Subcommittee approves bill to add AI, digital literacy to general-education courses

Representative Gil Lombardo, sponsor of PCS for HB 15x3, told the Career and Workforce Subcommittee on Jan. 29 that the bill would require any general-education course that integrates technology to provide students instruction on digital literacy and on applications of artificial-intelligence tools. He said the change also would require high-school computer-science courses offered by school districts to include instruction on AI.

"The proposed changes serve to highlight the importance of emerging technologies and around artificial intelligence," Representative Gil Lombardo said in his bill explanation.

Members asked no questions specific to course content and there was no public testimony on the measure. Representative Jay Lombardo waived closing remarks, and the committee proceeded to a roll call. The clerk recorded 16 yeas and 0 nays, and Chair Esposito announced that the PCS for HB 15x3 was reported favorably by the subcommittee.

The committee’s action is a panel-level approval; the PCS was reported favorably out of the subcommittee and can proceed to the next step in the House process for further consideration.

Vote at committee: 16 yeas, 0 nays. No amendments or public testimony were recorded in committee.