Florida Legislature passes bill to streamline school choice funding

The Florida Legislature passed a law revising the funding processes of the state’s various school choice programs.

HB 1403 sailed through both chambers with virtually no opposition. The Senate voted 40-0 and the House 89-13 in approval.

The bill increases the funding growth cap for special needs scholarships, streamlines the application process for returning participants, and updates guidelines for the third-party scholarship funding organizations (SFO).  

“We must ensure the timely and efficient distribution of education funding so that every child in Florida can access the unique learning opportunities they need and deserve,” said Rep. Josie Tomkow, R-Polk City, the bill’s main sponsor.  

HB 1403 also repeals the funding for the Hope Scholarship, a program specifically designed for students experiencing bullying or violence in public school.  

Now that Florida has a universal school choice program, the Hope Scholarship – which had less than 600 participants – was deemed no longer necessary as students can switch to the universal program.  

Both programs offer the same scholarship amount. 

Step Up For Students, one of Florida’s SFOs, commended the passage of the bill.  

“Step Up For Students appreciates the work by the Florida Legislature, especially House Speaker Paul Renner and Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, as well as Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education, to continue to refine and expand education choice opportunities to all students,” Scott Kent, director of strategic communications at Step Up, told The Lion. 

Other states, including Missouri and South Carolina, are also looking to expand their school choice programs. 

And the school choice tide is continuing to roll across the nation. 

Alabama recently became the first state in 2024 and eleventh state overall to enact a universal choice program. Georgia is also on the verge of passing its first major education freedom program.