Hot Sand Potatoes on the Horizon: Florida Legislature for the week of April 21-25, 2025

Alright, Sunshine Poop Scoop fans, let’s scoop the poop on what’s coming up in the Florida Legislature for the week of April 21-25, 2025! We’re deep in the seventh week of the 2025 session (March 4-May 2), and I’ve sniffed through flsenate.gov, flhouse.gov, and recent buzz to dish the dirt on what’s about to hit the Capitol hotter than a Florida pavement in July. Expect some hot sand potatoes, a sprinkle of funnies, and a whole lotta swampy action—here’s the rundown as of Sunday, April 20, 2025, 3:37 PM PDT!

• Budget Brawl Heats Up – HB 5001: The $115.6 billion budget beast is the week’s biggest firecracker. House and Senate are neck-deep in conference committees—Monday’s Appropriations meetings (flhouse.gov) could seal DeSantis’ tax cuts or ignite a clash over sales tax holidays. Social media’s buzzin’ with “tax-free ammo” quips, but rural folks want roof fixes, not just gun perks. Wednesday’s budget talks might lock it in—hot pavement alert, this one’s gonna burn!

• Child Labor Laws Keep Stirrin’ – HB 317/SB 830: These teen work rule relaxers gained traction last week. Tuesday’s Senate Rules Committee could push ‘em to the floor—think 13-year-olds slingin’ summer jobs or 14-year-olds workin’ late. Businesses love it, but parents are grumblin’ about school nights. Social media’s got jokes: “Kids flippin’ burgers ‘til midnight, but don’t flunk math!” Hot sand—could pass soon!

• Gun Laws Reload – HB 759/SB 814: Gun debates are blazin’ after last week’s Judiciary stir. Wednesday’s Senate Criminal Justice might advance SB 814 (campus carry by Sen. Randy Fine) or HB 759 (lowering rifle buy age to 18, Reps. Michelle Salzman and Tyler Sirois). DeSantis backs open carry—social media says it’s “red meat” for 2026 governor hopefuls (WUSF, Feb 24). Hotter than a Key West sidewalk!

Development-Heavy Sparks

• SB 110 – Rural Renaissance: Sen. Corey Simon’s $200 million rural boost (housing, roads, Prosperity Office) passed the Senate March 27 but’s been nappin’ in the House. Tuesday’s Infrastructure & Tourism Appropriations could give it a kick—rural counties want cash, but some smell sprawl. Social media’s mixed: “Jobs or bulldozers?” Warm sand, but could heat up!

• SB 1118 – Land-Use Grab: This state-power zoning shift (banning local land-use votes since 2011) cleared the Senate March 22 and’s stuck in the House. Thursday’s State Affairs Committee might nudge it—developers love it, but locals fear strip malls galore. The Florida League of Cities calls it a “sprawl disaster” (Tallahassee Democrat, March 20). Hot sand if it moves!

• HB 771/SB 432 – No Assessments: Rep. Kevin Steele and Sen. Corey Simon’s bills to ban special assessments (property fees for sewers, sidewalks) are lurkin’ in committees. No action slated, but they could starve local projects—think flood fixes post-‘24 hurricanes. Warm pavement, ready to sneak up!

Funnies to Keep It Swampy

• Mullet Man’s Eternal Reign: No fresh Mullet Man antics, but his March 25 cloud-seedin’ rant (SB 56, passed Senate April 3) keeps social media cacklin’—“Sky King and Eye-Rollin’ Gertie for governor!” one post crowed. Gertie’s exasperated mug is still meme royalty!

• Goat Bandit Echoes: Last week’s Volusia County naked goat bandit—busted April 15 on a stolen bike with a bleatin’ sidekick (WESH)—bled into legislative chatter. A House member quipped during Wednesday’s budget talks, “Fund goat security, not just guns!” Social media lost it: “Florida’s crime wave now includes nude goat heists!”

Term Limits Simmer

• SJR 536/HJR 1055: The 16-year lawmaker cap (8 House, 8 Senate) inched forward last week in Ethics & Elections. Monday’s Senate Rules Committee could tee it up for a floor vote—aimin’ for the 2026 ballot to flush out Tallahassee’s old gators. Social media’s hyped—“Boot the lifers!”—but some say it’s just shufflin’ the swamp deck. Hot sand, gainin’ steam!

What’s Cookin’ Overall

• Condo Fixes Crawl – SB 1742: Post-Surfside relief hit the Senate floor last week—Tuesday’s session (4:30 PM, flsenate.gov) might vote it through. House is still draggin’ like a soggy crab—no action yet.

• Tourism Tax Tweak – SPB 7034: Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith’s tax rule ease for theme park towns passed last week—Wednesday’s House Commerce could align it. Social media gripes: “Mickey’s swimmin’ in cash, my rent’s drownin’!”

• Week’s Vibe: Senate’s full session Tuesday-Thursday (flsenate.gov); House runs Monday-Friday (flhouse.gov). Budget’s the big blaze, guns and kid labor are wildcards, and development’s teeterin’.

The swamp’s steamin’ with budget wars, teen work tussles, and gun debates—development’s bubblin’, term limits are creepin’, and Mullet Man’s ghost keeps us grinnin’! Check sunshinepoopscoop.com for daily stink—stay swamp-sharp!