FSBA Session Spotlight — January 22, 2018

As we begin the third week of the 2018 Legislative Session, we encourage you to view our Legislative Weekly video that features Andrea Messina providing a recap of the major bills and meetings last week.  Today, legislators took up several bills of interest today including bills relating to the Hope Scholarship Program, educational enhancements, school…

Schools of Hope moves forward to allow charters near struggling district schools

The Florida Board of Education unanimously approved a rule on Wednesday opening the door for private nonprofits to apply to receive millions in state funding to operate charter schools near low-performing public schools, called “Schools of Hope.” The rule establishes a process for a nonprofit group to become an operator of the charter schools. Read More Read the…

FSBA Session Spotlight — January 17, 2018

Several bills of interest will be considered today including, most notably, HJR 1031 relating to term limits for school board members and HB 1279 relating to school district accountability. Please click on the link below to access our report on the outcome of the consideration of these bill and others that were considered today.  Tomorrow,…

Bonuses could boost computer science classes

Teachers could receive $1,000 annual bonuses for teaching computer science classes in middle and high schools under a bill approved unanimously Tuesday by the Senate Education Committee.  The measure (SB 1056), sponsored by Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, is designed to increase the number of computer science classes and students taking those classes. Read More

FSBA Session Spotlight — January 16, 2018

Several bills of interest will be considered today, including bills relating to local tax referenda, out-of-school suspension, computer coding, and retirement. Please click on the link below to access our report on the outcome of the consideration of these, and other, bills.  Tomorrow, legislators will take up bills on several key issues including public meetings…

Proposal to end school board pay heads back to Florida Constitution Revision Commission

A controversial proposal to end school board members’ pay in Florida returns to the Constitution Revision Commission’s Education Committee on Friday, so far with no amendments proposed. The recommendation, which comes from Collier County School Board member Erika Donalds, appeared to have died in the committee’s Nov,. 27 meeting. A majority of the panel voted…

FSBA Session Spotlight — January 15, 2018

In observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, there were no legislative meetings today.  Tomorrow, several bills of interest will be considered, including bills relating to local tax referenda, juvenile justice, out-of-school suspension, computer coding, and retirement.  In addition, the House Select Committee on Hurricane Response and Preparedness will be considering their final report and recommendations.  Please…

FSBA Session Spotlight — January 12, 2017

As we close out the first week of the 2018 Legislative Session, it was a fairly quiet day at the Capitol today.  The House was in session to consider several bills on 3rd Reading and a few proposals of interest were considered by Constitution Revision Commission Committees.  Please click on the links below for our report…

FSBA Session Spotlight — January 11, 2018

There were several bills of interest considered in committee meetings and on the chamber floors today. Among the issues addressed today were elections, public records and public meetings, workers’ compensation, local government ethics and accountability, post-secondary education, and fiscal literacy. Please click on the links below for our report on outcome of action on these…

Legislative Weekly – 2018 Session Kickoff

Tallahassee, FL – With Florida’s 2018 Legislative Session kicking off next week, Executive Director Andrea Messina provides members with an overview of what’s to come. Be sure visit the FSBA Session Spotlight Blog and 2018 Legislative Session page for in-depth summaries, resources, and analyses.