SESSION WATCH
Superseded — its companion passed HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 129

The Florida Virtual School
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SPONSOR
Smith
FILED BY
David Smith — District 38, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
7/1/2026
COMPANION
SB 124 — HB 129 was set aside and its companion carried the policy

Filed under Education.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

The Florida Virtual School; Removes provisions relating to Florida Virtual School giving priority to certain students; revises who may call board of trustees meeting; provides that board of trustees may use supplemental funding sources to develop state-of-the-art technology-based education delivery system; authorizes Florida Virtual School to accrue supplemental revenue from direct-support organizations; revises which entities review & approve expenditures; revises which personnel are subject to policies of board of trustees; removes requirement for board of trustees to establish priorities for admission of students; removes requirement for board of trustees to establish performance & accountability measures; revises requirements for annual report board of trustees must submit to specified entities; revises which students are subject to specified requirements.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Removes student admission priority rules and board accountability requirements.

The bill eliminates the legal requirement for the Florida Virtual School to prioritize specific student groups, such as rural students or military children, for enrollment.

It removes the board's duty to establish performance and accountability measures for school district franchises, reducing oversight of partner schools.

The board may now use supplemental funding sources to develop its technology system and accrue revenue from direct-support organizations.

The board must now submit annual reports on enrollment and credit completions to the State Board of Education.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Removal of Student Priority Categories majors. 1002.37(1)(b)

AIEliminates statutory preference for specific student groups in course access.

“and shall give priority to: 1. Students who need expanded access to courses in order to meet their educational goals” bill text, line 36 →
§ 2 Expanded Board Meeting Authority moderates. 1002.37(2)(a)

AIGrants the school's CEO the power to call board meetings alongside the chair and majority.

“or at the request of the president and chief executive officer of the Florida Virtual School.” bill text, line 70 →
§ 3 New Revenue and Expenditure Approval moderates. 1002.37(2)(e)

AIAllows revenue from direct-support organizations and shifts expenditure approval to the CEO.

“may accrue supplemental revenue from direct-support organizations and supplemental support organizations” bill text, line 102 →
§ 4 Removal of Performance Accountability Reporting moderates. 1002.37(2)(i)

AIDeletes the requirement for the board to establish and report district franchise performance measures.

“The board of trustees shall establish the performance and accountability measures and report the performance of each school district franchise” bill text, line 176 →
§ 5 Broadened Franchise Contracting Authority moderates. 1002.37(2)(i)

AIPermits the board to enter contracts and franchise agreements with private entities and governmental agencies.

“may enter into contracts and franchise agreements with Florida district school boards and other public and private entities” bill text, line 173 →
TIMELINE
3/11/2026
Laid on Table; Companion bill(s) passed, see SB 124 (Ch. 2026-67 )
2/24/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
2/24/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
2/24/2026
Reported out of Education & Employment Committee
2/24/2026
Favorable by Education & Employment Committee
2/20/2026
Added to Education & Employment Committee agenda
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/13/2026
Now in Education & Employment Committee
1/13/2026
Reported out of PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
1/13/2026
Favorable by PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
1/9/2026
Added to PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee agenda
12/2/2025
Now in PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
12/2/2025
Reported out of Education Administration Subcommittee
12/2/2025
Favorable by Education Administration Subcommittee
11/21/2025
Added to Education Administration Subcommittee agenda
10/14/2025
Now in Education Administration Subcommittee
10/14/2025
Referred to Education & Employment Committee
10/14/2025
Referred to PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee
10/14/2025
Referred to Education Administration Subcommittee
10/8/2025
Filed
14 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 1002.37
+92 / −363
STAFF ANALYSES