HB 85 Florida House · 2026 Regular Session

Swimming Lesson Voucher Program

HB 85 revises Florida's Swimming Lesson Voucher Program to limit eligibility to children aged 1 through 4 years (previously 1-7 years), while maintaining the income requirement of 200% of the federal poverty level and residency in Florida. The bill updates the statute to specify that children seeking vouchers must be between 1 and 4 years old, directly affecting families with young children who meet income and residency criteria. Key provisions include clarifying the age range for voucher recipients and preserving the program’s goal of increasing water safety through free swimming lessons. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not alter the existing income or application processes.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Oct 2025
Committee Review
Jan 2026
House Passage
Jan 2026
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Oct 6, 2025 Last action Mar 9, 2026
Floor votes · House Jan 21, 2026

How they voted

250
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 26
Jan 21, 2026
D Democratic7
6 Yea 1
85% Yea
R Republican19
19 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
21
Key actions
13
Committee
15
Jan 21, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (25-0-1)
house
Jan 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Health & Human Services Committee
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable by Health & Human Services Committee
lower
Jan 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Added to Health & Human Services Committee agenda
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Now in Health & Human Services Committee
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Health Care Budget Subcommittee
lower
Jan 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Favorable by Health Care Budget Subcommittee
lower
Jan 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Added to Health Care Budget Subcommittee agenda
lower
Dec 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Now in Health Care Budget Subcommittee
lower
Dec 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported out of Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
lower
Dec 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Favorable by Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
lower
Dec 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Added to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee agenda
lower
Oct 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Now in Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
lower
Oct 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health & Human Services Committee
lower
Oct 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health Care Budget Subcommittee
lower
Oct 14, 2025
Committee
Referred to Health Professions & Programs Subcommittee
lower
2 primary · 7 co-sponsors

Sponsors