Florida ballot measure · November 3, 2026

Florida Amendment 1, explained

Budget stabilization fund. A ballot measure is a yes-or-no question put directly to voters — no candidate is involved, and the wording on the ballot is the wording that becomes law. This page shows that wording first, then what it actually changes.

The official wording

BUDGET STABILIZATION FUND.—Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the amount of funds that may be retained in the budget stabilization fund from 10% to 25% of general revenue collections, require the legislature to transfer the lesser of $750 million or the amount required to reach 25% of the general revenue collections each year unless certain conditions are met, and allow the legislature to withdraw funds for critical state needs.

This is what appears on the ballot. Everything below explains it.

What it actually means

Florida's rainy day fund, the Budget Stabilization Fund, is capped at 10% of the state's general revenue. This amendment raises the cap to 25% and requires the Legislature to put in $750 million a year, or less if that would take the fund past 25%, unless certain conditions apply. It also creates new ways to take money out for critical state needs.

If you vote YES

The fund could hold up to 25% of the last completed year's net general revenue collections, instead of 10%.
The Legislature would have to transfer the lesser of $750 million or the amount needed to reach 25% into the fund each year.
The transfer could be skipped in a year when money is withdrawn for revenue shortfalls or emergencies, or by a two-thirds vote of each chamber for a critical state need, no more than once every five years.
When the fund is above 15%, the Legislature could withdraw money for a one-time critical state need by a two-thirds vote in a separate bill, as long as the balance stays at or above 10%.

If you vote NO

The fund would stay between 5% and 10% of general revenue collections, as the constitution and state law now require.
There would be no required annual $750 million transfer; deposits would continue to be set in each year's budget.
Money could still be withdrawn only to cover general revenue shortfalls or emergencies. The fund held $4.44 billion, 9.3% of revenue, in 2024-25.

The numbers that matter

Reserve cap: 25% of general revenue collections (up from 10%)
Required annual transfer: Lesser of $750 million or the amount needed to reach 25%
Fund balance, 2024-25: $4.44 billion (9.3% of revenue)
State fiscal impact: Indeterminate but likely insignificant

Why supporters say YES

Setting more money aside makes Florida's finances more durable in difficult times.
— Florida Senate President Ben Albritton
Florida was not prepared for the recession of the 2000s; a larger reserve prepares the state for the unexpected.
— Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez

Why opponents say NO

With many needs and obligations still unmet, the state should not be locking more money away in a reserve account.
— Rich Templin, Florida AFL-CIO

What’s genuinely uncertain

Ballotpedia found no organised campaign or endorsements against Amendment 1; the only named opposing view located is from the Florida AFL-CIO. The House passed the resolution 100 to 1.
Legislative staff describe the fiscal impact as indeterminate but likely insignificant, since money moved into reserves remains state money; how much less is available for spending in a given year depends on future budgets.

The bottom line

A much larger cushion for recessions and emergencies, against up to $750 million a year set aside rather than spent on current needs.

One neutral sentence describing the tradeoff — not a recommendation.

Sources:constitutionalinitiatives.dos.fl.gov flsenate.gov ballotpedia.org

Checking it against the official text

The Florida Division of Elections publishes the certified measures and, in most states, an official voter guide with fiscal notes. That is the authoritative version. Everything here is an explanation of it, not a substitute for it.

Confirm this with the official source

Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Florida Division of Elections.

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