FL S1062

Creates the Florida Speech and Debate Hall of Fame on the Plaza Level of the Capitol Building to honor distinguished students, coaches, educators, and supporters who have elevated speech and debate in Florida

Designates February 1-7 annually as "Florida Speech and Debate Week" to recognize the academic, civic, and leadership value of competitive speech and debate

Establishes the Florida Debate Initiative, Inc. (FDI) as the state's nonprofit organization to manage and expand K-20 civics, speech, and debate programs, with $2.4 million in recurring funding appropriated for fiscal year 2026-2027

Requires school districts to annually report speech and debate data including number of active teams, student participation rates, competitive performance, and resources needed to expand programs

Creates a speech and debate endorsement pathway for certified teachers and directs the Board of Governors and State Board of Education to develop undergraduate and graduate coursework, certificates, and micro-credentials in speech and debate education