Florida 2026 Session Status: Introduced

SB 7038 — Education

Last action — Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 1279 (Ch. 2026-59)

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced January 30, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 30% · moderate confidence

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 3 sponsors

    1 primary, 2 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 5 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Education; Requiring each Florida College System institution and state university to waive tuition and fees for members of the Florida State Guard if certain conditions are met; requiring entities that offer fee-based services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired to disclose in writing whether the service may be obtained elsewhere at no cost; authorizing school district career centers to use alternative methods adopted by the board in lieu of common placement tests to assess students in basic communication and computation skills; providing that a fee waiver only applies to a full-time undergraduate student, beginning with a specified academic year, etc.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

813 added · 989 removed

813 line(s) added, 989 removed.

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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 By the Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education;
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 FOR CONSIDERATION By the Committee on Education Postsecondary 589-02271A-26 20267038pb A bill to be entitled An act relating to education;
and the Committee on Education Postsecondary 602-02969-26 20267038c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to education;
authorizing the State Board of Education to adopt rules;
authorizing the Department of Education to adopt rules;
491.005, F.S.;
1003.437, F.S.;
revising the date for a requirement to obtain a license as a marriage and family therapist;
requiring the State Board of Education to establish a uniform weighted grading system for specified courses Page 1 of 27 CODING:
amending s.
1001.92, Page 1 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 F.S.;
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb and articulated acceleration mechanisms;
revising access rate performance-based metric;
requiring district school boards to use such system for a specified purpose;
1003.437, F.S.;
requiring the State Board of Education to establish a statewide uniform weighted grading system for specified courses and articulated acceleration mechanisms;
requiring district school boards to use the system for a specified purpose;
amending s.
authorizing Florida College System institutions to request approval of institution- specific alternative methods;
authorizing Florida College System institutions to request approval of institution-specific alternative methods;
1008.47, F.S.;
1009.21, F.S.;
revising the timeframe for a public postsecondary institution to seek and obtain accreditation;
amending s.
1009.21, Page 2 of 32 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 F.S.;
providing that a person may not lose his or her resident status for tuition purposes due to his or her parent serving outside this state in certain capacities;
providing that a fee waiver only applies to a full- time undergraduate student, beginning with a specified academic year;
providing that a fee waiver only applies to a full-time undergraduate student, beginning with a specified academic year;
1009.30, F.S.;
1009.30, Page 2 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb F.S.;
revising the academic acceleration options supplement in the Florida Education Finance Program to include a method for calculating additional full-time equivalent Page 3 of 32 CODING:
revising the academic acceleration options supplement in the Florida Education Finance Program to include a method for calculating additional full-time equivalent membership based on a specified course and test score;
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words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 membership based on a specified course and test score;
providing that a Florida College System institution may retain an annual reserve amount exceeding the carry forward balance;
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb providing that a Florida College System institution may retain an annual reserve amount exceeding the carry forward balance;
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
96 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Section 1.
98 Section 1.
(b) Members of the Florida State Guard may be compensated for time spent training or in the course of active service at Page 4 of 32 CODING:
(b) Members of the Florida State Guard may be compensated for time spent training or in the course of active service at rates established by the director, subject to appropriation.
(c) A member of the Florida State Guard may not make any purchase or enter into any contract or agreement for purchases or services as a charge against the state without the authority of the director.
(d) As a benefit to the active members of the Florida State Guard, subject to approval by the director of the Division of the State Guard, each Florida College System institution and state university shall waive tuition and fees for active members Page 4 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 rates established by the director, subject to appropriation.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb of the Florida State Guard to enroll for up to 6 credit hours of courses per term on a space-available basis.
(c) A member of the Florida State Guard may not make any purchase or enter into any contract or agreement for purchases or services as a charge against the state without the authority of the director.
(d) As a benefit to the active members of the Florida State Guard, subject to approval by the director of the Division of the State Guard, each Florida College System institution and state university shall waive tuition and fees for active members of the Florida State Guard to enroll for up to 6 credit hours of courses per term on a space-available basis.
