FSBA Legislative Update Week of February 23-27, 2026 | Session Week 7
The Legislature did not meet for budget conferencing last weekend. As of Friday evening, only three bills have passed both chambers all the way through.
Passed Full House (now awaiting Senate companions to pass, if they exist):
- HB 1071 (Education Omnibus – Trabulsy) – Comprehensive education bill creating new spending prohibitions, adjusting parental rights, reforming teacher certification, and expanding accountability for public and private schools. Passed House 82-31 with committee substitute. There’s a Senate bill, SB 7036, that will end up being the companion to this bill. As it stands, it looks as if 1071 will more closely resemble 7036 than the other way around.
- HB 757 (School Safety – Salzman) – Expands school guardian program to postsecondary institutions, creates new firearm discharge offense within 1,000 feet of schools, and updates security funding/record-sharing requirements. Passed House 83-25 with committee substitute.
- HB 859 (Video Cameras in ESE Classrooms – Chambliss) – Requires video cameras with audio in self-contained exceptional student classrooms. Passed House unanimously 111-0.
- HB 561 (Educator Certification – Gerwig) – Expands and streamlines teacher certification and preparation requirements, including pathways for those with expired certificates. Passed House unanimously 112-0.
Advanced Through Multiple Committees:
- HB 1437 (Conversion Charter Schools – Sapp) – Allows mediation for disputes over mutual management plans and enables eligible conversion charter schools to access capital outlay funds. Passed Education & Employment 13-3 with concerns about premature capital outlay authority.
- HB 753 (School Counselors – Hunschofsky) – Establishes new evaluation criteria for school counselors and removes certification barriers to address counselor shortages. Passed Education & Employment 16-0.
- HB 129 (Florida Virtual School – Smith) – Removes priority admission requirements, revises board powers, and expands funding opportunities for FLVS. Passed Education & Employment 15-0.
- SB 7036 (Education Committee Bill) – Omnibus education bill streamlining local rulemaking, expanding school choice/safety options, and strengthening academic requirements. Advanced through Senate Rules 22-0 with bipartisan support.
- HB 1059 (Speech and Debate – Booth) – Designates Florida Speech and Debate Week and establishes Florida Debate Initiative to expand civics/debate programs. Passed Education & Employment 19-0 with strong enthusiasm.
Senate Bills Moving:
- SB 896 (School Safety – Gaetz) – Expands guardian programs to colleges and creates firearm discharge offense near schools. Passed Senate Appropriations 11-6 (controversial due to open-carry interaction concerns).
- SB 1620 (Education – Leek) – This bill was recently amended by Senator Leek to more closely remember the House’s companion by Representative Koster. I have attached the amendment to this email.
These bills represent the most significant education policy changes advancing through the legislative process with momentum across multiple committee stops – but it is not an exhaustive list. As you all well know, there is no telling what tomorrow will bring when it comes to bills, companions, and amendments.
Here you will find the weekly education reports, bill tracker, this week’s schedule, and a property tax report. I have also included a recent amendment to Senator Leek’s SB 1620, also known as: “The School Board Member Bill of Rights” bill. 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
