Video & Transcript : 'academic freedom' :

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NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

House Education Funding (05/20/2025)

Transcript Highlights:
  • So you can't attend other academic courses unless you're a student in that CTE program.
  • So you can't attend other academic courses unless you're a student in that CTE program.
  • So you can't attend other academic courses unless you're a student in that CTE program.
  • </c><00:34:45.679><c> unless</c> attend other academic courses unless attend other academic courses unless
  • There's a lost learning academic time, and it's an issue which we need to resolve.
Summary: The committee first took up SB 209, which would require schools seeking building aid for construction or reconstruction projects to use an owner’s project manager. The chair explained an amendment that would remove the bill’s requirement that the manager be engaged before application and instead revert to current law, while updating the project threshold from the older $1 million figure to a more current amount and clarifying that the manager’s role is to protect the project owner’s interests. Members asked about the cost of hiring a project manager over several years before a project is funded, the 1.5% fee in rule, and whether the rules already define the manager’s duties. The chair said the amendment addressed those concerns by leaving the timing to current law and relying on existing administrative rules for qualifications and responsibilities. The committee then voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 209 OTPA, placing it on the consent calendar. The committee then moved to SB 99, which concerns allowing students enrolled in career and technical education programs at receiving comprehensive high schools to take additional academic courses there. The chair said the bill was intended to make it easier for students to access CTE without being blocked by scheduling conflicts in their sending schools, and to clarify how agreements between sending and receiving districts would work. He described concerns about the bill’s cost formula, transportation, part-time versus full-time status, and whether the proposal could unintentionally create open-enrollment or athletic-transfer issues. He said the amendment would mirror existing treatment for homeschool and charter school students, use a familiar funding model, and limit participation to students already enrolled in one or more CTE classes at the receiving school. The chair also emphasized that comprehensive high schools already have a statutory definition and that the bill would help more students participate in CTE, which he said currently reaches only a relatively small share of students statewide. He noted that transportation would be covered only when a CTE bus is available, otherwise students would be responsible for arranging travel as under current practice. After brief discussion, the committee voted 18-0 to adopt the amendment and 18-0 to recommend SB 99 OTPA, also placing it on the consent calendar.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We are redesigning academic programs, including eliminating low-demand offerings.
  • We are redesigning academic programs, including eliminating low-demand offerings.
  • And so every area of campus—academic affairs, student affairs, et cetera—will be involved in kind of
  • This was a nearly 23% increase in the total aid awarded compared to the previous academic year.
  • The remaining funds support counseling, academic services, and basic needs supports.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We are redesigning academic programs, including eliminating low-demand offerings.
  • We are redesigning academic programs, including eliminating low-demand offerings.
  • , academic affairs, student affairs, et cetera, will be involved in kind of monitoring it.
  • This was a nearly 23% increase in the total aid awarded compared to the previous academic year.
  • The remaining funds support counseling, academic services, and basic needs supports.
Summary: The committee first heard updates from the California State University on its turnaround plans for seven campuses with enrollment declines. CSU said overall enrollment has grown for three straight years, but some campuses—especially in Northern California—continue to face structural declines tied to demographics and community college pipelines. The system described campus-specific strategies such as outreach to stopped-out and adult learners, guaranteed admissions, partnerships with community colleges and high schools, expanded high-demand programs, and cost reductions including hiring freezes, program suspensions, and shared administrative services. The LAO said the plans were reasonable but urged regular reporting so the Legislature can track results. Committee members pressed CSU for ongoing implementation updates, stronger recruiting efforts, and safeguards around AI use; CSU said it would continue regular check-ins and share best practices across campuses. The second item focused on the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education and its request for a $10 million General Fund appropriation to repay a special fund loan used for litigation costs. DCA and BPPE said the bureau has long had a structural deficit and has already cut positions, streamlined operations, and shifted some costs to the Student Tuition Recovery Fund, but still needs fee increases through the sunset review process. The LAO opposed the General Fund backfill, arguing the bureau can cover near-term costs with its loan, that litigation costs should generally be borne by regulated entities through fees, and that using General Fund money could set a precedent. Finance supported the one-time backfill as a way to avoid larger fee increases on institutions and to isolate the litigation expense from the bureau’s ongoing structural shortfall. Members asked how the bureau would avoid repeating the problem; BPPE said it has updated policies and practices, including disability accommodation procedures and non-discrimination training. The committee then reviewed Cal Grant funding and program updates from CSAC, UC, CSU, and the community colleges. CSAC said the Governor’s budget would increase Cal Grant funding to about $3.2 billion in 2026-27, driven by enrollment growth and higher tuition at UC and CSU, and highlighted efforts to improve payment processing and financial aid data. UC and CSU emphasized that Cal Grants are central to affordability and debt reduction, while also warning that federal changes under H.R. 1 could reduce access to loans and harm graduate and part-time students. Community colleges reported rising aid applications and awards, but said students still face major affordability barriers, especially mixed-status and undocumented students, and asked for more support for aid administration and completion grants. The chair repeatedly asked for data on eligible students who are not receiving Cal Grants and for a phased-in path to implement the Cal Grant Equity Framework; Finance said full implementation would cost hundreds of millions and the state is not currently in a position to fund it. Finally, the committee began discussion of the Middle Class Scholarship Program. CSAC said the program helps low- and middle-income students cover total cost of attendance, not just tuition, and warned that cutting funding by more than half would reduce award coverage from 35% to 17.5% of cost of attendance. CSU and UC said the program is important for reducing student debt and supporting affordability, and CSU noted recent administrative changes have reduced workload and award adjustments. The hearing continued into the next agenda item after these presentations.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Higher Education - 02/06/25

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><00:07:48.400><c> tutoring</c> provide things like academic tutoring provide things like academic
  • If you remember the program design, it has six academic tiers.
  • </c><00:34:55.639><c> tier</c> the percent of students by academic tier the percent of students by academic
  • </c> cohort tier four which has the academic cohort tier four which has the academic qualifier<00:35:
  • </c> the possibility of removing the academic the possibility of removing the academic qualifier<00:36
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee Apr 9th, 2025

Ways and Means Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • and thus more inclined to go, but it does show that more school seems to produce better results academically
  • Better results academically. In math and ELA, we found the same pattern.
  • And so again, you know, it's hard… And so again, you know, it's hard to measure academic impact in such
  • Our academic gains are impressive.
  • growth because… ...and the academic growth because the students who are attending are receiving intensive
Bills: HB447 , HB447
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • CSU is a trusted public institution with the academic credibility, research capacity, and historical
  • Instead, it slows that process down by funding a vague academic exploration of how such genealogy services
  • College is not just about academics.
  • College is not just about academics.
  • A strong support system within the academic framework helps students manage stress, stay motivated, and
Summary: The committee heard several higher education bills. It first approved the consent calendar, which included SB 67 and SB 619. The main discussion centered on SB 437, which would direct the CSU system to develop a fair, evidence-based process for verifying whether someone is a descendant of a person enslaved in the United States, as part of the state’s reparations work. Supporters said the bill fills a gap left by the Reparations Task Force and would create a transparent, credible lineage-verification process; opponents argued genealogy methods already exist, the bill would waste money and delay action, and some raised constitutional concerns. The committee took a vote on SB 437, but the roll was left open after the initial tally showed three ayes and three noes. The committee then heard SB 790, which would allow California to join the interstate reciprocity agreement for online postsecondary education. The author and supporters said the bill would improve consumer protections for California students taking out-of-state online courses and help California institutions compete more effectively by reducing the burden of seeking separate state approvals. Opponents, including University of Phoenix and other groups, argued the bill conflicted with the existing reciprocity framework, could exclude some institutions, and might not actually secure California’s entry into the agreement. The committee voted 3-1 to pass SB 790 as amended to the Business and Professions Committee, with the roll left open. The committee also heard SB 391, which would authorize the Community College Chancellor’s Office to charge fees for research partners seeking access to data. Supporters said the office is absorbing significant unfunded workload from data requests and that fees would help recover costs; opponents, including the California Teachers Association community college association, warned the fees could create barriers for faculty and smaller researchers. Members discussed possible exemptions and implementation details. The committee voted 5-1 to pass SB 391 as amended to the Appropriations Committee, with the roll left open. Finally, the committee heard SB 685, a pilot program to provide cost-of-attendance assistance at four CSU campuses for students who experienced homelessness in high school. Supporters said it would help students cover housing, food, and transportation costs and reduce dropout risk; members asked about eligibility and implementation, and the author explained the bill would use McKinney-Vento homelessness designations and target students at risk of “summer melt” and college homelessness.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • systems, the use of data, the benefits and the limitations of AI, and the responsible use of AI in academic
  • AI systems to use data, the benefits, and the limitations of AI, and the responsible use of AI in academic
  • We support SB 1694 because AI technologies are already present in students' academic and personal lives
  • Colleges and universities must stay aligned with labor market demands while fostering academic rigor
  • It is an engine for academic excellence.
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education convened with a quorum and first took up CS for SB 1694 on technology education. The bill would require technology-integrated postsecondary general education core courses to include digital literacy and competency instruction, including use of artificial intelligence tools, and would encourage high school computer science courses that include AI to teach how AI systems use data, their benefits and limitations, and responsible use in academic and personal settings. The bill sponsor and several supporters emphasized preparing students for an AI-driven workforce while teaching critical evaluation and ethical use; one speaker raised concerns about overreliance on AI and the need to preserve real-world skills. Senator Davis supported the measure and suggested introducing similar instruction earlier, possibly in middle school. The committee voted the bill favorably, with Senator Leak later recorded in the affirmative. The committee then heard a large block of confirmations for higher education boards, including appointees to Tallahassee State College, the University of South Florida, the University of North Florida, Palm Beach State College, the College of the Florida Keys, Hillsborough College, Miami-Dade College, Florida A&M University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, New College of Florida, Florida Polytechnic University, and the University of Florida. The appointees generally highlighted backgrounds in education, health care, law, business, technology, and public service, and described priorities such as student success, workforce alignment, affordability, fiscal responsibility, and institutional growth. One nominee to Tallahassee State College was asked about low NCLEX pass rates and said the college had a plan approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Another nominee discussed Florida Poly’s STEM mission, and several members praised the nominees’ community ties and professional experience. After hearing the appointees, the committee voted to report the block of confirmations favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee. The committee then received a high-level overview of the higher education budget, totaling $11.9 billion, with major emphasis on workforce training and development. Highlights included increases for school district workforce education, the Florida College System, workforce development capitalization, a rural educator recruitment program, funding for the USF Center for Nursing, preeminent research universities, UCF’s community school grant program, UF’s literacy and math initiatives, UF’s autism and neurodevelopment center, and a postsecondary guardian program for campus security. Members asked a brief question about a workforce fund transfer, and the chair explained it was a transfer of an existing program with new funds added. No public comment was offered, and the meeting adjourned.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Education Finance - 03/18/26

Education Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • The second piece that's important for academic success is having stable housing.
  • The second piece that's important for academic success is having stable housing.
  • So, part of possible academic success.
  • It's a academic supports go down.
  • </c> academic interventions. academic interventions.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session-Day 18, March 3, 2026-PM

