Florida House opens regular session; Speaker Perez outlines affordability, insurance and education as priorities

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House of Representatives convened Tuesday for the opening of its regular session, where Speaker Daniel Perez framed the next nine weeks as a period for bipartisan work on affordability, insurance, taxes, prescription drugs, infrastructure and education.

"We will approach this task with an open hand, an open mind, and most importantly, an open heart," Speaker Daniel Perez said in his opening remarks. "Our service here matters, and we will always, always be stronger together." He urged members to focus on problems that "are not simple ones" and promised the chamber would "work with anyone who is willing to put the needs of our state first."

Perez spoke after the House observed ceremonial matters including a prayer and moments of silence for Omar Antonio Botana, the father of Representative Botana, and the late Representative Joe Casello. The clerk reported a quorum with 111 members present.

The chamber ceremonially seated two newly certified members, Rob Long and Rashaan Young. Representative Robinson W moved that the clerk accept the secretary of state's certifications as prima facie evidence of election and that both be seated; the motion was approved by voice vote. Florida Supreme Court Justice John Curiel administered the ceremonial oath of office to the new members as they repeated the oath.

A message from Governor Ron DeSantis requesting the opportunity to deliver the State of the State address was read on the floor; the governor asked to speak to a joint session on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. The House adopted a concurrent resolution sent by the Senate to authorize the joint session. Representative Garrison explained and moved adoption of SCR 14 66; members adopted the resolution by voice vote.

Before adjourning, Representative Garrison moved that the House stand adjourned to reconvene for committee work and to return at 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2026 (or upon the speaker's call) for the joint session; the motion passed and the House adjourned.

The session included traditional opening-day ceremonies: presentation of colors by the Florida State University ROTC color guard, the Pledge of Allegiance led from the floor, an invocation by Father Alejandro Rodriguez of Saint Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Miami, and the national anthem sung by Joshua Taylor of Newbury, Florida.

What happens next: the House will reconvene in a joint session with the Senate at 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2026 to receive the governor's message.