HB0483 • 2026

Manufacturing

Agriculture Budget Education Housing Labor Technology

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee ; Cobb ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Albert ; Benarroch
Last action: 2026-03-13
Official status: House - Died in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
Effective date: 2026-07-01

Plain English Breakdown

The official text confirms the bill passed both chambers but notes it 'Died in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee' as its last action, creating uncertainty about whether this specific version became law or if further changes occurred.

Florida Manufacturing Leadership and Grants Bill

This bill creates a new Chief Manufacturing Officer in Florida's Department of Commerce to lead manufacturing efforts, establishes a grant program for worker training, and launches a campaign to promote factory careers.

What This Bill Does

Creates the role of Chief Manufacturing Officer within the senior leadership of the Department of Commerce to support the statewide manufacturing ecosystem.
Requires state and local government entities to assist the Chief Manufacturing Officer if it is consistent with law and their budget limits.
Establishes the Florida Manufacturers' Workforce Development Grant Program under the direction of the Chief Manufacturing Officer.
Sets rules for reviewing grant applications using published ranking metrics in coordination with a national partnership organization.
Gives the Department of Commerce sole discretion to make final decisions on which projects receive grants.
Creates the Florida Manufacturing Promotional Campaign to encourage students and job seekers to consider manufacturing careers.

Who It Names or Affects

The Florida Department of Commerce
State and local government agencies
Schools, colleges, technical schools, and workforce development boards
Manufacturing companies applying for grants

Terms To Know

Chief Manufacturing Officer: A new senior leader in the Department of Commerce appointed to support manufacturing across Florida.
Workforce Development Grant Program: Funding provided by the state for projects that train people for manufacturing jobs.
NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership: A national organization in Florida that helps review grant applications and plan manufacturing efforts with the Department of Commerce.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify a total dollar amount for the new grants, only that they come from the Economic Development Trust Fund.
Government agencies are only required to help if it fits within their current budget and legal limits.
Final grant awards depend on choices made by the Department of Commerce based on established metrics.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

601509

Committee amendment H 483 Filed • Cobb

Adopted without Objection 1/29/2026

Plain English: This amendment creates a new Chief Manufacturing Officer role within the Department of Commerce to lead state efforts in supporting manufacturing jobs, education programs, and technology upgrades.

Adds a duty for the Department of Commerce to encourage and oversee manufacturing alongside a new official called the Chief Manufacturing Officer.
Creates the position of Chief Manufacturing Officer who will act as an expert on manufacturing issues and coordinate efforts between government agencies, schools, and businesses.
Requires the Chief Manufacturing Officer to work with schools from elementary through college levels to promote manufacturing careers and improve training programs for students.
Establishes a new grant program called the Florida Manufacturers' Workforce Development Grant Program to fund projects that help small manufacturers use new technology or cybersecurity tools.

The official text provided is cut off at the end, so details about how grants are ranked and awarded are incomplete.
The amendment states that funding for these programs depends on future approval by the Legislature, meaning no money is guaranteed yet.

Bill History

2026-03-13 House
• Died in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
2026-02-02 House
• Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee • Referred to Commerce Committee • Now in Careers & Workforce Subcommittee
2026-01-30 House
• Reported out of Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee • Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a) • CS Filed • 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)
2026-01-29 House
• Favorable with CS by Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
2026-01-27 House
• Added to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee agenda
2026-01-13 House
• 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
2025-11-24 House
• Referred to Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee • Referred to Careers & Workforce Subcommittee • Referred to Commerce Committee • Now in Housing, Agriculture & Tourism Subcommittee
2025-11-19 House
• Filed