(3) A violation of this section constitutes an unfair or deceptive trade practice under part II of chapter 501 and is Page 5 of 32 CODING:
(3) A violation of this section constitutes an unfair or deceptive trade practice under part II of chapter 501 and is subject to penalties and enforcement as provided therein.
Words stricken are deletions;
(4) The Department of Education may adopt rules to implement this section.
words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 subject to penalties and enforcement as provided therein.
(4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement this section.
To qualify for approval, a registration, the division must ensure that the service provider must maintain maintains an internal system of quality assurance, have has proven functional systems, meet the minimum qualifications, and be is subject to a due-diligence inquiry as to its fitness to undertake service responsibilities.
To qualify for approval, a registration, the division Page 5 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb must ensure that the service provider must maintain maintains an internal system of quality assurance, have has proven functional systems, meet the minimum qualifications, and be is subject to a due-diligence inquiry as to its fitness to undertake service responsibilities.
(c) In order to maintain approved status with the division, Page 6 of 32 CODING:
(c) In order to maintain approved status with the division, service providers must meet minimum standards of effectiveness in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services, including placement of individuals in competitive and integrated employment.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 service providers must meet minimum standards of effectiveness in the provision of vocational rehabilitation services, including placement of individuals in competitive and integrated employment.
Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 491.005, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
491.005 Licensure by examination.— (3) MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY.—Upon verification of documentation and payment of a fee not to exceed $200, as set by board rule, the department shall issue a license as a marriage and family therapist to an applicant whom the board certifies has met all of the following criteria:
(c)1.
Attained one of the following:
a.
A minimum of a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education.
b.
A minimum of a master’s degree with a major emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field from a university program accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs and graduate courses approved by the board.
c.
A minimum of a master’s degree with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy or a closely related field, with a degree conferred before September 1, 2032 2027, from an institutionally accredited college or university and graduate courses approved by the board.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 2.
If the course title that appears on the applicant’s transcript does not clearly identify the content of the coursework, the applicant provided additional documentation, including, but not limited to, a syllabus or catalog description published for the course.
The required master’s degree must have been received in an institution of higher education that, at the time the applicant graduated, was fully accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization or was a member in good standing with Universities Canada, or an institution of higher education located outside the United States and Canada which, at the time the applicant was enrolled and at the time the applicant graduated, maintained a standard of training substantially equivalent to the standards of training of those institutions in the United States which are accredited by an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or its successor organization.
Such foreign education and training must have been received in an institution or program of higher education officially recognized by the government of the country in which it is located as an institution or program to train students to practice as professional marriage and family therapists or psychotherapists.
The applicant has the burden of establishing that the requirements of this provision have been met, and the board shall require documentation, such as an evaluation by a foreign equivalency determination service, as evidence that the applicant’s graduate degree program and education were equivalent to an accredited program in this country.
An applicant with a master’s degree from a program that did not Page 8 of 32 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 emphasize marriage and family therapy may complete the coursework requirement in a training institution fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education recognized by the United States Department of Education.
For the purposes of dual licensure, the department shall license as a marriage and family therapist any person who meets the requirements of s.
491.0057.
Fees for dual licensure may not exceed those stated in this subsection.
Section 5.
Subsection (1) of section 1001.92, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1001.92 State University System Performance-Based Incentive.— (1) A State University System Performance-Based Incentive shall be awarded to state universities using performance-based metrics adopted by the Board of Governors of the State University System.
Beginning with the Board of Governors’ determination of each university’s performance improvement and achievement ratings, and the related distribution of annual fiscal year appropriation, the performance-based metrics must include:
(a) The 4-year graduation rate for first-time-in-college students;
(b) Beginning in fiscal year 2022-2023, the 3-year graduation rate for associate in arts transfer students;
(c) Retention rates;
(d) Postgraduation education rates;
(e) Degree production;
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 (f) Affordability;
(g) Postgraduation employment and salaries, including wage thresholds that reflect the added value of a baccalaureate degree;
(h) Access rate, based on the percentage of first-year undergraduate students enrolled during the fall term who received a Pell Grant during the fall term;
and (i) Beginning in fiscal year 2021-2022, the 6-year graduation rate for students who are awarded a Pell Grant in their first year.
The Board of Governors may approve other metrics in a publicly noticed meeting.
The board shall adopt benchmarks to evaluate each state university’s performance on the metrics to measure the state university’s achievement of institutional excellence or need for improvement and minimum requirements for eligibility to receive performance funding.
Benchmarks and metrics may not be adjusted after university performance data has been received by the Board of Governors.
Section 6.
1003.437 Middle and high school grading system.—The grading system and interpretation of letter grades used to measure student success in grade 6 through grade 12 courses for students in public schools shall be as follows:
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(1) Grade “A” equals 90 percent through 100 percent, has a grade point average value of 4, and is defined as “outstanding progress.” (2) Grade “B” equals 80 percent through 89 percent, has a Page 10 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 grade point average value of 3, and is defined as “above average progress.” (3) Grade “C” equals 70 percent through 79 percent, has a grade point average value of 2, and is defined as “average progress.” (4) Grade “D” equals 60 percent through 69 percent, has a grade point average value of 1, and is defined as “lowest acceptable progress.” (5) Grade “F” equals zero percent through 59 percent, has a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as “failure.” (6) Grade “I” equals zero percent, has a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as “incomplete.” The State Board of Education must establish a statewide uniform weighted grading system for honors courses and articulated acceleration mechanisms identified in s.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb 1003.437 Middle and high school grading system.—The grading system and interpretation of letter grades used to measure student success in grade 6 through grade 12 courses for students in public schools shall be as follows:
(1) Grade “A” equals 90 percent through 100 percent, has a grade point average value of 4, and is defined as “outstanding progress.” (2) Grade “B” equals 80 percent through 89 percent, has a grade point average value of 3, and is defined as “above average progress.” (3) Grade “C” equals 70 percent through 79 percent, has a grade point average value of 2, and is defined as “average progress.” (4) Grade “D” equals 60 percent through 69 percent, has a grade point average value of 1, and is defined as “lowest acceptable progress.” (5) Grade “F” equals zero percent through 59 percent, has a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as “failure.” (6) Grade “I” equals zero percent, has a grade point average value of zero, and is defined as “incomplete.” The State Board of Education must establish a statewide uniform weighted grading system for honors courses and articulated acceleration mechanisms identified in s.
Section 7.
Section 5.
1005.06 Institutions not under the jurisdiction or purview of the commission.— (1) Except as otherwise provided in law, the following institutions are not under the jurisdiction or purview of the commission and are not required to obtain licensure:
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(b) Any college or, school, or course licensed or approved as an institution for establishment and operation by another state agency.
A college or school, or any of its programs or Page 11 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 courses, does not qualify for exemption from the commission’s jurisdiction under this paragraph solely because another state agency licenses or approves one or more of its programs or courses for establishment and operation under part I of chapter 464, chapter 466, or chapter 475, or any other chapter of the Florida Statutes requiring licensing or approval as defined in this chapter.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb 1005.06 Institutions not under the jurisdiction or purview of the commission.— (1) Except as otherwise provided in law, the following institutions are not under the jurisdiction or purview of the commission and are not required to obtain licensure:
Section 8.
(b) Any college or, school, or course licensed or approved, as an institution, for establishment and operation by another state agency.
A college or school, or any of its programs or courses, does not qualify for exemption from the commission’s jurisdiction under this paragraph solely because another state agency licenses or approves one or more of its programs or courses for establishment and operation under part I of chapter 464, chapter 466, or chapter 475, or any other chapter of the Florida Statutes requiring licensing or approval as defined in this chapter.
Section 6.
1.
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A Florida College System institution to submit a notice of its intent to propose a new associate in arts specialized degree program to the Division of Florida Colleges.
The notice must include the recommended credit hours, the rationale for the specialization, the demand for students entering the field, and the coursework being proposed to be included beyond the 60 semester hours required for the general transfer degree, if applicable.
Notices of intent may be submitted by a Florida Page 12 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 College System institution at any time.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb 1.
