HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 465 Workforce Education
SPONSOR(S): Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee, Esposito
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS:
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Postsecondary Education & Workforce 14 Y, 0 N, As CS Dixon Kiner
Subcommittee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
The bill increases the cap on the amount the Department of Education may reimburse an institution to $9,000,
from $3,000, per completed workforce training program by an eligible student participating in the Open Door
Grant Program. The bill also clarifies that a student is eligible to receive funding after all other federal and state
financial aid or any other private or public financial assistance is applied. The bill also prohibits an institution
from imposing additional criteria to determine student eligibility from that which is provided under current law.
The bill does not have a fiscal impact to the state but may have an impact on the private sector. See fiscal
comments.
The bill is effective upon becoming law.
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
STORAGE NAME: h0465.PEW
DATE: 3/22/2023
FULL ANALYSIS
I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Open Door Grant Program
In 2021, the Legislature established the Open Door Grant Program (ODG) 1 in order to create and
sustain a demand-driven supply of credentialed workers for high-demand occupations, expand the
affordability of workforce training and credentialing, and increase the interest of current and future
workers in short-term, high-demand career and technical education credentialing and certificate
programs.2 Grants are provided to school districts’ postsecondary technical centers and Florida College
System institutions to cover up to two-thirds of the cost of short-term, high-demand programs for
eligible students upon successful completion and award of a credential of value. The ODG provides
short-term training for high-demand programs in Florida, offering job seekers an opportunity to obtain
expedited and affordable training.
Subject to availability of funds, under the ODG, a student who enrolls in an eligible program offered by
an institution3 and who does not receive state or federal financial aid may apply for and be awarded a
grant to cover two-thirds of the cost of the program 4, if:5
at the time of enrollment, the student pays one-third of the cost of the program and signs an
agreement to either complete the program; or
pay an additional one-third of the cost of the program in the event of noncompletion.
Once a student completes the program, the department6 reimburses the institution in an amount equal
to one-third of the cost of the program. An additional one-third will be provided upon attainment of a
workforce credential or certificate by the student. Grant funds may be used to cover the student’s one-
third of the cost of the program for students in integrated education and training programs and students
who do not have a high school diploma and meet the requirements established by the department. An
institution may cover the student’s one-third of the cost of the program based on student need, as
determined by the institution.7
A student receiving state or federal financial aid who enrolls in an eligible program offered by an
institution may apply for and be awarded a grant to cover the unmet need of the cost of the program
after the application of all eligible financial aid. Financial aid and grants received by the student will be
credited first to the student’s costs before the award of a grant. After a student is enrolled in an eligible
program, the department will award the grant to the institution for the amount of unmet need for the
eligible student.8 The department may not reimburse any institution more than $3,000 per completed
workforce training program by an eligible student.9
1 Section 1009.895, F.S.
2 Section 1009.895(1)(d), F.S., “Program” means a noncredit industry certification preparation, clock hour career certificate p rogram,
or for-credit short-term career and technical education program that results in the award of credentials identified under s. 445.004(4).
3 Section 1009.895(1)(c), F.S., “Institution” means school district postsecondary technical career centers under s. 1001.44, Florida
College System institutions under s. 1000.21(3), charter technical career centers under s. 1002.34, and scho ol districts with eligible
integrated education and training programs.
4 Section 1009.895(1)(a), F.S., “Cost of the program” means the cost of tuition, fees, examination, books, and materials to a s tudent
enrolled in an eligible program.
5 Section 1009.895(4)(a), F.S.
6 Section 1009.895(1)(b), F.S., “Department” means the Department of Education.
7 Id.
8 Section 1009.895(4)(b), F.S.
9 Section 1009.895(5), F.S.
STORAGE NAME: h0465.PEW PAGE: 2
DATE: 3/22/2023
In fiscal year 2021-2022, the Florida Legislature appropriated $35 million for the Open Door Grant
Program, with $15 million appropriated to school districts and $20 million appropriated to the Florida
College System.10
FY 2021 - 2022
Number of Median Award Amount Expended Most Common
Institutions Amount Credentials
Applying for
Awards
FCS Institutions 25 FCS Institutions $532,846 $585,055 Public Safety
Program –
Firefighter, EMT,
Law Enforcement)
Healthcare
School Districts 25 school districts $360,268 $504,100 Welding
Public Safety –
Firefighter, EMT,
Law Enforcement
Healthcare
In fiscal year 2022-2023, the Florida Legislature appropriated $15 million for the Open Door Grant
program, with $15 million appropriated to school districts and $20 million appropriated to the Florida
College System.11
Effects of Proposed Changes
The bill increases the cap on the amount the Department of Education may reimburse an institution to
$9,000 from $3,000 per completed workforce training program by an eligible student participating in the
Open Door Grant Program. The bill also clarifies that a student is eligible to receive funding after all
other federal and state financial aid or any other private or public financial assistance is applied. The bill
also prohibits an institution from imposing additional criteria to determine student eligibility from that
which is provided under current law.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Amends s. 1009.895; prohibiting institutions from imposing additional criteria to
determine student eligibility; revising student eligibility requirements; increasing the
amount the Department of Education may reimburse an institution through the Open
Door Grant Program for a completed workforce training program.
Section 2: Provides an effective date.
II. FISCAL ANALYSIS & ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
A. FISCAL IMPACT ON STATE GOVERNMENT:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
See Fiscal Comments.
10 Specific Appropriations 121A and 129A, s. 2, ch. 2021-36, L.O.F.
11 Specific Appropriations 117 and 126, s. 2, ch. 2022-156, L.O.F.
STORAGE NAME: h0465.PEW PAGE: 3
DATE: 3/22/2023
B. FISCAL IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
1. Revenues:
None.
2. Expenditures:
None.
C. DIRECT ECONOMIC IMPACT ON PRIVATE SECTOR:
Due to the increased amount of Open Door Grant reimbursement a postsecondary education institution
can receive, the bill may reduce the overall number of grants available to eligible workforce training
program students.
D. FISCAL COMMENTS:
The bill does not have a fiscal impact to the state. However, by increasing the amount of grant
reimbursement an institution can receive per completed workforce training program (from $3,000 to
$9,000), the number of students able to participate in or benefit from the grant program may be
reduced.
III. COMMENTS
A. CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES:
1. Applicability of Municipality/County Mandates Provision:
None.
2. Other:
None.
B. RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY:
None.
C. DRAFTING ISSUES OR OTHER COMMENTS:
None.
IV. AMENDMENTS/COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE CHANGES
On March 21, 2023, the Postsecondary Education & Workforce Subcommittee adopted a proposed
committee substitute (PCS) and reported the bill favorably as a committee substitute. The PCS differed
from HB 465 in the following ways:
removes a provision related to the adoption of the Master Credentials List.
prohibits an institution from imposing additional criteria to determine a student’s eligibility to
receive a grant; and
providing that a student is eligible to receive an award after all other federal and state
financial aid or any other private or public financial assistance is applied.
The bill analysis is drafted to the committee substitute adopted by the Postsecondary Education &
Workforce Subcommittee.
STORAGE NAME: h0465.PEW PAGE: 4
DATE: 3/22/2023
Statutes affected: H 465 Filed: 445.004, 1009.895