Latest news with #HB1105
Axios
08-08-2025
- General
- Axios
Tampa Bay schools start next week. Here's what to know
Classes resume Monday as Hillsborough and Pinellas schools welcome students back from summer break. Whether you're a parent, grandparent or other caretaker — or just want to avoid traffic at pick-up or drop-off time — here's what you need to know. ⏰ Bell schedule: In Hillsborough County, elementary and K-8 schools operate from 7:40am to 1:55pm; middle schools run from 9:30am to 4:30pm; and high schools are in session from 8:30am to 3:32pm. Bell times are less uniform in Pinellas County, with schools divided into tiers. Most high schools in Pinellas run from 7:25am to 1:55pm; most middle schools from 9:40am to 4:10pm; and most elementary schools from 8:45am to 2:55pm. You can find specific schools here and here. 📱 What's new: A new state law (HB 1105) bars cellphone use in elementary and middle schools. Teachers can no longer allow phones during class, even for educational purposes. All wireless devices must be off or in airplane mode for the entire school day, starting when students arrive on campus. Hillsborough had previously limited its ban to the "instructional day." High schoolers can't use phones during class unless a teacher allows it for schoolwork. Use outside class time is still allowed. Read the districts' policies: Hillsborough, Pinellas. Meanwhile, marching band students who complete two years in the program can now earn credit for physical education or performing arts under the new law. 🍎 Teacher vacancies: There are 430 vacancies in Hillsborough, down from 600 last year, according to WFTS. Pinellas has just 30 vacancies. Hillsborough County teachers are set to receive a $6,000 raise this school year, funded by a tax increase approved by county voters last year that adds $1 for every $1,000 of assessed property value. 💰 Back-to-school savings: Florida's sales tax break on school supplies doesn't end even after classes begin. Shoppers have until Aug. 31 to take advantage of the following exemptions:
Miami Herald
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Fluoride ban, school start times, tax cuts: See the new Florida laws now in effect
With Gov. Ron DeSantis signing a state budget and a flurry of other bills, the dust has settled on the 2025 legislative session. Here are 10 laws that took effect Tuesday, the start of the 2025-2026 fiscal year: BALLOT INITIATIVES: A law (HB 1205) that places additional restrictions on the ballot-initiative process largely took effect Tuesday. Groups backing proposed constitutional amendments are fighting the law in federal court. BUDGET: DeSantis on Monday signed the budget (SB 2500), which he and legislative leaders said would help prepare the state in case of an economic downturn. DeSantis issued $567 million in line-item vetoes to the budget, which had a $115.1 billion bottom line when passed by the Legislature. FLUORIDE: A wide-ranging bill (SB 700) about issues involving the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bans the longstanding practice of local governments adding fluoride to water supplies. GULF OF AMERICA: Following the lead of President Donald Trump, the Republican-controlled Legislature approved a measure (HB 575) changing dozens of state laws to use the name 'Gulf of America' instead of 'Gulf of Mexico.' JUDGES: Lawmakers approved a bill (SB 2508) that calls for adding 22 circuit-court judges and 15 county-court judges across the state, while also making changes at two appeals courts. PUBLIC RECORDS: With lawmakers pointing to threats and harassment, a law (SB 268) will prevent release of the home addresses and telephone numbers of legislators, members of Congress, and numerous other state and local elected officials. SCHOOL START TIMES: Lawmakers passed a measure (SB 296) that backed away from a 2023 law that would have prevented high schools from starting earlier than 8:30 a.m. The 2023 law, which was designed to help teens get more sleep, was scheduled to take effect in 2026. STATE PARKS: After a public outcry last year about a development proposal, a new law (HB 209) will prevent the construction of golf courses, resort-style lodges and sports facilities in state parks. STUDENT CELL PHONES: Students will be prohibited from using cell phones throughout the school day in elementary and middle schools under a measure (HB 1105) that expands a restriction on using phones during instructional time. TAX CUTS: Parts of a tax-cut package (HB 7031) took effect Tuesday, including sales-tax exemptions on hurricane-preparedness supplies and certain purchases related to outdoor activities. Other parts, including eliminating a commercial-lease tax, will take effect later.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas paramedics to get tuition exemptions already provided to firefighters, police thanks to passed bill
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Paramedics could soon be exempt from tuition and laboratory fees while taking certain courses at public colleges and universities, thanks to a bill that recently passed in the Texas Legislature. House Bill 1105, authored by Rep. Sheryl Cole, D-Austin, applies to paramedics employed by a political subdivision of Texas. Many of Texas' paramedics are also firefighters, who already have access to fee exemptions under Texas law. Law enforcement officers also have access to exemptions. However, an author-sponsor statement of intent for HB 1105 states that as many as 6,000 paramedics in Texas are not employed by a fire department. 'In Texas, most paramedics working for a political subdivision are also employed as firefighters,' the statement reads. 'Since firefighters are eligible … most paramedics have likewise benefited from these courses and the tuition exemption.' When implemented, the law will direct the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to restrict how many remote students get exemptions to 20% of enrolled students. Austin EMS Association (AEMSA) President James Monks provided the only testimony in support of the bill during an April 15 hearing, according to legislative records. AEMSA organizes Austin-Travis County EMS workers. 'I think it was an oversight. EMS is not quite at the top of everybody's radar,' said Monks to KXAN on Thursday. 'We got left out of the loop when [fee exemption] legislation initially passed, and I just tried to convince them that the initial intent of this legislation was to include paramedics … third service just kind of got left out.' Representatives from the city of Austin, city of Houston, Texas AFL-CIO, Texas State Association of Fire and Emergency Districts, Texas Fire Chiefs Association, Conference of Urban Counties, and County Judges and Commissioners Association of Texas registered in support of the bill but did not testify. No one testified against or registered opposition with the Senate's Higher Education committee. Texas AFL-CIO: Texas Legislature passes bill protecting utility workers from assaults, harassment during disasters Some AEMSA members have already indicated they will seek more training because of the bill, Monks said. He also said that the law would help ATCEMS retain staff. 'I definitely see it as step in the right direction,' Monks said. 'It's offering a further incentive for people who have their paramedic license or certification, so that they can go ahead and pursue higher education.' Bill sponsor Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, provided a statement to KXAN, in which she said she was proud to help pass the bill. 'Nearly 9% of Texas paramedics are employed by a standalone EMS department but are excluded from participating in the tuition exemption program offered to their counterparts who work jointly with police and fire,' Eckhardt said. 'This bill is about ensuring parity and opening vital pathways for more Texans to get to work helping their communities, especially those struggling with the greatest need for personnel.' Monks also told KXAN that he was grateful for Cole and Eckhardt, and said that their staff were 'fantastic.' Unless vetoed, HB 1105 takes effect in September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local students help pass more legislation in Tallahassee
