ENROLLED
       2020 Legislature                     CS for SB 72, 1st Engrossed
       
       
       
       
       
       
                                                               202072er
    1  
    2         An act relating to higher education; amending s.
    3         287.057, F.S.; authorizing state agencies to contract
    4         with independent, nonprofit colleges and universities
    5         that meet specified requirements; amending s. 1001.03,
    6         F.S.; revising requirements for certain new
    7         construction, remodeling, or renovation projects;
    8         amending s. 1001.7065, F.S.; revising standards for
    9         the preeminent state research universities program;
   10         requiring such standards to be reported annually in a
   11         specified plan; repealing the programs of excellence
   12         designation within the State University System;
   13         creating the “state universities of distinction”
   14         designation within the State University System;
   15         requiring the Board of Governors to establish
   16         standards and measures for specific state university
   17         competencies; providing requirements for such
   18         standards and measures; authorizing the Board of
   19         Governors to annually submit such programs to the
   20         Legislature for funding by a specified date; amending
   21         s. 1001.92, F.S.; revising the performance-based
   22         metrics for state universities to include specific
   23         data; authorizing the Board of Governors to approve
   24         other metrics; prohibiting the adjustment of such
   25         metrics and benchmarks once specified data has been
   26         received; amending s. 1004.085, F.S.; requiring
   27         innovative pricing techniques and payment options to
   28         include an opt-out provision; amending s. 1004.346,
   29         F.S.; removing a limitation on the length of time a
   30         Phosphate Research and Activities Board member may
   31         serve after expiration of his or her term; creating s.
   32         1004.6499, F.S.; creating the Florida Institute of
   33         Politics within Florida State University College of
   34         Social Sciences and Public Policy; providing the
   35         purpose and goals of the institute; creating s.
   36         1004.64991, F.S.; creating the Adam Smith Center for
   37         the Study of Economic Freedom; providing a purpose and
   38         goals of the center; amending s. 1009.50, F.S.;
   39         requiring that grants administered through the Florida
   40         Public Student Assistance Grant Program not exceed a
   41         certain amount; authorizing students who receive an
   42         award in the fall or spring term to receive an award
   43         in the summer term, subject to the availability of
   44         funds; providing for the prioritization of eligible
   45         summer awards; prohibiting institutions from
   46         dispensing grants to students whose expected family
   47         contribution exceeds a certain amount; requiring the
   48         formula used to distribute funds for the program to
   49         account for changes in the number of eligible students
   50         across all student assistance grant programs;
   51         requiring institutions to certify the amount of funds
   52         disbursed within a specified timeframe; requiring
   53         institutions to remit any undisbursed advances within
   54         a specified timeframe; providing an exception;
   55         requiring institutions that receive moneys through the
   56         program to prepare and submit to the department by a
   57         specified date a biennial report that includes a
   58         financial audit conducted by the Auditor General;
   59         authorizing the department to conduct its own annual
   60         or biennial audit under certain circumstances;
   61         authorizing the department to suspend or revoke an
   62         institution’s eligibility or request a refund of
   63         moneys overpaid to the institution under certain
   64         circumstances; providing a timeframe for such refunds;
   65         amending s. 1009.505, F.S.; requiring grants
   66         administered through the Florida Public Postsecondary
   67         Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program to
   68         not exceed a certain amount; authorizing students who
   69         receive an award in the fall or spring term to receive
   70         an award in the summer term, subject to the
   71         availability of funds; providing for the
   72         prioritization of eligible summer awards; requiring
   73         the formula used to distribute funds for the program
   74         to account for changes in the number of eligible
   75         students across all student assistance grant programs;
   76         requiring institutions to certify the amount of funds
   77         disbursed within a specified timeframe; requiring
   78         institutions to remit any undisbursed advances within
   79         a specified timeframe; providing an exception;
   80         requiring institutions that receive moneys through the
   81         program to prepare and submit to the department by a
   82         specified date a biennial report that includes a
   83         financial audit conducted by the Auditor General;
