On March 13, Florida’s 2026 Legislative Session came to a close. At that time, all policy bills that had not passed both chambers were considered off the table and no longer under consideration. But the Legislature has not finished their work for the year. They did not pass a 2026-27 state budget during the regular session. This May, legislators returned to Tallahassee to negotiate the budget before June 30, 2026. This marks the second year in a row that the Legislature has failed to complete the budget during the regular 60-day session. The special session on budget is slated to end on May 29 but could extend if the Senate and House cannot come to an agreement on funding numbers.
The 2026 Session was a busy one – with important victories and challenges for our coasts. Check out the info below for more details about the ongoing budget negotiations and a recap of what happened during Session.
💲Eyes on the 2026-27 State Budget Negotiations
Surfrider is advocating for robust funding for land conservation, water quality projects and improvements, and statewide resilience.
Florida Forever faces drastic funding cuts, threatening public conservation land, outdoor recreation, and resilience statewide -- calling for $100 million in funding
The initial House & Senate proposed budgets drastically underfund Florida Forever, the state's conservation land purchasing program. Florida Forever protects drinking water, enhances resilience, expands outdoor recreation, and safeguards wildlife habitat. Here's where the current funding proposals stand:
House budget: $25 million, zero dollars for Florida Forever
Senate budget: $75 million, restricted to conservation easements only (no outright land purchases)
Governor's recommendation: $115 million
Historic funding: $300 million annually
The proposed funding by the Florida Legislature falls far short of what's needed for the Florida Forever program. Budget negotiations are happening right now, and Surfrider is calling for at least $100 million for Florida Forever in the 2026-27 budget.
Water Quality Improvement Projects face uncertain funding levels, jeopardizing ongoing waterway recoveries and restoration -- calling for at least $50 million in funding
The initial House & Senate proposed budgets underfund key water quality improvements, in particular for the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). The IRL, a 156-mile estuary encompassing three rivers, supports thousands of species of plants and animals, provides critical nursery habitat for fish and shellfish, and sustains vital commercial and recreational fisheries. The Lagoon’s annual economic value is estimated at more than $28.3 billion. The IRL has faced significant water quality challenges due to nutrient overloads, bacterial pollution, failing or inadequate wastewater infrastructure, stormwater runoff, and harmful algal blooms. Surfrider’s Space Coast Chapter operates a Blue Water Task Force testing Lagoon water quality at recreation spots and has established Ocean Friendly Gardens to support water quality and resilience in the area.
In 2023, Governor DeSantis made IRL recovery a top priority with Executive Order 23-06 seeking the creation of the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program and funding of $100 million annually for four years. The Legislature unanimously approved the program. Over the last three years, the Lagoon has received critical funding for water quality improvements that have helped keep the watershed on the path to recovery. Unfortunately, the initial 2026-27 IRL funding proposals come in at $33 million from the House and just $700,000 from the Senate, well below the $100 million set out in the Indian River Lagoon Protection Program and the Governor’s recommended budget. As budget negotiations continue, Surfrider is advocating for full IRL funding to ensure this watershed continues to recover and support thriving communities and ecosystems.
Resilient Florida needs sustained, robust funding to protect our coasts and communities -- calling for $170 million in funding
Resilient Florida provides support for local governments to assess climate vulnerabilities and implement projects that mitigate risks from flooding, sea-level rise, and severe storms. Our coasts and communities remain on the frontlines of these challenges and the Resilient Florida program consistently receives far more eligible applications than available funding. The Legislature must continue to prioritize this program. Surfrider urges funding the Statewide Flooding and Sea Level Resilience Plan at at least $150 million and Planning Grants at $20 million.
✅ Wins for Nature-Based Resilience & Healthy Coasts in Florida
SB302/HB1035 Coastal Resiliency passes for more resilient Florida coasts and communities!
Signed into Florida law on March 19, 2026
This bill creates regulatory pathways and state support for nature-based resilience methods like mangrove planting, dune restoration, and wetlands protection. Surfrider has championed these effective and dynamic coastal solutions for years. The bill also includes dredging restrictions for Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve in Tampa, near a controversial proposed mega cruise port project. Read more about this MAJOR victory for Florida coasts and communities here.
👏 Thank you to everyone who has advocated for nature-based solutions in their communities and in Tallahassee over the past years!
HB441/SB546 Conservation Lands passes for more transparency and oversight for public lands!
Signed into Florida law on April 22, 2026
This legislation closes critical gaps in state law around public conservation land transactions. These gaps were exposed in May 2025, when a proposal to exchange 600 acres of the Guana Wildlife Management Area into private ownership shocked North Florida communities. With less than a week's notice and little information, the proposal was met with swift and widespread opposition. Surfrider's First Coast Chapter and our statewide network mobilized quickly alongside partners across Florida. The proposal was ultimately withdrawn but the threat that this could happen again was too clear. Read more about this victory here.
