Transcript Highlights:

• and universities of Texas.
• Fully one-third of the University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas are from Texas.
• University of Houston, and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Houston System
• to the University of Houston.
• University, and we're very proud of that.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> had a relationship with the University had a relationship with the University of of of Minnesota
• University departments that Serv as the University of of of Minnesota<00:41:23.800><c> and</c><00:41
• </c><00:41:36.839><c> of</c> as the University of as the University of Minnesota<00:41:39.240><c> I</
• > Minnesota</c> alumni of the University of Minnesota alumni of the University of Minnesota graduating
• </c><00:58:01.559><c> of</c> the University of the University of Minnesota<00:58:03.319><c> on</c><00

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• advancement of Florida Atlantic University.
• of Florida Atlantic University.
• Martins is a reappointment to the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Florida.
• Rogan Donnelly, who is a reappointment to the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida.
• my reappointment to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education opened by noting it would not present its budget that day, explaining the budget rollout would be delayed until the following week to align with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a roll call confirmed a quorum, the chair explained that because of the large number of gubernatorial appointments, the committee would hear only a subset individually and consider reappointments in a block unless members requested otherwise. The committee then heard testimony from appointees and reappointees to several university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to their alma mater, support for leadership, student success, entrepreneurship, scholarships, and maintaining FAMU’s status as a leading HBCU. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh highlighted FAU’s growth, R1 research designation, quantum computing, servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and expanded research opportunities. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins focused on UCF’s preeminence, workforce needs, nursing and engineering, and keeping graduates in Florida. Florida Gulf Coast University nominees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointee Joseph Fogg discussed workforce development, affordability, student success, water and environmental programs, business and entrepreneurship, nursing outcomes, and FGCU’s regional role. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly cited USF’s AAU status, research growth, and focus on student success, health care, cybersecurity, and AI. Committee members generally praised each nominee’s background and the universities’ achievements. At the end of the hearing, the committee approved all nominees in a single block vote for confirmation and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• as a board of trustee to the university.
• of Florida Atlantic University.
• Martins is a reappointment to the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Florida.
• my reappointment to the University of South Florida Board of Trustees.
• USF is now a member of the Association of American Universities.

Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• and universities of Texas.
• Archie Holmes, um, University of Texas System.
• Fully 1/3 of the University of Oklahoma and the University of Arkansas are from Texas.
• All of our institutions are University of Houston alone. 40% of our incoming students transfer from a
• I serve as Chancellor of the University of North Texas system.

Committee: House Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Trustees of Florida A&M University.
• advancement of Florida Atlantic University.
• Martins is a reappointment to the Board of Trustees of the University of Central Florida.
• I was a previous appointee of Governor Youngkin to the Board of Visitors of George Mason University.
• Rogan Donnelly, who is a reappointment to the Board of Trustees of the University of South Florida.

Summary: The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education met to continue confirmation hearings, but the chair announced the committee would not present its budget that day and would instead roll it out the following week in coordination with House partners and Senate notice requirements. After a quorum was confirmed, the committee discussed how it would handle a large number of university board appointments, noting that some reappointments would be grouped for a block vote while others could be heard individually if members requested it. The committee then heard testimony from a series of appointees and reappointees to university boards. Florida A&M University nominees Roderick Harris, Victor Young, and Rafael Vasquez emphasized service to FAMU, student success, and support for the university’s national standing; Harris highlighted his FAMU background and faculty experience, Young cited his business and health care leadership, and Vasquez described scholarship support through his company. Florida Atlantic University appointees Linda Stock and Thomas Mersh focused on servant leadership, research growth, entrepreneurship, and FAU’s recent R1 designation and quantum computing initiatives. University of Central Florida reappointee Alex Martins discussed UCF’s preeminence goal, workforce needs, and strong nursing outcomes. The committee also heard from Florida Gulf Coast University appointees James Gris-Mall, Douglas Van Orte, Robert Rommel, Sarah Partial Perry, and reappointment Joseph Fogg, who spoke about workforce development, affordability, student success, water and nursing programs, and FGCU’s role in regional economic growth. University of South Florida reappointee Rogan Donnelly highlighted USF’s AAU status, research growth, and workforce-focused programs. Members and the chair responded positively throughout, praising the universities’ achievements and the nominees’ qualifications. At the end of the hearing, the committee voted by block on all nominees in tabs 2 through 13 and recommended them for confirmation without objection. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• /c><00:03:09.920><c> universities</c> So um several of the universities So um several of the universities
• regents of the University of Wisconsin regents of the University of Wisconsin versus<00:45:07.280><c>
• 15.440><c> of</c> academic officer for the University of academic officer for the University of Louisville
• </c><00:48:43.760><c> university</c> cross-section of university cross-section of university stakeholders
• of</c> universities like the University of universities like the University of Kentucky<01:08:38.799>

