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Portrait of Darryl RousonPhoto: flsenate.gov

FL · Officeholder

Darryl Rouson

DState Senator · District 16

Biography

Darryl Rouson represents District 16 in the Florida Senate, to which Rouson was elected in 2016 and reelected subsequently.[1]

Rouson served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2008 to 2016, was a Pinellas County prosecutor, and was a member of the Tax and Budget Reform Commission from 2007 to 2008.[1] Rouson is an attorney with a B.A. from Xavier of New Orleans (1977) and a J.D. from the University of Florida (1980). Rouson was born in New Orleans and moved to Florida in 1959.[1]

  1. 1.Senator Darryl Ervin Rouson · The Florida Senate Official record

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-19.

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

  • Jobs & cost of living10 with · 5 against16 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

      Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the homestead exemption, to provide a limitation on the use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities, and to provide an effective date, etc.

      Jun 2, 2026 · Failed 12–21 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • No

      Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund/Executive Office of the Governor

      Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund/Executive Office of the Governor; Re-creating the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund within the Executive Office of the Governor; specifying that moneys are appropriated to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund by the Legislature or pursuant to a specified provision; requiring that federal reimbursements of state emergency expenditures be deposited in a separate account within the fund; prohibiting moneys in the fund from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, etc.

      Feb 11, 2026 · Passed 27–12 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

      Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposes amendments to State Constitution to revise limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase homestead exemption, to provide limitation on use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties & municipalities, & to provide an effective date.

      Jun 2, 2026 · Passed 30–9 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    All jobs & cost of living votes
  • Rights & public safety8 with · 1 against10 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      School Safety

      School Safety; Requires sheriffs to assist public postsecondary educational institutions in implementing guardian programs under certain provisions; authorizes public postsecondary educational institutions to participate in the school guardian program; requires a sheriff to establish a guardian training program or contract with certain other sheriff's offices to do so in certain circumstances; creates the offense of discharging a weapon or firearm within 1,000 feet of a school; provides that a person arrested for certain offenses must be held in custody until brought before the court for…

      Mar 11, 2026 · Passed 26–10 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • No

      Criteria for Determining Criminal Gang Membership

      Criteria for Determining Criminal Gang Membership; Revises definition of term "criminal gang member"; defines "gang-related language."

      Mar 10, 2026 · Passed 29–9 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Criminal Offenses Against Law Enforcement Officers and Other Personnel

      Criminal Offenses Against Law Enforcement Officers and Other Personnel; Citing this act as the "Officer Jason Raynor Act"; revising a prohibition on the use or threatened use of force to resist arrest or detention; providing for enhanced punishment for manslaughter when committed against specified officers; revising provisions concerning assault or battery upon specified officers and other personnel; revising a provision concerning resisting, obstructing, or opposing specified officers or legally authorized persons, etc.

      Jan 27, 2026 · Passed 19–3Official record ↗

    All rights & public safety votes
  • Housing & rent5 with · 2 against7 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

      Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the homestead exemption, to provide a limitation on the use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities, and to provide an effective date, etc.

      Jun 2, 2026 · Failed 12–21 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

      Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposes amendments to State Constitution to revise limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase homestead exemption, to provide limitation on use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties & municipalities, & to provide an effective date.

      Jun 2, 2026 · Passed 30–9 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Housing for Veterans

      Housing for Veterans; Creating the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program Act”; establishing the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties, subject to legislative appropriation; requiring a landlord to submit to the contracted program administrator required documentation within a specified time period to apply for funding; authorizing a landlord to apply for up to a specified dollar amount from the funds, etc.

      Mar 5, 2026 · Passed 36–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    All housing & rent votes
  • Education & families3 with · 2 against5 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      School Safety

      School Safety; Requires sheriffs to assist public postsecondary educational institutions in implementing guardian programs under certain provisions; authorizes public postsecondary educational institutions to participate in the school guardian program; requires a sheriff to establish a guardian training program or contract with certain other sheriff's offices to do so in certain circumstances; creates the offense of discharging a weapon or firearm within 1,000 feet of a school; provides that a person arrested for certain offenses must be held in custody until brought before the court for…

      Mar 11, 2026 · Passed 26–10 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      School District Unimproved Real Property

      School District Unimproved Real Property; Requiring school districts to annually submit complete inventories of unimproved real property owned by the district to the Department of Education; requiring the department to compile and publish such data in a statewide report, etc.

