The House Careers and Workforce Subcommittee advanced an education bill Wednesday that would implement curriculum teaching Florida students skills they can use in everyday life.

Tampa Republican Rep. Susan Valdés introduced the measure (HB 1261) and said the idea came from students in her district.

“Members, this bill is also known as the ‘Smart Living Act,’ and back home as you all know, I represent District 54 in Hillsborough County, and ever since my freshman year, I’ve always saved a bill slot for our students to come with their idea of what ought to be a law,” Valdés said. “This is the product of this year’s student bill, what I normally call my kid bill, and these students created this out of Hillsborough Public Schools Jefferson High School.”

Valdés noted that she worked closely with Jefferson High School students while developing the bill.

“This is a direct response to our students’ voices; they’re asking for an education that goes beyond the textbook,” Valdés said. “One that prepares them for the challenges and opportunities they will face in their adult life. I have been working closely with them to develop a curriculum that equips students with essential knowledge for adulthood.”

If enacted, schools would be required to implement learning on financial literacy, including how to balance a checkbook and budgeting skills.

“This bill expands the current financial literacy course that high school students must take to graduate,” Valdés said. “It allows the curriculum to cover practical subjects necessary to transition effectively into adulthood, including simple things like writing and signing checks, as well as balancing a checkbook, understanding personal finance, including budgeting, credit management and loans.”

Valdés noted the bill would ensure that every student graduate with a foundational understanding of financial literacy, money management, how to send emails, and even how to change a tire and perform basic home maintenance.

“Many students are unaware of the financial resources available to them and will miss out on a higher education opportunity simply due to a lack of information,” Valdés said. “That is why my students are so passionate about this bill. It provides every student with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the real world.”

Jefferson High School student Lorena Fernandez spoke before the committee and told members the bill was important to her and her fellow students.

“The focus of our bill is students progressing in life after high school, because we are not taught everything that we need to be sitting in the chairs that you all are now,” Fernandez said. “So, it’s important to us that students be taught everything that they need to be moving forward, not just in their educational path and their career path, but in everyday life.”

St. Cloud Republican Rep. Paula Stark commended Jefferson High School students for their efforts in developing the bill and said it was an inspiration.

“I’m truly inspired, sometimes all we hear is the negative about our students and our children, and that truly is not the case, it’s truly remarkable what they can come up with and how thoughtful they {can be) when they are challenged to do so.”

The committee passed the measure by a vote of 18-0 and it will now go to the PreK-12 Budget Subcommittee.

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The Senate passed “Trooper’s Law” — the legislation prompting new reform after a dog was tied up and abandoned during a hurricane last year.

The bill was passed 39-0 on the Senate floor Wednesday with little discussion.

The amended version of SB 150 would make restraining and abandoning a dog outside during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, a third-degree felony.

The bill, which previously referenced a more general “animal,” was amended to match the House version, said sponsor Sen. Don Gaetz.

No cat-lovers spoke out in protest.

Meanwhile, the House companion (HB 205) is on second reading.

A 5-year-old bull dog terrier was abandoned and tied up along the Interstate near Tampa as Hurricane Milton hit Florida last year. The dog stood in rising waters and caught the attention of Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Orlando Morales, who rescued the animal.

The footage went viral.

“The video is very heartbreaking,” said Rep. Griff Griffitts, who sponsored the House version, during the committee process.

Gov. Ron DeSantis applauded the rescue effort during his State of the State address earlier this month.

The legislation has received support from outside groups including the Florida Smart Justice Alliance, the Humane Society of the United States and Florida Animal Control Association.

The dog, who was renamed Trooper after the person who saved him, has since been adopted and found a new home. The dog has been battling health issues in recent months according to media reports.

The dog’s ex-owner who abandoned him, Giovanny Garcia, was charged with aggravated animal cruelty last year.

Gaetz said the sad situation prompted change in Tallahassee.

“Sometimes we get to do a good thing about a bad thing, and that’s this bill,” Gaetz said earlier this month in a committee hearing.

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The Florida Senate passed a comprehensive package of legislative proposals Wednesday, that seeks to create a modern-day renaissance in rural communities across Florida.

Tallahassee Republican Sen. Corey Simon spearheaded the legislation (SB 110) that would create opportunities for rural communities to expand education, increase health care services, and modernize commerce.

The legislation was also a priority of Senate President Ben Albritton, who said in a press statement at the bill’s Senate passing, that the bill focuses on supporting businesses and improving the lives of Floridians living in rural areas.

“Our rural communities are full of opportunity, and that doesn’t just mean development. Our Rural Renaissance package provides opportunities for rural communities to grow as they see fit, based on decisions made by local families and businesses who call rural Florida home,” the Wauchula Republican said in a statement.

Albritton noted that the legislation is geared towards enhancing and supporting 31 of Florida’s 67 counties and added that it’s now time for rural Florida to enjoy economic growth.

“We are focusing on infrastructure improvements that support existing businesses as they grow, and transition based on the needs of our economy,” Albritton said. “This includes our legacy farm and citrus operations, who will be well-served by improvements to farm-to-market roads essential to keeping fresh food within reach of Florida families. These are critical enhancements and investments to support 31 of our 67 counties and hundreds of rural communities across Florida. We have seen tremendous economic growth in urban areas of Florida, its Rural Florida’s turn.”

Representing 12 rural counties across Florida’s panhandle and big bend, Simon also said Sunshine State rural communities will not be left behind.

“Modern Florida is the envy of the nation, and we won’t leave our rural communities behind. Our small communities are strong, proud, and resilient. When disaster strikes, as it has so often in recent years, they band together, neighbor helping neighbor,” Simon said.

“Quality of life in rural areas can be impacted by access to job opportunities, education and health care. We are combining enhancements to the traditional infrastructure for schools and hospitals with innovations that drastically expand opportunities for education, commerce, and health care in rural Florida. We know commerce and capital are attracted to strong transportation infrastructure and robust public services, which will provide the chance for rural communities to prosper and grow in a manner that maintains a highly sought after and time-honored way of life.”

The bill would direct $200.8 million to the Rural Infrastructure Fund, increase funding for the Rural Revolving Loan program, improve coordination of federal broadband programs, create the Florida Arterial Road Modernization program, expand the Small County Road Assistance program, expand the regional education consortia, create the Rural Incentive for Professional Educators program, and expand rural health care access.

The bill passed the Senate in a 39-0 vote.

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