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Interim Joint Budget Review Subcommittee on Education met to hear updates from Kentucky public universities and the Kentucky Community and Technical College System on compliance with House Bill 4, which restricts DEI-related activities and requires institutional and viewpoint neutrality. The chair emphasized that the hearing should focus on both compliance and the financial effects of the law. Eastern Kentucky University said its board adopted a House Bill 4 compliance resolution and an institutional neutrality policy. KCTCS reported systemwide reviews of programs, websites, scholarships, personnel, and admissions language, along with board actions removing a cultural competency course requirement, adopting institutional neutrality, and certifying compliance. KCTCS said about $2.5 million annually had been reallocated to other needs, and that no personnel were eliminated, though some roles were reassigned and DEI-related offices closed. Kentucky State University said it had already dissolved DEI offices before the bill passed, ended DEI-specific training, revised policies and gift acceptance rules, adopted a viewpoint neutrality policy, and was conducting ongoing reviews of programs, job descriptions, and web content. KSU said it had achieved substantial compliance, expected full operational integration by August 1, and had not terminated staff or closed academic programs because of the law. In response to questions, KSU said it was broadening outreach to all students rather than targeting specific populations and that its prior diversity finding was tied to not meeting a diversity quota. Morehead State University said it had no DEI office before House Bill 4, amended its non-discrimination statement to include political and social viewpoint neutrality and condemnation of religious and ethnic discrimination, and remained focused on serving its largely low-income student body. Murray State University reported reviewing scholarships, expenditures, training, and academic programs to ensure no differential treatment or indoctrination, revising its neutrality policy, and updating non-discrimination posters and training. When asked about a statement that DEI would “look different,” the university said it meant student support services would continue in a different form. Northern Kentucky University said it dissolved its diversity office and chief diversity officer position in 2024, reviewed programs, events, scholarships, and employee affinity groups, adopted a statement on intellectual diversity and viewpoint neutrality, and reviewed about 2,000 courses for compliance. NKU also said its new Center for Belonging would focus on first-generation and commuter students rather than rebrand prior DEI efforts. The University of Kentucky began its presentation by describing earlier changes made in August 2024, including disbanding its office of institutional diversity, removing diversity statements and mandatory training, adopting institutional neutrality, and ending race-based consideration in admissions and scholarships; the transcript cuts off before the rest of UK’s testimony and any committee votes or formal actions beyond receiving the presentations.

Transcript Highlights:

• Research university to meet the criteria of a research university? Extremely supportive of that.
• Benson, President of the University of Texas at Dallas.
• us the 14th member of the University of Texas system.
• age of universities here.
• The University of North Texas at Dallas is the only public university within the city of Dallas.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The work </font> <font color="aaaaaa">of our boards, University </font> <font color="aaaaaa">boards of
• of trustees, our </font> <font color="aaaaaa">universities.
• University of North </font> <font color="aaaaaa">Florida receive 6 Million.
• University of North </font> <font color="aaaaaa">Florida receive 6 Million.
• </font> <font color="aaaaaa">universities of distinction.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• College of Health and Public Service at the University of North Texas.
• of Houston Victoria UHV to the University of Houston system of the Texas A&M University.
• I'm not the president of the university.
• I'm the president of the University of Houston, Victoria. and we are in support of the bill.
• the consortium. such as the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the University of Texas El Paso.

Committee: House Higher Education

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• of Miami, University of South Florida, Florida International, and Nova Southeastern University.
• Leo University, Warner University, University of West Florida, I guess I'd heard of, but I'm a South
• A&M University College of Law.
• and University College of Law.
• at the local university, the University of Central Florida.