A Florida College System institution to submit a notice of its intent to propose a new associate in arts specialized degree program to the Division of Florida Colleges.
The notice must include the recommended credit hours, the rationale for the specialization, the demand for students entering the field, and the coursework being proposed to be included beyond the 60 semester hours required for the general transfer degree, if applicable.
Notices of intent may be submitted by a Florida College System institution at any time.
d.
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb d.
Articulation agreements for graduates of the associate Page 13 of 32 CODING:
Articulation agreements for graduates of the associate in arts specialized transfer degree.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 in arts specialized transfer degree.
Section 9.
Section 7.
Section 10.
Section 8.
Subsections (2) and (3) and paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (4) of section 1008.30, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
Subsections (2) and (3) and paragraphs (a) and Page 10 of 27 CODING:
1008.30 Assessing college-level communication and computation skills for public postsecondary education.— (2) By January 31, 2022, the State Board of Education shall adopt rules to develop and implement alternative methods for assessing the basic communication and computation skills of students who intend to enter a degree program at a Florida Page 14 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 College System institution.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb (b) of subsection (4) of section 1008.30, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1008.30 Assessing college-level communication and computation skills for public postsecondary education.— (2) By January 31, 2022, the State Board of Education shall adopt rules to develop and implement alternative methods for assessing the basic communication and computation skills of students who intend to enter a degree program at a Florida College System institution.
(a) A student who entered 9th grade in a Florida public school in the 2003-2004 school year, or any year thereafter, and earned a Florida standard high school diploma and who demonstrated readiness for college-level communication and computation skills by any of the approved common placement tests or alternative methods pursuant to this section or a student who is serving as an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Services is not required to be assessed for readiness for college-level work in communication and computation and is not required to enroll in developmental education instruction in a Florida College System institution or a school district career center.
(a) A student who entered 9th grade in a Florida public school in the 2003-2004 school year, or any year thereafter, and earned a Florida standard high school diploma and who demonstrated readiness for college-level communication and computation skills by any of the approved common placement tests or alternative methods pursuant to this section or a student who is serving as an active duty member of any branch of the United States Armed Services is not required to be assessed for Page 11 of 27 CODING:
However, a student who is not required to be assessed for readiness for college-level work in communication and computation and is not required to enroll in developmental education under this paragraph may opt to be assessed and to enroll in developmental education instruction, Page 15 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 and the college or school district career center shall provide such assessment and instruction upon the student’s request.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb readiness for college-level work in communication and computation and is not required to enroll in developmental education instruction in a Florida College System institution or a school district career center.
However, a student who is not required to be assessed for readiness for college-level work in communication and computation and is not required to enroll in developmental education under this paragraph may opt to be assessed and to enroll in developmental education instruction, and the college or school district career center shall provide such assessment and instruction upon the student’s request.
(4)(a) Each Florida College System institution and school district career center shall implement the developmental education strategies defined in s.
(4)(a) Each Florida College System institution and school district career center shall implement the developmental Page 12 of 27 CODING:
1008.02 and rules established by the State Board of Education.
(b) Each Florida College System institution and school district career center shall use placement test results or alternative methods as established by the State Board of Education to determine the extent to which each student demonstrates sufficient communication and computation skills to indicate readiness for his or her chosen meta-major.
Florida Page 16 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 College System institutions and school district career centers shall counsel students into college credit courses as quickly as possible, with developmental education limited to that content needed for success in the meta-major.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb education strategies defined in s.
Section 11.
1008.02 and rules established by the State Board of Education.
(b) Each Florida College System institution and school district career center shall use placement test results or alternative methods as established by the State Board of Education to determine the extent to which each student demonstrates sufficient communication and computation skills to indicate readiness for his or her chosen meta-major.
Florida College System institutions and school district career centers shall counsel students into college credit courses as quickly as possible, with developmental education limited to that content needed for success in the meta-major.
Section 9.
Section 12.
Section 10.
Subsection (2) of section 1008.47, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
Present subsections (4) through (13) of section 1009.21, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (5) through (14), respectively, and a new subsection (4) is added to that section, to read:
1008.47 Postsecondary education institution accreditation.— (2) ACCREDITATION.— (a) By September 1, 2022, The Board of Governors or the State Board of Education, as applicable, shall identify and determine the accrediting agencies or associations best suited to serve as an accreditor for public postsecondary institutions.
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Such accrediting agencies or associations must be recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States Department of Education.
Within 3 years In the year following reaffirmation or fifth-year review by its accrediting agencies Page 17 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 or associations, each public postsecondary institution must seek and obtain accreditation from an accrediting agency or association identified by the Board of Governors or State Board of Education, respectively, before its next reaffirmation or fifth-year review date.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb 1009.21 Determination of resident status for tuition purposes.—Students shall be classified as residents or nonresidents for the purpose of assessing tuition in postsecondary educational programs offered by charter technical career centers or career centers operated by school districts, in Florida College System institutions, and in state universities.
The requirements in this section are limited to a one-time change in accreditation.
(4) An individual may not lose his or her resident status for tuition purposes solely by reason of incarceration in a state or federal correctional facility in this state.
The requirements of this subsection are not applicable to those professional, graduate, departmental, or certificate programs at public postsecondary institutions that have specific accreditation requirements or best practices, including, but not limited to, law, pharmacy, engineering, or other similarly situated educational programs.
Section 11.
(b) Once a public postsecondary institution is required to seek and obtain accreditation from an agency or association identified pursuant to paragraph (a), the institution shall seek accreditation from an a regional accrediting agency or association and provide quarterly reports of its progress to the Board of Governors or State Board of Education, as applicable.
If each regional accreditation agency or association identified pursuant to paragraph (a) has refused to grant candidacy status to an institution, the institution must seek and obtain accreditation from any accrediting agency or association that is different from its current accrediting agency or association and is recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States Department of Education.
If a public postsecondary institution is not granted candidacy status before its next reaffirmation or fifth-year review date, the institution may remain with its current accrediting agency or association.
(c) This subsection expires December 31, 2032.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 Section 13.
Present subsections (4) through (13) of section 1009.21, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (5) through (14), respectively, a new subsection (4) is added to that section, and present subsection (7) of that section is amended, to read:
1009.21 Determination of resident status for tuition purposes.—Students shall be classified as residents or nonresidents for the purpose of assessing tuition in postsecondary educational programs offered by charter technical career centers or career centers operated by school districts, in Florida College System institutions, and in state universities.
(4) An individual may not lose his or her resident status for tuition purposes solely by reason of his or her incarceration in a state or federal correctional facility in this state.
(8)(7) A person may shall not lose his or her resident status for tuition purposes solely by reason of his or her serving, or, if such person is a dependent child, by reason of his or her parent’s or parents’ serving outside this state as active duty or civilian personnel:, (a) In the Armed Forces outside this state.
(b) On assignment for the United States Department of State or Department of Defense.
(c) Teaching at a Department of Defense Dependent School.
Section 14.
1009.26 Fee waivers.— (20)(a) Beginning with the 2026-2027 2022-2023 academic Page 19 of 32 CODING:
1009.26 Fee waivers.— (20)(a) Beginning with the 2026-2027 2022-2023 academic year, a state university shall waive the out-of-state fee for a full-time undergraduate student who:
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 year, a state university shall waive the out-of-state fee for a full-time undergraduate student who:
b.
or b.
Achieves an ACT score concordant to the required SAT score in sub-subparagraph a., using the latest published national concordance table developed jointly by the College Board and ACT, Inc.;
Achieves an ACT score concordant to the required SAT score in sub-subparagraph a., using the latest published national concordance table developed jointly by the College Page 14 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb Board and ACT, Inc.;
Section 15.
Section 12.
1009.30 Dual Enrollment Scholarship Program.— (3)(a) The program shall reimburse eligible postsecondary Page 20 of 32 CODING:
1009.30 Dual Enrollment Scholarship Program.— (3)(a) The program shall reimburse eligible postsecondary institutions for tuition and related instructional materials costs for dual enrollment courses taken during the fall or spring terms by eligible students, consisting of:
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 institutions for tuition and related instructional materials costs for dual enrollment courses taken during the fall or spring terms by eligible students, consisting of:
