TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Lawmakers are working to make changes to an amendment passed by voters in 2020, forcing a minimum wage increase of $1 per year through 2026.

It all comes down to opportunity, Republican Sen. Tom Leek argues.

Leek said he wants young adults seeking internships to waive their minimum wage rights in order to gain important on-the-job experience.

Senate Bill 676 would do just that.

“The kid who wants to go be a plumber. They don’t have the option right now to trade pay for a marketable skill,” Leek said. “And that’s precisely what this bill is intended to do. Allow someone to take the advantage of a marketable skill and trade pay for it.”

The proposal though has Florida Democrats pushing back, saying it allows for abuses by employers who may take advantage of younger workers looking to get a start in their professions.

“We have a constitutional minimum wage in Florida,” said Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith (D). “It's $13 an hour. And this law, this proposal is an attempt to circumvent it. It's an attempt to exploit workers of all ages.”

Floridians do have a constitutional right to waive certain rights, but legislators are now discussing if that extends to the ballot amendment passed by voters in 2020.

The debate over minimum wage is expected to continue as the legislative session moves forward this spring.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Florida's current and future minimum wage. This has been corrected.