Week 3: March 20-March 26

OVERVIEW:

• FEA 2023 Legislative Session Weekly Overview
• FEA Bill Watchlist
• Watch sessions via The Florida Channel

BILLS TO WATCH:

HB 999/SB 266 “Public Postsecondary Educational Institutions”

• HB 999 has not had any movement since 3/16. It may be scheduled for Week 4 or 5.
• SB 266 was read for the first time by Education Postsecondary Committee on 3/21.

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

• HB 1445 has one more committee stop before going to the House floor, likely to happen next week. It is expected to pass the House floor and go to the Governor for signing in mid-April.
• SB 256 was heard for the second time in the Senate with much debate on the floor. It was approved and will go up for final vote (third reading) next week. It is expected to pass the final vote and go to the Governor for signing in mid-April.

ACTIONS TO TAKE:

• Mark your calendar for Monday, April 3rd! UFF will be holding a press conference in Tallahassee with Representative Hinson to draw attention to bills related to academic freedom and graduate fee waivers.
• Email the chair of the State Affairs Committee and ask them not to schedule SB 256
• Email the chair of the Education and Employment Committee and ask them not to schedule HB 1445
• Call 844-937-2517 to participate in AFL-CIO’s campaign to reach all legislators and let them know workers are paying attention to how they vote on union busting bills
• Contact members of the House State Affairs Committee and ask them to vote NO on HB 1445 HERE
• Locate your House Representative and ask them to vote NO on HB 1445 and HB 999
• Locate your Senate Representative and ask them to vote NO on SB 256 and SB 266
• 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