Official Summary Text

Manufacturing; Revises duties of Department of Commerce; establishes Chief Manufacturing Officer among senior leadership of department for specified purpose; provides that Chief Manufacturing Officer is appointed by and serves at pleasure of Secretary of Commerce; provides duties of Chief Manufacturing Officer; requires all state and local governmental entities to assist Chief Manufacturing Officer within certain constraints; creates Florida Manufacturers' Workforce Development Grant Program within department; provides that grant program is under direction of Chief Manufacturing Officer in consultation with National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization in this state; provides purpose for grant program; requires department, in coordination with National Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization in this state, to review submitted applications and to select specified projects; provides that department has sole discretion in final grant awards; requires department, in coordination with National Institute of Standards & Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization in this state, to establish and publish ranking metrics for reviewing and awarding grants; provides guidelines for such metrics; requires that priority be given to projects that meet certain criteria.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 1 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to manufacturing; amending s. 20.60, 2
F.S.; revising the duties of the Department of 3
Commerce; creating s. 20.602, F.S.; establishing the 4
Chief Manufacturing Officer among the senior 5
leadership of the department for a specified purpose; 6
providing that the Chief Manufacturing Officer is 7
appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the 8
Secretary of Commerce; providing the duties of the 9
Chief Manufacturing Officer; requiring all state and 10
local governmental entities to assist the Chief 11
Manufacturing Officer within certain constraints; 12
requiring the Chief Manufacturing Officer to prepare a 13
specified report and the department to submit it to 14
the Governor and the Legislature by a specified date, 15
and every 2 years thereafter; creating s. 288.103, 16
F.S.; creating the Florida Manufacturers' Workforce 17
Development Grant Program within the department; 18
providing that the grant program is under the 19
direction of the Chief Manufacturing Officer in 20
consultation with the National Institute of Standards 21
and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership 22
organization in this state; providing a purpose for 23
the grant program; requiring the department, in 24
coordination with the National Institute of Standards 25

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 2 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership 26
organization in this state, to review submitted 27
applications and to select specified projects; 28
providing that the department has sole discretion in 29
final grant awards; requiring the department, in 30
coordination with the National Institute of Standards 31
and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership 32
organization in this state, to establish and publish 33
ranking metrics for reviewing and awarding grants; 34
providing guidelines for such metrics; requiring that 35
priority be given to projects that meet certain 36
criteria; authorizing applicants to seek funding for a 37
specified purpose; prohibiting such funding from being 38
used for certain expenses; requiring the department to 39
administer the grant awards from the Economic 40
Development Trust Fund; requiring the department to 41
annually publish on the department's website specific 42
information regarding the grant program; requiring the 43
department to include certain information in its 44
annual incentives report; authorizing the department 45
to adopt rules; creating s. 288.1031, F.S.; providing 46
legislative findings; defining terms; creating the 47
Florida Manufacturing Promotional Campaign within the 48
department; requiring the Chief Manufacturing Officer 49
to administer the campaign in coordination with the 50

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 3 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

National Institute of Standards and Technology 51
Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization in 52
this state; providing the purpose of the campaign; 53
requiring the department to take certain actions to 54
promote the campaign; requiring persons who 55
participate in the campaign to register annually with 56
the department; requiring the department to establish 57
by rule the form and manner of registration; requiring 58
the department to adopt rules to implement and 59
administer the campaign; requiring the department 60
annually to create a specified report and submit it to 61
the Governor and the Legislature as part of its annual 62
report; providing an effective date. 63
64
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 65
66
Section 1. Paragraph (m) is added to subsection (4) of 67
section 20.60, Florida Statutes, to read: 68
20.60 Department of Commerce; creation; powers and 69
duties.— 70
(4) The purpose of the department is to assist the 71
Governor in working with the Legislature, state agencies, 72
business leaders, and economic development professionals to 73
formulate and implement coherent and consistent policies and 74
strategies designed to promote economic opportunities for all 75

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 4 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

