Senate education committee advances package of bills on counselors, screenings, math, athletics and Veterans Day
January 20, 2026 | 2026 Legislature FL, Florida
This article was created by AI summarizing key points discussed. AI makes mistakes, so for full details and context, please refer to the video of the full meeting. Please report any errors so we can fix them. Report an error »
The Florida Senate Committee on Education Pre K–12 met Jan. 23 to consider a slate of education bills and reported most measures favorably after amendments and discussion.
Senator Calati introduced SB 1036 to address a shortage of school counselors by removing certification requirements tied to classroom teacher subject-area knowledge, arguing that the existing linkage constrains the applicant pool. "School counselors are required to adhere to practices that are connected to a classroom teacher certification, limiting the pool of applicants," Calati said. The committee adopted a technical amendment (630,296) to clarify that the certification exemption in the bill does not change any school-district employment requirements, and then reported the bill favorably.
Senator Collati presented a delete-all amendment to SB 1136 to authorize noninvasive dental screenings as part of preventive dental programs in schools, implemented after written notice to parents with a clear opt-out/exemption process. Supporters including Donna McMillan of the Florida PTA and members of the public signaled backing. "One of the largest drivers in student absenteeism is dental issues," Senator Berman said in urging support. The amendment and the bill as amended were reported favorably.
On math instruction, Senator Gates told the committee SB 920 directs the Department of Education to adopt applied algebra courses aligned to career-technical pathways that still meet Florida's Algebra 1 standards and prepare students for the end-of-course exam. Gates cited state performance figures: "Last year, 97,000 ninth graders took algebra 1. Only 39,000 of them passed the end of course exam. That's a 60 percent failure rate." Gates also said the bill would pair coursework with an adaptive AI-based support tool in partnership with the Lisonbee Center. Members confirmed the bill preserves the requirement that students take and pass the Algebra 1 end-of-course exam; the committee reported SB 920 favorably.
Senator Jones carried SB 178 to clarify when coaches may provide food, transportation and recovery services to student-athletes in good faith, require reporting of assistance, and leave enforcement to governing organizations such as the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). A late-filed amendment (739582) added a $15,000 per team, per year cap on personal funds a coach may contribute. "This amendment has a $15,000 cost cap on personal funds, which may be used by a coach per team per year," Jones said when explaining the change. Committee members pressed for guardrails on the source of funds and raised concerns that booster groups could improperly funnel money through coaches; Jones said staff will draft clearer limits before the next committee stop. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported the bill favorably.
On compensation, Senator Rodriguez introduced SPB 1216 to give districts greater flexibility within the educator-compensation statute (Section 1012.22, Florida Statutes) to respond to cost-of-living pressures, staffing shortages and retention challenges while retaining performance pay elements. The proposal drew support from former school-board members and some district stakeholders; the committee reported it favorably.
The committee also considered SPB 70-22, a public-records reauthorization under the Open Government Sunset Review Act to extend a records exemption for certain examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and to clarify that locally developed district assessments are covered. Deputy staff director Alex Brick explained the staff review and recommended reauthorization; the committee adopted the committee bill and reported it favorably.
Senator Avila presented SB 464 to require that Veterans Day (Nov. 11) be observed statewide as a school holiday so students and families have the opportunity to honor veterans. Supporters including Kathleen Murray, state education director for Citizens Defending Freedom, urged the committee to set a consistent statewide practice; some members raised scheduling and contractual questions and suggested districts could use a professional-development day if needed. The committee nonetheless reported SB 464 favorably.
Chair Simon brought a delete-all amendment to SB 538 to standardize extracurricular participation rules across public, private, virtual and home-education students, limit excessive participation fees, set conditions for switching schools for sports, require annual participation in the Presidential Youth Fitness Program and allow districts to determine coaches' compensation at their discretion. The amendment was adopted and CS for SB 538 was reported favorably.
Votes at a glance
- CS for SB 1036 (school counselors): reported favorably after adoption of Amendment 630,296.
- CS for SB 1136 (dental screenings): reported favorably after delete-all Amendment 524620 (parent notice and opt-out process).
- SB 920 (applied algebra and AI support): reported favorably; bill keeps Algebra 1 end-of-course exam requirement.
- CS for SB 178 (athletics/coaches support): reported favorably after late-filed Amendment 739582 adding a $15,000 per-team-per-year cap on coach personal funds; committee directed staff to add guardrails on permissible funding sources before the next stop.
- SPB 1216 (educator compensation/Section 1012.22): reported favorably.
- SPB 70-22 (public-records exemption for assessments): committee bill adopted and reported favorably; extends sunset to 2031.
- SB 464 (Veterans Day observance): reported favorably after debate about district scheduling and contractual trade-offs.
- CS for SB 538 (physical education/extracurriculars): reported favorably after delete-all amendment standardizing eligibility and participation rules.
What to watch next
Most measures were advanced with instructions to staff for drafting conforming language or additional guardrails; sponsors said they will work with colleagues and governing bodies ahead of subsequent committee stops. The committee adjourned without further votes scheduled on SB 430 (postponed) and other items.
Sources: committee proceedings Jan. 23, 2026; direct quotes and votes recorded on the committee floor.