Wyoming House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • stand together to defend together for to stand together to defend together for the<00:05:09.600><c> freedom
  • > peace</c><00:05:10.639><c> that</c><00:05:10.880><c> we've</c><00:05:11.280><c> already</c> the freedom
  • and peace that we've already the freedom and peace that we've already maintained<00:05:12.240><c> for
  • A joint resolution requesting Congress recognize the protection of Wyoming's freedom of access of public
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Further, the UC system is the largest academic intellectual ...technology, or ABET.
  • and coming into the communities and the academic institutions where the work is being done.
  • Academic patents in the U.S. Next slide, please.
  • Now we focus on four main buckets, like all alternative protein centers at academic institutions.
  • But we also have academics and staff, and increasingly every other UC campus, such as a brand new academic
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • On the course numbering, as you know, that is working with our academic senate and numbering.
  • I have asked our new Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr.
  • It's not the work at the statewide Academic Senate dealing with the common course numbering.
  • My name is Aidan White, and I'm a graduate student and academic senator.
  • I'm a graduate student and academic senator.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • significant reductions in chronic absenteeism, reduced suspensions, and improved test scores and academic
  • achievement for our students. ...maximum academic achievement for our students.
  • At my school, we have a bunch of resources that help students both academically and mental.
  • More than the academic, we promote self-esteem, resilience, and a sense of belonging, integrated into
  • More than the academic, So, we promote the auto-esteem. favorize in integral.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Legislative Session Day 79 Mar 31st, 2026

Idaho Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • those four core academic areas.
  • those four core academic areas.
  • It's any extracurricular activity that does not have academic credit issued.
  • All of this was related to academics.
  • Again, that speaks to some of the other clarifications made in this and To academics.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
  • As you all know, hot temperatures reduce attention, memory, and concentration, which impacts academic
  • As you all know, hot temperatures reduce attention, memory, and concentration, which impacts academic
  • </c> concentration which impacts academic concentration which impacts academic learning.<00:20:50.440
  • , their mental well-being,<00:21:04.920><c> even</c><00:21:05.120><c> their</c><00:21:05.240><c> academic
  • </c> well-being, even their academic well-being, even their academic performance<00:21:06.480><c> because
Summary: The Committee on Education heard three tandem resolution packages. HCR 13 and HR 15 sought collaboration among the Department of Education, the State Public Charter School Commission, and DLNR to develop a student coral stewardship program. DOE said it was willing to work with DLNR, and DLNR supported the measure but said it did not want to be the lead agency for reporting or curriculum development because of existing reporting burdens and because it was already active in school outreach. Testimony in support was received, and the committee later amended the measure to restore DLNR as the lead for the report while keeping DOE and the Charter School Commission as collaborators. The committee then voted to pass HCR 13 HD1 and HR 15 HD1 with amendments. HCR 91 and HR 83 proposed a long-term collaborative program between DLNR and DOE to expand and sustain tree canopy coverage at public schools statewide. DLNR strongly supported the measure, DOE offered comments, and the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute testified in support, citing research on heat reduction, student health, and academic impacts of shade trees. Additional supportive testimony came from the Kaululu Nani Urban and Community Forestry Program Advisory