A bill that would allow classroom teachers to carry guns passed yet another committee Tuesday in the Florida Senate along party lines, leaving it with just one more committee in each chamber before it reaches the floor. But amidst the emotional debate surrounding the bill, a new idea emerged that caught the attention of a prominent…
Today’s schedule appears fairly light, but several bills of interest will be considered, including the House Proposed Committee Bill (PCP) relating to school safety as well as bills relating to anti-Semitism, parental rights, public records, government accountability. and construction, Today’s schedule is posted below and is updated throughout the day with the outcome on these…
Another facet of the debate over devoting state funds to private education companies emerged Tuesday as the Florida Legislature considered a massive expansion of charter schools in low-income neighborhoods. Read More
As anticipated, the Florida House unveiled a PreK-12 spending planWednesday that’s more than a half-billion dollars leaner than the version released Tuesday by the Senate. Both differ from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ request. After introducing his $21.6 billion proposal, House PreK-12 Appropriations chairman Rep. Chris Latvala made clear he anticipated changes as the session progresses. Read More
Today’s schedule called for consideration of the Senate’s school safety bill – SB 7030 – this afternoon in the Senate Infrastructure & Security Committee but there was not sufficient time for discussion, public testimony, and debate of the bill. Committee Chair, Tom Lee, apologized and rescheduled consideration of the bill for Tuesday, March 26. However,…
Before diving into this third week of the Legislative Session, please be sure to watch our FSBA Weekly Video Update featuring FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina providing a recap of the main events during the second week of the Session. The third week of the Legislative Session begins with a particularly busy schedule today that…
Florida House leadership has unveiled another proposal aimed at enacting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ goal of widely expanding school choice programs. This time, it would open the door for a broader influx of charter schools into the state’s poorest communities. A bill from the PreK-12 Innovation subcommittee, filed late Friday, would allow the establishment of “Hope” charter schools in “opportunity…
Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri sent a letter to school superintendents across Florida, urging them to get on board with the state’s gun safety program to train teachers and coaches and gun-carrying guardians. Read More
Today’s schedule appears fairly light, but several bills of interest will be considered, including bills relating to public records, facilities, growth management, and government accountability. In addition, the House will be in Session this afternoon to conduct 2nd Reading on the House and Senate versions of bills that address the medical use of marijuana. These…
A proposal (HB 403) to allow concealed weapons in churches operating on the same grounds as schools — deemed too controversial to move a year ago after the Parkland school shooting — cleared its first hurdle in the Florida House on Tuesday, with lawmakers contending it would protect clergy and parishioners. The Criminal Justice Committee also advanced…