FL H1285

Creates the Office of Ocean Economy within the State University System, housed at Florida Atlantic University, to connect ocean and coastal resources to economic development strategies, with an annual report due by August 1 to the Board of Governors, Governor, and Legislature.

Establishes the Purple Star School District Program for districts where at least 75% of schools are designated Purple Star Campuses, requires school districts and charter schools to offer students in grades 11 and 12 the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) during normal school hours, and provides enrollment preference at charter classical schools for students transferring from other classical schools.

Prohibits members of Florida College System institution and state university boards of trustees from having business dealings with any entity under their purview during their membership, prohibits public postsecondary institutions from barring students from employment as a condition of enrollment, and limits county residents who are not parents of students to objecting to no more than one school district material per month.

Creates associate in arts specialized transfer degrees for Florida College System students needing supplemental lower-level coursework, authorizes Miami Dade College, Polk State College, and Tallahassee Community College to charge up to $290 per credit hour for nonresident distance learning tuition, and extends the Florida Prepaid College Program's advance payment contract provisions from July 1, 2024 to July 1, 2034.

Appropriates $250,000 in nonrecurring funds for $50 bonuses to International Baccalaureate teachers for each student scoring "C" or higher on the IB Theory of Knowledge examination, requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules for a classical education teaching certificate, and repeals the Florida College System institution employment equity accountability program.