House approves boosters-pay measure after heated debate over equity and liability

The Florida House on March 9 approved legislation (CS/CS/CS for SB 538) that restructures extracurricular rules, authorizes school districts to charge an activity fee and allows authorized booster clubs and associations to use voluntary donations to compensate coaches and activity sponsors.

Sponsor Representative Abbott said the bill "helps to fix" disparities in how school programs are supported and does not mandate local districts to adopt the changes. He emphasized that the bill applies to extracurricular sponsors beyond athletics and includes language requiring compliance with applicable federal law.

Opponents, including Representative Bartleman, raised constitutional and equity concerns and warned the bill could increase disparities between wealthy and lower-income districts. Bartleman said on the floor, "This sends the wrong message...we're going to value sports over academics," and argued the structure could create Title IX or parity issues. Questions on liability, union-status changes for coaches reclassified as administrative staff, and who would cover legal defense in disputes were debated at length.

Sponsors and backers pointed to local control — district boards must approve booster-club arrangements — and said the bill is optional and intended to provide new, non-taxpayer ways to support extracurricular activities. The House adopted a major strike-all amendment to take up the House language and then passed the bill 148–6.

Implementation questions remain, and the Department of Education was flagged to provide guidance on compliance with federal statutes and how districts should manage booster-club agreements.