   84         authorizing the department to conduct its own annual
   85         or biennial audit under certain circumstances;
   86         authorizing the department to suspend or revoke an
   87         institution’s eligibility or request a refund of
   88         moneys overpaid to the institution under certain
   89         circumstances; providing a timeframe for such refunds;
   90         authorizing funds appropriated for state student
   91         assistance grants to be deposited in a specified trust
   92         fund; requiring that any balance in the trust fund at
   93         the end of any fiscal year which has been allocated to
   94         the Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education
   95         Student Assistance Grant Program remain in the trust
   96         fund, subject to certain statutory exceptions;
   97         amending s. 1009.51, F.S.; requiring that grants
   98         administered through the Florida Private Student
   99         Assistance Grant Program not exceed a certain amount;
  100         authorizing students who receive an award in the fall
  101         or spring term to receive an award in the summer term,
  102         subject to the availability of funds; providing for
  103         the prioritization of eligible summer awards;
  104         prohibiting institutions from dispensing grants to
  105         students whose expected family contribution exceeds a
  106         certain amount; requiring the formula used to
  107         distribute funds for the program to account for
  108         changes in the number of eligible students across all
  109         student assistance grant programs; requiring
  110         institutions to certify the amount of funds disbursed
  111         within a specified timeframe; requiring institutions
  112         to remit any undisbursed advances within a specified
  113         timeframe; providing an exception; revising a
  114         requirement for a biennial report; amending s.
  115         1009.52, F.S.; requiring that grants administered
  116         through the Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance
  117         Grant Program not exceed a certain amount; authorizing
  118         students who receive an award in the fall or spring
  119         term to receive an award in the summer term, subject
  120         to the availability of funds; providing for the
  121         prioritization of eligible summer awards; prohibiting
  122         institutions from dispensing grants to students whose
  123         expected family contribution exceeds a certain amount;
  124         requiring the formula used to distribute funds for the
  125         program to account for changes in the number of
  126         eligible students across all student assistance grant
  127         programs; requiring institutions to certify the amount
  128         of funds disbursed within a specified timeframe;
  129         requiring institutions to remit any undisbursed
  130         advances within a specified timeframe; providing an
  131         exception; revising a requirement for a biennial
  132         report; amending s. 1009.534, F.S.; revising
  133         provisions relating to additional funds for textbooks
  134         under Florida Academic Scholars award; amending s.
  135         1009.535, F.S.; revising the amount of an award
  136         certain Florida Medallion Scholars may receive under
  137         certain circumstances; amending s. 1009.893, F.S.;
  138         revising and specifying eligibility for initial awards
  139         under the Benacquisto Scholarship Program; revising
  140         requirements for a student to receive a renewal award;
  141         providing a timeframe within which students may
  142         receive an award; providing an exception to renewal
  143         requirements; amending s. 1011.45, F.S.; revising the
  144         date by which a university must annually submit a
  145         spending plan to the university’s board of trustees
  146         for approval; revising the date by which the Board of
  147         Governors must annually review and approve such plan;
  148         authorizing certain expenditures in a carry forward
  149         spending plan to include a commitment of funds to a
  150         contingency reserve for certain purposes; amending s.
  151         1011.90, F.S.; providing requirements for a specified
  152         legislative budget request; requiring the Board of
  153         Governors to define specified classifications by
  154         regulation and report such definitions in such budget
  155         requests; creating s. 1012.977, F.S.; providing for
  156         the disclosure of contracts that affect the integrity
  157         of state universities or entities; providing
  158         definitions; providing penalties for failure to
  159         disclose such information; amending s. 1013.841, F.S.;
  160         revising the date by which a Florida College System
  161         institution must annually submit a spending plan to
  162         the institution’s board of trustees for approval;
  163         revising the date by which the State Board of
  164         Education must annually review and publish such plans;
  165         authorizing certain expenditures in a carry forward
  166         spending plan to include a commitment of funds to a
  167         contingency reserve for certain purposes; providing
  168         effective dates.
