In a victory for Republican state leaders and abortion opponents, a split appeals court Thursday overturned a circuit judge’s decision that tossed out a 2015 law requiring women to wait 24 hours before having abortions.

The 2-1 decision by a panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal sends the case back to Leon County circuit court. The 24-hour waiting period case could eventually become a key test for the Florida Supreme Court, which has historically backed abortion rights but is now dominated by conservative justices.

As House Speaker Steve Crisafulli started the 2016 legislative session Tuesday, he couldn't avoid bringing up last year.

Bottom line, 2015 was a slog, with lawmakers holding a regular session and three special sessions amid sometimes-nasty disputes between the House and Senate.