      Feb 19, 2026 · Passed 28–9 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Public Records/Examination and Assessment Instruments

      Public Records/Examination and Assessment Instruments; Deleting a duplicative exemption from public records requirements for certain examination and assessment instruments; requiring the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors to adopt rules and regulations, respectively, governing the retention and disposal process for specified records; deleting a provision requiring the State Board of Education and the Board of Governors to adopt certain rules and regulations, respectively, governing access to records; extending the scheduled repeal of the exemption; providing a statement of…

      Feb 19, 2026 · Passed 36–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    All education & families votes
  • Climate & energy1 with · 1 against3 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Utility Services

      Utility Services; Requiring that certain public meetings be held as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of a new or extended agreement under which a municipality will provide specified utility services in other municipalities or unincorporated areas; requiring municipalities that provide specified utility services to report certain information by a specified date, and annually thereafter, to the Florida Public Service Commission; requiring the commission to compile such information and submit a report by a specified date, and annually thereafter, to the Governor and the Legislature;…

      Mar 13, 2026 · Passed 30–6 · against most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Former Phosphate Mining Lands

      Former Phosphate Mining Lands; Provides conditions for cause of action against certain former phosphate mine sites; authorizes landowners to record certain notice of former phosphate mines; specifies requirements for such notice; requires DOH to conduct gamma radiation surveys of former phosphate land parcels upon petition; requires that specified documentation of radiation levels be submitted in certain civil actions related to phosphate mining.

      Mar 11, 2026 · Passed 32–4 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    All climate & energy votes
  • Foreign affairs & defense3 with · 0 against3 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      OGSR/Department of Military Affairs/United States Department of Defense

      OGSR/Department of Military Affairs/United States Department of Defense; Amending a provision which provides an exemption from public records requirements for certain information held by the Department of Military Affairs stored in a United States Department of Defense system of records, transmitted using a United States Department of Defense network or communications device, or pertaining to the United States Department of Defense; extending the scheduled repeal date of the exemption, etc.

      Jan 29, 2026 · Passed 32–3 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Housing for Veterans

      Housing for Veterans; Creating the “Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program Act”; establishing the Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Pilot Program in certain counties, subject to legislative appropriation; requiring a landlord to submit to the contracted program administrator required documentation within a specified time period to apply for funding; authorizing a landlord to apply for up to a specified dollar amount from the funds, etc.

      Mar 5, 2026 · Passed 36–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    All foreign affairs & defense votes
  • Technology & privacy3 with · 0 against3 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      OGSR/Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Operational Technology Information

      OGSR/Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Operational Technology Information; Providing an exemption from public records requirements for the cybersecurity, information technology, and operational technology information held by an agency; providing an exemption from public meetings requirements for any portion of a meeting that would reveal such information; providing for future legislative review and repeal of the exemptions; providing a statement of public necessity, etc.

      Feb 3, 2026 · Passed 23–1 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      OGSR/Social Media Platform Investigations

      OGSR/Social Media Platform Investigations; Amending a provision which provides an exemption from public records requirements for certain information received in investigations by the Attorney General or a law enforcement agency into social media platform activities; extending the scheduled repeal date of the exemption; amending a provision which provides an exemption from public records requirements for certain information received in investigations by the Department of Legal Affairs or a law enforcement agency into violations by certain social media platforms; extending the scheduled repeal…

      Jan 29, 2026 · Passed 33–2 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    All technology & privacy votes
  • Health & care2 with · 0 against2 votes

    Most contested

    • Yes

      Former Phosphate Mining Lands

      Former Phosphate Mining Lands; Provides conditions for cause of action against certain former phosphate mine sites; authorizes landowners to record certain notice of former phosphate mines; specifies requirements for such notice; requires DOH to conduct gamma radiation surveys of former phosphate land parcels upon petition; requires that specified documentation of radiation levels be submitted in certain civil actions related to phosphate mining.

      Mar 11, 2026 · Passed 32–4 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    • Yes

      Naturopathic Medicine

      Naturopathic Medicine; Creating the Board of Naturopathic Medicine within the Department of Health; prohibiting unlicensed persons from practicing naturopathic medicine or promoting, identifying, or describing themselves using specified titles or abbreviations; providing for licensure by examination of naturopathic doctors; providing for licensure by endorsement of naturopathic doctors; revising continuing education requirements for naturopathic doctors, etc.

      Mar 5, 2026 · Passed 33–3 · with most DemocratsOfficial record ↗

    All health & care votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 8 of 15 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Jobs & cost of living (5), Housing & rent (2), Education & families (2)

  • Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

    What it does: Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposes amendments to State Constitution to revise limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase homestead exemption, to provide limi…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 3–8, Republicans 26–0

    Jun 2, 2026Official record ↗

  • Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

    What it does: Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the homestead exemption, to…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 1–3, Republicans 12–0

    Jun 1, 2026Official record ↗

  • Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund/Executive Office of the Governor

    What it does: Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund/Executive Office of the Governor; Re-creating the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund within the Executive Office of the Governor; specifying that moneys are appropriated…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 2–6, Republicans 26–0

    Mar 13, 2026Official record ↗

  • Utility Services

    What it does: Utility Services; Requiring that certain public meetings be held as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of a new or extended agreement under which a municipality will provide specified utility services in other…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 4–5, Republicans 26–0

