April 7, 2023 — The 2023 Florida Legislative Session has reached the midpoint. Below are some highlights from this week (4/3/23 – 4/7/24):
- The Senate and House passed their Fiscal Year 2023-2024 budget proposals on April 4, 2023. They now head to Joint Budget Conference Committees to reconcile the differences. The $113 billion spending plan contains more funding for schools including $21 billion for K-12, a $459 per student increase from the current year. $2 billion is intended to be spent on instructional materials, mental health services, reading instruction, school security, and teacher salary increases. Formal talks between the chambers are still necessary to reach a resolved formal budget and lawmakers have until May 2 to come to an agreement on the final numbers.
- Governor DeSantis signed into law a measure that will make it easier for teachers to get certifications by creating additional methods to demonstrate the expertise required to be certified. For example, the requirement of mastery of general knowledge will be waived for an individual who has been provided three years of support and instruction and who has been rated effective or highly effective for each of the previous three years.
- SB 1328, which would increase charter schools’ share of local tax dollars in certain school districts, is moving forward. The bill would require districts with 100,000 or more students to share more of their property tax millage with local charter schools operated by nonprofit companies. Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange, Palm Beach, Duval and Polk counties are the only districts the policy would apply to. The bill is now at its last stop, Appropriations Committee.
- HB 953, which would create the Growing Teachers from Within Pilot Program within DOE, is moving forward.
- High school sports legislation moves back to the House after an amendment was added substituting the House language, HB 255, for the Senate version, SB 308. The change would make the Florida High School Athletic Association board a 13-member board, including 4 appointed members by the existing athletic association board rather than an 8-person board appointed by the Governor. This legislation would also allow for the two-minute opening remarks for each school prior to the event. Senate sponsor Sen. Jay Collins and House sponsor Rep. Hawkins are hopeful the legislation will benefit kids and their opportunity to partake in school sports.
- A bill limiting school boards and county commission terms is moving closer to the floor after SB 1110 passed its second committee stop. If signed into law, this legislation would set term limits to eight years rather than twelve. Its last stop is now in the Rules Committee while the House companion, HB 477 has been received by the Senate and is in Messages.
- HB 1035 – Teacher Training and Conduct by passed Senate; In returning House Messages – Requires Commissioner of Education to take specified actions relating to classroom teacher training requirements; authorizes classroom teachers to request special magistrate or bring specified action against school district if directed by his or her school district or school to violate general law or rule; provides for award of attorney fees; creates rebuttable presumption in proceedings for teachers & staff members who take specified actions to maintain safety or educational atmosphere; revises provisions relating to student discipline.
- HB 379 – Technology in K-12 Public Schools passed House; Received by Senate; Referred to Fiscal Policy – Prohibits certain devices from accessing certain websites, web applications, & software & use of specified platforms on certain devices & for specified school district purposes
Signed by Governor:
HB 7025 – Pub. Rec./ Safe School Officers – Provides public records exemption for information pertaining to safe-school officer at private school; provides for future legislative review & repeal of exemption; provides statement of public necessity.
If you have any questions about the bills listed here, please contact a FCSA team member.