This bill ensures future proposals can't fly through under the radar. It requires:
-- 30-day public notice before conservation land transactions
-- Clear statements of conservation purpose and benefit
-- Appraisals of proposed land parcels
-- Publication of related materials and recommendations
👏 Thank you to everyone who engaged in the Guana Land Swap campaign and continued showing up for our public lands!
💪 Important Defense Against Reckless Development
SB354/HB299 Blue Ribbon Projects, met with adamant and widespread opposition, fails to pass.
Did not pass the Florida Legislature in 2026
Advocates from across the state united to oppose this bill that would have fast-tracked massive developments – 15,000+ acres on natural or agricultural land – without meaningful local input or clear conservation requirements. Under the bill, these projects would receive expedited administrative approval, bypassing local review authority. Think tens of thousands of new residents, vast industrial development, and reduced scrutiny for infrastructure, zoning, and planning. Furthermore, the “reserve” land in these developments could still include stormwater facilities, utility corridors, and other infrastructure.
There was significant opposition from local communities, organizations, and people across Florida. Notably, Senators Passidomo, Gaetz, Wright, Simon, and Pizzo all spoke against the bill during debate. United and persistent pressure kept this bill from passing this session. We must be ready
❌ Concerning New Laws Undermine Local Governmental Authority & Public Engagement in Community Planning
HB399 Land Use and Development Regulations passes with pro-development focus and benefits, but does not include provisions targeting urban development boundaries.
Signed into Florida law March 30, 2026
HB399 Land Use and Development Regulations significantly reduces local zoning control and undermines smart growth principles. Local governments and Florida communities have concerns about diminished opportunities for public input and oversight in how their regions grow. Notably, HB399 was amended to remove some of the most concerning provisions, in particular language that targeted voter-approved urban development boundaries (UDBs) and could have supercharged urban sprawl and unwise development in critical environments. UDBs play an important role in water quality, flood protection, and resilience by limiting urban sprawl and protecting wetlands and farmland. There was bipartisan pushback on the efforts to undermine UDBs this session but it is likely that this language will return in future sessions.
HB1217 "No Net-Zero" Bill passes, undermining local communities’ future planning and resilience efforts.
Signed into Florida law on April 22, 2026
This bill prohibits local governments from adopting net-zero policies or taking actions to balance greenhouse gas emissions. Net-zero strategies – like switching to electric vehicles, encouraging energy efficiency, and restoring mangroves and wetlands – are among our most effective tools for addressing the root causes of sea-level rise, storm surge, and saltwater intrusion. This bill will tie the hands of governments trying to protect their communities from the consequences of climate change.
The bill was narrowed from its broader and even worse original form, but the language remains sweeping and is likely to have a chilling effect on local resilience efforts well beyond direct prohibition. A Florida that bans local climate action is less prepared to face rising seas, weather stronger storms, and protect our communities.
🌊 Building Momentum for Future Sessions
With just 234 out of nearly 2,000 filed bills passing this Session (a distinctly low 12% passage rate), there were Surfrider priorities that did not make it across the finish line this year. Our Florida ocean and coastal priorities take on big problems, which means it can take several sessions to gather the support we need.
This year, we were proud to support a new comprehensive pollution reduction bill, SB240/HB575 Auxiliary Containers. This practical legislation addresses the growing plastic pollution and marine debris problem in Florida. The bill seeks to find balance in providing local governments with effective ways to reduce the harmful impacts of debris and pollution while providing more clarity and uniformity for businesses. Although the bills did not advance this session, SB240 Auxiliary Containers passed unanimously out of its first committee stop. We applaud the bill sponsors Senator Ileana Garcia and Representative Meg Weinberger for leading on this important issue and look forward to continuing to work together for healthier coasts, waterways, and communities across Florida.
We will also continue to push for improvements to our state-run beach water quality monitoring and public notification program. The monitoring practices and public notification are inconsistent across Florida counties, leaving beachgoers vulnerable to getting sick from recreating in Florida's ocean waters. We thank committed sponsors Senator Ana Maria Rodriguez and Representative Peggy Gossett-Seidman for introducing SB1042/HB669 Public Waters and continuing to fight for healthy beaches and safe coastal recreation in Florida.
💙 Thank You for Championing Our Coasts!
Protecting the ocean, waves, and beaches for all people takes all of our voices. Thank you for showing up as Friends of the Ocean in Tallahassee and in your communities!
Follow our Instagram for real-time updates as we continue to fight for our coasts and communities in Florida.