Committee advances bill to restore cost-of-living adjustments and broaden educator pay options
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Summary
The Appropriations Committee reported SB 12 16 favorably after sponsor Senator Rodriguez said the bill restores meaningful cost-of-living adjustments, recognizes relevant advanced degrees and removes rigid caps on performance pay to help districts address teacher pay and retention challenges.
Senator Rodriguez told the Appropriations Committee that SB 12 16 would give school districts another tool to respond to rising costs and severe staffing shortages while preserving performance pay.
"This bill gives district another tool in the toolbox and does not replace performance pay. It actually, strengthens it," Rodriguez said, saying the bill restores meaningful use of cost-of-living adjustments for educators with direct student contact and allows districts to recognize relevant advanced degrees as part of compensation.
Rodriguez argued that Florida ranks "towards the bottom in the nation in average teacher pay," and said many educators cite low salaries and being unable to afford to teach as top reasons for leaving the profession. Senators who spoke in favor said the measure would help districts address retention and reward excellence.
Senator Masullo praised the bill as an investment in education and urged ongoing work to increase Base Student Allocation (BSA) funding so districts have more resources to boost teacher pay. Senator Osgood said the bill would help staff stuck in the transition to performance-based pay schedules by allowing districts to provide meaningful raises.
The chair noted a late, handwritten amendment filed by Senator Burgess "to add a bald eagle statue to the top of every schoolhouse," which committee members treated as a joke; Senator Rodriguez called the amendment "friendly," and no substantive amendment was adopted.
Clerk Regina read several public testimony waivers indicating educator and stakeholder support, including an entry noting the Florida Education Association. After sponsor closing remarks asking for "everyone's favorable support," the clerk called the roll and members answered in the affirmative. Chair Burgess announced, "By your vote, show SB 12 16 is reported favorably."
The committee did not take further substantive amendments on the record and moved to other agenda items. The chair said committee members would await the budget rollout and other business before further action.
What happens next: Reporting the bill favorably advances SB 12 16 to the next committee or floor steps in the legislative process; no implementation details or appropriations changes were decided at the hearing.