Floridians. The department is the state's chief agency for 76
business recruitment and expansion and economic development. To 77
accomplish such purposes, the department shall: 78
(m) Encourage and oversee manufacturing in this state in 79
coordination with the Chief Manufacturing Officer. 80
Section 2. Section 20.602, Florida Statutes, is created to 81
read: 82
20.602 Chief Manufacturing Officer.— 83
(1) There is designated among the senior leadership of the 84
Department of Commerce a Chief Manufacturing Officer for the 85
purpose of supporting the manufacturing ecosystem statewide. The 86
Chief Manufacturing Officer is appointed by and serves at the 87
pleasure of the Secretary of Commerce. 88
(2) The Chief Manufacturing Officer shall do all of the 89
following: 90
(a) Serve as a subject-matter expert for the state on 91
issues related to manufacturing. 92
(b) Promote and coordinate manufacturing efforts in this 93
state and identify gaps across state-supported activities. 94
(c) Provide strategic direction for interagency and cross-95
disciplinary initiatives to promote and support manufacturing in 96
this state. 97
(d) Work with federal, state, regional, and local 98
governmental entities and nongovernmental entities to align 99
manufacturing priorities. 100

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 5 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

(e) Engage with state agencies and water management 101
districts to create processes, programs, decision frameworks, 102
and reporting mechanisms intended to support manufacturing in 103
this state. 104
(f) Collaborate with the Department of Education, school 105
districts, charter schools, technical colleges, state colleges, 106
and regional workforce development boards to promote 107
manufacturing as a career path. Such collaboration must include 108
all of the following: 109
1. Supporting curriculum development and career awareness 110
initiatives in elementary and middle schools, including 111
classroom resources, career fairs, and outreach activities 112
designed to inspire interest in manufacturing. 113
2. Establishing technology demonstration centers, work-114
based learning opportunities, and exposure to manufacturing 115
careers through partnerships with guidance counselors and 116
recognized career exploration programs. 117
3. Preserving and expanding manufacturing programs in high 118
schools, promoting dual enrollment and industry certifications, 119
and ensuring that course selection and grade point average 120
weighting policies encourage students to pursue, rather than 121
discourage them from pursuing, manufacturing tracks. 122
4. Supporting regional manufacturing training centers to 123
provide multiple entry points for careers in manufacturing, 124
including awareness initiatives for underrepresented populations 125

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 6 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

and individuals reentering the workforce. 126
5. Reenergizing the marketing and promotion of 127
manufacturing careers in coordination with the Florida 128
Manufacturing Promotional Campaign created in s. 288.1031. 129
(3) All state and local governmental entities shall assist 130
the Chief Manufacturing Officer to the extent such assistance is 131
consistent with law and with budgetary constraints. 132
(4) The Chief Manufacturing Officer shall prepare a 133
report, in consultation with the National Institute of Standards 134
and Technology Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization 135
in this state, regarding manufacturing efforts in this state. 136
The department shall submit the report to the Governor, the 137
President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of 138
Representatives by December 15, 2027, and every 2 years 139
thereafter. The report must include information regarding the 140
strength and economic importance of the manufacturing industry 141
in this state. 142
Section 3. Section 288.103, Florida Statutes, is created 143
to read: 144
288.103 Florida Manufacturers' Workforce Development Grant 145
Program.— 146
(1) The Florida Manufacturers' Workforce Development Grant 147
Program is created within the Department of Commerce, under the 148
direction of the Chief Manufacturing Officer in consultation 149
with the National Institute of Standards and Technology 150

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 7 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

Manufacturing Extension Partnership organization in this state, 151
to fund proposed projects, subject to appropriation by the 152
Legislature, which support small manufacturers in this state 153
with the deployment of new technologies or cybersecurity 154
infrastructure and to strengthen the manufacturing workforce 155
pipeline from elementary education through postsecondary 156
training and workforce reentry. 157
(2) The department, in coordination with the National 158
Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension 159
Partnership organization in this state, shall review submitted 160
applications and select projects for awards which create 161
strategic investments in workforce training and education 162
partnerships to facilitate the deployment of new technologies or 163
cybersecurity infrastructure and to expand career awareness and 164
preparation for manufacturing occupations across the K-12, 165
postsecondary, and workforce training systems. Final grant 166
awards are made at the sole discretion of the department. 167
(3) The department, in coordination with the National 168
Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension 169
Partnership organization in this state, shall establish and 170
publish ranking metrics for reviewing grants and awarding them 171
to applicants on a competitive basis. Metrics may include the 172
number of employees, matching funds pledged by the applicant, 173
and expected benefits from the grant award. Priority must be 174
given to projects with innovative plans, advanced technologies, 175

