Governor Ron DeSantis signs bills aimed at teacher pay, parental rights and union accountability

Tallahassee, Florida – Florida’s latest education changes are being framed by state leaders as another step in a broader effort to reward teachers, give parents more control and place new pressure on school unions.

Last week in Fort Myers, Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 1296 and HB 1279, two measures aimed at changing how teacher unions operate while expanding incentives for educators and opportunities for students across the state.

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The governor said the new laws build on Florida’s recent education record and are meant to keep the state moving in the same direction.

“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.”

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The first bill, SB 1296, focuses heavily on union accountability. It requires at least 50% participation in union certification or recertification elections, preventing unions from keeping their status through elections with only limited voter turnout. The measure also raises the maximum fine for organizations involved in illegal strikes from $20,000 per day to $40,000 per day.

Another major part of SB 1296 is a fast-track process for teacher salary increases. State officials said the goal is to prevent pay raises from being delayed when disputes or stalled negotiations stand in the way.

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HB 1279 moves in a different but related direction. It allows school districts to offer immediate pay incentives to high-performing teachers who choose to work in lower-performing schools, without having those incentives delayed by collective bargaining. The bill also strengthens parental rights in special education and expands bonus eligibility to teachers delivering Florida Advanced Courses, placing them alongside educators who teach Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate courses.

Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said the legislation reflects Florida’s approach to putting students first while requiring unions to maintain trust among educators.

“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,” Kamoutsas said.

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With both bills now signed, Florida officials say the focus turns to implementation in schools, classrooms and districts across the state.