Jared O’Rourke (Converge Public Strategies) and other lobbying consultants briefed the council on the 2026 Florida legislative calendar and priorities. O’Rourke said the legislature will convene Jan. 13, 2026, for a 60‑day session and that the town’s appropriation requests were filed by the local deadline. He advised the council that early engagement — including their planned fly‑in during the first week of session — is crucial to protect project appropriations and to monitor bills that could affect local revenues.

A major theme for the year, presenters said, will be affordability: housing costs, infrastructure investments and property‑insurance reforms. Council members raised concerns about proposals that would roll back or replace ad valorem revenues, with members warning that public safety, tree‑planting programs and town services could be affected. Jared and Edgar Fernandez noted that several bills and select committee hearings are already active and that the town’s lobby team is coordinating with the League of Cities and Association of Counties.

Environmental lobbyist Valerie Donette and others highlighted specific bills staff will track, including SB 180 and companion measures that limit local comprehensive‑plan changes after certain disaster declarations; other items of interest include bills on single‑use containers, water‑quality funding, and Everglades/SERP appropriations. The presenters urged the council to stay engaged and offered to arrange agency briefings and in‑person meetings in Tallahassee during the session.