Florida Legislators File Bills for 2026 Session
- Nov 9
- 3 min read
Tallahassee, Florida
11/7/25
Florida lawmakers have filed a slate of bills for the 2026 legislative session that touch on employment verification, autism awareness in policing, regulation of emerging tobacco products, and flag display rules for government buildings.
HB 197, sponsored by Reps. Berny Jacques and Kiyan Michael, would expand the use of the federal E-Verify system by requiring all private employers, regardless of size, to confirm new hires’ work eligibility. The measure aims to strengthen compliance with immigration and labor laws, with penalties for employers who fail to comply.
HB 365, filed by Rep. Susan Valdés with a Senate companion by Sen. Shevrin Jones, proposes a “Blue Envelope Program” to assist individuals with autism spectrum disorder during traffic stops. The program would provide special envelopes to hold identification and registration, signal the driver’s condition, and offer communication tips for officers, while also requiring autism-specific training for law enforcement.
HB 377, introduced by Rep. Chase Tramont, seeks to regulate “heated tobacco products” by adding them to Florida’s tobacco statutes, extending age restrictions, taxation, and enforcement rules to these devices.
Finally, HB 347, filed by Rep. David Borrero, would restrict government buildings to displaying only approved flags such as the U.S., Florida, military, POW-MIA, county, city, and recognized tribal flags, while prohibiting flags with political, ideological, racial, gender, or sexual-orientation symbols. Violations could result in fines of $500 per day. If passed, all four bills would take effect July 1, 2026, with the legislative session scheduled to begin January 13.
In Key West and Monroe County, these 2026 bills could shape daily life in ways that go beyond Tallahassee’s headlines—touching local businesses, policing practices, public spaces, and even tourism-facing regulations.
Florida lawmakers’ proposals for the 2026 session carry direct implications for the Keys. HB 197, which would require all private employers to use the federal E‑Verify system, could affect Key West’s small businesses and service industry, where many employers rely on seasonal and hospitality workers. Compliance costs and verification procedures may add administrative burdens, especially for the island’s numerous independent operators. At the same time, supporters argue it could help ensure fair competition by holding all employers to the same hiring standards.
HB 365 and its Senate companion SB 418, establishing a “Blue Envelope Program” for individuals with autism, could be particularly relevant in a tourist-driven community like Key West, where law enforcement interacts with both residents and visitors daily. The program’s training requirements and communication tools may improve trust and reduce misunderstandings during traffic stops, aligning with Monroe County’s broader emphasis on community policing and inclusivity.
HB 377, which brings heated tobacco products under the same restrictions as cigarettes and cigars, intersects with Key West’s nightlife and hospitality economy. Bars, lounges, and retailers catering to tourists would need to adjust sales practices, age verification, and tax compliance. For a city that already enforces strict smoking ordinances in public spaces, the bill could simplify enforcement by closing regulatory gaps around newer tobacco technologies.
HB 347, restricting which flags may be displayed on government property, could spark debate in Key West, a city known for its diverse symbolic displays. The measure would limit city buildings to flying only officially recognized flags, excluding banners tied to political, ideological, or identity-based movements. For a community that often uses public symbolism to express solidarity—whether with LGBT residents, veterans, or cultural heritage groups—this bill could narrow the scope of civic expression on government property.
Monroe County commissioners have already outlined their 2026 legislative priorities, emphasizing property tax stability, insurance affordability, and flood resilience as top concerns. While the four bills above do not directly address those issues, they add layers of regulation that local governments, businesses, and residents will need to navigate alongside the county’s own agenda. For Key West, the cumulative effect is a reminder that state-level decisions often ripple through the island’s unique economy and culture in ways that demand close attention.
Sources
Florida House of Representatives. HB 197 (2026): Employment Eligibility. Sponsored by Reps. Berny Jacques and Kiyan Michael. Florida House of Representatives, 2025.
Florida House of Representatives. HB 365 (2026): Blue Envelope Program. Sponsored by Rep. Susan Valdés. Florida House of Representatives, 2025. https://housedocs.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=82812
Florida Senate. SB 418 (2026): Law Enforcement Officer Interactions With Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sponsored by Sen. Shevrin Jones. Florida Senate, 2025. https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/418
Florida House of Representatives. HB 377 (2026): Heated Tobacco Product Regulation. Sponsored by Rep. Chase Tramont. Florida House of Representatives, 2025. https://housedocs.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=82938
Florida House of Representatives. HB 347 (2026): Flag Display Restrictions. Sponsored by Rep. David Borrero. Florida House of Representatives, 2025. https://housedocs.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=82914&SessionId=113
Key West Chamber of Commerce. “Board of County Commissioners Approves Monroe County’s 2026 State Legislative Priorities.” Key West Chamber of Commerce, 6 Nov. 2025, https://www.keywestchamber.org/latest-community-news/board-of-county-commissioners-approves-monroe-countys-2026-state-legislative-priorities.
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. 2026 State Legislative Priorities. Monroe County, FL, 2025. https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1798
Monroe County Board of County Commissioners. 2026 Legislative Agenda (Final Approved). Monroe County, FL, 2025. https://www.monroecounty-fl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39259/2026-Legislative-Agenda-Final-Approved
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