Albritton Plans Quick Vote on ‘Rural Renaissance’

After the proposal died in the House during the 2025 session, Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, said Monday the Senate 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 Senate president, told reporters he is “hopeful” the plan will get final approval during the session that starts Jan. 13.

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 such things as health care, 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. As another health-care example, the bill would increase Medicaid reimbursement payments for what are known as “critical access” hospitals in rural areas.

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.

The Senate passed a rural-renaissance measure during the 2025 session. But the package got broken up in the House and did not pass.