FSBA Legislative Update Week of February 16-20, 2026 | Session Week 6
School Board Governance & Transparency
- HB 1073 (School Districts – Koster) enhances school board members’ access to district documents, increases transparency of meeting records and budgets, and prohibits mandatory nondisclosure agreements. This one passed the House floor. Passed 96-10. Its Senate companion, SB 1620, by Senator Leek, is currently in the Rules committee.
- SB 824 (Unimproved Real Property – Truenow) requires school districts to submit annual inventories of unimproved real property to DOE for a statewide report. Passed Senate Rules 22-2 and the Senate floor 28-9. Its House companion, HB 1147, sponsored by Representative Nix, is on its second reading in the House.
Personnel & Compensation
- SB 1216 (Public School Personnel Compensation – Rodriguez) expands COLA adjustments to more school employees, removes certain pay limitations, and broadens the use of advanced degrees for salary purposes. Passed the Senate floor unanimously 37-0.
- SB 1718 (Educator Preparation and Certification – Calatayud) expands enrollment in educator preparation programs, adds a new pathway for temporary certification for those with expired certificates, and strengthens professional learning opportunities. Passed 9-0.
Curriculum & Instruction
- SB 7038 (Education – Postsecondary Committee) revises a range of educational policies including tuition waivers, consumer disclosures, and performance metrics. Questions were raised around Pell Grant metrics and unintended consequences for certain career programs. Passed 9-0.
- SB 1694 / HB 1503 (Technology Education) both chambers are moving bills that integrate artificial intelligence instruction into computer science and general education courses. Both passed unanimously in their respective committees.
Parental Rights & Student Services
- HB 173 (Parental Rights – Kendall) strengthens parental consent requirements for minors seeking health, mental health, and educational services. Debate focused on impacts to abuse victims and emergency exceptions. Passed House Education & Employment 12-4.
- SB 1340 (Coordinated Screening – Harrell) requires prompt screening, intervention, and evaluation for students showing characteristics of dyslexia or dyscalculia. Passed 9-0.
- HB 615 (Individual Education Plans – Tendrich) strengthens the evaluation process for students with disabilities, enhances parental notifications, and requires standardized service logs. Members flagged the need for additional funding and staffing to implement. Passed 19-0.
School Safety & Background Screenings
- SB 1168 (Background Screenings – Grall) expands level 2 background screening requirements and adds new disqualifying offenses for school employees. Passed 9-0.
Here you will find the weekly education reports, bill tracker, this week’s schedule, and a property tax report. Additionally, you may find recordings of the committee meetings and floor sessions here. As always, if you have any questions, comments, concerns, or you just feel the need to discuss how these proposed changes may impact your district, please do not hesitate to text, email, or call anytime.
Joe McGehee, Director of Advocacy and Legislative Services
850-933-1103 | mcgehee@fsba.org
