The “Ought to Be a Law” (OTBAL) program was introduced into Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) in 2004 by Florida State Representative Kevin Ambler, State Senator Victor Crist, and Superintendent MaryEllen Elia. The program is the first of its kind in the nation to offer students the chance to compete in drafting a bill with the hopes of creating an actual law. The program began at Gaither High School and has since expanded to all twenty-five high schools. At each school, students propose bills; of these bills, the best is chosen for district competition. The winning school bills are then heard before a committee of local legislators who select a district winner. The real work begins as the winning bill is fully researched and redrafted to present before the state legislature. Teams of HCPS students travel to Tallahassee to lobby for the bill and present it to committees. Although a bill does not always make it through the entire legislative process, in 2007 OTBAL saw passage of F.S.1003.496, “The High School to Business Career Enhancement Act” which Governor Charlie Crist signed into law. In addition, the passage of this law brought positive recognition to our social studies teachers, students, legislators, and the School Board. The Board received a Magna Award from the American School Board Journal in 2008 for their involvement with and support of OTBAL. Since its inception, over 45 social studies teachers and literally thousands of students have participated in the program. The process begins again when Representative Ambler and Senator Crist host the annual bill drafting competition in our School Board Auditorium on January 17, 2009. We want to take this opportunity to recognize and applaud all parties who support this important real world exercise in government and civics, particularly our high school social studies teachers.

* Motivate students to become responsible learners

No financial impact to the District.