SB 1266 Florida Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Cybersecurity Internships

Summary

Cybersecurity Internships; Requiring the Department of Commerce to create the Cybersecurity Experiential Learning Program in a specified fiscal year, subject to legislative appropriation; requiring the department use a certain percentage of appropriated funds in a specified fiscal year to enter into an agreement with Cyber Florida at the University of South Florida to collaborate in designing the program for implementation and plan for expansion of the program; requiring Cyber Florida to report specified information to the department; providing the department with authorized uses of unspent funds, etc.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026

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What changed between versions

S 1266 c1 → S 1266 c2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was significantly rewritten to shift from a mandatory, statewide rollout of a specific 'Internship and Clearance Readiness Program' to a more flexible 'Experiential Learning Program.' The new version requires the Department of Commerce to allocate only 10% of appropriated funds to a pilot phase at a single university, removing the mandate to include security clearance training and CompTIA certification for all participants. It also changes the reporting timeline and expiration date, extending the program's life by two years.

Scope change

The program scope was narrowed from a mandatory statewide initiative for all designated universities to a pilot program at a minimum of one institution, with the option to expand later. The curriculum was changed from a fixed set of requirements (including security clearances) to a flexible list of experiential learning opportunities determined by Cyber Florida.

FISCAL

Changed from an unspecified budget to a requirement that the department use exactly 10% of appropriated funds for the initial pilot phase.

SCOPE

Changed the program from a mandatory statewide rollout to a pilot starting at a minimum of one institution, with expansion planned for future years.

REQUIREMENT

Removed the mandatory inclusion of federal security clearance readiness preparation and CompTIA Security+ certification as required components of the program.

TIMELINE

Changed the program start date from the 2026-2027 academic year to the 2026-2027 fiscal year and moved the first annual report deadline to January 15, 2028.

Extended the program expiration date from October 1, 2031, to July 1, 2032.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

Favorable by- Appropriations; YEAS 17 NAYS 0

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 110 Senate Building

upper

Feb 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Upper · Passed

CS/CS by Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; YEAS 14 NAYS 0

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development, 02/04/26, 1:00 pm, 110 Senate Building

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Now in Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development

upper

Jan 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) - (Committee Substitute)

upper

Jan 16, 2026

Upper · Passed

On Committee agenda-- Commerce and Tourism, 01/21/26, 8:30 am, 110 Senate Building

upper

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

upper

Jan 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to Commerce and Tourism; Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development; Appropriations

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors