The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce (GMCC) has released an update summarizing the outcomes of the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, focusing on issues important to Miami’s business community. The session concluded on June 18, with lawmakers passing a $115.1 billion state budget that included significant tax reforms and education investments.
According to the GMCC, key legislative priorities for the organization this year were transportation, housing, workforce development and education, and resiliency.
In transportation, the Chamber highlighted both achievements and setbacks. Lawmakers approved a $100 million appropriation for Kendall Parkway aimed at easing traffic congestion in Southwest Miami-Dade. “The Chamber strongly supported this appropriation and will continue advocating for more funding,” stated the release. However, funding was eliminated for new or expanding transit systems under the “New Starts” program, which could slow future transit projects in Miami-Dade County. Additionally, HB5501 redirected approximately $467 million per year from the State Transportation Trust Fund into general revenue—potentially impacting long-term infrastructure planning.
On housing policy, there was broad support for SB 1730, which expanded provisions of the Live Local Act to promote affordable housing statewide by limiting local zoning restrictions and streamlining permitting processes. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers. “SB 1730 passed unanimously in both chambers and reflects continued momentum toward solving Florida’s workforce and affordable housing shortage,” said the Chamber.
Funding levels were maintained for major state housing programs such as SHIP and Sadowski Trust Fund. However, additional proposals intended to create new financing tools for workforce housing did not advance.
For workforce development and education, HB 859 expanded access to early childhood education through improvements to the School Readiness Program. The GMCC noted bipartisan support: “This bill passed unanimously, reflecting bipartisan support for investing in school readiness as a foundation for long-term workforce success.” Despite these gains in early learning initiatives and continued support for career-focused training programs, comprehensive reforms integrating K-12 schools with postsecondary institutions and employers stalled during this session.
Resiliency efforts saw record or near-record funding but little legislative progress on broader policy reform. Over $1.4 billion was allocated for Everglades restoration and water quality projects—including about $830 million specifically earmarked for Everglades work—with another $20 million set aside for Biscayne Bay water quality improvements. However, bills aiming to expand nature-based coastal resilience strategies were withdrawn before reaching a vote.
The session also preserved local control over tourism marketing funds after bills proposing restrictive changes died in committee. In legal matters affecting businesses, efforts to roll back recent tort reforms were defeated; GMCC attributed this result partly to coordinated advocacy with other organizations.
One notable change is that starting October 1, 2025 businesses leasing commercial space will benefit from elimination of Florida’s longstanding sales tax on commercial rents—a measure expected to save companies around $900 million annually statewide.
Looking ahead, GMCC advised local businesses to prepare for rent tax relief beginning next fiscal year and encouraged monitoring of how newly passed affordable housing laws are implemented locally. The organization also emphasized continued vigilance regarding gubernatorial vetoes that may affect final project funding decisions.
“Prepare for Business Rent Tax Relief: Businesses with commercial leases should plan for tax reductions starting October 1, 2025,” reads part of their guidance to members.
GMCC plans ongoing engagement during rulemaking processes related to affordable housing policy implementation as well as further monitoring of transportation funding developments at both state and local levels.
