Gruters, Joe
Senate · District 222024-2026
Personal & Career Legislative Service Elected to the Senate in 2018, reelected subsequently House of Representatives, 2016-2018 Other Public Service Homeland Security Advisory Council, Vice Chair Electoral College, Florida member, 2016, 2020, 2024 Sarasota County Planning Commission, Chairman Florida Sports Foundation Board of Directors, member Florida State University Board of Trustees, member The National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), President, appointed and awaiting Senate confirmation Honors and Awards Keiser University, Distinguished Leadership Award, 2025 Take Stock in Children, Champion of Education, 2022, 2025 Associated Industries of Florida, 100% Voting Record, 2024 Florida Education Association, Unity Award, 2024 Florida Farm Bureau, Appreciation, 2023 Florida Chamber of Commerce, Honor Roll, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 Florida Swimming Pool and Spa Association, Champion, 2022 Film Florida, Legislative Star, 2022 Florida Education Association, Friend of Public Education, 2021, 2022 GCSAA, Legislator of the Year, 2022 Florida Chamber of Commerce, Distinguished Advocate, 2018, 2019, 2021 Florida School Boards Association, Legislator of the Year, 2021 American Conservative Union Foundation, Conservative Excellence Award, 2021 Florida League of Cities, Legislative Appreciation, 2021 Florida Homebuilders Association, Champion of Housing, 2019, 2021 Big Brothers Big Sisters, Legislative Champion, 2020, 2021 Association of Florida Community Developers, Legislator of the Year, 2020 Nakomis Venice Osprey Republican Club, Statesman of the Year, 2020 Florida Homebuilder Association, Senator of the Year, 2019 Fraternal Order of Police, Senator of the Year, 2019 Small County Coalition, Legislative Appreciation Award, 2019 Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, Representative of the Year, 2019 Manufacturers Association of Florida, Legislator of the Year, 2019 Florida Animal Control Association, Animal Ally Award, 2019 Associated Industries of Florida, Champion for Business, 2018, 2019 Building Industry Association, Defender of Housing, 2019 Americans for Prosperity, Champion of Economic Freedom, 2018 Florida Retail Association, Retail Champion U.S. Term Limits, Champion of Term Limits Florida Gulf Coast University, Appreciation Affiliations University of South Florida, Community Leadership Council Biographical Information Occupation: Certified Public Accountant Spouse: Sydney Spence of Citrus Hills, FL Children: Spencer, Jack Ryan, Elle Education: Florida State University, B.S., 1999 University of South Florida, M.B.A., 2003 Born: in Tampa, Florida Religious Affiliation: Roman Catholic Recreation: College football, mountaineering, heli-skiing, concerts
Voting record
H325 · Education and Workforce Development for Inmates
Senate floor
· 2026-03-09
· Vetoed By Governor
H1069 · Background Screenings
Senate floor
· 2026-03-09
· Approved By Governor
H1407 · Commencement of Civil Actions
Senate floor
· 2026-03-09
· Approved By Governor
H565 · Agency for Persons with Disabilities
Senate floor
· 2026-03-09
· Approved By Governor
H177 · Offices of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel
Senate floor
· 2026-03-09
· Approved By Governor
H277 · Domestic Violence and Protective Injunctions
Senate floor
· 2026-03-09
· Approved By Governor
S1756 · Medical Freedom
Senate floor
· 2026-03-09
· Died in Messages
S1758 · Public Assistance
Senate floor
· 2026-03-09
· Died in Messages
S1296 · Public Employees Relations Commission
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
H1389 · Affordable Housing
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
S1580 · Illegal Gaming
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Died in returning Messages
H1153 · Juvenile Justice
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
S86 · Commercial Motor Vehicles Operated by Unauthorized Aliens
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Died in Messages
H253 · Veterans Dental Care Grant Program
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
S182 · Education
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
H273 · Special District Funding
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
H491 · Faith-based Content in Batterers' Intervention Programs
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
H271 · Foreign and Alien Bail Bond Insurers
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
H477 · Drug Paraphernalia
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
H753 · School Counselors
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
H543 · Transportation
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Died in returning Messages; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 925 (Ch. 2026-112 ), SB 488 (Ch. 2026-39 )
S1110 · Coverage for Orthotics and Prosthetics Services
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Died in Messages
S1112 · Labor Pool Act
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Died in Messages
H1293 · Fraudulent Entry of Residential Dwellings
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Approved By Governor
S1340 · Coordinated Screening and Progress Monitoring
Senate floor
· 2026-03-06
· Died in Messages