Became law SENATE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-101

No. CS/SB 1246

Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund

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SPONSOR

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education; Davis

FILED BY

Tracie Davis — District 5, Democrat [search donations]

EFFECTIVE

7/1/2026

OFFICIAL RECORD

flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/1246

Filed under Education.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund; Revising the Legislative intent for the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund; authorizing the inclusion of nonmonetary contributions to institutions for purposes of proposals for LINE Fund matching funds; requiring proposals for participation in the fund to be submitted by specified persons; prohibiting a proposal to participate in the fund from being comprised solely of nonmonetary contributions, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED

Allows nonmonetary contributions to count toward nursing education matching funds.

Health care partners can now offer donated staff time, space, or equipment to trigger state matching funds, not just cash.

Monetary contributions from health care partners receive priority when the state awards matching funds.

Institutions must now submit proposals through their president, chief administrative officer, or designee.

Proposals cannot consist solely of nonmonetary contributions; they must include some monetary component.

KEY PROVISIONS

§ 1 Expanded Eligible Contributions majors. 1009.8962(5)

AIAllows nonmonetary contributions to count toward matching funds, provided they are quantified and certified.

“Allowable nonmonetary contributions are limited to the following: 1. The value of the donated use of health care partner employees as nursing education program instructors or prece” bill text, line 106 →

§ 2 Priority for Monetary Contributions majors. 1009.8962(5)

AIRequires that monetary contributions from health care partners receive priority when awarding matching funds.

“Monetary contributions from health care partners shall receive priority when awarding matching funds to institutions” bill text, line 82 →

§ 3 Prohibition on Solely Nonmonetary Proposals majors. 1009.8962(7)(e)

AIProhibits a proposal from being comprised solely of nonmonetary contributions.

“A proposal may not be comprised solely of nonmonetary contributions.” bill text, line 125 →

§ 4 Expanded Use of Funds moderates. 1009.8962(6)(b)

AIPermits funds to be used to expand, retrofit, or upgrade existing facilities, and for internships.

“but may be used to expand, retrofit, or upgrade existing facilities if the proposal will result in increased program enrollments or improved or modernized educational or simulation” bill text, line 92 →

§ 5 Multiyear Award Authority moderates. 1009.8962(9)(b)

AIGrants the Board of Governors or Department of Education discretion to award funds for up to two additional academic years.

“may, but are not required to, award funds for an approved proposal for up to 2 academic years immediately following the academic year within which the initial approval is granted” bill text, line 159 →

TIMELINE

5/26/2026

Chapter No. 2026-101

5/22/2026

Approved by Governor

5/21/2026

Signed by Officers and presented to Governor

3/12/2026

Ordered engrossed, then enrolled

3/12/2026

CS passed as amended; YEAS 39 NAYS 0 -SJ 854

3/12/2026

Concurred in 1 amendment(s) (271703) -SJ 854

3/10/2026

In returning messages

3/10/2026

Amendment 271703 engrossed amendment (replaces 722471, 300069)

3/10/2026

CS passed as amended; YEAS 112, NAYS 0

3/10/2026

Read 3rd time

3/10/2026

Added to Third Reading Calendar

3/10/2026

Amendment 722471 adopted as amended

3/10/2026

Amendment 300069 adopted

3/10/2026

Read 2nd time

3/9/2026

1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

3/9/2026

Bill added to Special Order Calendar (3/10/2026)

3/9/2026

Bill referred to House Calendar

2/26/2026

In Messages

2/26/2026

Immediately certified -SJ 463

2/26/2026

CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 453

2/26/2026

Read 3rd time -SJ 453

2/26/2026

Read 2nd time -SJ 453

2/23/2026

Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/26/26

2/18/2026

Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading

2/18/2026

Favorable by- Fiscal Policy; YEAS 19 NAYS 0

2/13/2026

On Committee agenda-- Fiscal Policy, 02/18/26, 1:30 pm, 110 Senate Building

2/10/2026

CS by Appropriations Committee on Higher Education read 1st time

2/9/2026

Now in Fiscal Policy

2/6/2026

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

2/4/2026

CS by Appropriations Committee on Higher Education; YEAS 7 NAYS 0

1/30/2026

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Higher...

1/21/2026

Now in Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

1/21/2026

Favorable by Education Postsecondary; YEAS 6 NAYS 0

1/16/2026

On Committee agenda-- Education Postsecondary, 01/21/26, 8:30 am,...

1/13/2026

Introduced

1/12/2026

Referred to Education Postsecondary; Appropriations Committee on...

1/6/2026

Filed

31 EARLIER →

STATUTES IT CHANGES

s. 1009.8962

+434 / −10

STAFF ANALYSES

1/20/2026 8:31 AM

1/21/2026 9:47 AM

2/17/2026 1:19 PM

2/18/2026 3:46 PM

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