Florida SB 1062: Speech and Debate Education

Bill Text

1062 
Speech and Debate Education 
2026-03-04T06:41:29Z 
Creating the Florida Speech and Debate Hall of Fame; designating Florida Speech and Debate Week annually in February; 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; 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, etc. 
Engrossed 1 
2026 
S 
2026-07-01T00:00:00Z 
GB 
General Bill 
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 CS for CS for SB 1062 First Engrossed 

 20261062e1 

 1 A bill to be entitled 
 2 An act relating to speech and debate education; 
 3 creating s. 265.0042, F.S.; creating the Florida 
 4 Speech and Debate Hall of Fame; requiring the 
 5 Department of Management Services to set aside an area 
 6 in the Capitol Building for the hall of fame; 
 7 requiring the department to consult with the Florida 
 8 Education Foundation and the Commissioner of 
 9 Education; providing the duties for the hall of fame; 
 10 requiring the hall of fame to convene a committee for 
 11 specified purposes; creating s. 683.221, F.S.; 
 12 designating Florida Speech and Debate Week annually in 
 13 February; providing purposes for the annual 
 14 observance; authorizing specified entities to observe 
 15 Florida Speech and Debate Week; creating s. 1000.09, 
 16 F.S.; providing legislative findings and intent; 
 17 establishing the Florida Debate Initiative, Inc., 
 18 (FDI) as a statewide speech and debate organization 
 19 that performs certain functions in support of the 
 20 Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) in the 
 21 Department of Education; providing the duties of FDI; 
 22 providing construction; authorizing FDI to establish 
 23 and maintain certain partnerships; specifying 
 24 activities for FDI and FCDI; providing authorized uses 
 25 of funds for FDI; requiring FDI to publish online and 
 26 submit annually by a specified date to the department 
 27 a specified report; specifying requirements for the 
 28 report; authorizing a certified teacher to earn an 
 29 endorsement in speech and debate; specifying 
 30 requirements for the endorsement; requiring the 
 31 department to collaborate with FDI to establish 
 32 regional traveling debate teams; authorizing a school 
 33 district to use school buses to transport students to 
 34 speech and debate competitions; amending s. 1001.42, 
 35 F.S.; requiring each district school board annually to 
 36 publish online and submit to the department a report; 
 37 specifying requirements for the report; creating s. 
 38 1004.0983, F.S.; requiring the Board of Governors of 
 39 the State University System and the State Board of 
 40 Education to develop specified undergraduate and 
 41 graduate coursework, certificates, and micro 
 42 credentials; authorizing the Board of Governors and 
 43 the State Board of Education to collaborate with FDI 
 44 to develop coursework; requiring the department to 
 45 approve specified dual enrollment courses; providing 
 46 an appropriation; providing an effective date. 
 47 
 48 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 
 49 
 50 Section 1. Section 265.0042, Florida Statutes, is created 
 51 to read: 
 52 265.0042 Florida Speech and Debate Hall of Fame.— 
 53 (1) There is created the Florida Speech and Debate Hall of 
 54 Fame. The Department of Management Services shall set aside an 
 55 area on the Plaza Level of the Capitol Building and shall 
 56 consult with the Florida Education Foundation and the 
 57 Commissioner of Education regarding the design and theme of the 
 58 area. 
 59 (2) The hall of fame shall do all of the following: 
 60 (a) Honor distinguished students, coaches, educators, 
 61 alumni, veterans, public servants, benefactors, and supporters 
 62 who have elevated speech and debate in this state. 
 63 (b) Preserve the history, impact, and cultural significance 
 64 of competitive debate. 
 65 (c) Inspire future generations of Florida students to 
 66 pursue speech, debate, public leadership, and civic excellence. 
 67 (3) The hall of fame shall convene a committee to establish 
 68 procedures to nominate and select individuals to be featured. 
 69 Section 2. Section 683.221, Florida Statutes, is created to 
 70 read: 
 71 683.221 Florida Speech and Debate Week.— 
 72 (1) February 1 through February 7 shall be annually 
 73 designated as “Florida Speech and Debate Week.” 
 74 (2) Florida Speech and Debate Week shall be observed for 
 75 all of the following purposes: 
 76 (a) To recognize the academic, civic, and leadership value 
 77 of competitive speech and debate. 
 78 (b) To honor educators, coaches, judges, and school 
 79 districts that support debate programming. 
 80 (c) To inspire students statewide to participate in debate 
 81 as