REP. RYAN CHAMBERLIN FILES BILL TO REFORM FLORIDA’S MINIMUM WAGE AND PROMOTE ON-THE-JOB WORKFORCE TRAINING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 21, 2025
 
Contact: Katie Connell
Phone: (850) 222-8156
Email: katie@thefrontlineagency.com

Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, State Representative Ryan Chamberlin announced that on Friday, October 17, he filed HB 221, a bill to reform Florida’s minimum wage with provisions for alternate means of compensation. The legislation would allow an employee to waive the right to minimum wage if he or she was receiving other value in an internship, pre-apprenticeship, or on-the-job workforce training.

“This bill will help give employers and their employees more freedom, create more jobs, reduce our cost of living, and support small businesses across Florida,” said Rep. Ryan Chamberlin. “The minimum wage in Florida, as currently codified in our state constitution, has become a weight on Florida’s economy and a hindrance to workers seeking to improve their personal finances.”

Rep. Chamberlin added: “Wage controls are always enacted with good intentions, but always lead to a decrease in opportunities. We must seek alternative options like career development and continued education to ensure workers are receiving the skills needed to compete in today’s economy. This legislation allows the option for an employer to offer on-the-job training positions to completely inexperienced individuals in exchange for the value in learning a skill or trade that could enhance their long-term, income-earning future.”

HB 221 builds on legislation Rep. Chamberlin sponsored during the 2025 Legislative Session.

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