This bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning higher education governance and operations, introducing new residency requirements for members of state university boards of trustees and the Board of Governors. Effective January 6, 2027, these members must be U.S. citizens and either residents of Florida or graduates of a state university. The bill also imposes financial disclosure requirements on certain Board of Governors members starting January 1, 2026, and revises term limits for the State Board of Education and Florida College System institution boards to a maximum of two consecutive terms, with chairs serving a single two-year term. Additionally, it modifies the appointment process for university presidents by requiring a presidential search committee and removing the need for Board of Governors' approval for selections.

Moreover, the bill enhances transparency and accountability by mandating state universities to post their admission criteria online and prohibiting certain graduation requirements. It also introduces regulations regarding public opinion survey research and modifies the composition of university boards of trustees, changing "comprised" to "composed" and allowing appointed members to serve up to 10 years. The bill emphasizes regional representation in appointments and requires state universities to sponsor a minimum of four public policy events each academic year. It clarifies the definition of auxiliary enterprises and allows university boards to determine the self-supporting status of these enterprises, with provisions for cash transfers between them, set to expire on June 30, 2030. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain provisions effective immediately upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
S 1726 Filed: 1001.64, 1001.70, 1001.706, 1001.71, 1004.098
S 1726 c1: 1001.64, 1001.70, 1001.71
S 1726 c2: 1001.64, 1001.70, 1001.71, 1001.93, 1004.89, 1011.47