Rep. Fine bill providing consistent security funds for Jewish day schools passes first committee

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – House legislation by Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, providing consistent levels of funding for security at Jewish day schools and preschools passed its first committee assignment on Tuesday.

The House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the bill, HB 1109. It now awaits approval from two additional committees before being considered for the House floor.

Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, filed the companion legislation in the Senate. The Senate version has not been heard by any of its committee assignments yet.

Rep. Yvonne Hinson, R-Gainesville, questioned Fine on why the continued spending was needed after already awarding $45 million to the schools for security during the legislature’s 2023 special session.

Fine explained that there wasn’t an exact cost or fiscal impact on the state from the bill since some spending was only needed one time for things such as bullet-proof glass, while other spending was needed continuously, like salaries for security guards.

A large component of the 2023 special session was related to aiding and supporting the state of Israel following Hamas’ October 7 terrorist attacks earlier in the year. In addition to the original Jewish day school funding bill, Fine also helped champion through legislation condemning the terrorist group and their attack.