STATE NEWS: Senate schedules, records shield, ‘Granny flats’

Tallahassee, FL, USA – Feb 15, 2019: The large meeting hall of Senate Chamber in the Old Capital of Florida

Senate sets committee schedules

Starting to gear up for the 2026 legislative session, the Florida Senate has posted tentative schedules for two weeks of committee meetings in October.

Meetings are slated for Oct. 7 and Oct. 8 and Oct. 14 through Oct. 16. Also, the Senate has set aside time on Oct. 7 for a swearing-in ceremony for Sen. LaVon Bracy Davis, an Ocoee Democrat who was elected in a Sept. 2 special election.

Also, the tentative schedules include times for joint House and Senate committees to meet on Oct. 6 and Oct. 13. Lawmakers also are scheduled to hold two weeks of committee meetings in November and two weeks in December. The 2026 session will start Jan. 13.

Medical examiners could get records shield

A House Republican on Sept. 15 filed a proposal that would create a public-records exemption for personal information about current and former medical examiners and their family members.

The bill (HB 21), filed by Rep. Kim Kendall, R-St. Augustine, for consideration during the 2026 legislative session, would shield from release information such as home addresses, telephone numbers and dates of birth.

“The Legislature finds that the release of such personal identifying and location information poses potential security risks for and allows unwarranted intrusion into the private lives of such current and former medical examiners and their family members,” the bill says. “Public availability of such personal identifying and location information may compromise the ability of such current and former medical examiners to carry out their public duties and may disrupt the operation of the medical examiners’ offices.”

‘Granny flats’ proposal re-emerges

After the House and Senate could not reach agreement on the issue this year, lawmakers during the 2026 legislative session could again consider a proposal that would require local governments to allow what are known as “granny flats” or “carriage houses” in single-family residential areas.

Sen. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, filed a housing bill (SB 48) on Sept. 16 that includes a granny-flats proposal. The House and Senate passed such proposals during the 2025 session but didn’t agree on a final version.

Gaetz, who sponsored the Senate version during the 2025 session, said it would help increase workforce housing as the state continues to grapple with affordable-housing issues.

Under current law, cities and counties can allow what are technically known as accessory dwelling units, which are independent living spaces added onto residential properties. The proposed bill would require local governments to allow them.