(c) The program shall reimburse institutions for tuition and related instructional materials costs for dual enrollment courses taken by public school, private school, home education program, or personalized education program secondary students during the summer term.
(c) The program shall reimburse institutions for tuition and related instructional materials costs for dual enrollment courses taken by public school, private school, home education program, or personalized education program secondary students Page 15 of 27 CODING:
Section 16.
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb during the summer term.
Section 13.
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(a) Earns a minimum of 3 5 postsecondary credits credit hours through CAPE industry certifications approved pursuant to s.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 (a) Earns a minimum of 3 5 postsecondary credits credit hours through CAPE industry certifications approved pursuant to s.
The student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him or her and develop a plan for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area.
The student may identify a social or civic issue or a professional area that interests him or her and develop a plan Page 16 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb for his or her personal involvement in addressing the issue or learning about the area.
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Section 14.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 Section 17.
The student earns a high school diploma from a non- Florida school while living with a parent who is on military or public service assignment out of this state;
The student earns a high school diploma from a non- Page 17 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb Florida school while living with a parent who is on military or public service assignment out of this state;
Section 18.
Section 15.
authority.— (5) The chair of the board or a designee who possesses Page 23 of 32 CODING:
authority.— (5) The chair of the board or a designee who possesses knowledge, skill, and experience in the areas of accounting, risk management, or investment management shall serve as a director of the direct-support organization.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 knowledge, skill, and experience in the areas of accounting, risk management, or investment management shall serve as a director of the direct-support organization.
Section 19.
Section 16.
The chair of the Florida Prepaid College Board, or a his or her designee who possesses knowledge, skill, and experience in the areas of accounting, risk management, or investment management.
The chair of the Florida Prepaid College Board, or a his or her designee who possesses knowledge, skill, and experience in the areas of accounting, risk management, or investment Page 18 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb management.
At least one of the individuals appointed under this sub-subparagraph must be an advocate of Page 24 of 32 CODING:
At least one of the individuals appointed under this sub-subparagraph must be an advocate of persons with developmental disabilities, as that term is defined in s.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 persons with developmental disabilities, as that term is defined in s.
May use any method of telecommunications to conduct, or establish a quorum at, its meetings or the meetings of a subcommittee or other subdivision if the public is given proper notice of the telecommunications meeting and provided reasonable access to observe and, if appropriate, to participate.
May use any method of telecommunications to conduct, or Page 19 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb establish a quorum at, its meetings or the meetings of a subcommittee or other subdivision if the public is given proper notice of the telecommunications meeting and provided reasonable access to observe and, if appropriate, to participate.
Section 20.
Section 17.
Present paragraphs (h) and (i) of subsection Page 25 of 32 CODING:
Present paragraphs (h) and (i) of subsection (17) of section 1011.62, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs (i) and (j), respectively, and a new paragraph (h) is added to that subsection, to read:
1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each district for operation of schools is not determined in the annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as follows:
(17) ACADEMIC ACCELERATION OPTIONS SUPPLEMENT.—The academic acceleration options supplement is created to assist school districts in providing academic acceleration options, career- themed courses, and courses that lead to digital tool certificates and industry certifications for prekindergarten through grade 12 students and shall be allocated annually in the Page 20 of 27 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 (17) of section 1011.62, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as paragraphs (i) and (j), respectively, and a new paragraph (h) is added to that subsection, to read:
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb General Appropriations Act.
1011.62 Funds for operation of schools.—If the annual allocation from the Florida Education Finance Program to each district for operation of schools is not determined in the annual appropriations act or the substantive bill implementing the annual appropriations act, it shall be determined as follows:
(17) ACADEMIC ACCELERATION OPTIONS SUPPLEMENT.—The academic acceleration options supplement is created to assist school districts in providing academic acceleration options, career- themed courses, and courses that lead to digital tool certificates and industry certifications for prekindergarten through grade 12 students and shall be allocated annually in the General Appropriations Act.
Each district shall allocate at least 80 percent of the funds provided to the district for the FACT College Algebra course instruction, in accordance with this paragraph, to the high school that Page 26 of 32 CODING:
