Jonathan Martin is sponsoring a $10 million request for the YMCA of Southwest Florida community wellness facility in Babcock Ranch. The facility would provide early learning and child care, youth development programs, sports and aquatics, wellness and preventive health services, and community gathering space.

Lee County

Requests made by Lee County lawmakers focus on large higher-education projects with utility infrastructure and evacuation improvements.

Florida Gulf Coast University: Martin is sponsoring four Florida Gulf Coast University requests totaling more than $123 million, including a library and annex, a student career preparation and innovation facility, redesign of Reed Hall, and reconstruction of the Cohen Student Union. On the house side, Nix is supporting the Bradshaw Library, Rep. Lauren Melo is supporting the Cohen Student Union, and Rep. Adam Botana is supporting the Reed Hall and Student Career Preparation and Innovative Partnerships facility. Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka is carrying a $27.41 million request for a health sciences building at the university.

Cape Coral utilities: Martin and Rep. Mike Giallombardo are sponsoring a $10 million request to expand Cape Coral’s water and irrigation system, replacing outdated wells and septic tanks and serving an estimated 3,100 properties.

I-75 interchange: Giallombardo and Martin are sponsoring a $7.5 million request for an Interchange Justification Report and Project Development and Environment study for a proposed new interchange on I-75 between the Tuckers Grade and State Road 78 interchanges.

Physician workforce expansion: Martin and Melo are sponsoring a $15 million request for Lee Health’s Graduate Medical Education Expansion Project Phase I. The funding would support efforts to construct a new Graduate Medical Education Center at Gulf Coast Medical Center equipped with classrooms, simulation labs and clinical education space.

Florida Governmental Utility Authority: Martin and Oliver are sponsoring three Florida Governmental Utility Authority requests totaling $20 million, including improvements at the Del Prado Wastewater Treatment Facility, reuse system expansion in North Fort Myers, and septic-to-sewer conversions. Persons-Mulicka is also sponsoring six requests totaling about $32.8 million for improvements at the Authority’s Lehigh Acres facility, including reuse expansion, water main improvements, septic-to-sewer conversions, a new Upper Floridan aquifer well, a sewer force main extension and a wastewater treatment plant expansion.

Fort Myers Beach wastewater restoration: Martin and Persons-Mulicka are sponsoring a $5 million request for the Lee County-Fort Myers Beach Water Reclamation Facility Restoration and Enhancement project to rehabilitate the facility after severe damage from Hurricane Ian. The project would replace damaged treatment processes with three new biological nutrient removal trains and incorporate flood-proofing and resiliency upgrades.

Southeast Lee wastewater capacity: Esposito is sponsoring a $4 million request for the Lee County Southeast Force Main Improvements — Segment 2. The project would connect the new Southeast Force Main to the Southeast Advanced Water Reclamation Facility, providing additional sewer capacity while reducing nutrient loading within the Everglades West Coast Basin Management Action Plan area.

Water supply infrastructure expansion: Oliver is sponsoring a $2 million request for Lee County’s North Wellfield Expansion Phase 3B transmission pipeline. The project would construct about 5 miles of raw water transmission pipeline connecting five new brackish groundwater wells in North Fort Myers to the North Lee County reverse osmosis water treatment plant.

School transportation and campus safety upgrades: Martin and Esposito are sponsoring a $2.5 million request to modernize the School District of Lee County’s student transportation system and safety equipment. The funding would support deployment of a real-time GPS and GIS-based bus routing and tracking platform, providing families with live updates and improving routing efficiency. The funding would also help the district expand weapons detection systems at school entry points and events.

Youth recreation and after-school facilities: Martin and Persons-Mulicka are sponsoring a $425,000 request for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Lee County Basketball pavilion. The pavilion would provide a year-round, covered space for structured athletics, wellness programming and youth development activities serving about 400 children and teens annually.

Evacuation route improvements: Martin and Oliver requested $5 million to widen and extend about 2.75 miles of 24th Avenue from State Road 78 to Del Prado Boulevard North, creating a four-lane evacuation route.

Park and civic center improvements: Martin and Oliver are sponsoring a $950,000 request for improvements at Mike Greenwell Regional Park and the Lee County Civic Center Complex. The funding would support master planning, design and initial construction work for upgraded event space, agricultural and educational facilities, stormwater improvements and public amenities.

Lehigh Acres roadway planning: Esposito is sponsoring a $6 million request for an alignment and Project Development and Environment study for the proposed Sunshine Boulevard extension from 75th Street to State Road 80 in Lehigh Acres. The request would fund planning and environmental analysis needed to identify possible routes for a future four-lane roadway.