  169          
  170  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
  171  
  172         Section 1. Subsection (21) of section 287.057, Florida
  173  Statutes, is amended to read:
  174         287.057 Procurement of commodities or contractual
  175  services.—
  176         (21) An agency may contract for services with any
  177  independent, nonprofit college or university which is located
  178  within the state on the same basis as it may contract with any
  179  state university or college if the independent, nonprofit
  180  college or university:
  181         (a)and Is accredited by the Southern Association of
  182  Colleges and Schools; or, on the same basis as it may contract
  183  with any state university and college
  184         (b) Is authorized to operate within this state pursuant to
  185  chapter 1005, offers a professional degree, and is accredited by
  186  the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
  187         Section 2. Paragraph (c) of subsection (18) of section
  188  1001.03, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  189         1001.03 Specific powers of State Board of Education.—
  190         (18) PUBLIC EDUCATION CAPITAL OUTLAY.—The State Board of
  191  Education shall develop and submit the prioritized list required
  192  by s. 1013.64(4). Projects considered for prioritization shall
  193  be chosen from a preliminary selection group which shall include
  194  the list of projects maintained pursuant to paragraph (d) and
  195  the top two priorities of each Florida College System
  196  institution.
  197         (c) A new construction, remodeling, or renovation project
  198  that has not received an appropriation in a previous year shall
  199  not be considered for inclusion on the prioritized list required
  200  by s. 1013.64(4), unless:
  201         1. A plan is provided to reserve funds in an escrow
  202  account, specific to the project, into which shall be deposited
  203  each year an amount of funds equal to 0.5 percent of the total
  204  value of the building for future maintenance;
  205         2. There exists are sufficient capacity within the cash and
  206  bonding estimate of funds by the Revenue Estimating Conference
  207  to accommodate the project excess funds from the allocation
  208  provided pursuant to s. 1013.60 within the 3-year Public
  209  Education Capital Outlay funding cycle planning period which are
  210  not needed to complete the projects listed pursuant to paragraph
  211  (d); and
  212         3. The project has been recommended pursuant to s. 1013.31.
  213         Section 3. Effective upon this act becoming a law,
  214  subsections (2), (5), and (7) of section 1001.7065, Florida
  215  Statutes, are amended to read:
  216         1001.7065 Preeminent state research universities program.—
  217         (2) ACADEMIC AND RESEARCH EXCELLENCE STANDARDS.—The
  218  following academic and research excellence standards are
  219  established for the preeminent state research universities
  220  program and shall be reported annually in the Board of Governors
  221  Accountability Plan:
  222         (a) An average weighted grade point average of 4.0 or
  223  higher on a 4.0 scale and an average SAT score of 1800 or higher
  224  on a 2400-point scale or 1200 or higher on a 1600-point scale or
  225  an average ACT score of 25 or higher on a 36 score scale, using
  226  the latest published national concordance table developed
  227  jointly by the College Board and ACT, Inc., for fall semester
  228  incoming freshmen, as reported annually.
  229         (b) A top-50 ranking on at least two well-known and highly
  230  respected national public university rankings, including, but
  231  not limited to, the U.S. News and World Report rankings,
  232  reflecting national preeminence, using most recent rankings.
  233         (c) A freshman retention rate of 90 percent or higher for
  234  full-time, first-time-in-college students, as reported annually
  235  to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
  236         (d) A 4-year graduation rate of 60 percent or higher for
  237  full-time, first-time-in-college students, as reported annually
  238  to the IPEDS. However, for the 2018 determination of a state
  239  university’s preeminence designation and the related
  240  distribution of the 2018-2019 fiscal year appropriation
  241  associated with preeminence and emerging preeminence, a
  242  university is considered to have satisfied this graduation rate
  243  measure by attaining a 6-year graduation rate of 70 percent or
  244  higher by October 1, 2017, for full-time, first-time-in-college
  245  students, as reported to the IPEDS and confirmed by the Board of
  246  Governors.
  247         (e) Six or more faculty members at the state university who
  248  are members of a national academy, as reported by the Center for
  249  Measuring University Performance in the Top American Research
  250  Universities (TARU) annual report or the official membership
  251  directories maintained by each national academy.