The Brief Students from Hillsborough County are helping pass more legislation in Tallahassee. The "Ought to be a Law" program is sponsored by Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Florida legislature. The students say the program gives them a voice and an opportunity to advocate for their own educational experiences. TALLAHASSEE - Students from Hillsborough County are helping pass more legislation in Tallahassee. The "Ought to be a Law" program has been in Hillsborough County Schools since 2004. On Monday, Rep. Susan Valdes announced the passage of two Florida House bills that were crafted with the help of students from Hillsborough County high schools. What they're saying "You can simulate civics all day, but putting kids in a position where they can live civics, they can learn how to address their local representatives, they can find out that these representatives are people who are interested in the things that they see as important and are willing to listen," Tony Pirotta, the project coordinator of Ought to be a Law and a teacher at Sumner High School said. Valdes says HB 1105 and HB 1255 were signed into law last week. She says HB 1255 includes proposed legislation from other bills. "Students from Jefferson High School created the language in House Bill 1261, which requires the mandatory financial literacy course to cover post-secondary expenses, like how to apply for the FAFSA," Valdes said. The students said they shared input about issues they noticed with their peers firsthand. "There are so many kids that we know that don't even know what a tax is," Genesis Salcedo Lima, a student at Jefferson High School said. "They don't even know what a tariff is. They don't know these simple economic things." PREVIOUS: Hillsborough students help propose legislation to help kids abused in foster care Big picture view The students say the program gives them a voice and an opportunity to advocate for their own educational experiences. "We think it's very important for these students to gain this education before they graduate high school, because it's the only way we can ensure that they will make it and be successful and are able to sit in these important seats as they grow older," Laraina Fernandez, a student at Jefferson High School said. Valdes says the new law addresses a plethora of education matters, including opportunities for children of military members. "We said, 'What issues in our community are we facing? How are these military students struggling?' And as we hear stories from kids who don't share the same backgrounds as us, I'm not a military student, none of our team members are military students, but we see that these children have these problems," Kaitlyn Chin, a student at Sumner High School said. The students said this program opened their eyes to different issues happening within their communities. "It inspires me to continue doing that and helping my peers know that they're not going unheard and that their worries and concerns are actually being listened to," Yeny Espino Vasquez, a student at Sumner High School, said. Valdes says the high school students were heavily involved in coming up with the legislation and moving it forward. "Students from Sumner High School created language for Senate Bill 1528 and their amended language saves the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children from repeal," Valdes said. The students visited Tallahassee with lawmakers to gain hands-on experience and learn how the legislative process works. "It's different than just filling out a worksheet on how a bill gets turned into a law," Grace Siderio, a student at Sumner High School said. "I actually sat there, and we watched the press conferences, and we watched the meetings, and we got to go up there and testify on the floor." Valdes says HB 1105 also addresses a number of matters, including requiring the Department of Education to implement a workforce credential for students with autism or on a modified curriculum. She says it also removes the certificate of completion that is given to students in place of a diploma. She says the certificate is a "phony diploma" that acknowledges a student's completion of school in the public school district, but it's not equivalent to a diploma. "This particular certificate does not allow the students to even go to the military, go to trade school, go into college, even apply for the FAFSA," Valdes said. Valdes says the encompassing pieces of legislation steer away from a one-size-fits-all education model. "We're learning how to be able to cater to children," Valdes said. "How to be able to educate children and meet them where they are." The "Ought to be a Law" program is sponsored by Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Florida legislature. CLICK HERE:>>>Follow FOX 13 on YouTube The Source Information for this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kylie Jones. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
CBS News
30-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
DeSantis signs bill expanding cellphone restrictions in Florida schools
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill that will expand a restriction on cellphone use in Florida schools. The bill (HB 1105), which was approved by the legislature on May 2, revises the law that has prevented students from using cellphones during instructional time. The bill will prohibit cellphone use throughout the school day in elementary and middle schools. It also will create a pilot program in six counties that will prevent cellphone use in high schools throughout the school day. Charter school funding and conversion changes The House voted 85-14 to pass the bill, which includes a series of education issues, while the Senate approved it in a 26-5 vote. The bill also will make changes that could help charter schools. For instance, it will require that charter schools get a cut if school districts receive sales-tax money through what is known as a local-government infrastructure surtax. Charter schools would receive proportionate shares based on school enrollment. Also, the bill will make it easier to convert traditional public schools to charter schools. Currently, such conversions must receive support from a majority of parents and a majority of teachers. The bill, which will take effect July 1, removes the requirement for teacher support.
