Bill > S1062

Introduced Session

An act relating to speech and debate education; creating s. 265.0042, F.S.; creating the Florida Speech and Debate Hall of Fame; requiring the Department of Management Services to set aside an area in the Capitol Building for the hall of fame; requiring the department to consult with the Florida Education Foundation and the Commissioner of Education; providing the duties for the hall of fame; requiring the hall of fame to convene a committee for specified purposes; creating s. 683.221, F.S.; designating Florida Speech and Debate Week annually in February; providing purposes for the annual observance; authorizing specified entities to observe Florida Speech and Debate Week; creating s. 1000.09, F.S.; providing legislative findings and intent; establishing the Florida Debate Initiative, Inc., (FDI) as a statewide speech and debate organization that performs certain functions in support of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) in the Department of Education; providing the duties of FDI; providing construction; authorizing FDI to establish and maintain certain partnerships; specifying activities for FDI and FCDI; providing authorized uses of funds for FDI; requiring FDI to publish online and submit annually by a specified date to the department a specified report; specifying requirements for the report; authorizing a certified teacher to earn an endorsement in speech and debate; specifying requirements for the endorsement; requiring the department to collaborate with FDI to establish regional traveling debate teams; authorizing a school district to use school buses to transport students to speech and debate competitions; amending s. 1001.42, F.S.; requiring each district school board annually to publish online and submit to the department a report; specifying requirements for the report; creating s. 1004.0983, F.S.; requiring the Board of Governors of the State University System and the State Board of Education to develop specified undergraduate and graduate coursework, certificates, and micro credentials; authorizing the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education to collaborate with FDI to develop coursework; requiring the department to approve specified dual enrollment courses; providing an appropriation; providing an effective date.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Jason Brodeur (R)*,  Ben Albritton (R),  Kristen Arrington (D),  Lori Berman (D),  Mack Bernard (D),  Jim Boyd (R),  LaVon Bracy Davis (D),  Jennifer Bradley (R),  Danny Burgess (R),  Colleen Burton (R),  Alexis Calatayud (R),  Nick DiCeglie (R),  Don Gaetz (R),  Ileana Garcia (R),  Erin Grall (R),  Joe Gruters (R),  Gayle Harrell (R),  Ed Hooper (R),  Shev Jones (D),  Thomas Leek (R),  Jonathan Martin (R),  Ralph Massullo (R),  Debbie Mayfield (R),  Stan McClain (R),  Rosalind Osgood (D),  Kathleen Passidomo (R),  Jason Pizzo (I),  Tina Polsky (D),  Ana Maria Rodriguez (R),  Darryl Rouson (D),  Barbara Sharief (D),  Corey Simon (R),  Carlos Smith (D),  Keith Truenow (R),  Jay Trumbull (R),  Tommy Wright (R),  Clay Yarborough (R), 

Other Sponsors (2)

Died in returning Messages (on 03/13/2026)

Official Document