Here are 10 hot topics to watch when 2022 Florida Legislature convenes

The legislative fights waged each year in the halls and chambers of the state Capitol are set to begin anew on Jan. 11.

This year, though, the redistricting process will add a once-in-a-decade zing to the debate as Florida lawmakers set to redraw the boundaries of congressional and legislative districts by the end of the 2022 legislative session.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is seeking reelection in 2022, also has several items on his legislative wish list. Here are 10 things to look out for this session:

▪ Redistricting: The Republican-dominated Legislature must complete the once-in-a-decade task of redistricting, or the process of redrawing the state’s congressional and legislative boundaries based on 2020 Census data. The biggest changes will be felt in Central Florida, where Florida’s Congressional District 9, held by Democratic Rep. Darren Soto, grew faster than any other congressional district in the nation over the last decade.

▪ Abortion: While anti-abortion advocates bask in the fact that the U.S. has its most conservative Supreme Court in generations, Florida Republicans will almost certainly try to pass more abortion restrictions in 2022. But it’s unclear how far they will go. Time, the courts, and the Florida Constitution will have something to say about that.

▪ The making of a nearly $100 billion state budget: DeSantis’ proposed budget includes suspending gas taxes by $0.25 for five months next year, spending millions combating hot-button issues such as immigration and voter fraud, and bonuses for teachers and first responders. As usual, the Legislature will have the final say on how the state will spend its money.

▪ Immigration: The governor is renewing a push for hard-line immigration policies. They include an $8 million proposed plan to transport undocumented immigrants in Florida to other parts of the country and another proposal that would not allow state contracts to go to private companies that take part in a federal program that transports unaccompanied minors from the southern border to Florida.

▪ Changes to spring testing: DeSantis wants to spend $15.5 million to carry out a plan to revamp the state’s school accountability system by replacing several of the annual exams students take with a progress-monitoring system, which would be tailored to individual students. The proposal has received broad support from Democrats and Republicans, though many of the details still need to be hashed out.

▪ Voting: Just months after approving hotly debated changes to the state’s voting laws, DeSantis said he wants tougher penalties on fraud and nearly $6 million for a new 52-person office to investigate voter fraud.

▪ Property insurance: Florida’s property insurance market is in crisis. Rates are rising by double digits, and multiple companies have gone under in recent years. What will lawmakers do about it?

▪ Healthcare: As always, the most important healthcare bill the Legislature will debate is the state’s budget. Lawmakers hold the key to billions of dollars in funding for hospitals, long term care facilities and more. But also watch out for a couple of bills that will expand the use of telehealth, and look for lawmakers to try to make a dent in the state’s nursing shortage.

▪ Home rule: The Republican-led Legislature is likely to consider preemptions over local home rule authority this session, just like last year, when. state lawmakers restricted local authority for cities and counties to respond to public health emergencies, Key West cruise traffic and home-based businesses. One proposal that is on the table this session could lead to cities and counties facing lawsuits because of decisions that lead to reduced revenue and profits for businesses.

▪ Condominium law changes after Surfside: The deadly collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside will likely have reverberations throughout the 2022 legislative session as lawmakers try to determine what reforms, if any, could be made to prevent a future tragedy. One possible change could target rules that govern how much condominium associations should set aside in reserves to pay for needed building improvements.

This story was originally published January 7, 2022 at 6:00 AM.