TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate president and House speaker rebuffed a call for a special session by Gov. DeSantis on immigration, hurricane recovery and more, calling it premature.
The joint memorandum by Senate President Ben Albritton and House Speaker Daniel Perez released Monday afternoon acknowledged the governor’s power to call the session but made it clear they would decide what to cover.
“Florida’s Constitution compels our attendance at a special session unilaterally called by the Governor. However, the power to convene a special session also resides with the presiding officers,” the memorandum read. “As the people’s elected representatives, the Legislature, not the Governor, will decide when and what legislation we consider.”
DeSantis called the special session for several reasons, though top of mind was to help President-elect Donald Trump enforce planned deportation orders and other immigration changes.
Speaking to reporters in Tallahassee on Monday, the governor discussed the upcoming presidential inauguration and the anticipated policy changes under President Trump’s administration, particularly concerning border security and illegal immigration, including “Day One” executive orders that are anticipated to be released on Trump’s Inauguration Day, Jan. 20.
However, Albritton and Perez said that, while they stand ready to support Trump’s immigration policies, they were not aware yet of any specific guidance.
“It is completely irresponsible to get out ahead of any announcements President Trump will make, especially when uninformed or ill-timed state action could potentially impair or impede the success of President Trump’s forthcoming efforts to end illegal immigration, close our borders, and protect the sovereignty of our nation,” the memorandum read.
DeSantis said the state needs additional measures to ensure people are held accountable for violating “anti-sanctuary policies.”
Although no bills have been filed yet, the governor specifically mentioned a program administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, known as 287(g), that allows the federal agency to delegate to state and local law enforcement agencies the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions. (Delegation of Immigration Authority Section 287(g) Immigration and Nationality Act | ICE)
“A sheriff can opt into it and then assist the feds,” said DeSantis. “We’re going to say municipalities and counties are going to be a part of 287(g).”
The governor also added that he’s prepared to suspend elected officials from office if they are “neglecting their duties” under the new immigration mandates and that he would consider activating the Florida National Guard and the Florida State Guard to carry out in-state enforcement measures.
DeSantis said he anticipates allocating tens of millions of dollars in new funding to help state and local officials expand their enforcement and detention efforts.
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DeSantis said he supports a bill filed by State Sen. Randy Fine, R-Brevard County, that would repeal an existing state law that allows undocumented children to pay the same in-state college tuition rate as Florida residents. That law was originally sponsored more than a decade ago by former Republican lawmaker Jeanette Nunez, who now serves as DeSantis’ lieutenant governor.
“I do think this is Gov. Ron DeSantis just trying to out-Trump Trump in showing he is more aggressive on immigration policy,” said State Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando, who questions the governor’s rush for a special session.
“We don’t even know what executive orders that President Trump is going to sign, let alone what policies a day later Florida is going to consider,” said Eskamani. “This is not how we govern.”
The special session would begin the week of Jan. 27, roughly a week after Trump’s inauguration date.
Beyond immigration, the special session will also address what DeSantis called other pressing issues in Florida, including the need for immediate relief funding for hurricane-affected areas and agriculture needs, as well as condo relief, citing the financial burden on condo owners since the 2021 Surfside condominium collapse.
“Things like ‘My Safe Florida Home,’ we have people who are approved but the funding ran out. Why not provide them the grant? They can built back in a way that will be more resilient in the future,” said DeSantis.
The final addition to the legislative call focuses on reforming the petition and amendment process in Florida. DeSantis highlighted what he calls a significant issue of fraudulent petitions verified by the secretary of state’s investigation during the last election, particularly concerning Amendment 4.
Albritton and Perez said DeSantis' suggestions were “fragments of ideas,” noting that the bills would need to be crafted within two weeks for the opening of the special session.
“With regard to the additional issues outlined by the Governor this morning, the fact is there are ample funds accessible and available to pay for the State’s ongoing disaster response efforts and additional funds do not have to wait until July 1,” Albritton and Perez wrote. “Condominium safety and ballot initiatives proposing constitutional amendments are complex subjects and should be considered during the regular session, not a truncated special session.”
Prior to the November election, DeSantis faced criticism from abortion rights activists who accused the governor of using state money to fight the abortion rights amendment. During his campaign, a federal judge blocked Florida from interfering with abortion rights ads on TV stations.
Amendment 4 received 57% of the vote, falling short of the 60% threshold.
The 60-day annual Florida Legislative Session starts in 50 days, on March 4.
The Associated Press attributed to this report.
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