Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida S420: Patriotic Displays at Public Schools
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
Requiring, subject to legislative appropriation, each district school board to adopt rules to require the display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at each public school in the district; requiring the Department of Education to select the portraits and make them available to each school district, etc.
What the bill says
An act relating to patriotic displays at public schools; amending s. 1003.44, F.S.; requiring, subject to legislative appropriation, each district school board to adopt rules to require the display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at each public school in the district; requiring the Department of Education to select the portraits and make them available to each school district; providing an effective date.
From the introduced text, January 30, 2026:
A bill to be entitled An act relating to patriotic displays at public schools; amending s. 1003.44, F.S.; requiring, subject to legislative appropriation, each district school board to adopt rules to require the display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at each public school in the district; requiring the Department of Education to select the portraits and make them available to each school district; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1.âSubsection (4) of section 1003.44, Florida Statutes, is amended to rules.â (4)âEach district school board shall adopt rules to require [DELETED: , ] [DELETED: in all of the schools of the district and in each] [DELETED: building used by the district school board] : [DELETED: ,] (a)âThe display of the state motto, âIn God We Trust,â designated under s. 15.0301, in a conspicuous place at each public school in the district and in each building used by the district school board. (b)âSubject to legislative appropriation, the display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in a conspicuous place at each public school in the district. The Department of Education shall select the portraits and make them available to each school district. Section 2.âThis act shall take effect July 1, 2026.
Sponsors
- Burgess, Danny (R, SD-023) · primary sponsor
- Yarborough, Clay (R, SD-004)
- Gaetz, Don (R, SD-001)
Latest actions
- : Died in Messages; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 182 (Ch. 2026-33)
- : In Messages
- : Immediately certified -SJ 356
- : CS passed; YEAS 36 NAYS 2 -SJ 346
- : Read 3rd time -SJ 346
- : Read 2nd time -SJ 346
- : Placed on Special Order Calendar, 02/19/26
- : Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- : Favorable by- Rules; YEAS 21 NAYS 2
- : On Committee agenda-- Rules, 02/10/26, 9:00 am, 412 Knott Building
Votes
- Senate: S 420 c1 (February 19, 2026): 36 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate: S 420 c1 (February 10, 2026): 21 yea, 2 nay, passed
- Senate: S 420 Filed (January 28, 2026): 9 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Senate: S 420 Filed (January 13, 2026): 6 yea, 1 nay, passed
Subjects: Education Pre-K - 12, Rules, Appropriations Committee on Pre-K - 12 Education
Common questions
- What is S420?
- S420 is a bill in the Florida Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Patriotic Displays at Public Schools.
- What does S420 do?
- In its own words: An act relating to patriotic displays at public schools; amending s. 1003.44, F.S.; requiring, subject to legislative appropriation, each district school board to adopt rules to require the display of portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at each public school in the district; requiring the Department of Education to select the portraits and make them available to each school district; providing an effective date.
- What is the status of S420?
- Failed as of March 13, 2026. Latest action: Died in Messages; Companion bill(s) passed, see CS/CS/SB 182 (Ch. 2026-33) (March 13, 2026).
- Who sponsored S420?
- Burgess, Danny (R, SD-023), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S420?
- On the Florida Legislature website: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/420
Source: official Florida record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.