TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are transferring at an accelerated tempo through the second week of the legislative session, advancing a flurry of payments geared toward closing insurance coverage loopholes for gender-related medical care and eradicating range, fairness, and inclusion, or DEI, necessities from state contracting.
In separate interviews on Florida’s Voice Radio Tuesday, State Reps. Judson Sapp and Danny Alvarez described a high-energy atmosphere the place main coverage adjustments are reaching the Home flooring sooner than in earlier years.
Closing loopholes in gender-related care
Alvarez detailed a legislative effort to fight what he described as insurance coverage fraud used to bypass the state’s ban on gender-affirming take care of minors. Alvarez famous that some medical suppliers seem like utilizing “end-around” techniques, corresponding to using incorrect diagnostic codes to safe restricted medicine for youngsters.
“Individuals are determining, they’re making an attempt to create their very own loopholes,” Alvarez stated, supporting a invoice by Rep. Lauren Melo to grant the legal professional basic authority to sue suppliers engaged in such practices.
“It’s truly insurance coverage fraud, since you’re making a illness state for a kid that’s not affected by the factor, after which subsequent it’s your complete goal simply to get the gender affirming care,” Alvarez stated.
🚨WATCH: Florida lawmakers are working to crackdown on a type of insurance coverage fraud which is getting used to supply “gender affirming care,” explains Rep. @DannyAlvarezSr pic.twitter.com/SOMzV4dt2l
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) January 20, 2026
DEI and property tax reform
Sapp centered on the financial impression of DEI practices, which he argues have change into anti-competitive hurdles for Florida companies. Sapp is sponsoring laws to take away DEI necessities from the Division of Administration Companies, or DMS, asserting that these mandates usually deter certified corporations from bidding on authorities contracts.
“The issue is, you have got authorities contracts that quite a lot of corporations simply received’t bid on, as a result of […] they know they’re not going to get the contract,” Sapp stated. “The individual that’s most certified for the contract ought to get the job. That’s the final word type of freedom.”
🚨WATCH: Anti-competitive DEI practices are strangling out financial alternative and improvement, argues @JudsonSapp, particularly in the case of sure authorities contracts pic.twitter.com/OnyVWD1fXb
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) January 21, 2026
On the problem of property tax aid, Sapp suggested constituents to assist the package deal of reductions rising from the Home. He described the technique as “dying by a thousand cuts,” suggesting {that a} “sure on all” method to property tax poll measures is the simplest technique to safe significant reductions for owners.
Assist for legislation enforcement and first responders
The lawmakers additionally highlighted new protections and incentives for Florida’s first responders:
- Scene security: Alvarez mentioned the “Halo Act,” a measure supposed to create a 25-foot “secure house” round lively crime scenes to forestall civilians from interfering with legislation enforcement.
- Recruitment incentives: Alvarez introduced a $5,000 recruitment incentive for firefighters, modeled after the same profitable program used to draw cops to the state.
- First responder well being: Sapp is advancing a invoice to handle pre-existing situation hurdles for first responders, guaranteeing that officers who weren’t examined initially of their careers are nonetheless eligible for protection.
“We’re ready to do no matter it takes to make Florida higher for Floridians,” Sapp stated, reflecting the final sentiment of the busy session.
