2023 Legislative Session, Week 2

Week 2: March 13-March 19

OVERVIEW:

BILLS TO WATCH:

HB 999/SB 266 “Public Postsecondary Educational Institutions”

HB 999 was heard on 3/13 by the House Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee. Despite 200+ members of the public showing up to Tallahassee to oppose the bill, it was passed through the Committee. A committee substitute was accepted, expanding various aspects of the original bill, related to approved majors and minors, post-tenure review policies, and fundings for student groups. On 3/16, the bill was referred to the Education & Employment Committee.
SB 266 found a committee substitute which removes direct bans on majors and minors, refuses to define cause for post-tenure review, and removes 2022 language that required Florida colleges and universities to change accreditors. An amendment to the bill that would have protected faculty from experiencing post-tenure review due to their political affiliation and/or expression of constitutional rights was refused by the Education Postsecondary Committee. On 3/15, the bill passed the Education Postsecondary Committee with 7 Yeas and 3 Nays.

HB 1445/SB 256 “Employee Organizations Representing Public Employees”

HB 1445 was added to the Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations subcommittee agenda on 3/14, ultimately being found Favorable by the Subcommittee. On 3/16, it was advanced to the State Affairs Committee.
SB 256 passed its second Committee on 3/16 with 13 Yeas and 7 Nays.

ACTIONS TO TAKE:

Tell House Committee members to vote NO on HB 999 HERE
Contact members of the House State Affairs Committee and ask them to vote NO on HB 1445 HERE
Locate your Representative and ask them to vote NO on HB 1445 AND 999
Reach out to the Senators who advocated for faculty rights in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee last week (SB 256) HERE
Sign up for FEA/UFF Power Hours weekly on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30pm (EST) HERE
Join the Higher Education Regional Outreach (HERO) team for Northeast Florida HERE