  252         (f) Total annual research expenditures, including federal
  253  research expenditures, of $200 million or more, as reported
  254  annually by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
  255         (g) Total annual research expenditures in diversified
  256  nonmedical sciences of $150 million or more, based on data
  257  reported annually by the NSF.
  258         (h) A top-100 university national ranking for research
  259  expenditures in five or more science, technology, engineering,
  260  or mathematics fields of study, as reported annually by the NSF.
  261         (i) One hundred or more total patents awarded by the United
  262  States Patent and Trademark Office for the most recent 3-year
  263  period.
  264         (j) Four hundred or more doctoral degrees awarded annually,
  265  including professional doctoral degrees awarded in medical and
  266  health care disciplines, as reported in the Board of Governors
  267  Annual Accountability Report.
  268         (k) Two hundred or more postdoctoral appointees annually,
  269  as reported in the TARU annual report.
  270         (l) An endowment of $500 million or more, as reported in
  271  the Board of Governors Annual Accountability Report.
  272         (5) PREEMINENT STATE RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES PROGRAM
  273  SUPPORT.—
  274         (a) A state university that is designated as a preeminent
  275  state research university shall submit to the Board of Governors
  276  a 5-year benchmark plan with target rankings on key performance
  277  metrics for national excellence. Upon approval by the Board of
  278  Governors, and upon the university’s meeting the benchmark plan
  279  goals annually, the Board of Governors shall award the
  280  university its proportionate share of any funds provided
  281  annually to support the program created under this section.
  282         (b) A state university designated as an emerging preeminent
  283  state research university shall submit to the Board of Governors
  284  a 5-year benchmark plan with target rankings on key performance
  285  metrics for national excellence. Upon approval by the Board of
  286  Governors, and upon the university’s meeting the benchmark plan
  287  goals annually, the Board of Governors shall award the
  288  university its proportionate share of any funds provided
  289  annually to support the program created under this section.
  290         (c) The award of funds under this subsection is contingent
  291  upon funding provided by the Legislature to support the
  292  preeminent state research universities program created under
  293  this section. Funding increases appropriated beyond the amounts
  294  funded in the previous fiscal year shall be distributed to as
  295  follows:
  296         1. each designated preeminent state research university
  297  that meets the criteria in paragraph (a). Each designated
  298  preeminent state research university shall receive an equal
  299  amount of funding.
  300         2. Each designated emerging preeminent state research
  301  university that meets the criteria in paragraph (b) shall,
  302  beginning in the 2018-2019 fiscal year, receive an amount of
  303  funding that is equal to one-fourth of the total increased
  304  amount awarded to each designated preeminent state research
  305  university.
  306         (7) STATE UNIVERSITIES PROGRAMS OF DISTINCTION EXCELLENCE
  307  THROUGHOUT THE STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.—The Board of Governors
  308  shall establish standards and measures whereby state
  309  universities that focus on one core competency unique to the
  310  State University System that achieves excellence at the national
  311  or state level, meets state workforce needs, and fosters an
  312  innovation economy that focuses on areas such as health care,
  313  security, transportation, and science, technology, engineering,
  314  and mathematics (STEM), including supply chain management,
  315  individual undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree
  316  programs in state universities which objectively reflect
  317  national excellence can be identified. The Board of Governors
  318  may annually submit such programs, excluding those from
  319  preeminent state research universities, and make recommendations
  320  to the Legislature by January September 1 for funding, 2018, as
  321  to how any such programs could be enhanced and promoted.