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 8 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

and development strategies that focus on workforce development 176
for small manufacturers across this state and that include one 177
or more of the following: 178
(a) Establishment or expansion of regional manufacturing 179
training centers. 180
(b) Partnerships with the Department of Education, school 181
districts, charter schools, technical colleges, and state 182
colleges to support manufacturing curricula, dual enrollment, 183
and industry certification programs. 184
(c) Development of elementary and middle school career 185
awareness programs, including technology demonstration centers 186
and guidance counselor resources. 187
(d) Outreach and training programs targeting 188
underrepresented populations, including reentry populations. 189
(e) Marketing and promotion of manufacturing careers 190
consistent with s. 288.1031. 191
(4) Applicants may seek funding for workforce development 192
and operations; however, grant funding awarded under this 193
section may not be used to pay salary and benefits or general 194
business or office expenses. Grants awarded under the program 195
shall be administered by the department from the Economic 196
Development Trust Fund established in s. 288.095. 197
(5) The department shall annually publish on the 198
department's website each project awarded a grant, the benefit 199
of each project in meeting the goals and objectives of the 200

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 9 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

program, and the current status of each project. The department 201
shall include such information in the annual incentives report 202
required under s. 288.0065. 203
(6) The department may adopt rules to implement this 204
section. 205
Section 4. Section 288.1031, Florida Statutes, is created 206
to read: 207
288.1031 Florida Manufacturing Promotional Campaign.— 208
(1) The Legislature finds that there is a need for a 209
campaign to increase consumer awareness of manufacturing 210
activities in this state, to expand market exposure for 211
manufactured products and goods in this state, and to inspire 212
future generations of entrepreneurs, fabricators, and skilled 213
workers to build and grow domestic businesses and manufacturing 214
operations in this state. The Legislature further finds that a 215
campaign that creates a partnership between the state and 216
manufacturers in this state is necessary to promote and 217
advertise manufactured products efficiently. 218
(2) As used in this section, the term: 219
(a) "Manufactured product" means any tangible personal 220
property or consumer good, whether a durable or nondurable good, 221
that has been processed, fabricated, or produced, often through 222
industrial or mechanical processes. The term includes items sold 223
or leased to consumers. 224
(b) "Person" means an individual, a firm, a partnership, a 225

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 10 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

corporation, an association, a business, a trust, a legal 226
representative, or any other business unit. 227
(3) The Florida Manufacturing Promotional Campaign is 228
created within the department. The Chief Manufacturing Officer 229
shall administer the campaign in coordination with the National 230
Institute of Standards and Technology Manufacturing Extension 231
Partnership organization in this state. The purpose of the 232
campaign is to serve as a voluntary marketing program to promote 233
manufacturing products and businesses in this state. 234
(4) The department shall do all of the following: 235
(a) Develop logos for the campaign and authorize the use 236
of such logos by rule. 237
(b) Create promotional materials for the campaign. 238
(c) Register campaign participants. 239
(d) Develop in-kind advertising programs. 240
(e) Contract with media representatives for the purpose of 241
dispersing promotional materials. 242
(5) A person who produces manufactured products may 243
participate in the campaign only by registering annually with 244
the department. The department shall establish by rule the form 245
and manner of registration. 246
(6) The department shall adopt rules to implement and 247
administer the campaign. By rule, the department shall establish 248
the logos or product identifiers to be depicted for use in the 249
campaign for advertising, publicizing, and promoting the sale of 250

CS/HB 483 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb483-01-c1
Page 11 of 11
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

manufactured products in this state. The department shall also 251
adopt rules necessary to ensure compliance with the campaign and 252
to govern participant registration. 253
(7) The department shall annually create a report on the 254
success of the campaign, including detailed performance measures 255
and outcomes, sources of in-kind advertising, contracts related 256
to disbursement of promotional materials, the names of persons 257
participating in the campaign, and other information for the 258
campaign. The department shall submit the report as part of the 259
annual report required in s. 20.602(4). 260
Section 5. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 261