Florida Passes $115.1B Budget With $1.3B Tax Relief; DeSantis Signs 2nd Amendment Tax Holiday, Condo and Beach Access Bills

After months of delays and extended legislative sessions, Florida lawmakers approved a $115.1 billion state budget for the fiscal year 2025-2026, two weeks before a potential government shutdown. The budget, passed with overwhelming support in the House (103-2) and Senate (34-0), reflects a $3 billion reduction from the previous year and includes $1.3 billion in tax relief, marking the largest recurring tax cut in state history. Governor Ron DeSantis signed the budget on June 30, 2025, emphasizing Florida's fiscal responsibility and noting that the state is spending less year-over-year for the second consecutive year. Alongside the budget, DeSantis signed a $1.6 billion tax-cut package that eliminates the commercial-lease tax and provides sales-tax holidays on items including back-to-school supplies, hurricane preparedness goods, firearms, ammunition, and outdoor gear.

Notably, he announced a 2nd Amendment Tax Holiday from September 8 to December 31, 2025, making firearms, ammo, and related outdoor equipment tax-free during this period. DeSantis also signed legislation aimed at easing financial burdens on condominium owners by increasing transparency and pausing costly reserve payments, a response to ongoing housing concerns following the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse. Additionally, he repealed a controversial 2018 beach access law, restoring local authority over public access to beaches, particularly in Walton County and along the Gulf Coast. The governor vetoed nearly $600 million in spending projects within the budget and highlighted Florida's tripled Rainy Day Fund since his administration began in 2019. These measures collectively underscore DeSantis's focus on fiscal prudence, tax relief, and addressing key state issues such as housing and public access to natural resources.