Summary: The subcommittee began with an informal “college day” exercise in which members described what careers and colleges they would choose if starting over, often citing factors such as program reputation, location, cost, graduation rates, employment outcomes, and family or personal interests. Members mentioned a range of possible paths including law, aviation, education, construction management, psychology, social work, criminal justice, nursing, intelligence studies, and the arts. Several also highlighted the value of historically Black colleges and universities, dual enrollment, and career/technical education. The chair used the exercise to frame the meeting’s broader focus on Florida’s higher education pathways and student outcomes. Dr. Kathleen Plinsky of Valencia College then gave an overview of the Florida College System and Valencia’s role in it, emphasizing Florida’s statewide articulation and transfer framework, open-access mission, affordability, and workforce alignment. She described Valencia’s record enrollment, high retention, large share of first-generation and working students, and partnerships such as Direct Connect to UCF, Osceola Prosper, and Open Door grants for short-term training. Members asked about guaranteed transfer, apprenticeships, enrollment trends, student demographics, out-of-state residency, county scholarship costs, dual enrollment outcomes, and barriers to expanding career dual enrollment. Dr. Plinsky said the system supports transfer and acceleration well, but funding constraints limit growth in some areas; she also noted that dual enrollment participation is high and that Valencia’s affordability and student support efforts have driven recent enrollment gains. Dr. Jim Clark of Florida State University followed with an overview of the State University System, describing its governance, performance-based funding, low tuition, and strong graduation and research outcomes. He highlighted FSU’s enrollment, research profile, transfer student success, FSU Health, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, partnerships with K-12 schools and Tallahassee State College, and efforts to expand nursing and medical education to address workforce shortages. After the presentations, the committee heard from a panel on student acceleration and mobility: Shannon Mercer of the Department of Education explained the Office of Articulation, the statewide course numbering system, FASTER records, the 2+2 transfer model, specialized AA transfer degrees, and credit for industry certifications, military, medical, and law-enforcement training. Panelists from Kaiser University, Florida State University, and Pinellas County Schools described their institutions’ roles in transfer, advising, career pathways, apprenticeships, and dual enrollment. No formal votes or bills were taken up in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:43:12.560><c> of</c> sad that it took the University of sad that it took the University of Kentucky
• </c><00:57:36.240><c> of</c> request that the University of request that the University of Louisville
• </c> University of Kentucky. University of Kentucky.
• </c><00:58:42.240><c> of</c> management at the University of management at the University of Kentucky
• One of of universities are serve on.

Committee: House Postsecondary Education

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm sure many of you sitting here went to one of our flagships or one of our universities throughout
• We continue to have projects that take care of universities.
• The current State University System-wide cap is 10% on average across all of our state universities.
• When our students apply and attend our universities, all of our universities recalculate GPAs.
• I am also a graduate of the University of Florida. Go Gators.

Summary: The committee first took up PCS for HB 1503, which would require general education courses that use technology to provide students opportunities to build digital literacy, including instruction on applications of artificial intelligence and related topics such as software engineering, computer networks, database systems, and cybersecurity as applicable to the course. It would also require high school computer science courses offered by school districts to include instruction on AI. There was no public testimony or debate, and the bill was reported favorably on a unanimous roll call vote. The committee then considered PCS for HB 1279, an education bill that the sponsor said was intended to improve consistency, oversight, and transparency while putting Florida students first. The bill drew extensive questioning and opposition over provisions affecting university admissions and funding, including a 95% Florida-resident first-time-in-college enrollment target tied to preeminent funding, a cap on nonresident students from any one country, standardized GPA weighting, limits on institution-wide graduation requirements, and changes related to accreditation references and other education programs. The sponsor argued these changes would open more seats for Florida students, preserve academic rigor, and align statutes with existing regulations and court action, while opponents said the bill would harm university competitiveness, research, revenue, faculty recruitment, and access for international and nontraditional students. Public testimony on HB 1279 was largely opposed. Speakers included a student advocate, a dental hygiene representative concerned about dual regulation of expanded-function dental programs, and faculty representatives from FSU and FAMU who warned the bill would politicize admissions and curriculum, reduce competitiveness, and create negative fiscal impacts. During debate, supporters emphasized taxpayer investment in Florida students and the need to prioritize in-state applicants, while opponents argued the bill would weaken the state university system and undermine its national standing. The committee reported PCS for HB 1279 favorably by a 12-5 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• > which</c> the whole of the University of which the whole of the University of which research<00:03:
• ><c> universities</c> academic ranking of world universities academic ranking of world universities and
• University of examples of proud University of Minnesota<00:32:04.519><c> graduates</c><00:32:04.919>
• </c><00:36:44.839><c> of</c> was launched from the University of was launched from the University of
• It's part of the incentive at the University of Minnesota and every university, a third of it goes...

