After the proposal died in the House during the 2025 session, state Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said Monday the chamber will take up his “rural renaissance” plan during the first week of the 2026 legislative session.
Albritton, who has made the issue a priority of his time as president, told reporters he is “hopeful” the plan will get final approval during the session that starts Jan. 13.
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The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to approve the bill Wednesday, teeing it up to go to the full Senate.
The bill (SB 250), sponsored by Sen. Corey Simon, R-Tallahassee, is aimed at boosting health care, as well as education, transportation and economic development, in rural areas.
For example, the bill would provide $25 million for a new program aimed at helping physicians, physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses set up practices in rural communities, according to a Senate summary of the bill. It also would increase Medicaid reimbursement payments for what are known as “critical access” hospitals in rural areas.
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As examples on other topics, the bill would create a program to provide student loan payment assistance for educators in rural areas; increase money to help rural counties resurface and rebuild roads; and create an Office of Rural Prosperity at the Florida Department of Commerce, according to the summary.
he Senate passed a rural renaissance measure during the 2025 session. But the package got broken up in the House and did not pass.