Each district shall allocate at least 80 percent of the funds provided to the district for the FACT College Algebra course instruction, in accordance with this paragraph, to the high school that generates the funds.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 generates the funds.
1007.27(2), regardless of the number of classes taught or of the number of students who achieve a minimum score on an assessment identified by the Department of Education pursuant to s.
1007.27(2), regardless of the number of classes taught or of the number of students who achieve a minimum score on an assessment identified by the Department of Education pursuant to Page 21 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb s.
Section 21.
Section 18.
In Page 27 of 32 CODING:
In determining each college’s apportionment, the Legislature shall consider the following components:
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 determining each college’s apportionment, the Legislature shall consider the following components:
The model must which may recognize a minimum level of funding per FTE and differing economic factors arising from the individual educational approaches of the various Florida College System institutions, including, but not limited to:
The model must which may recognize a minimum level of funding per FTE and differing economic factors arising from the individual educational approaches of the various Florida College System institutions, including, but not limited Page 22 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb to:
Page 28 of 32 CODING:
e.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 e.
Student fees in the base budget plus student fee revenues generated by increases in fee rates shall be deducted from the sum of the components determined in subparagraphs 1.-5.
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The amount remaining shall be the net annual state apportionment to each college.
(e) If at any time the unencumbered balance in the general fund of the Florida College System institution board of trustees approved operating budget goes below 7 5 percent for a Florida College System institution with a final FTE less than 15,000 for the prior year, or below 7 percent for a Florida College System institution with a final FTE of 15,000 or greater for the prior year, the president must shall provide written notification to the State Board of Education.
By September 30 of each year, the chief financial officer of each Florida College System Page 29 of 32 CODING:
Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 institution shall certify the unexpended amount of state funds remaining in the general fund of an institution as of June 30 of the previous fiscal year.
Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb Student fees in the base budget plus student fee revenues generated by increases in fee rates shall be deducted from the sum of the components determined in subparagraphs 1.-5.
Section 22.
The amount remaining shall be the net annual state apportionment to each college.
(e) If at any time the unencumbered balance in the general fund of the Florida College System institution board of trustees approved operating budget goes below 7 5 percent for a Florida College System institution with a final FTE less than 15,000 for the prior year, or below 7 percent for a Florida College System institution with a final FTE of 15,000 or greater for the prior year, the president must shall provide written notification to the State Board of Education.
By September 30 of each year, the chief financial officer of each Florida College System institution shall certify the unexpended amount of state funds remaining in the general fund of an institution as of June 30 of the previous fiscal year.
Section 19.
If a Florida College System institution fails to maintain a 7 5 percent balance in state operating funds, the president must shall provide written notification to the State Board of Education.
If a Florida College System institution fails to maintain a 7 5 percent balance in state operating funds, the president must shall provide written Page 24 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb notification to the State Board of Education.
(3)(a) Each Florida College System institution with a final Page 30 of 32 CODING:
(3)(a) Each Florida College System institution with a final FTE of 15,000 or greater for the prior year shall maintain a minimum carry forward balance of at least 7 percent of its state operating budget.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 FTE of 15,000 or greater for the prior year shall maintain a minimum carry forward balance of at least 7 percent of its state operating budget.
The State Board of Education shall review and publish each Florida College System institution’s carry forward spending plan by November 15, 2020, and each November 15 thereafter.
The State Board of Page 25 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb Education shall review and publish each Florida College System institution’s carry forward spending plan by November 15, 2020, and each November 15 thereafter.
(a) Commitment of funds to a public education capital outlay project for which an appropriation was previously provided, which requires additional funds for completion, and Page 31 of 32 CODING:
(a) Commitment of funds to a public education capital outlay project for which an appropriation was previously provided, which requires additional funds for completion, and which is included in the list required by s.
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Florida Senate - 2026 CS for SB 7038 602-02969-26 20267038c1 which is included in the list required by s.
and (g) A commitment of funds to a contingency reserve for expenses incurred as a result of a state of emergency declared by the Governor pursuant to s.
and (g) A commitment of funds to a contingency reserve for expenses incurred as a result of a state of emergency declared Page 26 of 27 CODING:
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Florida Senate - 2026 (PROPOSED BILL) SPB 7038 589-02271A-26 20267038pb by the Governor pursuant to s.
Section 23.
Section 20.
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Action History

