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2h ago

Florida Senate Sends 'Rural Renaissance' Bill to House After Unanimous Vote

House action will determine whether the pared-back package becomes law.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis arrives to deliver his State of the State address during the first day of the legislative session at the Florida State Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, in Tallahassee, Fla. (Matias J. Ocner/Miami Herald)

Overview

  • The Senate approved SB 250 unanimously on the second day of the 2026 session.
  • The package directs about $151.85 million in state funding, including $50 million for farm-to-market roads, roughly $48.4 million for small-county roads, and $18.8 million for SHIP housing.
  • It would create an Office of Rural Prosperity within the Department of Commerce and offer up to $15,000 in student-loan repayment for rural educators.
  • Sponsor Corey Simon removed nearly $50 million in state health provisions, including a $25 million Rural Access grant and a $5 million SCORE program, citing roughly $209.9 million a year in new federal rural-health funds.
  • A House companion, HB 723 by Rep. Shane Abbott, is filed, and Speaker Daniel Perez says it is up to members to decide whether to take it up this session.