The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Appropriations Committee on Education
BILL: SB 486
INTRODUCER: Senator Perry
SUBJECT: Florida School for Competitive Academics
DATE: January 23, 2024 REVISED:
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Sabitsch Bouck ED Favorable
2. Gray Elwell AED Pre-meeting
3. FP
I. Summary:
SB 486 provides additional authority to the board of trustees for the Florida School for
Competitive Academics to allow the board to change the name of the school.
This bill has no fiscal impact. See fiscal, section V.
The bill is effective July 1, 2024.
II. Present Situation:
The Florida School for Competitive Academics (FSCA) was approved in 20231 to provide a
rigorous academic curriculum, and intended to prepare students for regional, state, and national
academic competitions in all areas of study, including, but not limited to; science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics. The school was established in Alachua County for students in
grades 6-12 with admissions beginning in the 2024-2025 school year.2
The FSCA is governed by a board of trustees composed of seven members appointed by the
Governor to four-year terms and confirmed by the Senate. The board of trustees is authorized to
manage, maintain, support, and control the FSCA. Specific authority includes, but is not limited
to, admissions, personnel, purchasing, school safety, budgets, and records. The board of trustees
may also make a recommendation to the Legislature to become a residential public school.3
1
Chapter 2023-245, s. 14, Laws of Fla.
2
Section 1002.351, F.S.
3
Section 1002.351(3), F.S.
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The FSCA is exempted from the Florida Statutes in the same manner as charter schools,4 and is
subject to financial and operational audits by the Auditor General in the same manner as other
public educational institutions.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill modifies s. 1002.351, F.S., to provide specific authority to the board of trustees of the
Florida School for Competitive Academics to change the name of the school.
The bill is effective July 1, 2024.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
None.
4
Section 1002.351(8), F.S.
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VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
Should the board of trustees approve a change to the name of the school, there are numerous
instances in statute that would require additional legislative action to change the name of the
school (e.g., the Florida School for Competitive Academics is named in sections 11.45, 216.251,
447.203, 1000.04, 1001.20, 1002.351, 1011.58, 1011.59 of the Florida Statutes).
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends section 1002.351 of the Florida Statutes.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.


Statutes affected:
S 486 Filed: 1002.351