  322         Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 1001.92, Florida
  323  Statutes, is amended to read:
  324         1001.92 State University System Performance-Based
  325  Incentive.—
  326         (1) A State University System Performance-Based Incentive
  327  shall be awarded to state universities using performance-based
  328  metrics adopted by the Board of Governors of the State
  329  University System. Beginning with the Board of Governors’
  330  determination of each university’s performance improvement and
  331  achievement ratings for 2018, and the related distribution of
  332  annual the 2018-2019 fiscal year appropriation, the performance
  333  based metrics must include:
  334         (a)The 4-year graduation rate for first-time-in-college
  335  students;
  336         (b) Beginning in fiscal year 2021-2022, the 2-year
  337  graduation rate for associate in arts transfer students rates;
  338         (c) Retention rates;
  339         (d) Postgraduation education rates;
  340         (e) Degree production;
  341         (f) Affordability;
  342         (g) Postgraduation employment and salaries, including wage
  343  thresholds that reflect the added value of a baccalaureate
  344  degree;
  345         (h) Access rate, based on the percentage of undergraduate
  346  students enrolled during the fall term who received a Pell Grant
  347  during the fall term; and
  348         (i) Beginning in fiscal year 2021-2022, the 6-year
  349  graduation rate for students who are awarded a Pell Grant in
  350  their first year.
  351  
  352  The Board of Governors may approve and other metrics approved by
  353  the board in a publicly formally noticed meeting. The board
  354  shall adopt benchmarks to evaluate each state university’s
  355  performance on the metrics to measure the state university’s
  356  achievement of institutional excellence or need for improvement
  357  and minimum requirements for eligibility to receive performance
  358  funding. Benchmarks and metrics may not be adjusted after
  359  university performance data has been received by the Board of
  360  Governors Access rate benchmarks must be differentiated and
  361  scored to reflect the varying access rate levels among the state
  362  universities; however, the scoring system may not include bonus
  363  points.
  364         Section 5. Subsection (4) of section 1004.085, Florida
  365  Statutes, is amended to read:
  366         1004.085 Textbook and instructional materials
  367  affordability.—
  368         (4) Each Florida College System institution and state
  369  university board of trustees is authorized to adopt policies in
  370  consultation with providers, including bookstores, which allow
  371  for the use of innovative pricing techniques and payment options
  372  for textbooks and instructional materials. Such policies may
  373  include bulk pricing arrangements that enable students to
  374  purchase course materials or texts that are delivered digitally;
  375  delivered through other technologies that are, or the licenses
  376  of which are, required for use within a course; or delivered in
  377  a print format. Innovative pricing techniques and payment
  378  options must include an opt-in or opt-out provision for students
  379  and may be approved only if there is documented evidence that
  380  the options reduce the cost of textbooks and instructional
  381  materials for students taking a course.
  382         Section 6. Effective upon this act becoming a law,
  383  paragraph (c) of subsection (2) of section 1004.346, Florida
  384  Statutes, is amended to read:
  385         1004.346 Florida Industrial and Phosphate Research
  386  Institute.—
  387         (2) PHOSPHATE RESEARCH AND ACTIVITIES BOARD.—The Phosphate
  388  Research and Activities Board is created to monitor the
  389  expenditure of funds appropriated to the university from the
  390  Phosphate Research Trust Fund.
  391         (c) Members of the board appointed by the Governor shall be
  392  appointed to 3-year terms. A board member may continue to serve
  393  until a successor is appointed, but not more than 180 days after
  394  the expiration of his or her term. A board member is eligible
  395  for reappointment to subsequent terms.
  396         Section 7. Section 1004.6499, Florida Statutes, is created
  397  to read:
  398         1004.6499 Florida Institute of Politics.
  399         (1)The Florida Institute of Politics is established at the
  400  Florida State University within the College of Social Sciences
  401  and Public Policy. The purpose of the institute is to provide
  402  the southeastern region of the United States with a world class,
  403  bipartisan, nationally renowned institute of politics.
  404         (2)The goals of the institute are to:
  405         (a)Motivate students throughout the Florida State
  406  University to become aware of the significance of government and
  407  civic engagement at all levels and politics in general.
  408         (b) Provide students with an opportunity to be politically
  409  active and civically engaged.
  410         (c)Nurture a greater awareness and passion for public
  411  service and politics.
