The 60-day legislative session went into overtime by one week, due in part to the economic uncertainty surrounding coronavirus which caused a delay in finalizing the state’s $93.2 billion budget. Lawmakers filed more than 3,500 bills, and passed 210 in that span.

Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature took steps during the 2020 Legislative Session to keep Florida’s economic momentum going. Lawmakers passed 12 Florida Chamber-backed bills that lower the cost of living, reduce the cost of doing business, prepare for future growth, protect Florida’s Constitution, and recognize the challenge Florida faces with COVID-19.

“In these unprecedented times, the Florida Legislature took many responsive and responsible actions during the 2020 Legislative Session to strengthen our state. More remains to be done for sure, but for now we must all pull together as Floridians and Americans. We will get through this and be stronger than ever,” said David Hart, Executive Vice President, Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The Florida Chamber was instrumental in defeating 23 bills deemed bad for Florida’s businesses, including bills that would insert government between employers and employees with new employer mandates and would create new lines of lawsuits – making Florida’s poor legal climate even worse.

Chief among the Florida Chamber-backed legislation that passed this session are bills that:

• Strengthened Florida’s school choice options to serve even more students,
• Increased access to healthcare by expanding scope of practice for advanced registered nurse practitioners,
• Invested in Florida’s economic development and tourism marketing programs,
• Protected the environment with long-term water quality investments,
• Ensured Florida remains the Sunshine State, not the “melanoma state,” by preempting scientifically dubious local bans on proven sunscreens,
• Protected Florida’s Constitution from special interests buying their way onto Florida’s ballot,
• Invested in Florida’s rural communities with cost-effective economic development efforts, and
• Fully funded Florida’s affordable housing program.

Lawmakers passed 12 @FLChamber backed bills that lower the cost of living, reduce the cost of doing business, prepare for future growth, protect FL’s Const., and recognizes the unprecedented times FL faces with #COVID19 . https://t.co/FlB0HcmuC5 #FlaPol #SineDie

— Florida Chamber (@FlChamber) March 19, 2020

The @FlChamber is committed to the safety and health of FL employers and the people working for them. These are unprecedented times, but the @FlChamber is uniting FL’s business community for good. Follow facts, not fear. https://t.co/On0kNcuvsb #FlaPol #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/tPELZvFvHE

— Florida Chamber (@FlChamber) March 17, 2020

Thank you @SBAgov for approving Florida’s declaration for disaster loan assistance. Florida businesses interested in learning more should visit: https://t.co/MF2XvinsnA

— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) March 18, 2020