Council and others. The committee voted to pass HCR 91 and HR 83 unamended. HCR 183 and HR 183 addressed guidance and protections related to immigration enforcement in schools. DOE said it supported the resolution but noted it already had guidance in place; the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Boys and Girls Public Health Institute, Roots for Warren Maui, ACLU, 50501 Hawaii, General Strike Hawaii, and others testified in support, emphasizing student safety, attendance, and the effects of enforcement-related fear. A committee member asked about a reported Konawaena Elementary incident, and DOE clarified that the student was not deported and the event occurred off campus, with some newspaper details said to be inaccurate. After discussion, the committee deferred HCR 183 for further work with DOE and the Board of Education on definitions, enforcement, and guidance.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Feb 3rd, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • Michelle Ali Shahi continued: “In academic year 2025-26, students at or below 60% of the median family
  • First, public universities already have processes in place to cut academic programs.
  • The bill requires, by the start of the 2027-28 academic year, that each student health center at a public
  • The bill requires, by the start of the 2027-28 academic year, that each student health center at a public
  • This bill also notes the pill's importance in regards to achieving academic success.
Summary: The Ways and Means Committee held public hearings on several bills before moving into executive session. Substitute Senate Bill 6037 would change how single-city fire protection districts are funded by ending the requirement that a city reduce its levy dollar-for-dollar and instead reducing the city’s statutory maximum rate; testimony was generally supportive from cities and firefighters, while public hospital districts opposed it over prorationing concerns and some witnesses sought amendments on governance and accountability. Senate Bill 6194 would allow cost-based Medicaid reimbursement for rural hospitals on federally recognized Indian reservations, with strong support from Toppenish/Astria representatives and the Yakama Nation, who said the bill is needed to address severe funding inequities and preserve services. Senate Bill 5963 would make Passport to Careers students automatically income-eligible for the Washington College Grant; it drew support from student advocates and foster-youth advocates, with staff noting modest estimated costs. Senate Bill 5909 would require public universities to review and report low-enrollment undergraduate programs and potentially discontinue them after repeated low enrollment; Eastern Washington University supported it as an accountability measure, while faculty and student representatives opposed it as unnecessary, costly, and potentially politicized. Senate Bill 5826 would require public postsecondary student health centers to provide access to medication abortion or referrals and related web information; testimony was sharply divided between supporters who framed it as needed student health access and opponents who raised moral, safety, and budget objections. In executive session, staff briefed a series of bills, including measures on opioid treatment accreditation fees, a pre-K donation account, JLARC report elimination, retirement trust fund expense authority, pension lump-sum thresholds, port employee retirement exemptions, lemon law arbitration fees, LEAP website disclosures, limits on corporate ownership of single-family homes, a permanent senior center property tax exemption, timber tax distributions for school districts, capital project administration rules, and a real estate excise tax exemption for affordable housing. The committee then took action on the listed bills. The committee voted to give due pass recommendations to the Rules Committee for Senate Bills 5872, 5879, 5834, 5835, 5905, 5832, 6177, 5496, 5970, 5994, 6047, and 5647. Amendments were adopted on SB 5834, SB 5905, SB 6047, and SB 5647 before those bills were advanced as substitutes. SB 5988 was noted as taking action later, but no vote on it was recorded in the transcript excerpt.
FL