  412         (d)Plan and host forums to allow students and guests to
  413  hear from and interact with experts from government, politics,
  414  policy, and journalism on a frequent basis.
  415         (e)Become a national and state resource on polling
  416  information and survey methodology.
  417         (f)Provide fellowships and internship opportunities to
  418  students in government, nonprofit organizations, and community
  419  organizations.
  420         (g)Provide training sessions for newly elected state and
  421  local public officials.
  422         (h)Organize and sponsor conferences, symposia, and
  423  workshops throughout this state to educate and inform citizens,
  424  elected officials, and appointed policymakers regarding
  425  effective policymaking techniques and processes.
  426         (i)Create and promote research and awareness regarding
  427  politics, citizen involvement, and public service.
  428         (j)Collaborate with related policy institutes and research
  429  activities at the Florida State University and other
  430  institutions of higher education to motivate, increase, and
  431  sustain citizen involvement in public affairs.
  432         Section 8. Section 1004.64991, Florida Statutes, is created
  433  to read:
  434         1004.64991The Adam Smith Center for the Study of Economic
  435  Freedom.—
  436         (1)The Adam Smith Center for the Study of Economic Freedom
  437  at Florida International University, is hereby created.
  438         (2)The goals of the center are to:
  439         (a)Study the effect of government and free-market
  440  economies on individual freedom and human prosperity.
  441         (b)Conduct and promote research on the effect of political
  442  and economic systems on human prosperity.
  443         (c)Plan and host research workshops and conferences to
  444  allow, students, scholars, and guests to exchange in civil
  445  discussion of democracy and capitalism.
  446         (d)Provide fellowship and mentoring opportunities to
  447  students engaged in scholarly studies of the effect of political
  448  and economic systems on human prosperity.
  449         Section 9. Section 1009.50, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  450  read:
  451         1009.50 Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program;
  452  eligibility for grants.—
  453         (1) There is hereby created a Florida Public Student
  454  Assistance Grant Program. The program shall be administered by
  455  the participating institutions in accordance with rules of the
  456  state board.
  457         (2)(a) State student assistance grants through the program
  458  may be made only to degree-seeking students who enroll in at
  459  least 6 semester hours, or the equivalent per term, and who meet
  460  the general requirements for student eligibility as provided in
  461  s. 1009.40, except as otherwise provided in this section. The
  462  grants shall be awarded annually for the amount of demonstrated
  463  unmet need for the cost of education and may not exceed the
  464  maximum annual award an amount equal to the average prior
  465  academic year cost of tuition fees and other registration fees
  466  for 30 credit hours at state universities or such other amount
  467  as specified in the General Appropriations Act, to any
  468  recipient. A demonstrated unmet need of less than $200 shall
  469  render the applicant ineligible for a state student assistance
  470  grant. Recipients of the grants must have been accepted at a
  471  state university or Florida College System institution
  472  authorized by Florida law. If funds are available, a student who
  473  received an award in the fall or spring term may receive an
  474  award in the summer term. Priority in the distribution of summer
  475  awards shall be given to students who are within one semester of
  476  completing a degree program and students who have not yet earned
  477  at least 9 semester hours by attendance at one or more summer
  478  sessions. A student is eligible for the award for 110 percent of
  479  the number of credit hours required to complete the program in
  480  which enrolled, except as otherwise provided in s. 1009.40(3).
  481         (b) A student applying for a Florida public student
  482  assistance grant shall be required to apply for the Pell Grant.
  483  The Pell Grant entitlement shall be considered when conducting
  484  an assessment of the financial resources available to each
  485  student.
  486         (c) Priority in the distribution of grant moneys may be
  487  given to students who are within one semester of completing a
  488  degree program. shall be given to students with the lowest total
  489  family resources, in accordance with a nationally recognized
  490  system of need analysis. Using the system of need analysis, the
  491  department shall establish a maximum expected family
  492  contribution. An institution may not make a grant from this
  493  program to a student whose expected family contribution exceeds
  494  one and one-half times the maximum Pell Grant-eligible family
  495  contribution level established by the department. An institution
  496  may not impose additional criteria to determine a student’s
  497  eligibility to receive a grant award.
