Florida Legislative Leaders Strike Down, Replace DeSantis Immigration Proposals With New Bill

DeSantis criticized the bill as being ’substantially weaker' than what he proposed.

A view of the historic Old Florida State Capitol building, which sits in front of the current New Capitol, in Tallahassee, Fla., on Nov. 10, 2018. Mark Wallheiser/Getty Images

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—The Florida Legislature gathered on Jan. 27 to immediately open and then close a special session called by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Legislators replaced his immigration proposals with their own under their terms.

Led by Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton, the new session was proclaimed and submitted to Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Jan. 27.