Special Session on budget set for mid-April

Lawmakers will soon begin a weekslong round of talks on Florida’s spending plan for next year, with plans to return to Tallahassee midway through April for a Special Session on the matter.

Just after 5 p.m. on the eve of Sine Die, Perez informed House members that in the coming weeks, the chamber would work “with our Senate counterparts” on details of the 2026-27 budget.

The plan, he said, is to reconvene in about a month “in the proper posture” to quickly pass the plan.

“We anticipate returning to Tallahassee for a Special Session on the budget in mid-April,” he said. “I look forward to continuing this work with each of you as we finalize a budget that reflects the priorities of this chamber and fulfills our responsibilities for the people of Florida.”

Senate President Ben Albritton confirmed the upper chamber is on board with the plan.

“It is my intention for the Senate to adjourn Sine Die tomorrow, jointly with our House colleagues, and return to Tallahassee for a Special Session on the budget … following the Easter and Passover holidays. We will save the traditional hankie drop ceremony for our Special Session on the budget,” he said.

”While you are at home in your districts, (Senate Appropriations Committee) Chair (Ed) Hooper and I will continue our work with our House partners to come to an agreement on joint allocations for the budget conference. It is not necessary for Senators to return to Tallahassee until joint allocations are reached.”

Perez hinted a Special Session was likely, telling reporters Monday that it was “abundantly clear” that, with tensions between the two chambers delaying things, “we will not complete the 2026-2027 state budget by the end of the week.”

Friction between the Senate and House has been noticeable. This week, Pensacola Republican Sen. Don Gaetz, a former Senate President, said the 2026 Session was potentially the worst he had seen, blaming deep animosity among Republican leaders — not policy differences — for the Legislature’s dysfunction.

He pointed to the stalled budget talks between Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, noting that only 86 of 1,895 filed bills had passed as of Tuesday and warning many worthwhile policy measures would likely die.

The fiscal year budget is the only bill the Legislature is statutorily required to pass during the 60 days of Regular Session.

As it stands, there’s a $1.4 billion divide between the House’s $113.6 billion budget and the Senate’s plan totaling $115 billion.

Lawmakers will have to reach agreements swiftly upon returning to the Capitol; another Special Session on congressional redistricting is set for the week of April 20.