  498         (d) Each participating institution shall report, to the
  499  department by the established date, the eligible students
  500  eligible for the program for to whom grant moneys are disbursed
  501  each academic term. Each institution shall also report to the
  502  department necessary demographic and eligibility data for such
  503  students.
  504         (3) Based on the unmet financial need of an eligible
  505  applicant, the amount of a Florida public student assistance
  506  grant must be between $200 and the weighted average of the cost
  507  of tuition and other registration fees for 30 credit hours at
  508  state universities per academic year or the amount specified in
  509  the General Appropriations Act.
  510         (4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Public
  511  Student Assistance Grant shall be distributed to eligible
  512  institutions in accordance with a formula approved by the State
  513  Board of Education. The formula must shall consider at least the
  514  prior year’s distribution of funds, the number of full-time
  515  eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the
  516  standardization of the expected family contribution, and
  517  provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for
  518  changes in the number of eligible students across all student
  519  assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section
  520  and ss. 1009.505, 1009.51, and 1009.52.
  521         (b) Payment of Florida public student assistance grants
  522  shall be transmitted to the president of the state university or
  523  Florida College System institution, or to his or her
  524  representative, in advance of the registration period.
  525  Institutions shall notify students of the amount of their
  526  awards.
  527         (c) The eligibility status of each student to receive a
  528  disbursement shall be determined by each institution as of the
  529  end of its regular registration period, inclusive of a drop-add
  530  period. Institutions shall not be required to reevaluate a
  531  student’s eligibility status after this date for purposes of
  532  changing eligibility determinations previously made.
  533         (d) Institutions shall certify to the department within 30
  534  days after the end of regular registration each term the amount
  535  of funds disbursed to each student and shall remit to the
  536  department any undisbursed advances within 60 days after the end
  537  of regular registration each spring term. An exception to the
  538  remittance deadline may be granted if the institution documents
  539  to the department how it plans to disburse awards to students
  540  for the subsequent summer term. An institution that uses funds
  541  for the summer term shall certify to the department the amount
  542  of funds disbursed to each student and shall remit to the
  543  department any undisbursed advances within 30 days after the end
  544  of the summer term.
  545         (e) Each institution that receives moneys through the
  546  Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program shall prepare a
  547  biennial report that includes a financial audit, conducted by
  548  the Auditor General, of the institution’s administration of the
  549  program and a complete accounting of moneys allocated to the
  550  institution for the program. Such report shall be submitted to
  551  the department by March 1 every other year. The department may
  552  conduct its own annual or biennial audit of an institution’s
  553  administration of the program and its allocated funds in lieu of
  554  the required biennial report and financial audit report. The
  555  department may suspend or revoke an institution’s eligibility to
  556  receive future moneys for the program or may request a refund of
  557  any moneys overpaid to the institution for the program if the
  558  department finds that an institution has not complied with this
  559  section. Any refund requested pursuant to this paragraph shall
  560  be remitted within 60 days after notification by the department
  561  any advances by June 1 of each year.
  562         (5) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for state student
  563  assistance grants may be deposited in the State Student
  564  Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding the provisions
  565  of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the
  566  trust fund at the end of any fiscal year which has been
  567  allocated to the Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program
  568  shall remain therein and shall be available for carrying out the
  569  purposes of this section.
  570         (6) The State Board of Education shall establish rules
  571  necessary to implement this section.
