Higher Education Governance and Asset Transfer Act
February 16, 2026
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Where This Stands
Currently Died pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2). The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Introduced.
Procedural history
14 actions- Feb 25, 2026SenateOn Committee agenda-- Appropriations, 03/02/26, 12:00 pm, 110 Senate Building
- Feb 20, 2026HouseConference Committee appointed
- Feb 19, 2026SenateEnrolledReceived
- Feb 19, 2026SenateCommitteeReferred to Appropriations
- Feb 19, 2026SenateIn Messages
- Feb 19, 2026HouseRequests that the Senate pass the bill as passed by the House or agree to include the bill in the Budget Conference
Show 8 earlier actions
- Feb 19, 2026HouseFloorPassed; YEAS 76, NAYS 28
- Feb 19, 2026HouseFloorRead 3rd time
- Feb 19, 2026HouseAdded to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 19, 2026HouseFloorRead 2nd time
- Feb 16, 2026HouseIntroduced1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
- Feb 16, 2026HouseBill added to Special Order Calendar (2/19/2026)
- Feb 16, 2026HouseBill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 16, 2026HouseIntroducedFiled
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →The Frame
The bill shifts the ownership and financial responsibility of the USF Sarasota/Manatee campus to the New College of Florida, requiring New College to pay $166,617 monthly to USF until debt obligations are fully assumed.
Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.
University of South Florida students
Students admitted before July 1, 2026, are subject to new priority access rules for campus facilities during the teach-out process.
New College of Florida
The institution assumes ownership of the USF Sarasota/Manatee campus, its liabilities, and the responsibility for monthly debt service payments.
University of South Florida
The institution transfers its Sarasota/Manatee campus assets and ceases new enrollment at that location after July 1, 2026.
Last recorded activity February 16, 2026.
Introduced.
Summary
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to current USF Sarasota/Manatee students?
Will New College of Florida own the USF Sarasota/Manatee campus?
Can universities change out-of-state tuition rates?
Why It Matters
The bill shifts the ownership and financial responsibility of the USF Sarasota/Manatee campus to the New College of Florida, requiring New College to pay $166,617 monthly to USF until debt obligations are fully assumed.
News Coverage
Finalized deal shifts USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College
State lawmakers are set to vote on a $116 billion budget that transfers the University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus, including its 32 acres and associated debt, to the New College of Florida. Current USF students will be allowed to complete their degrees through a multi-year 'teach-out' process.
DeSantis makes election day stop at Sarasota’s New College to push higher ed agenda
Governor Ron DeSantis visited New College of Florida on primary election day to promote his administration's efforts to reshape the school into a conservative institution. The event featured state and federal officials who framed the college's transformation as a national model for higher education reform.
Bias ratings based on AllSides / Media Bias/Fact Check
Lobbying Activity
ACG Advocacy
on behalf of DREXEL UNIVERSITY
2026
“General issues impacting higher education. Research and development funding for specialty materials. Appropriations for University funding. Issues related to pediatric hospitals.”
ACTE
2026
“Providing information surrounding the benefits of supporting career and technical education (CTE); Supporting the work of the House and Senate CTE Caucuses; Supporting the Skills Saving Account Act, H.R. 464; Supporting the Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act, S.4576/H.R.8896; Providing input for K-12 AI Literacy and Readiness Act, H.R. 8747; Supporting the Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act, S. 4597/H.R.8937; opposing Interagency Agreements between the Department of Education and other agencies; sharing recommendations for the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act.”
WILSON GROUP THE
on behalf of CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
WILSON GROUP THE
on behalf of CALIFORNIA ACADEMY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
FEROX STRATEGIES
on behalf of COVISTA (FORMERLY KNOWN AS ADTALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION)
CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC.
on behalf of BRADLEY UNIVERSITY
BARNES & THORNBURG, LLP
on behalf of PERDOCEO EDUCATION CORPORATION (F/K/A CAREER EDUCATION CORPORATION)
BARNES & THORNBURG, LLP
on behalf of GOVERNORS STATE UNIVERSITY
BROOKS BAWDEN MOORE, LLC
on behalf of THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
POINT OF DIFFERENCE STRATEGIES LLC
on behalf of JOLIET JUNIOR COLLEGE
Voting Record
Passage, Third Reading
Total
203
Yes
134
No
47
Present
0
Not Voting
22
Abstain
0
How they voted (203)
Will Robinson
Republican · no
Kim Daniels
Democratic · yes
Rob Long
Democratic · no
Robbie Brackett
Republican · absent
Adam Botana
Republican · yes
Johanna López
Democratic · no
Angie Nixon
- · no
James Buchanan
Republican · no
Yvette Benarroch
Republican · yes
Ryan Chamberlin
Republican · yes
Felicia Robinson
Democratic · no
Fabián Basabe
Republican · absent
Susan Valdés
Republican · absent
Lisa Dunkley
Democratic · no
Paula Stark
Republican · yes
Brian Hodgers
Republican · yes
Daryl Campbell
Democratic · absent
Shane Abbott
Republican · yes
Jose Alvarez
Democratic · no
Fiona McFarland
Republican · yes
Nathan Boyles
Republican · yes
Kiyan Michael
Republican · yes
Kim Berfield
Republican · absent
Ashley Gantt
Democratic · no
+ 179 more
Sponsors
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Decentralization of Tuition Setting
The bill moves away from centralized Board of Governors control by granting individual university boards of trustees the authority to set out-of-state fees.
Connected Entities
Sources
openstates.org
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance85How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment20Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz40Current news / social attention level
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