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• The eligible institutions include the University of Houston, the University of North Texas, Texas State
• The eligible institutions include the University of Houston, University in North Texas, Texas State University
• Elthoff, and it's my honor to serve as the Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas
• of the Permanent University Fund.
• My name is George, and I’m Chancellor of the University of Houston.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Higher Education met to review interim charges on the Permanent University Fund (PUF), the Available University Fund (AUF), the Higher Education Fund (HEAF), and the Texas University Fund (TUF). Legislative Budget Board staff outlined how each fund works, including PUF’s constitutional role for UT and Texas A&M, HEAF’s capital support for institutions outside those systems, and TUF’s research funding for eligible universities. They also described TUF’s growing corpus and distribution changes, and noted which institutions are nearing eligibility. Committee members asked about distribution formulas, comparisons to other states, and how funds are allocated among system institutions.

Transcript Highlights:

• So as the governing body of the state university system, our board oversees certain components of university
• It's housed at the University of West Florida.
• However, we have a handful that part of the university.
• These are just a few examples of the types of different university centers and institutes.
• It was originally created as part of the State University System of Florida Center of Excellence program

Committee: Senate Education Postsecondary

Summary: The Education Postsecondary Committee held its first meeting and focused on state university centers and institutes, with an overview from the Board of Governors on how the more than 500 centers and institutes across Florida’s public universities are categorized, overseen, and reported. The Board described three categories: state-level centers, legislatively established centers, and university-established centers. Members were told universities must maintain policies, notify the Board of changes, publish public inventories, and submit annual reports and compliance certifications. Senator Harrell asked about funding sources and whether underperforming centers are reviewed for elimination; the response was that funding varies by center and that universities decide whether to maintain or disband centers under their own policies, with annual reporting and audit findings shared with the Board. Four university presentations followed. Florida Atlantic University highlighted its Center of Excellence in Biomedical and Marine Biotechnology, describing research in marine-derived drug discovery, genomics, imaging, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and ocean sustainability, along with spin-off institutes and partnerships that have generated significant grant and contract support. FIU presented its Center of Excellence for Hurricane Damage Mitigation and Product Development, emphasizing the Wall of Wind facility, hurricane and water intrusion testing, code and product innovation, insurance modeling, and future expansion toward higher wind speeds and flood simulation. Florida State University’s High-Performance Materials Institute described work in advanced materials, aerospace composites, sensors, nanocomposites, and AI-enabled materials development, along with patents, industry partnerships, and new facilities tied to economic development. The University of Florida’s Lastinger Center for Learning outlined its work on teacher professional learning, literacy, New Worlds Reading, tutoring, and mathematics supports, including microcredentials, statewide book distribution, and early results showing improved reading confidence and growth. Members generally praised the centers for their research, commercialization, workforce development, and education impacts. Senator Jones and Senator Harrell commended the Lastinger Center’s literacy work and the broader return on investment from these programs, while Senator Berman noted the value of the synergies across institutions. The chair emphasized that future funding requests should clearly show measurable success, commercialization, and statewide impact. The committee then adjourned without any formal votes on legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• Minnesota</c> regions of the University of Minnesota regions of the University of Minnesota in<00:16
• for the University of Minnesota.
• may have. priority for the University of Minnesota priority for the University of Minnesota and<00:19
• of the University of Minnesota regions of the University of Minnesota this<00:19:22.440><c> makes</c
• as</c><00:36:42.440><c> long</c> the University of Minnesota for as long the University of Minnesota

Committee: Senate State and Local Government

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I want to actually go out of my way to say that the Board of Regents from LSU and the University of Louisiana
• I want to actually go out of my way to say that the Board of Regions from LSU and University of Louisiana
• They have all kinds of schemes like this to extract know-how out of universities.
• Some of these are sensitive, but some of the things that state university and higher research are working
• Have you heard of Bihang University? Possibly. I mean, there's a number of those.

