The Florida House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at limiting the enrollment of out-of-state and international students at the state’s top universities. The legislation, known as HB 1279, received approval with a vote of 84-25 in the Republican-controlled chamber on March 5, 2024. Despite this support, the bill faces challenges in the Senate, with less than two weeks remaining in the current legislative session.
Bill sponsor Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, a Republican from Lakeland, emphasized that the measure prioritizes Florida residents. She stated, “This is Florida first, plain and simple,” and aims to ensure that “more of our Florida’s best and brightest have the opportunity to start right here at home.” Kincart Jonsson raised concerns about the struggles faced by high-achieving Florida students in securing admission to universities funded by their tax dollars.
The proposal mandates that preeminent state universities reserve 95 percent of new fall undergraduate enrollments for students from Florida. This is an increase from the current requirement of 90 percent for all state universities. The University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida, and Florida International University are designated as preeminent state research universities. The University of Central Florida is expected to achieve this designation later in 2024.
Opponents, primarily Democrats, argue that the bill could lead to a decline in revenue, as out-of-state students typically pay higher tuition fees. Rep. Gallop Franklin from Tallahassee acknowledged the need for Florida students to have priority but stressed the importance of maintaining a diverse student body. He compared Florida’s situation to that of Massachusetts, home to institutions like Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which contribute to a thriving economy.
Kincart Jonsson countered that the potential loss of out-of-state tuition fees would amount to only 0.2 percent of the $17 billion operating budget for these universities, roughly $34 million annually. Under the proposed regulations, universities that fail to meet the 95 percent threshold starting in 2030 would be ineligible for preeminent funding. Additionally, the bill restricts enrollment of non-U.S. citizens to no more than 5 percent from any one country at each state university.
In a related context, last year, the trustees of both the University of Florida and Florida State University implemented a 10 percent increase in tuition fees for out-of-state students. This decision followed the approval by the state university system’s Board of Governors to allow universities to raise fees for non-Florida residents.
As the legislative session progresses, the future of HB 1279 remains uncertain, particularly as it moves to the Senate where it has yet to gain significant traction. The implications of this bill could reshape the landscape of higher education in Florida, prioritizing local students while potentially impacting the diversity and funding of state universities.
