Legislative Update, Sept. 20-24, 2021
Overview
Interim Committee Weeks began Monday and will continue through Dec. 3. The 2022 Florida Legislative Session formally begins Jan. 11, 2022, and ends March 11, 2022. To date, more than 250 bills have already been filed for the upcoming Session, including several education-related bills (see Bill Activity below).
The redistricting process will receive significant attention as legislators use recent census data to modify state and federal legislative districts. The Legislature officially launched its redistricting website on Wednesday. The site provides information on the redistricting process and offers an interactive map that will allow Floridians to submit their own district maps and suggestions.
Committee Activity
The following legislative committees held meetings this week on education-related matters:
House: Secondary Education & Career Development Subcommittee
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Presentation by the Office of Reimagining Education and Career Help on the implementation of HB 1507, which seeks to provide coordination and alignment in Florida’s workforce development system.
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View a video recording of the Committee meeting.
House: Early Learning & Elementary Education Subcommittee
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Presentation on the implementation of HB 7011 – the Reading Achievement Initiative for Scholastic Excellence (RAISE) Act – which seeks to enhance school literacy supports across the state.
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View a video recording of the Committee meeting.
House: PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee
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Overview of Legislative Budget Request for FY 2022-23: Department of Education
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Presentation on the Non-enrollment Reports Pursuant to Section 5 of Chapter No. 2021-44, Laws of Florida
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Update on Status of Allocations Versus Disbursements of Federal Coronavirus Funds
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View a video recording of the Subcommittee meeting.
Senate: Education Committee
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Presentation on “K-12 Standards, Assessments, and Student Supports” by Jacob Oliva, Senior Chancellor, Florida Department of Education.
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View a video recording of the Committee meeting.
Bill Activity
Below are education-related bills filed this session that may advance through the legislative process in the coming weeks.
HB 15 / SB 236: Children with Developmental Delays (Tant / Jones)
HB 51: Required Instruction in History of the Holocaust and History of African Americans (Thompson)
HB 59: Electrocardiograms for Student Athletes (Hawkins)
HB 125: Compulsory School Attendance (Chambliss, Valdés)
HB 165: School Teacher Training and Mentoring Program (Hinson)
HB 173 / SB 340: Care of Students with Epilepsy or Seizure Disorders (Duran / Garcia)
HB 175 / SB 248: Menstrual Hygiene Products in Public Schools (Grieco, Skidmore / Book)
HB 179: Photographic Enforcement of School Bus Safety (Altman, Slosberg)
HB 189: Photographic Enforcement of School Zone Speed Limits (Duran)
HJR 35 / SJR 244: Partisan Elections for Members of District School Boards (Roach, Sirois / Gruters)
HJR 77 / SJR 192: Commissioner of Education (Driskell / Cruz)
SB 188: Civic Literacy Education (Brandes)
SB 212: Let Kids Play Act (Farmer)
SB 270: Funds for Student Transportation (Hutson)