TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – The Florida Legislature wrapped up a special-called session on Thursday. It took lawmakers three days to pass legislation that sanctions Iran and protects Jewish Day Schools in addition to providing aid for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Idalia and expanding Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship for students with unique abilities.

Gov. Ron DeSantis applauded lawmakers for their work which also included allocating $181.5 million to the My Safe Florida Home Program to help lower the costs of homeowners’ insurance for Floridians.

“I am also thankful we have been able to provide relief for Floridians impacted by Hurricane Idalia, take steps to lower the costs of homeowners’ insurance and expand Florida’s nation leading school choice program to include any student with unique abilities. I look forward to signing this legislation,” said DeSantis in a news release.

State lawmakers passed legislation that will institute some of the harshest sanctions against Iran of any state in the nation. The legislation broadens the definition of a scrutinized company to include any company engaging in business operations with the government of Iran in the energy, petrochemical, financial, construction, manufacturing, textile, mining, metals, shipping, shipbuilding or port sectors.

The governor’s office says this legislation will:

  • Redesignate the Iran Petroleum List as the Scrutinized Companies with Activities in Iran Terrorism Sectors List.
  • Require the State Board of Administration to divest holdings in the Florida Retirement System portfolio from companies that meet the broader definition of “scrutinized company.” In addition, any new investment in one of these companies will be prohibited.
  • Prohibit a scrutinized company from contracting with an agency or local government entity.

Legislators also appropriated $45 million to safeguard Jewish institutions like schools, synagogues and museums through the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the Department of Education to provide grants for security measures.

The governor’s office said lawmakers funded programs that will support individuals, agriculture and aquaculture businesses and local governments as they recover from Hurricane Idalia. The Legislature has appropriated a total of $417 million for disaster relief, including over $181 million for the My Safe Florida Home Program to provide mitigation inspections and grants for homeowners across the state to harden their homes against a hurricane.

Additionally, legislators expanded Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarship for students with unique abilities (FES-UA) to include any eligible student who applies for a scholarship by December 15. This expansion will eliminate the current waitlist for this school year.