Governor DeSantis signs landmark reforms to support education and hold teacher unions accountable

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1296 and HB 1279, strengthening transparency and accountability in teacher unions, supporting educators, and expanding opportunities for students and parents across Florida.

“Thanks to our historic investments and common-sense policies, Florida has ranked #1 in the nation for education two out of the last three years. Today in Fort Myers, I signed landmark legislation to build on this success and ensure our state continues to lead the way in education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida students deserve high-quality education, and great teachers deserve recognition and competitive pay. But time and again, partisan school unions have shown that they do not act in the best interests of the teachers they purport to represent, let alone the best interests of students.”

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida continues to set the national standard in education,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Senate Bill 1296 and House Bill 1279 are bills that put students first by removing barriers, rewarding excellence, and increasing transparency, while supporting teachers by ensuring unions earn the right to serve as the collective bargaining representative through the trust and participation of educators.”

Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1296 and HB 1279:

SB 1296 provides for the decertification of partisan school unions and fast-tracks salary increases, which some unions have stalled. The bill:

• Requires at least 50% participation in union certification or recertification elections. Unions can no longer be recertified through an election where only a handful of voters participate.
• Increases penalties for illegal strikes—increasing the maximum fine for organizations engaging in this activity from $20,000 per day to $40,000 per day.
• Establishes a fast-track process to ensure teachers receive pay increases without delay.

HB 1279 allows districts to provide immediate pay incentives to high-performing teachers who choose to teach in lower performing schools without being burdened by collective bargaining. The bill:

• Allows direct pay incentives for high-performing teachers in lower performing schools.
• Strengthens parental rights in special education.
• Expands bonuses to teachers in Florida—ensuring that teachers delivering the Florida Advanced Courses are eligible for bonuses, just like those teaching Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB).