Florida House revives expired emergency fund after $573M spent on immigration

By: Liv Caputo

Outlets: Florida Phoenix

Published: February 19, 2026

Words: 441

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 1 day ago

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The Florida House voted Thursday to revive the state’s expired emergency fund — embattled because of an immigration enforcement tab totaling in the hundreds of millions — but with a few weakened changes to appease the DeSantis administration.

The measure, HB 5503, passed 84-18, largely along party lines. Democrats opposed language that would continue allowing the governor to tap the fund for immigration enforcement.

The lower chamber, which has long-feuded with the governor, originally proposed …

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