SESSION WATCH
Became law HOUSE · SESSION 2026 · CHAPTER 2026-196

No. HB 4027

Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hillsborough County
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SPONSOR
Owen
FILED BY
Michael Owen — District 70, Republican [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
This act shall take effect June 8, 2026, except that section 2 shall take effect only upon approval by a majority vote of those qualified electors of Hillsborough County voting in a referendum to be held in conjunction with the 2026 general election.

Filed under Local Government.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hillsborough County; Provides for elected superintendent of schools; requires referendum.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Hillsborough voters will choose an elected school superintendent in 2028.

Hillsborough County Public Schools will shift from an appointed to an elected superintendent. This change requires a 2026 referendum and takes effect in 2028.

The superintendent will be elected in a partisan election to a four-year term. This replaces the current appointment process by the School Board.

Hillsborough County voters will decide the change in a 2026 general election referendum. The bill takes effect only if a majority votes yes.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Section 2. Transition to elected superintendent. majors. 2. Transition to elected superintendent

AICreates a new elected office for the Hillsborough County Public Schools superintendent, replacing the current appointed position.

“the Superintendent of Schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools shall be elected in a partisan election to a term of 4 years by vote of the qualified electors residing in Hill” bill text, line 10 →
§ 2 Section 3. Referendum election. majors. 3. Referendum election

AIRequires a countywide vote in 2026 to approve the change to an elected superintendent before it takes effect.

“there shall be held a referendum election concerning whether section 2 shall become a law” bill text, line 24 →
§ 3 Section 1. Findings of fact. moderates. 1. Findings of fact

AIStates the historical context that the superintendent position was changed from elected to appointed in 1966.

“The Legislature finds that the Superintendent of Schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools was changed from an elected position to an appointed position” bill text, line 9 →
TIMELINE
7/1/2026
Chapter No. 2026-196
6/8/2026
Approved by Governor
5/27/2026
Signed by Officers and presented to Governor
3/11/2026
Ordered enrolled
3/11/2026
In Messages
3/11/2026
Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0 -SJ 787
3/11/2026
Read 3rd time -SJ 787
3/11/2026
Read 2nd time -SJ 787
3/11/2026
Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
3/11/2026
Withdrawn from Rules -SJ 785
3/9/2026
Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
2/18/2026
Received
2/12/2026
Referred to Rules
2/12/2026
In Messages
2/11/2026
Passed; YEAS 86, NAYS 26
2/11/2026
Read 3rd time
2/11/2026
Added to Third Reading Calendar
2/11/2026
Read 2nd time
2/5/2026
Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
1/27/2026
Added to Second Reading Calendar
1/27/2026
Bill released to House Calendar
1/27/2026
Reported out of State Affairs Committee
1/27/2026
Favorable by State Affairs Committee
1/23/2026
Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
1/21/2026
Now in State Affairs Committee
1/21/2026
Reported out of Education Administration Subcommittee
1/21/2026
Favorable by Education Administration Subcommittee
1/16/2026
Added to Education Administration Subcommittee agenda
1/14/2026
Now in Education Administration Subcommittee
1/14/2026
Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/14/2026
Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
1/12/2026
Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
12/12/2025
Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
12/12/2025
Referred to State Affairs Committee
12/12/2025
Referred to Education Administration Subcommittee
12/12/2025
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
12/2/2025
Filed
32 EARLIER →
STAFF ANALYSES