2026 Legislative Session
First Month Recap: Detailed Bill Breakdown & Miami Implications
Introduction
The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) tracks key legislation in 4 areas, and others that are relevant to the Miami business community. Florida legislative updates can be found below:
Transportation
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Whether the Legislature moves to standardize or preempt local transportation-related land development regulations.
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Proposals that could accelerate infrastructure timelines or, conversely, introduce new procedural hurdles.
- Impacts on transit-oriented development (TOD) and multimodal corridors.
HB 1183 – Transportation Infrastructure Land Development Regulations
This bill addresses how local land development regulations interact with transportation infrastructure projects. While still early in the process, the intent is to clarify or limit when local zoning, concurrency, or development approval processes can delay or restrict transportation facilities.
Key policy concepts:
- Clarifies the relationship between transportation projects and local comprehensive plans.
- Aims to reduce conflicts between infrastructure delivery and local land-use processes.
- May limit duplicative or inconsistent local requirements for state or regionally significant transportation projects.
Why this matters for Miami:
Miami-Dade’s major transportation initiatives — SMART Plan corridors, roadway expansions, and transit investments — often intersect with complex local zoning and land-use rules. Greater clarity and predictability could shorten timelines and reduce uncertainty, particularly for projects near dense urban centers.
HB 1199 – Transportation
This is a broader transportation policy bill that serves as a catch-all vehicle for statewide transportation updates. While details are still being refined in committee, bills of this type typically address planning authority, funding flexibility, or operational standards.
Key policy concepts (anticipated):
- Updates to transportation planning or governance frameworks.
- Potential adjustments to funding eligibility or prioritization.
- Coordination between state, regional, and local transportation entities.
Why this matters for Miami:
Any changes to planning or funding frameworks can affect Miami-Dade’s ability to compete for transportation dollars, especially for large-scale, multi-jurisdictional projects tied to ports, airports, and transit hubs.
HB 1233 – Transportation
This bill is part of the Legislature’s broader transportation package and is still in early committee routing. While language is developing, it is expected to focus on transportation system efficiency and project delivery.
Why this matters for Miami:
Even incremental transportation policy changes can have outsized effects in a dense, high-growth region. The Chamber is watching for impacts on mobility, congestion management, and economic connectivity.
Transportation legislation this session will shape how quickly and efficiently Miami can deliver critical infrastructure. The Chamber supports policies that:
- Reduce unnecessary delays,
- Preserve local flexibility where needed,
- And strengthen Miami’s role as a global transportation and logistics hub.
Workforce Housing
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Ongoing legislative “tune-ups” to the Live Local Act.
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How affordability requirements are defined and enforced.
- Whether local governments apply Live Local provisions consistently across the state.
SB 1548 – Affordable Housing (Sen. Alexis Calatayud)
This bill addresses authorization and compliance mechanisms related to affordable housing development. It seeks to clarify how local governments must allow certain housing types and how affordability criteria are applied.
Key policy concepts:
- Strengthens requirements for local governments to permit qualifying affordable housing developments.
- Includes provisions addressing discriminatory or inconsistent local application of housing rules.
- Reinforces statewide housing policy objectives.
Why this matters for Miami:
Miami’s housing market is constrained by cost, land availability, and regulatory complexity. Clearer statewide standards can:
- Reduce project uncertainty,
- Encourage housing production near job centers,
- And help ensure Live Local is implemented consistently in high-cost urban markets.
HB 675 – Affordable Housing (Live Local Updates)
This bill represents a set of technical and policy refinements to the Live Local Act based on lessons learned since its initial passage.
Key policy concepts:
- Adjusts affordability duration and eligibility provisions.
- Clarifies how incentives may be used and enforced.
- Addresses implementation challenges raised by local governments and developers.
Status:
The bill has advanced through its first House committee, signaling strong early momentum.
Why this matters for Miami:
These updates may determine whether Live Local continues to function as a meaningful workforce housing production tool in Miami or becomes more difficult to use in practice.
Workforce housing legislation remains central to Miami’s economic future. The Chamber supports solutions that:
- Expand housing supply,
- Preserve affordability for working families,
- And provide certainty so projects can move forward.
Workforce Development & Education
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Expansion of work-based learning opportunities.
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Alignment of education programs with employer needs.
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Policies affecting employer participation in internships and training programs.
HB 693 – Health and Human Services
While not a traditional workforce bill, this legislation affects service delivery systems that rely heavily on workforce availability, including healthcare and social services.
Why this matters for Miami:
Miami’s healthcare and human services sectors are major employers. Workforce stability in these fields directly affects service access and economic resilience.
SB 1062 – Speech and Debate Education
This bill promotes speech and debate programs as part of the education curriculum, emphasizing critical thinking, communication, and civic engagement skills.
Status:
Advanced unanimously through its first Senate committee.
Why this matters for Miami:
Employers consistently cite communication and analytical skills as critical workforce needs. This bill supports long-term talent development aligned with employer priorities.
SB 1694 – Technology Education
Focused on strengthening technology education pathways, this bill supports curriculum and program development aligned with high-demand tech fields.
Why this matters for Miami:
Miami’s growing tech and innovation economy depends on a local pipeline of skilled talent. This bill supports long-term workforce competitiveness.
HB 221 – Minimum Wage Requirements (Work-Based Learning Impacts)
This bill includes provisions affecting internships, apprenticeships, and training programs, particularly how compensation rules apply.
Status:
Advanced through its first committee.
Why this matters for Miami:
Clear, flexible rules can help employers continue offering training opportunities—especially important for small and mid-sized businesses.
Miami’s economy depends on a skilled, adaptable workforce. The Chamber supports policies that:
- Expand talent pipelines,
- Encourage employer participation,
- And align education with real-world job needs.
Resiliency
- State investment in nature-based resilience strategies.
- Integration of resilience planning with economic and insurance considerations.
- Long-term funding certainty for coastal projects.
SB 302 – Nature-based Solutions for Improving Coastal Resilience
This bill directs the state to formally evaluate and support nature-based solutions — such as mangroves, living shorelines, and hybrid infrastructure — to address flooding and storm surge.
Key policy concepts:
- Requires statewide feasibility and effectiveness studies.
- Integrates environmental, economic, and insurance considerations.
- Encourages science-based resilience planning.
Status:
Advanced unanimously in its first committee and scheduled for further hearings.
Why this matters for Miami:
Nature-based solutions can reduce flood risk, protect Biscayne Bay, and support long-term economic stability while complementing gray infrastructure investments.
Resilience is economic policy for Miami. The Chamber supports approaches that:
- Are science-driven and fundable,
- Protect infrastructure and neighborhoods,
- And strengthen long-term business confidence.