  1. Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/HB 1279 (Ch. 2026-59) -SJ 894

  2. Substituted CS/CS/HB 1279 -SJ 894

  3. Read 2nd time -SJ 894

  4. Retained on Special Order Calendar -SJ 884

  5. Retained on Special Order Calendar -SJ 824

  6. Placed on Special Order Calendar, 03/11/26

  7. CS/CS by Rules read 1st time

  8. Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

  9. Pending reference review -under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

  10. CS/CS by- Rules; YEAS 23 NAYS 0

  11. CS by Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education read 1st time

  12. On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/24/26, 12:00 pm, 412 Knott Building

  13. Now in Rules

  14. Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

  15. CS by Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education; YEAS 9 NAYS 0

  16. On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education, 02/18/26, 8:30 am, 37 Senate Building

  17. Introduced

  18. Referred to Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education; Rules

  19. Filed

  20. Submitted as Committee Bill and Reported Favorably by Education Postsecondary; YEAS 6 NAYS 0

  21. On Committee agenda-- Education Postsecondary, 02/04/26, 10:30 am, 301 Senate Building

  22. Submitted for consideration by Education Postsecondary

Sponsors

  • Rules · Primary
  • Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education · Cosponsor
  • Education Postsecondary · Cosponsor

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 2 co-sponsors · 161 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Rules

Co-sponsors (2)

  • Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
  • Education Postsecondary

Not signed on (161)

161 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 161 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Passed 23 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 18000
Democrat 5000
No Party Affiliation 0001
Total 23001
% of votes cast 96%0%0%4%
How each member voted (24)
Member Party Vote
Berman, Lori Democrat Yea
Davis, Tracie Democrat Yea
Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" Democrat Yea
Osgood, Rosalind Democrat Yea
Rouson, Darryl Ervin Democrat Yea
Pizzo, Jason W. B. No Party Affiliation Not Voting
Boyd, Jim Republican Yea
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea
Brodeur, Jason Republican Yea
Burgess, Danny Republican Yea
Burton, Colleen Republican Yea
DiCeglie, Nick Republican Yea
Gaetz, Don Republican Yea
Garcia, Ileana Republican Yea
Grall, Erin Republican Yea
Harrell, Gayle Republican Yea
Hooper, Ed Republican Yea
Martin, Jonathan Republican Yea
Passidomo, Kathleen Republican Yea
Rodriguez, Ana Maria Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Trumbull, Jay Republican Yea
Vacant Republican Yea
Wright, Tom A. Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Favorable with Committee Substitute

Passed 9 Yea · 0 Nay · 1 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Republican 7000
Democrat 2000
No Party Affiliation 0001
Total 9001
% of votes cast 90%0%0%10%
How each member voted (10)
Member Party Vote
Jones, Shevrin D. "Shev" Democrat Yea
Osgood, Rosalind Democrat Yea
Pizzo, Jason W. B. No Party Affiliation Not Voting
Bradley, Jennifer Republican Yea
Burgess, Danny Republican Yea
Calatayud, Alexis Republican Yea
Gaetz, Don Republican Yea
Massullo, Ralph E., Jr. Republican Yea
Simon, Corey Republican Yea
Yarborough, Clay Republican Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

veterans labor education
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

What does SB 7038 do?
Education; Requiring each Florida College System institution and state university to waive tuition and fees for members of the Florida State Guard if certain conditions are met; requiring entities that offer fee-based services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired to disclose in writing whether the service may be obtained elsewhere at no cost; authorizing school district career centers to use alternative methods adopted by the board in lieu of common placement tests to assess students in basic communication and computation skills; providing that a fee waiver only applies to a full-time undergraduate student, beginning with a specified academic year, etc.
Who sponsors SB 7038?
SB 7038 is sponsored by Rules, Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education, and Education Postsecondary.
What is the current status of SB 7038?
This bill has been introduced in the Senate. Introduced January 30, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 7038?
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