Florida Lawmakers Debate Arming College Staff, Gang Laws, DEI Ban

The Florida Legislature convenes Tuesday in Tallahassee with both chambers taking up a range of bills that would directly affect Treasure Coast schools, local governments, businesses, and public safety agencies.

The Senate floor session, beginning at 10 a.m., includes a proposal to expand Florida's "school guardian" program — which currently arms trained school employees — to colleges and universities under SB 948. For Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River county school districts and community colleges, the measure could open the door to armed staff on campuses beyond K-12 buildings. The Senate calendar also includes SB 546, which would modify the legal definition of a "criminal gang member" as it applies to investigations and charges against suspected gang members, and SB 1184, which would allow customers to request a callback rather than wait on hold when contacting the Florida Department of Commerce.

Also before the Senate: SB 1454, which would authorize the Florida Department of Transportation to fund projects at public-use vertiports — landing facilities for air taxis and similar emerging aircraft — and SB 1762, which would create a new criminal charge for indecent exposure of sexual organs in the presence of a child.

The House floor session, starting at 11 a.m., includes several measures with local government implications. SB 1143 would prohibit local governments — including Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River county commissions and city councils — from funding or promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. SB 594 would require graduates of nursing programs to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before sitting for the National Council Licensure Examination, a requirement that would apply to nursing schools across the Treasure Coast. SB 494 would require local housing assistance plans under the State Housing Initiatives Partnership program to include funding for mobile homeowners.

The House calendar also includes SB 178, which would allow high school sports coaches to pay for players' food and travel, and SB 1072, which would allow businesses to round cash sales to the nearest nickel following the discontinuation of the penny.

The Florida Public Service Commission is holding a virtual hearing Tuesday at 9 a.m. on a rate adjustment request by Sunshine Water Services Company for its wastewater rates. The proceeding could affect utility customers in unincorporated areas of the Treasure Coast served by that provider.

The St. Johns River Water Management District Governing Board, which oversees water resources across parts of the Treasure Coast, is also meeting Tuesday at 10 a.m. at district headquarters in Palatka.

This article was generated with AI assistance using publicly available information. It was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication. TC Sentinel uses AI writing tools in accordance with FTC guidelines.