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State Sen. Gail Hurrell outlines local wins, cybersecurity fund and new Vertiport policy
Summary
Sen. Gail Hurrell told the Jupiter Town Council the 2026 session was long but yielded local project funding and a new state-local cybersecurity initiative with a $15 million initial appropriation; she also described PFAS phase-out measures and legislation to support advanced air mobility and vertiports.
Sen. Gail Hurrell provided the Town Council with a broad legislative update, highlighting several line-item appropriations that benefit Jupiter and a new statutory mechanism to help local governments buy cybersecurity products at state-negotiated discounts.
Hurrell said the Legislature reduced the overall budget through gubernatorial vetoes but secured local projects for Jupiter, including drainage and athletic-field repairs. She described a newly codified local-government cybersecurity initiative and the year's appropriation: "this last year we put $15,000,000 into it." Hurrell said the funding would support direct grants, training and a state procurement option so municipalities can buy goods and services at discounted rates even if they do not receive a grant.
The senator also discussed public-safety and environmental measures: she described new PFAS restrictions for firefighting foam and a graduated elimination plan with monitoring, and she touted bills to allow vertiports to be part of Florida's airport system and eligible for infrastructure grants. Hurrell said the intention is to encourage advanced-air-mobility manufacturing and infrastructure investment at airports to spur economic growth and regional mobility.
Councilors thanked Hurrell for sponsoring eight items in Jupiter's list of requests and pressed for continued collaboration on local concerns including e-bike regulation, 9-1-1 consolidation and beach and drainage projects. Hurrell said her office will work with town staff on ordinance language and statewide standards where appropriate.
The council did not take action on Hurrell's proposals at the meeting; the session functioned as an informational update and Q&A with the senator.