Committee: House Education

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 399 by Senator Bass, which would create the Louisiana Higher Education Research Security Council to review and potentially block certain gifts, contracts, academic partnerships, and research partnerships involving foreign adversary sources. Bass said the bill is intended to protect university research, intellectual property, and students from foreign influence, and would also require public disclosure of certain foreign-linked arrangements and a plan to eliminate foreign-adversary-linked software. Supporters from State Armor argued Louisiana universities have been vulnerable to Chinese Communist Party influence and intellectual property theft. Representatives from Tulane University and Lenovo raised concerns that the bill could create duplicative review, delay research, raise costs, and sweep in legitimate private or multinational entities; a proposed amendment to exempt entities operating under a CFIUS national security agreement failed 4-8. After debate, the committee moved SB 399 favorably. The committee then considered Senate Bill 310 by Senator Cloud, presented by Representative Carlson, which would require public school and college health centers to display information about pregnancy resources available in Louisiana. Supporters from Louisiana Right to Life said the bill would help connect pregnant students with existing state and private assistance programs, while the ACLU submitted a red card in opposition without speaking. The bill was moved favorably without objection. The committee also advanced House Resolution 171 by Representative Turner, which calls for a study of the workforce-oriented TOPS Tech and M.J. Foster programs, with business and workforce groups supporting the study as a way to measure outcomes and return on investment; it was moved favorably. Next, the committee took up House Bill 1084 by Representative Turner, a tuition autonomy bill for public post-secondary institutions. An amendment was adopted to add a conceptual framework for tuition-setting considerations, but the bill would still remove the existing 10% over two years cap and allow institutions to set tuition more freely. Turner argued universities need more flexibility because state funding has declined and campuses face deferred maintenance and operating pressures. Several members, especially Representative Carlson, warned that higher tuition could reduce access and that the bill did not address broader structural problems in higher education. Despite those concerns, HB 1084 was moved favorably by an 8-3 vote. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 351 by Senator Jackson Andrews, which would let families apply for child care assistance through CCAP once pregnancy is known, rather than waiting until after birth, to help move them up the waiting list. An amendment was adopted to have BESE, rather than the department, handle rulemaking and to allow the House and Senate education committees to approve the implementation process. The bill was then discussed as a way to help parents return to work sooner, and the hearing continued with questions from members.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston system to the Texas A&M system.
• I've been working with this bill to transfer the University of Houston-Victoria from the University of
• It's been my pleasure to work with the University of Houston System and the University of Houston-Victoria
• It's been my pleasure to work with the University of Houston System and the University of Houston-Victoria
• I applaud the University of Houston.

Committee: Senate Education K-16

Summary: The Senate Committee on K-16 met with 14 bills on the agenda and announced it would recess around 9:45 to attend the floor session, then resume afterward. The committee first took up Senate Bill 2361, which would transfer governance of the University of Houston-Victoria from the University of Houston System to the Texas A&M University System and rename it Texas A&M University-Victoria. Senator Cole explained that the committee substitute added transition language for employee health benefits and ERS contributions. Supporters, including Texas A&M System officials, Victoria’s mayor, regional economic development leaders, a Formosa Plastics representative, a Victoria College trustee, and a local business owner, said the move would better align the university with regional industry needs, especially engineering, agriculture, and workforce development, while helping retain local students and support economic growth. A Texas A&M official also noted accreditation, data-system, and other transition challenges, but said the change was manageable. Because there was no quorum, the committee could not adopt the substitute, and SB 2361 was left pending subject to the call of the chair after public testimony closed. The committee then heard Senate Bill 530 from Senator Sparks, which would update Texas higher education law to match federal rules allowing institutions to use any nationally recognized accreditor rather than only a regional accreditor. Sparks said the bill was a cleanup measure responding to a 2019 federal rule change and prior concerns had been addressed over the interim. Testimony in support came from a Texas Public Policy Foundation fellow, who said the bill would give universities flexibility, preserve quality standards, and simplify credit transfer and costs for students. With no opposition and no questions, public testimony closed and SB 530 was left pending. The committee then recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• A&M or any of our universities, the people of the state of Texas have invested billions of dollars into
• Rhodes, president of the University of Central Texas.
• the University of Houston.
• of Houston System and then the University of Houston.
• Next, we have the University of Houston College of Medicine.

Bills: SB1 , SB 1

Committee: Senate Finance

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all