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Florida House opens session; Speaker Perez calls for unity, seats two new members and schedules joint session for governor's address
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Summary
Speaker Daniel Perez opened the Florida House, paid tribute to recently deceased members and family, ceremonially swore in Representatives Rob Long and Rashaan Young, and the chamber adopted a concurrent resolution to meet the Senate for the governor's State of the State on Jan. 13, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.
The Florida House of Representatives convened its opening session with Speaker Daniel Perez urging unity and public service, the ceremonial swearing-in of two new members and a unanimous voice vote to meet the Senate for the governor's State of the State address.
Speaker Daniel Perez opened the session by calling members together, leading tributes and outlining priorities for the coming weeks, including affordability, insurance, taxes and infrastructure. "We will approach this task with an open hand, an open mind, and most importantly, an open heart," Perez said in his opening remarks.
Representative Garrison led a remembrance for Omar Antonio Botana, father of Representative Botana, who died Jan. 10 at age 71; Garrison asked members to keep the Botana family in their prayers. The chamber also observed a moment of silence for the late Representative Joe Casello and recognized his record of public service, including military and firefighting careers.
After the ceremonial presentations and the pledge of allegiance, Justice John Curiel administered the oath to Representatives Rob Long and Rashaan Young following a motion by Representative Robinson W to accept the secretary of state's certifications. The House then agreed to find the two members duly elected and qualified by voice vote.
The clerk read a communication from Governor Ron DeSantis requesting an opportunity to present the State of the State to a joint session on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Representative Garrison moved to introduce Senate Concurrent Resolution SCR 1466 to authorize a joint session and to read the resolution twice by title; the House adopted the concurrent resolution by voice vote and laid HCR 1561 on the table.
By voice vote the House approved a motion that it adjourn and reconvene for the joint session at 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2026 (or at the call of the Speaker). The session concluded with the Speaker asking Sergeant Hossford to secure the chamber ahead of the joint session.
What happened next
The House is set to meet the Senate in joint session at 11:00 a.m. on Jan. 13, 2026, to receive the governor's State of the State address; no roll-call vote tallies were taken in the floor record provided — motions adopting the resolution and seating the two members were approved by voice vote.
