FloridaHillsborough voters decide whether to elect school superintendent
Hillsborough County must hold a 2026 referendum, and the superintendent would be elected beginning in 2028 only if voters approve it.
What it does
Hillsborough County voters would decide in the 2026 general election whether the public school superintendent should be elected rather than appointed.
If a majority approves the 2026 referendum, voters would elect the Hillsborough school superintendent in a partisan election for a four-year term beginning in 2028.
Argument forCould give Hillsborough voters direct control over choosing the superintendent through a four-year countywide election beginning in 2028.
Argument againstIf approved, the measure would replace School Board appointment with a partisan election, which could change how the district is governed.
More detail
Hillsborough County must hold a referendum on whether the superintendent should be elected instead of appointed. The referendum applies to qualified Hillsborough County voters and concerns the superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools. The ballot must ask whether the superintendent should be elected in a partisan election for a four-year term. The referendum must follow the Florida Election Code and be conducted by the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections. The referendum must occur during the 2026 general election.
If a majority approves the referendum, Hillsborough County would elect its superintendent in a partisan election. The election would cover the Superintendent of Schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools, with a four-year term chosen by qualified Hillsborough County voters. The provision takes effect only if a majority of participating qualified Hillsborough County voters approves the referendum. The election would replace appointment by the School Board. The elected-superintendent system would begin with the 2028 general election, but only after referendum approval.
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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. 2026-196Latest
- 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 86, NAYS 26Passed 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)
- Jan 27Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Vote recorded Favorable (State Affairs Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 27Bill released to House Calendar
- Jan 27Reported out of State Affairs Committee
- Jan 27Favorable by State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Jan 23Added to State Affairs Committee agenda
- Jan 21Now in State Affairs Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Education Administration Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 21Reported out of Education Administration Subcommittee
- Jan 21Favorable by Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 16Added to Education Administration Subcommittee agenda
- Jan 14Now in Education Administration Subcommittee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 14Reported out of Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Jan 14Favorable by Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 12Added to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee agenda
- 2025
- Dec 12Now in Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
- Dec 12Referred to State Affairs CommitteeMinor
- Dec 12Referred to Education Administration SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 12Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs SubcommitteeMinor
- Dec 2FiledIntroduced
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