A Republican state lawmaker is trying again to allow some Florida workers to opt out of the minimum wage.
Rep. Ryan Chamberlin, R–Belleview, filed his bill (HB 221) on Oct. 17.
The legislation would let some workers in internship or apprenticeship programs sign waivers allowing employers to pay them less than the $14 per hour required under Florida law.
The bill is similar to a measure he sponsored during the prior regular legislative session earlier this year (HB 541), which advanced in both chambers but never received a floor vote.
“As we continuously artificially increase the minimum wage, not only does our cost of living increase, but employees are forced out of the job market, adding unforeseen consequences and stress to their families,” Chamberlin wrote in a note explaining why he filed the bill earlier this year.
Republican State Rep. Ryan Chamberlin speaks to the gathering on Sept. 13,2025 in downtown Ocala who came out to remember Charlie Kirk, the Republican icon who was shot and killed Sept. 10.
He said the bill would smooth the way for those entering the workforce to get skills and experience while keeping costs down for businesses.
“Wages should be given based on skill and experience, not artificially inflated numbers given to us by the government,” Chamberlin wrote. “This legislation will add more jobs to the market, lower the cost of labor, increase the pool of workers, increase small business profits, and reduce the cost of living for consumers.”
Minimum wage increases mandated by constitutional amendment
In 2020, Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to gradually increase the minimum wage by $1 per year until it reached $15 per hour on Oct. 1, 2026. Earlier this month the state minimum wage rose from $13 to $14. After 2026, the minimum wage will be tied to inflation.
Under Chamberlin’s bill, an employee in a work-study, internship, pre-apprenticeship “or other similar work-based learning opportunity,” can opt out of the minimum wage. The arrangement can last up to nine months.
The bill states the employee must sign the waiver voluntarily and an employer must not coerce anyone to sign it. Workers younger than 18 must get their parent or guardian to sign the waiver.
For those who opt out of the state minimum wage, employers would still be required to pay them above the federal minimum wage, which stands at $7.25 – the same as it was in 2009.
Despite the prohibition against coercion, Democrats opposed the bill partly over concerns businesses would pressure younger workers into opting out of the minimum wage. They were also concerned the bill would undercut the bargaining power of workers who didn’t opt out to seek higher wages.
Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida bill would roll back minimum wage for interns, apprentices