Florida PreK–12 Budget Subcommittee advances omnibus education bill amid sharp public opposition
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Summary
The PreK–12 Budget Subcommittee voted 12–3 to report CS/HB 1071, a wide-ranging education bill that drew public testimony over a proposed embryology/fetal-development video, expanded school–law-enforcement coordination and restrictions on student-organization funding. Sponsors said parents may opt out and amendments were adopted; opponents urged the legislature to split the measure.
The Florida House PreK–12 Budget Subcommittee advanced CS for House Bill 1071 on a 12–3 vote after adopting two amendments and hearing more than an hour of public testimony from students, teachers and advocacy groups.
Representative Trabulsi, the bill sponsor, told the committee the measure updates early learning, clarifies Title I use for STEM, strengthens student-health and safety provisions, and increases oversight of scholarship and instructional programs. "We have an opt-out provision in the bill," Trabulsi said of a required embryology and fetal-development video; "If you don't like it, opt out." The sponsor also said she withdrew a proposed amendment to allow canines on school grounds to lower tensions and that other contested items will be subject to further rulemaking and amendment.
Why it matters: Supporters said the bill improves transparency and safety and creates tools for turning around persistently low-performing schools. Opponents — including the Sea Alliance, student speakers and multiple education and civil-rights organizations — said HB 1071 bundles unrelated policies into an omnibus measure that dilutes public input, risks politicizing health and science instruction, and could make schools feel more enforcement-oriented.
Major provisions and debate Representative Trabulsi said an adopted amendment (barcode 144191) clarifies that Title I funds "may be used by school districts for STEM programs if they choose to do so." A second amendment (barcode 137095) removed lines 1093–1099; Trabulsi explained she removed a provision related to canine use on campuses after public concern.
Members pressed the sponsor on several items: how districts will notify parents when student records with threat assessments transfer to a new school; the process and appeals available when the state or publisher removes instructional material; and the scope of an "educational emergency" that allows district-level interventions in persistently low-performing schools. Trabulsi said existing adoption reviews and an appeals process exist and that further rulemaking will clarify definitions and procedures.
Public testimony More than two dozen speakers filled the public-comment period. Carissa Woody of Sea Alliance said the bill "raises more serious issues about students' trust, engagement, and safety" by expanding coordination with law enforcement and bundling many changes. Multiple student speakers, teachers and advocacy groups urged separating the bill into discrete measures to allow full public review. John Labriola of the Christian Family Coalition voiced strong support for the fetal-development video, calling it a "medically accurate depiction" that should be shown in schools.
Votes and outcome The subcommittee vote to report CS/HB 1071 as amended was 12 yeas, 3 nays. Yes votes recorded in the roll call included Chairperson Smolica; Vice Chair Trabulsi; Representatives Brackett, Daniels, Gerwig, McFarland, Michael, Nicks, Oberdorf, Bridal, Snyder and Yeager. Nays were Ranking Member Gant and Representatives Edmonds and Lopez. The clerk announced the committee would report CS for HB 1071 as amended to the next committee.
Next steps Members and the sponsor said more revisions are likely as HB 1071 proceeds. Sponsors pointed to rulemaking for the Department of Education and promised to continue meeting with stakeholders on concerns such as instructional-materials appeals and the medical accuracy standard for the embryology content. The bill will move to the next committee for consideration.
Votes at a glance: The subcommittee reported CS for House Bill 1071, as amended, on a voice/roll-call vote, 12–3 (yes: Chairperson Smolica; Vice Chair Trabulsi; Representatives Brackett, Daniels, Gerwig, McFarland, Michael, Nicks, Oberdorf, Bridal, Snyder, Yeager. No: Ranking Member Gant; Representatives Edmonds, Lopez).