Pedestrian and bicycle safety: Martin and Persons-Mulicka are sponsoring a $5 million request for the Lee County Sun Trail Network/Iona Area Sidewalk Project to support an effort to construct a new six-foot sidewalk and five-foot shared-use path along Pine Ridge Road between San Carlos Boulevard and Summerlin Road. The project is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s SUN Trail Program and is aimed at improving pedestrian and bicycle safety.

Collier County

Collier County lawmakers are backing funding requests for emergency response facilities and corridor improvements.

Bonita Springs: Martin and Botana requested $6.5 million for the Bonita Springs Paradise Road bike and pedestrian improvement project, $4.8 million for an Emergency Response Center, and $1.2 million for the Bonita Beach Road and Imperial Parkway gateway aesthetic improvement project.

Animal care facility: Martin and Botana requested $1.4 million for the Bonita Wonder Gardens Animal Care Facility. The two story facility would span 4,500 square feet of space, and would be used for animal support such as holding, surgery and food prep and as office space.

INTERCEPT Task Force support: Martin and Giallombardo are carrying a $900,000 request for the Southwest Florida INTERCEPT Task Force, described as serving Lee, Collier and Hendry counties. The funds support establishment of a laboratory facility, investigative technology and salary reimbursement.

Wastewater system hardening: Rep. Yvette Benarroch is sponsoring a $1 million request for a Collier County wastewater inflow and infiltration mitigation project aimed at identifying vulnerabilities in the sewer collection system near Naples Bay and Haldeman Creek.

Water reclamation and septic-to-sewer conversion: Melo is sponsoring a $10 million request for construction of the Golden Gate Water Reclamation Facility. The facility would allow for the conversion of roughly 25,000 residents, or 80% of septic parcels, in Golden Gate City to sewer service.

Health care access: Melo is sponsoring an $8 million request for Healthcare Network’s Caring for Southern Collier County project. Funds would support land acquisition and construction of a new primary health care facility in southern Naples to address gaps in access to pediatric, dental, behavioral health and pharmacy services.

Community health and senior services: Benarroch is carrying a $1.5 million request for the YMCA of Collier County Healthy Living Center to fund construction of a 17,000-square-foot facility focused on fitness, wellness and social engagement, particularly for seniors.

Workforce and economic development: Melo is sponsoring a $1.5 million request for Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida to build a Collier County Community Resource Center. The project would renovate space within an existing Goodwill facility to expand workforce training, job placement and small business development services.

As lawmakers gavel in this week to begin the 2026 Legislative Session, Sen. Jim Boyd says the coming weeks in Tallahassee are likely to be defined by a careful approach to budgeting, targeted fixes to existing laws and an intensifying debate over how Florida funds local government.

Boyd, a Republican who represents Manatee County and parts of Hillsborough County, described the Session as one that should be comparatively steady after recent Sessions marked by sharper conflicts between the Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis. Still, he said lawmakers are already preparing for extensive discussions around property taxes, an issue he expects to dominate early debate.

“I think it’ll be a fairly benign Legislative Session this year,” Boyd said. “Sadly, we’ve had some disagreements with the House and the Senate, and the Governor and the House. My goal and overarching desire is for the three of our branches to work well together to do what’s good for our communities.”

“I don’t think there’s anything huge that will come out of this Session in terms of revolutionary legislation or change,” he added. “Property taxes are probably the issue that will be at the forefront of discussion.”

Boyd said property taxes have been a major topic of conversation for months as residents continue to grapple with rising housing costs. While calls for relief have grown louder, he said a full repeal of homestead property taxes is unrealistic without a replacement funding source.

“I think it’s important to talk about property taxes, that’s been a huge topic of discussion for the past six months or so,” Boyd said. “My gut feeling is there’s no way we’re going to be able to totally eliminate homestead property taxes. That would be nice, but there’s so much dependence upon those funds at the local level that we’ll have to figure out how to address those needs if the property taxes were not there to support them.”

Even so, Boyd said he expects lawmakers to advance some form of proposal this year, potentially during a Special Session teased by DeSantis, that could ultimately go before voters in 2026. Any significant changes to property taxes would require a constitutional amendment.

“I do believe there’ll be a proposal that will come out of the Legislature that will go on the ballot in ’26,” Boyd said. “The voters will have a chance to decide.”

Alongside tax policy, Boyd said lawmakers are entering the session with a more cautious approach to spending. Florida’s fiscal position remains strong, he said, pointing to solid bond ratings, continued debt reduction and healthy reserves. But he warned that lawmakers are tightening their grip on discretionary spending as they finalize the state budget.

“This year, project money won’t be quite as plentiful as it has been in the past,” Boyd said. “We’re being very careful and judicious about spending, as we should be.”

That restraint will shape how legislators evaluate local funding requests from cities, counties and nonprofits across the state. Boyd said he has spent years prioritizing projects that local governments cannot easily fund on their own, particularly large infrastructure items tied to growth and storm resilience.

