FloridaDuval school board may hire its own general counsel
The Duval County School Board may employ its own general counsel, while Jacksonville’s city legal office continues handling the schools’ other legal services.
What it does
The Duval County School Board may hire an independent general counsel, but that lawyer remains subject to opinions from Jacksonville’s general counsel.
Jacksonville’s city legal office continues handling the School Board’s other legal work, including lawsuits and contracts, under the city general counsel’s sole supervision.
Argument forA separate School Board general counsel could give the board a more direct legal adviser while preserving city support for other school legal work.
Argument againstThe School Board’s lawyer may still be subject to the city general counsel’s opinions, which could limit the lawyer’s independence.
More detail
The Duval County School Board may employ its own general counsel. This applies only to choosing and employing the School Board’s general counsel. The School Board’s general counsel is independent of Jacksonville’s city general counsel’s office. The School Board’s general counsel remains subject to the Jacksonville general counsel’s opinion, whether that opinion is binding or not. This provision took effect when the act became law.
Jacksonville’s office of general counsel continues providing the School Board and public schools with other legal services. These services include litigation representation and contract preparation, along with other services assigned by the School Board’s general counsel. The attorneys providing these services are supervised only by Jacksonville’s general counsel. This arrangement took effect when the act became law.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 1Chapter No. 2026-206Latest
- Jun 8Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 27Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11Ordered enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Local Bills, Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11In Messages
- Mar 11Passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 0Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Mar 9Placed on Local Calendar, 03/11/26
- Feb 18ReceivedMinor
- Feb 12Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 12In Messages
- Feb 11Passed; YEAS 108, NAYS 5Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 11Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 5Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/11/2026)
- Feb 3Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Bill released to House Calendar
- Feb 3Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Feb 3Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 30Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 29Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Education Administration Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 29Reported out of Education Administration Subcommittee
- Jan 29Favorable by Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 27Added to Education Administration Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 20Now in Education Administration Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 20Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 20Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- 2025
- Dec 30FiledIntroduced
EducationGovernment & EthicsCivil Rights & Voting