Florida Special Legislative Session Focuses on Support for Israel, Sanctions on Iran, Hurricane Relief, and School Choice Expansion

Bills focusing on strengthening sanctions on Iran, providing $416 million in hurricane relief, and abolishing 40,000 student voucher cap expected to pass in Florida's special legislative session.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called for the special legislative session to, among other things, increase sanctions on Iran in response to the recent terrorist attacks on Israel. Two bills proposing these sanctions are expected to pass.
Multiple resolutions have been filed during the session, condemning the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel and reaffirming Florida's support for Israel.
The session will also address hurricane relief, specifically for the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia. Proposed bills call for $416 million in relief funds and support for the My Safe Florida Home program, which helps homeowners pay for house upgrades.
The third major focus of the session is expanding the state's school choice program. A proposal has been made to abolish the cap on vouchers for 40,000 special needs students, asserting that no child should have to wait for access to the right school.
Critics of the session, particularly Democratic lawmakers, suggest that the motivation behind the session is to provide Governor DeSantis with key talking points for his current presidential campaign, rather than focusing on Florida's domestic issues.