“I’m doing my best to continue to bring dollars back to our community that will make a difference,” Boyd said, while acknowledging that final decisions rest with legislative budget leaders balancing competing requests from 40 Senators and 120 House members.

Boyd has not introduced legislation this year, but said he is closely watching proposals that could have significant impacts on his district, including a bill from Sen. Nick DiCeglie (SB 840).

The bill would revise last year’s storm recovery law, SB 180, which limited local governments’ ability to delay rebuilding after hurricanes but also created unintended consequences for counties and cities, including Manatee, seeking to make broader planning or environmental policy changes. Rep. Alex Andrade is sponsoring the companion bill (HB 1465) in the House.

Boyd defended the original intent of SB 180, saying it was driven by constituent complaints after storms, when residents struggled to obtain basic permits needed to make their homes livable again.

“That has been a topic of discussion,” Boyd said. “The reason for SB 180 was because governments in various parts of the state, our area included, were making it very hard for people to get back in their homes after a storm by dragging out permits or creating challenges, and that’s just unacceptable.”

He said he supports efforts to fix unintended consequences created by the law this Session while preserving its core protections for property owners.

“Once in a while there’s unintended consequences in bills, and we are always open-minded to look at them and see if there’s anything we can do to make it better,” Boyd said.

“I haven’t looked at the details, but I know we will be discussing it in Tallahassee, and I’ll be deeply involved because it’s an important issue,” he added. “I supported SB 180 to begin with, and I certainly support his efforts to try to make it as palatable as possible.”

Boyd said discussions about potential consolidation of services on Anna Maria Island remain ongoing, though he does not expect the Legislature to take action this year. The conversation has focused on whether the island’s three municipalities could consolidate certain services to reduce duplication and costs.

Boyd said he hopes to find resolution outside of the Legislature even though conversations were started through legislative action a couple of years ago. Those talks stalled after recent storms disrupted local operations, but Boyd said he hopes discussions with the cities of Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach will resume as recovery continues.

“We have three building departments, we have three police units, we have three zoning and public works. Does it make sense for an island that is 7 miles long to have three of everything? Or could we perhaps consolidate some of those services?” Boyd said.

Boyd is also looking ahead to a Special Session in April on redistricting, although he declined to discuss the topic in detail, citing ongoing legal considerations.

This Session also marks Boyd’s final stretch before he assumes the role of Senate President later this year. He said the position is an honor and noted he is beginning to think about the policy direction he hopes to pursue once he takes the gavel. Boyd also said he is optimistic about working with the House under incoming Speaker Sam Garrison, and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the Legislature and a newly elected Governor.

“It’s an incredible honor, and I’m very humbled by the support of my colleagues to allow me to be the President of the Senate starting next November when we reconvene,” Boyd said. “It’s a daunting task because it’s a big job, but it’s one that I feel I am capable of and ready for.”

“Right now I’m focused on this Session and doing what’s best for our members and my colleagues as I’m the Majority Leader this year,” he added. “Then I’ll start to develop a policy plan and platform for the upcoming two years that will start in November.”

Sen. Ralph Massullo barely had time to slide into his new job.

Fresh off the Dec. 9 Special Election win in Senate District 11, Massullo is chairing committee meetings, filing bills and meeting with constituents — all before he takes the oath of office.

That’ll come Tuesday when the Regular Session begins.

“The swearing in is ceremonial. I’m doing senatorial duties now,” he said.

Though new to the Senate, Massullo is a Capitol veteran. He served eight years in the House, left due to term limits, then waited for an opening in SD 11 that occurred when Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped Blaise Ingoglia as Chief Financial Officer.

“My main goal is to make government more efficient,” the Lecanto Republican said. “Get rid of things that are probably not as effective and concentrate on things that work better. We need to make it responsible to the people.”

As Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, Massullo said one focus is continuation of the Suncoast Parkway northward. The state recently opened a section between State Road 44 and County Road 486 in Citrus County; construction is underway to continue the parkway another 10 miles to U.S. 19 just north of Crystal River.

“We want to continue the Suncoast, so it doesn’t end up being a dead end,” he said. “I want to continue it up the right of ways of 19 to I-10.”

As for property tax reform, Massullo is cautious.

“I don’t know where it’s all going to shake out,” he said. “You’ve got to find where that alternative money is.”

Massullo is proposing an unrelated constitutional amendment. He sponsored SJR 1104, designed to protect students and educators who express religious viewpoints from discrimination.

“A school district shall treat a student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint on otherwise permissible subject in the same manner that the school district treats a student’s voluntary expression of a secular viewpoint,” the proposal reads.

The question would go before voters in November.

Massullo, who lost his wife, Patty, just 11 months ago, is eager for this Senate new role.

“I feel good,” he said. “My goal is establishing good relationships with fellow members, help them be successful as well.”