HB 1503 Florida House · 2026 Regular Session

Computer Science Education and Certification

Summary

Computer Science Education and Certification; Provides requirements for general education core courses with technology component; requires high school computer science courses to include instruction on artificial intelligence; requires SBE to establish separate computer science subject area coverages for specified grades & to continue comprehensive K–12 coverage; requires DOE to present recommended competencies for certain subject area coverages to state board by specified date; requires department to coordinate examinations for such subject area coverages by specified date.

Issues: ✓ Education ✓ Technology

Bill status died 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

House Passage

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

Governor

Introduced Jan 9, 2026 Last action Mar 13, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

H 1503 c1 → H 1503 c2 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its focus from general technology education to specifically emphasize computer science education and certification. Key changes include adding new computer science subject area coverages for different grade levels (K-5, 6-12, and K-12), establishing requirements for the State Board of Education to create and maintain these credential coverages, and setting specific deadlines for competency recommendations and examination development.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from general technology education to specifically include computer science education and certification requirements, adding new subject area coverages and credentialing structures.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for State Board of Education to establish separate computer science subject area coverages for grades K-5, 6-12, and K-12

Modified Section 1007.2616 to renumber subsections and add new requirements for computer science credential coverages and examinations

Added requirement for Department of Education to coordinate development, piloting, and standard-setting for computer science examinations

Modified general education technology course requirements to include robotics instruction in addition to artificial intelligence and other technology topics

TIMELINE

Added specific deadlines: September 1, 2026 for competency recommendations and January 1, 2028 for examination availability

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2026 · House Feb 25, 2026

How they voted

33–0

Passed · 6 other

Total votes 39

Mar 6, 2026

D Democratic11

8 Yea 3

72% Yea

I Independent1

1 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican27

24 Yea 3

88% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

CS passed as amended; YEAS 105, NAYS 0

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Concurred in Senate amendment 593280 as amended

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Lower · Passed

Amendment 898007 adopted

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

CS passed as amended; YEAS 33 NAYS 0

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Amendment(s) adopted (593280)

upper

Feb 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to Rules

upper

Feb 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

CS passed; YEAS 112, NAYS 0

lower

Feb 18, 2026

Committee

Bill referred to House Calendar

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported out of Education & Employment Committee

lower

Feb 17, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with CS by Education & Employment Committee

lower

Feb 13, 2026

Lower · Passed

PCS added to Education & Employment Committee agenda

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Lower · Passed

Now in Education & Employment Committee

lower

Jan 29, 2026

Committee

Referred to Education & Employment Committee

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported out of Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

Jan 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

Favorable with CS by Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

Jan 26, 2026

Lower · Passed

PCS added to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee agenda

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Lower · Passed

Now in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Committee

Referred to Education & Employment Committee

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Committee

Referred to Budget Committee

lower

Jan 15, 2026

Committee

Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors