Presidential Executive Orders

EO 14356 Ensuring Continued Accountability in Federal Hiring

Continues the Administration’s effort to shrink the Federal workforce while maintaining efficiency and focusing on key national priorities such as security, immigration enforcement, and public safety. It freezes the creation or filling of most federal civilian positions unless approved through strict procedures. Each agency must form a Strategic Hiring Committee to review all hires and submit Annual Staffing Plans and quarterly updates to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Exceptions are allowed for certain high-priority or legally mandated roles, including presidential appointees, military personnel, and national security positions. OMB and OPM must report back to the President within 180 days on the order’s implementation and recommend any needed changes.

SCOTUS

Currently reviewing cases; no formal opinions yet.

US Congress

In recess since government shutdown on October 1, 2025.

FL Executive Orders

EO 25-212 Suspension of Noma Council Member Coy Mixon Following Sexual Battery Charges

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 25-212 suspending Coy Mixon, a Town of Noma Council Member, from office. Mixon was charged on October 27, 2025, with one count of sexual battery (a second-degree felony) and one count of battery (a first-degree misdemeanor). Under section 112.51(2), Florida Statutes, the Governor may suspend any municipal officer formally charged with a felony or misdemeanor. The order removes Mixon from all duties, pay, and privileges of office effective immediately.

EO 25-213 State of Emergency Declared for Lake County After Historic Flooding

Governor Ron DeSantis issued Executive Order 25-213 declaring a state of emergency in Lake County following record-breaking rainfall and severe flooding on October 26, 2025, affecting cities like Eustis and Mount Dora. The flooding damaged critical infrastructure including roads, airports, hospitals, and schools. The Governor appointed the Director of the Division of Emergency Management as the State Coordinating Officer to lead emergency response, recovery, and mitigation efforts. The order allows state agencies to suspend rules and regulations that hinder emergency actions and to request federal and interstate aid and remains in place for 60 days, unless extended.

FL Supreme Court

SC 2025-0667 AMENDMENTS TO FLORIDA PROBATE RULE 5.010.

The Supreme Court of Florida unanimously adopted amendments to Rule 5.010 of the Florida Probate Rules (for matters involving wills, estates, and guardianships are handled) — specifically inserting a reference to “Part V (Forms)” into the scope provision and updating the committee notes accordingly. The changes gives lawyers, clerks, and the public ready-made templates covering things like petition for administration, oath of personal representative, notices to creditors, accountings, and guardian reports, and will become effective January 1, 2026.

SC 2025-0448 & SC 2025-0451 – DISCIPLINE OF SARKIN & LEVITT (THREE-YEAR SUSPENSION)

The Court rejected the proposed consent judgments and stipulations in the disciplinary cases against attorneys Lee David Sarkin and Drew Mark Levitt, and instead imposed a three-year suspension in each case, along with payment of the costs of The Florida Bar. Although the referees found the attorneys guilty of violating multiple Bar rules, one justice (R. Fred Labarga) dissented in part, arguing for an 18-month suspension based in part on the respondents’ long unblemished careers. The underlying misconduct involved the lawyers settling claims on behalf of a client who had died and signing the client’s name to the settlement, which the federal court characterized as “fraud on the court.”

FL Congress

In recess since the end of the 2025 Regular Session, with no new laws enacted after July 2025.

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