Florida 2025 Regular Session

December 10, 2025 - 03:30 PM

Transcript Highlights:
  • The student Academic success subcommittee will now come to order for the record.
  • We condition of the student academic success subcommittee where we will delve into the world of artificial
  • And they're worried that it's going to negatively impact their academic performance.
  • Everybody has academic integrity policies.
  • to academics instruction.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Floor Session Apr 8th, 2025 at 01:00 pm

North Dakota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Public charter schools are public schools held to the same academic. ...and communities.
  • public schools, while having a great deal more inherent flexibility to reach academic expectations.
  • The school must meet or exceed state academic and graduation requirements.
  • The school's academic design may meet a very specific community need, as I mentioned earlier.
  • But that's all put together in their application, how they're going to run the school, their academic
Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
  • But she relies on academic intervention and free math tutoring to build skills she needs to succeed.
  • As an APS high school teacher, I see firsthand the academic needs of our students.
  • As a parent, I've seen the academic intervention has had meaningful impacts firsthand.
  • There are evidence-based programs available that offer measurable outcomes in absenteeism, academic..
  • It consistently delivers strong academic outcomes as well as well-rounded educational experiences.
Summary: The committee first heard a presentation on strategic resource management in public education. LESC staff and PED officials argued that New Mexico has increased school funding, but local budgeting and planning remain fragmented and overly compliance-driven. They described long-term pressures including declining enrollment, rising special education costs, falling cash balances, changes in federal funding, and leadership turnover, and said schools need more intentional multi-year planning tied to student outcomes. They also outlined the many disconnected planning requirements schools must complete, compared New Mexico’s current approach with Ohio’s three-year budget forecasting model, and recommended continuing multi-year appropriations, adding $2.5 million for state grants in the unified application, and directing LESC, LFC, and PED to develop a long-term financial planning proposal. PED said it is working to reduce administrative burden through school accreditation, a unified application for federal and state funds, and internal alignment of guidance and coaching, with pilot schools reporting time savings and better alignment. Members raised concerns about four-day school weeks, the burden on small districts, the need for outcomes and return on investment, and whether the state should move toward a two-year or three-year planning cycle; staff clarified that the proposal was to streamline or eliminate redundant requirements, not add another layer. The committee then received an update on the Educator Fellows program. PED described it as a Grow Your Own pipeline that employs candidates as supplemental educational assistants while they work toward licensure, providing salary, benefits, paid leave, mentoring, and coursework support. Officials said the program helps address teacher shortages, improves student-to-teacher ratios, increases workforce diversity, and supports the Martinez-Yazzie action plan. They reported 370 current fellows across 86 LEAs and about 180 schools, with many fellows being people of color, first-generation college students, or second-career educators; roughly 85 are expected to become certified this year. A local HR director from Belen testified that the program has been especially valuable in small communities, where fellows are already rooted in the community and several have moved into teaching roles. Members asked about high school recruitment, tuition, retirement and benefits, the relationship to the Higher Education Department’s Grow Your Own scholarship, and the role of university partners. PED said fellows choose among accredited higher education partners, the program is separate from the scholarship but complementary, and the state is also building an apprenticeship model and seeking to expand the program to more LEAs, though some districts are on a waiting list because of funding and local match requirements.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Historically, the state paid for the construction and renovation of academic facilities at the segment
