I honestly believe that you're looking at this through rose-colored glasses. Here's a quick summary of what took place.
The bill that ultimately passed the legislature was sponsored by Kelli Stargel, a State Senator from Lakeland (who currently sits on the FHSAA Public Liaison Advisory Committee). The legislation was introduced a year or two after the FHSAA ruled ineligible five football players who transferred to Lakeland. Those sponsoring the legislation dressed it all up in academic clothing ('let the math prodigy go to whatever school is best for him; let the clarinet player choose whatever school she thinks is best for her'), but don't let this fool you. This was all about athletics. The folks in Polk County had an ax to grind and Stargell became their lumberjack. This was a power play, clear and simple, to take away some of the control that the FHSAA had, especially with regard to transfers. And, for obvious reasons, the folks in Lakeland have been happy with the results.
If you would prefer a lengthier, perhaps more objective, discussion of the issue, click on this link:
https://news.wfsu.org/post/florida-high-school-athletic-association-cries-foul-over-bills-limiting-its-power
Bottom line, think what you will about the FHSAA, but on the issue of transfers, their hands got tied by the state legislature a few years ago. Note the foreshadowing quote from the 2013 article about why the FHSAA opposed the legislation: the FHSAA claimed the new law could "pave the way for unfairness on the field and reduced quality of tournaments." Roger Dearing and the folks at the FHSAA knew what would happen if they didn't have the ability to police transfers . . . and this is exactly what we're now seeing.