Legislative Update as of Sunday, March 27th, 2011
I spent last Tuesday, March 22nd through Thursday, March 25th afternoon in Tallahassee for Florida School Board Association Certified Board Training and then for FSBA Legislative Days. I also met with our Florida Legislators. This legislative session is having a profound effect on the future of Florida’s public schools and its educators. Last week we were in the center of it all in Tallahassee. I know many of you, as parents, educators, administrators and community members have been asking me many questions about what is happening and where things might be headed. I will not be able to cover all the new educational legislation being proposed at this time so if I have not mentioned something you are interested in, please do not hesitate to contact me. I want you know understand that while I am explaining some of the bills and its points I want to try and not be overly judgmental at the moment on every bill or issue I am speaking. In talking with FSBA directors, educational lobbyists, and legislators, it is clear that many of these legislators are themselves seeing that for the betterment of our students and public schools, changes and/or adjustments must still be made to both in bills that have been passed and signed and to bills that are still coming forward. It is important that we communicate with our legislators and respectfully make them aware of our concerns and needs. I have found them to be willing to listen and I encourage you to contact them about your concerns on legislation.
Our Legislators
Florida Senator Charles Dean: dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov
Florida House of Representatives Jimmie T. Smith: jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov
Florida Senate Senators
Florida House Representatives
Retirement Bills
Senate Bill Includes a Stair Stepping Contribution
SB 1130 – Retirement, sponsored by Senator Ring
The bill substantially revises the Florida Retirement System (FRS). It would among other things begin July 1, 2011; FRS changes from a noncontributory system to a contributory system and requires each active member of the FRS to contribute a percentage of pre-tax gross salary to fund retirement benefits. The maximum employee contribution is 2% for any member of the Regular Class or Special Risk Class and 4°k for any member of the Senior Management Service Class or Elected Officers’ Class. Employee contributions are no longer required if the FRS reaches or exceeds 100% of actuarial funding. For fiscal year 2011-2012, the contribution rates for all members are set at 0% for gross compensation up to and including, $40,000, plus no more than 2% for gross compensation in excess of $40,000 and up to and including $75,000, plus no more than 4% for gross compensation that is greater than $75,000.
House proceeds with changes to retirement program
The House Pension Reform bill HB 1406 passed the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday.
It requires an employee contribution; however, it reduces the rate from 5 percent to 3 percent for members of all classes.
- Does not reduce the service accrual rates – All current law service accrual rates are maintained in the strike-all amendment.
- Continues to close DROP to new participants effective July 1, 2011.
- Continues to increase the retirement age and years of service for members of the FRS who initially enroll on or after July 1, 2011. The change in age from 55 to 65 and years of service from 30 to 33 does not apply to any person who is currently a member of the FRS – only new hires.
- Sets the employer contribution rates based upon actuarial studies specific to the employee contribution rate, closing of DROP, and increasing the retirement age and years of service.
- Does not eliminate the retiree health insurance subsidy
Despite the changes, firefighters and police officers showed up in opposition. One police officer called the pension bill a “political attack” by the Legislature. Many public employees appeared most opposed to the provision that would push back the retirement age for special risk workers to either age 55 or 30 years of service. Rank-and-file state workers would have to work 33 years or until age 65 in order to start receiving their pension.
The House bill aligns closer to what the Senate has proposed, although the Senate pension bill has a tiered system that would require employees to a pay a higher contribution rate based on how much money they earn.
It should be noted that on Friday, March 26th House Bill (HB1405) sponsored by Workman had the amount of employee contributions reduced form 5% to 3%.
Class Size Bills
Senate Wants To Define What Are Core Courses
SB 1466 – Class Size Requirements by Simmons
The bill amends s. 1003.01·to redefine the terms “core curricula” and “extra curricular” courses. “Corecurricula courses” are defined to mean:
- Language arts/reading, mathematics, and science courses in prekindergarten through grade 3;
- Courses in grades 4 through 8 in subjects that are measured by state assessment at any grade level;
- Courses in grades 9 through 12 in subjects that are measured by state assessment at any grade level;
- Courses that are specifically identified by name in statute as required for high school graduation and that are not measured by state assessments, excluding any extracurricular courses;
- Exceptional student education .courses;
- English for Speakers of Other Languages courses.
House Representative Wants to Cap Penalties to $1,000 per school
HB 1447 – Class Size Requirements by Nelson
The bill amends. 1003.03(4) that the penalty imposed on school districts for non-compliance with constitutional class size requirements may not exceed $1,000 per school in district.
STATUS: HB 1447 is awaiting hearing in House PreK-12 Appropriations
High School Career/Vocational Diploma Options
Senator Wants Career Track Option for High School Students
SB 1830 – High School Career Diploma by Wise
Provides requirements for the high school career diploma. Requires a student and the student’s parent to agree in writing to the requirements of the career diploma track. Specifies the 24 credits that must be successfully completed to receive a career diploma. Requires an intensive reading course or remediation in mathematics for a student who does not meet certain academic standards. Provides strategies to enable an exceptional student to meet graduation requirements for a career diploma, etc.
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