Florida legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Florida S1062: Speech and Debate Education
Status: Failed, March 13, 2026
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.
What the bill says
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…
From the engrossed text, March 4, 2026:
A bill to be entitled 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; …