2023 Florida Legislature

Democrats, teachers unions and public school districts say it will drain funding away from private and charter schools as students leave those schools.

Florida is the latest state to expand its school voucher program to all students, regardless of their family income and whether they’re in private school or homeschool.

The Senate could also approve a bill that would help shield businesses and insurance companies from lawsuits. The bills would then go to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The House version of the proposal would extend the ban to children already receiving treatments. It would also stop insurance companies from covering gender-affirming surgeries for transgender adults.

Said state Sen. Lori Berman: "What better way to reduce carbon emissions and energy costs than harnessing the power of the sun on our educational facilities?"

The bill's sponsor says it's an effort to avoid one “protest juror” from preventing a death sentence.

Bill sponsor Corey Simon, who played defensive tackle at FSU and in the NFL, said "we have to make sure that we're not incentivizing" unruly behavior among sports fans — including parents of children playing in youth sports.

Said a reporter for the Chronicle of Higher Education: "It really goes beyond what we’ve seen I think in almost any other state.”

Said Sen. Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart)" "This is exactly what we want to do to build our workforce."

A House subcommittee approved a bill that would set up a pilot program for four years, with a goal of studying “benefits” of a year-long school schedule.

A legislative analysis finds EV drivers in 31 states pay fees to make up for a drop in gas tax revenue. A proposal in the state Senate would add Florida to that list.

The state Senate's GOP-controlled Committee on Health Policy approved the measure, while a companion House bill also cleared its first committee hearing.