  • Aging facilities are a major concern; currently, 31% of our academic buildings, including nearly 20%
  • Again, those projects can run the gamut in terms of academic use.
  • But is that concern one of the higher priorities in terms of academic facilities?
  • being served in those facilities, but it still has to be academic in nature.
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education Nov 19th, 2025

Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • The board does not expect academic progress rate to hit 100 percent for every university.
  • The universities have worked hard to better align the academic program offerings with the new PSE list
  • And what they don't do is budget and think about each operating unit and each academic unit... ...and
  • And what they don't do is budget and think about each operating unit and each academic unit, College
  • And what they don't do is budget and think about each operating unit and each academic unit... ...each
Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to hear two presentations focused on the state university system: an update from the Board of Governors on performance-based funding and a state university efficiency study from Ben Watkins of the Division of Bond Finance. Chair Harrell emphasized accountability, maintaining Florida’s top-ranked higher education system, and getting the best return on state investment. A quorum was present, with several senators excused and one arriving later in the meeting. Sarah Donaghi outlined changes to the performance-based funding model. She said the current model will be used for 2026-27 funding, with only minor benchmark changes for metrics tied to programs of strategic emphasis, reflecting a statutory review that reduced the list of designated programs from about 800 to about 200. She also described a new “PBF 2.0” framework approved by the Board of Governors for implementation in 2027-28 funding, which will combine excellence and improvement measures, update benchmarks to the SUS 2030 strategic plan, reduce “layups” where many schools score perfect tens, expand the affordability metric to include students without loans, remove SUS transfer students from certain graduation metrics, and create a new transfer-student outcome metric. The board will run the new model alongside the current one before using it for funding, and no funding changes will occur this year. Watkins presented findings from an eight-month efficiency study ordered by executive order. Using audited financial data, student outcome data, and personnel data, he concluded that Florida’s universities provide strong value because of low tuition, rising degree production, and improved job placement and earnings outcomes. He said tuition remains the lowest in the country and that state support has increased, while per-student spending has also risen, driven largely by payroll costs. He argued that universities should operate more like business enterprises, with more granular budgeting, clearer financial reporting, and efficiency metrics such as operating expense per student and cost per degree, and he recommended that such measures be incorporated into performance funding and board oversight. Committee members asked about national comparisons, data transparency, payroll growth, admissions selectivity, and whether legislation should require more detailed institutional reporting. The meeting ended with no public comment and adjournment after Senator Bracey Davis moved to adjourn.