Senator Calati introduced SB 1036 to address a shortage of school counselors by removing certification requirements tied to classroom teacher subject-area knowledge, arguing that the existing linkage constrains the applicant pool. "School counselors are required to adhere to practices that are connected to a classroom teacher certification, limiting the pool of applicants," Calati said. The committee adopted a technical amendment (630,296) to clarify that the certification exemption in the bill does not change any school-district employment requirements, and then reported the bill favorably.
Senator Collati presented a delete-all amendment to SB 1136 to authorize noninvasive dental screenings as part of preventive dental programs in schools, implemented after written notice to parents with a clear opt-out/exemption process. Supporters including Donna McMillan of the Florida PTA and members of the public signaled backing. "One of the largest drivers in student absenteeism is dental issues," Senator Berman said in urging support. The amendment and the bill as amended were reported favorably.
On math instruction, Senator Gates told the committee SB 920 directs the Department of Education to adopt applied algebra courses aligned to career-technical pathways that still meet Florida's Algebra 1 standards and prepare students for the end-of-course exam. Gates cited state performance figures: "Last year, 97,000 ninth graders took algebra 1. Only 39,000 of them passed the end of course exam. That's a 60 percent failure rate." Gates also said the bill would pair coursework with an adaptive AI-based support tool in partnership with the Lisonbee Center. Members confirmed the bill preserves the requirement that students take and pass the Algebra 1 end-of-course exam; the committee reported SB 920 favorably.
Senator Jones carried SB 178 to clarify when coaches may provide food, transportation and recovery services to student-athletes in good faith, require reporting of assistance, and leave enforcement to governing organizations such as the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). A late-filed amendment (739582) added a $15,000 per team, per year cap on personal funds a coach may contribute. "This amendment has a $15,000 cost cap on personal funds, which may be used by a coach per team per year," Jones said when explaining the change. Committee members pressed for guardrails on the source of funds and raised concerns that booster groups could improperly funnel money through coaches; Jones said staff will draft clearer limits before the next committee stop. The amendment was adopted and the committee reported the bill favorably.
On compensation, Senator Rodriguez introduced SPB 1216 to give districts greater flexibility within the educator-compensation statute (Section 1012.22, Florida Statutes) to respond to cost-of-living pressures, staffing shortages and retention challenges while retaining performance pay elements. The proposal drew support from former school-board members and some district stakeholders; the committee reported it favorably.
The committee also considered SPB 70-22, a public-records reauthorization under the Open Government Sunset Review Act to extend a records exemption for certain examination and assessment instruments to 2031 and to clarify that locally developed district assessments are covered. Deputy staff director Alex Brick explained the staff review and recommended reauthorization; the committee adopted the committee bill and reported it favorably.
Senator Avila presented SB 464 to require that Veterans Day (Nov. 11) be observed statewide as a school holiday so students and families have the opportunity to honor veterans. Supporters including Kathleen Murray, state education director for Citizens Defending Freedom, urged the committee to set a consistent statewide practice; some members raised scheduling and contractual questions and suggested districts could use a professional-development day if needed. The committee nonetheless reported SB 464 favorably.
Chair Simon brought a delete-all amendment to SB 538 to standardize extracurricular participation rules across public, private, virtual and home-education students, limit excessive participation fees, set conditions for switching schools for sports, require annual participation in the Presidential Youth Fitness Program and allow districts to determine coaches' compensation at their discretion. The amendment was adopted and CS for SB 538 was reported favorably.
Votes at a glance
- CS for SB 1036 (school counselors): reported favorably after adoption of Amendment 630,296.
- CS for SB 1136 (dental screenings): reported favorably after delete-all Amendment 524620 (parent notice and opt-out process).
- SB 920 (applied algebra and AI support): reported favorably; bill keeps Algebra 1 end-of-course exam requirement.
- CS for SB 178 (athletics/coaches support): reported favorably after late-filed Amendment 739582 adding a $15,000 per-team-per-year cap on coach personal funds; committee directed staff to add guardrails on permissible funding sources before the next stop.
- SPB 1216 (educator compensation/Section 1012.22): reported favorably.
- SPB 70-22 (public-records exemption for assessments): committee bill adopted and reported favorably; extends sunset to 2031.
- SB 464 (Veterans Day observance): reported favorably after debate about district scheduling and contractual trade-offs.
- CS for SB 538 (physical education/extracurriculars): reported favorably after delete-all amendment standardizing eligibility and participation rules.
What to watch next
Most measures were advanced with instructions to staff for drafting conforming language or additional guardrails; sponsors said they will work with colleagues and governing bodies ahead of subsequent committee stops. The committee adjourned without further votes scheduled on SB 430 (postponed) and other items.
Sources: committee proceedings Jan. 23, 2026; direct quotes and votes recorded on the committee floor.
Don't Miss a Word: See the Full Meeting!
Go beyond summaries. Unlock every video, transcript, and key insight with a Founder Membership.
✓
Get instant access to full meeting videos
✓
Search and clip any phrase from complete transcripts
✓
Receive AI-powered summaries & custom alerts
✓
Enjoy lifetime, unrestricted access to government data
30-day money-back guarantee