    Mar 13, 2026Official record ↗

  • School Safety

    What it does: School Safety; Requires sheriffs to assist public postsecondary educational institutions in implementing guardian programs under certain provisions; authorizes public postsecondary educational institutions to particip…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 1–9, Republicans 25–0

    Mar 11, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

SJR 2F · FL SENATE

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

YesVOTED

Motion: A - 229942, Amendment, Second Reading

A yes vote adopted an amendment making the joint resolution's property-tax changes expire December 31, 2031, after which Article VII, Sections 4, 6 and 9 would revert to their pre-2027 text. (AI-written)

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the homestead exemption, to provide a limitation on the use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities, and to provide an effective date, etc.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Failed 11–22·Substantive·Jun 2, 2026Roll call ↗
SJR 2F · FL SENATE

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

YesVOTED

Motion: D - 102912, Amendment, Second Reading

A yes vote replaced the joint resolution with a version limiting annual assessment increases on non-homestead real property to 10% and requiring relief capping assessments at 4% to 6% of household income for owners earning under $150,000. (AI-written)

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the homestead exemption, to provide a limitation on the use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities, and to provide an effective date, etc.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Failed 11–24·Substantive·Jun 2, 2026Roll call ↗
HJR 1F · FL SENATE

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

YesVOTED

Motion: Third Reading

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposes amendments to State Constitution to revise limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase homestead exemption, to provide limitation on use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties & municipalities, & to provide an effective date.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 30–9·Substantive·Jun 2, 2026Roll call ↗
SJR 2F · FL SENATE

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

YesVOTED

Motion: A - 682580, Amendment, Second Reading

A yes vote would replace the ballot statement with one describing a homestead exemption rising from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028, a 5% cap on non-homestead assessment increases, and limits on local spending of property-tax revenue. (AI-written)

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the homestead exemption, to provide a limitation on the use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities, and to provide an effective date, etc.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Failed 12–21·Substantive·Jun 2, 2026Roll call ↗
SJR 2F · FL SENATE

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes

YesVOTED

Motion: Favorable with Committee Substitute

Save our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes; Proposing amendments to the State Constitution to revise the limitation on annual assessment increases for specified real property, to increase the homestead exemption, to provide a limitation on the use of ad valorem taxes levied by counties and municipalities, and to provide an effective date, etc.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 13–5·Substantive·Jun 1, 2026Roll call ↗
SB 7040 · FL SENATE

Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund/Executive Office of the Governor

YesVOTED

Motion: Returning Messages

Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund/Executive Office of the Governor; Re-creating the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund within the Executive Office of the Governor; specifying that moneys are appropriated to the Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund by the Legislature or pursuant to a specified provision; requiring that federal reimbursements of state emergency expenditures be deposited in a separate account within the fund; prohibiting moneys in the fund from being used to purchase aircraft, boats, or motor vehicles, etc.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 29–7·Substantive·Mar 13, 2026Roll call ↗
HB 1451 · FL SENATE

Utility Services

YesVOTED

Motion: Returning Messages

Utility Services; Requiring that certain public meetings be held as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of a new or extended agreement under which a municipality will provide specified utility services in other municipalities or unincorporated areas; requiring municipalities that provide specified utility services to report certain information by a specified date, and annually thereafter, to the Florida Public Service Commission; requiring the commission to compile such information and submit a report by a specified date, and annually thereafter, to the Governor and the Legislature;…

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 30–6·Substantive·Mar 13, 2026Roll call ↗
SB 628 · FL SENATE

Transportation Facility Designations

YesVOTED

Motion: Returning Messages

Transportation Facility Designations; Providing honorary designations of certain transportation facilities in specified counties and a specified municipality; directing the Department of Transportation to erect suitable markers; revising a specified interchange designation, etc.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 31–4·Substantive·Mar 13, 2026Roll call ↗
HB 167 · FL SENATE

Former Phosphate Mining Lands

YesVOTED

Motion: Third Reading

Former Phosphate Mining Lands; Provides conditions for cause of action against certain former phosphate mine sites; authorizes landowners to record certain notice of former phosphate mines; specifies requirements for such notice; requires DOH to conduct gamma radiation surveys of former phosphate land parcels upon petition; requires that specified documentation of radiation levels be submitted in certain civil actions related to phosphate mining.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 32–4·Substantive·Mar 11, 2026Roll call ↗
HB 1451 · FL SENATE

Utility Services

YesVOTED

Motion: Third Reading

Utility Services; Requiring that certain public meetings be held as a condition precedent to the effectiveness of a new or extended agreement under which a municipality will provide specified utility services in other municipalities or unincorporated areas; requiring municipalities that provide specified utility services to report certain information by a specified date, and annually thereafter, to the Florida Public Service Commission; requiring the commission to compile such information and submit a report by a specified date, and annually thereafter, to the Governor and the Legislature;…

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 29–6·Substantive·Mar 11, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 42 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.