NewsFlorida PoliticsFebruary 28, 2026Florida
New Florida Bills SB 1296 and HB 995 Aim to Increase Union Accountability
This article discusses Florida Senate Bill 1296 and House Bill 995, which propose an annual recertification process for public-sector unions, including teachers' unions. The legislation requires unions to win a majority of votes from their bargaining unit members in a secret-ballot election to remain certified, aiming to ensure unions are more accountable to their members and represent their views accurately. The author argues these reforms are commonsense, constitutional, and modeled after similar laws in other states.
Read the full story at Florida PoliticsWhy It Matters
Residents should care because these bills could impact how teachers and other public employees are represented in negotiations over wages, benefits, and working conditions.
Key Facts
- SB 1296 and HB 995 propose an annual recertification process for public-sector unions in Florida.
- Unions must win a simple majority of their bargaining unit members in a secret-ballot election to remain certified.
- The legislation is modeled after similar laws in Iowa and Wisconsin.
- Public safety unions are excluded from this recertification process due to higher accountability standards.
- A case is cited where a teachers' union was recertified with only 3 out of 202 members voting.
Who's Mentioned
locationIowa“state with similar legislation”dollar_amount202“number of members in a bargaining unit where only 3 voted in a recertification e”locationWisconsin“state with similar legislation”bill_numberHB 995“legislation that updates the process for certifying unions each year”bill_numberSB 1296“legislation that updates the process for certifying unions each year”organizationLawson Huck Gonzalez PLLC“firm founded by Alan Lawson”personAlan Lawson“author of the article, retired Justice of the Florida Supreme Court”otherFlorida Constitution“guarantees workers the freedom to join or not join a union and to bargain over w”