Last Call for 2.24.26 – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida

Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

The House State Affairs Committee advanced a proposal to place guardrails around the rapid expansion of large-scale data centers in Florida as lawmakers wrestled with how to balance economic growth with consumer and environmental protections.

“However, you might feel about the drawbacks and benefits of AI, there’s no doubt that it has, in just a few short years, dramatically changed how we collect and process information,” said Panama City Republican Rep. Griff Griffitts, who is sponsoring HB 1007. “The sudden expansion of data center construction is leaving many local governments doing their best to balance the needs of residents, the environment, and the economic growth that comes from these data center constructions.”

The bill would prohibit state and local governments from entering into nondisclosure agreements related to data center projects and would bar economic development agencies from extending the initial 12-month public records exemption tied to potential facilities. It also directs the Public Service Commission to develop minimum tariff and service requirements for large-load customers to ensure they bear their full costs without subsidization by everyday ratepayers.

Utilities would be barred from allowing companies to split electrical demand to avoid the 50-megawatt classification and from knowingly serving certain foreign large-load entities. On the environmental side, the proposal establishes a permitting framework under the state’s consumptive use program and prevents water management districts or the Department of Environmental Protection from issuing permits if a project’s water use is deemed harmful to water resources.

The most controversial provision would prohibit local governments from approving new data centers within 5 miles of a residential property or school, unless the governing body waives the prohibition by a unanimous vote.

Supporters framed the measure as a consumer protection bill. Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville Democrat, said she was concerned that large-scale facilities could disproportionately harm low-income communities through increased heat, noise and pollution. Orlando Democratic Rep. Ana Eskamani called it “a good consumer bill,” though she suggested lawmakers may need to clarify what qualifies as “harmful” water use as the legislation moves forward.

While the bill is drawing support from groups such as AARP and the Florida Association of Counties, major business lobbies warned that some provisions could chill investment.

Colton Madill of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Katie Kelly of TechNet and Adam Basford of Associated Industries of Florida argued that the geographic buffer would sharply limit viable sites and that prohibiting NDAs departs from standard economic development practice. They emphasized the scale of potential investment at stake, pointing to multibillion-dollar capital projects and expanded tax bases, especially in rural communities.

Griffitts described the legislation as a “work in progress,” emphasizing that Florida remains open to data center investment.

“We’re not shutting down data centers,” he said. “We’re just putting some guardrails on them.”

The business arguments resonated with a handful of lawmakers, some of whom signaled that their upvotes were tentative. Ultimately, only Cape Coral Republican Rep. Mike Giallombardo voted against the measure.

The bill now moves to the Commerce Committee, the second of two stops before the chamber floor. There is no direct companion bill in the Senate; the closest analog is SB 484 by Sen. Bryan Avila. While it contains many of the same provisions, the most contentious — including the five-mile buffer — are absent.

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The House State Affairs Committee aligned with the Senate on Tuesday, approving an amendment to the Farm Bill that strips language expanding Florida’s agricultural disparagement law.

Current statute bars disparagement of “perishable agricultural food products.” The House bill (HB 433) would have broadened those protections, drawing pushback from environmental groups, public health advocates, and free speech proponents who warned the change could chill debate over agricultural practices.

Supporters had argued the update was intended to provide additional safeguards for farmers and producers. But after weeks of scrutiny in both chambers, lawmakers removed the provision, bringing the House measure in line with the Senate’s version.

The wide-ranging bill still includes other notable provisions, including changes to the state’s handling of surplus conservation lands and a ban on certain door-to-door commercial solicitation. The solicitation language would prohibit commercial canvassing at residences, a proposal supporters describe as a consumer protection measure.

The amended bill cleared the Committee on a 22-3 vote and now heads to the House floor.

The Senate’s companion measure has already passed that chamber unanimously, setting up the agriculture package for final negotiations in the closing weeks of Session.

Evening Reads

—”Donald Trump to sell the economy during state of the Union Address” via Meridith McGraw of The Wall Street Journal

—”Trump’s chance to turn things around tonight” via Will Gottsegen of The Atlantic

—”Trump, bruised and unpopular, turns to State of the Union for a reset” via Luke Broadwater of The New York Times

—”We asked 2,300 Americans about the best and worst things Trump has done.” via Scott Clement, Eric Lau and Isabelle Gibson of The Washington Post

—”Trump’s new tariffs are just as illegal as his old tariffs” via Judd Legum of Popular Information

—”State of the Union guest list includes these Floridians” via Shauna Muckle of the Tampa Bay Times

—”Life in Cuba under Trump’s pressure campaign: No electricity, no oil, and impossible choices” via Abraham Jiménez Enoa of WIRED

—”The Republican justices are fighting over who should really run the government” via Ian Millhiser of Vox

—”House, Senate clash over AI ‘bill of rights’ as White House interjects” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics

—“Casey DeSantis support nears Byron Donalds, until voters hear Trump endorsement, poll shows” via Claire Heddles of the Miami Herald

Quote of the Day

“Maybe I’m naïve, but I’m going to assume that sophisticated organizations like the Orange County School District can respond to an email within three days.”

— Rep. Alex Andrade, brushing off concerns on his public records bill.

Put it on the Tab

Look to your left, then look to your right. If you see one of these people at your happy hour haunt, flag down the bartender and put one of these on your tab. Recipes included, just in case the Cocktail Codex fell into the well.

Send a Three Many Cooks to the Capitol, where lawmakers in the Governor’s office and the White House are in a spat over the so-called AI ‘Bill of Rights.’

The Shumaker team gets a 12th Man Fizz for bringing on former NFL exec Frank Hawkins to lead its sports law team.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a Doctor’s Orders for Sen. Clay Yarborough by advancing his “medical freedom” bill to its final stop in Rules.

Breakthrough Insights

Tune In

Seminoles welcome Hurricanes to town

The two Florida-based ACC basketball programs meet tonight in Tallahassee, with Florida State hosting Miami (9 p.m. ET, ACC Network).

Miami (21-6, 10-4 in ACC) sits in third place in the conference, three games behind league-leading Duke. The Hurricanes saw a four-game winning streak snapped in a three-point loss at Virginia on Saturday. Shelton Henderson and Tre Donaldson each scored 18 points in the loss.

After tonight’s game, Miami has just three more regular-season games remaining. Miami is currently projected as an 8-seed in the most recent ESPN bracketology. 

The Seminoles (14-13, 7-7 in ACC) have ridden a roller coaster of a season. After winning five of six to start the season, Florida State lost five straight in nonconference play, won a pair of games, then lost five more in a row to start the conference schedule. Since starting 0-5, the Noles have won seven of nine, including a 70-65 win at Clemson on Saturday. Roberts McCray matched his season high with 29 points in the game.

Florida State is not projected to make the NCAA tournament field, but it can improve its chances with a strong finish and a good showing in the ACC Tournament, which starts on March 10 in Charlotte.

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Last Call is published by Peter Schorsch, assembled and edited by Phil Ammann and Drew Wilson, with contributions from the staff of Florida Politics.