  572         Section 10. Subsections (5) and (6) of section 1009.505,
  573  Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (6) and (7),
  574  respectively, a new subsection (5) is added to that section, and
  575  subsections (3) and (4) of that section are amended, to read:
  576         1009.505 Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education
  577  Student Assistance Grant Program.—
  578         (3)(a) Student assistance grants through the program may be
  579  made only to certificate-seeking students enrolled at least
  580  half-time in a public postsecondary career certificate program
  581  who meet the general requirements for student eligibility as
  582  provided in s. 1009.40, except as otherwise provided in this
  583  section. The grants shall be awarded annually to any recipient
  584  for the amount of demonstrated unmet need for the cost of
  585  education and may not exceed the average annual cost of tuition
  586  and registration fees or such other amount as specified in the
  587  General Appropriations Act. Priority in the distribution of
  588  grant moneys may be given to students who are within one
  589  semester of completing a certificate program. A demonstrated
  590  unmet need of less than $200 shall render the applicant
  591  ineligible for a grant under this section. Recipients of the
  592  grants must have been accepted at a Florida College System
  593  institution authorized by Florida law or a career center
  594  operated by a district school board under s. 1001.44. If funds
  595  are available, a student who received an award in the fall or
  596  spring term may receive an award in the summer term. Priority in
  597  the distribution of summer awards shall be given to students who
  598  are within one term of completing a certificate program. A
  599  student is eligible for the award for 110 percent of the number
  600  of clock hours required to complete the program in which
  601  enrolled.
  602         (b) A student applying for a Florida public postsecondary
  603  career education student assistance grant shall be required to
  604  apply for the Pell Grant. A Pell Grant entitlement shall be
  605  considered when conducting an assessment of the financial
  606  resources available to each student; however, a Pell Grant
  607  entitlement shall not be required as a condition of receiving a
  608  grant under this section.
  609         (c) Each participating institution shall report, to the
  610  department by the established date, the eligible students
  611  eligible for the program for to whom grant moneys are disbursed
  612  each academic term. Each institution shall also report to the
  613  department necessary demographic and eligibility data for such
  614  students.
  615         (4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Public
  616  Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant Program
  617  shall be distributed to eligible Florida College System
  618  institutions and district school boards in accordance with a
  619  formula approved by the department. The formula must account for
  620  changes in the number of eligible students across all student
  621  assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section
  622  and ss. 1009.50, 1009.51, and 1009.52.
  623         (b) Payment of Florida public postsecondary career
  624  education student assistance grants shall be transmitted to the
  625  president of the Florida College System institution or to the
  626  district school superintendent, or to the designee thereof, in
  627  advance of the registration period. Institutions shall notify
  628  students of the amount of their awards.
  629         (c) The eligibility status of each student to receive a
  630  disbursement shall be determined by each institution as of the
  631  end of its regular registration period, inclusive of a drop-add
  632  period. Institutions shall not be required to reevaluate a
  633  student’s eligibility status after this date for purposes of
  634  changing eligibility determinations previously made.
  635         (d) Participating institutions shall certify to the
  636  department within 30 days after the end of regular registration
  637  each term the amount of funds disbursed to each student and
  638  shall remit to the department any undisbursed advances within 60
  639  days after the end of regular registration each spring term. An
  640  exception to the remittance deadline may be granted if the
  641  institution documents to the department how it plans to disburse
  642  awards to students for the subsequent summer term. An
  643  institution that uses funds for the summer term shall certify to
  644  the department the amount of funds disbursed to each student and
  645  shall remit to the department any undisbursed advances within 30
  646  days after the end of the summer term.
  647         (e) Each institution that receives moneys through the
  648  Florida Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance
  649  Grant Program shall prepare a biennial report that includes a
  650  financial audit, conducted by the Auditor General, of the
  651  institution’s administration of the program and a complete
  652  accounting of moneys allocated to the institution for the
  653  program. Such report shall be submitted to the department by
  654  March 1 every other year. The department may conduct its own
  655  annual or biennial audit of an institution’s administration of
  656  the program and its allocated funds in lieu of the required
  657  biennial report and financial audit report. The department may
  658  suspend or revoke an institution’s eligibility to receive future
  659  moneys for the program or may request a refund of any moneys
  660  overpaid to the institution if the department finds that an
  661  institution has not complied with this section. Any refund
  662  requested pursuant to this paragraph shall be remitted within 60
  663  days after notification by the department.
  664         (5) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for state student
  665  assistance grants may be deposited in the State Student
  666  Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and
  667  pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end
  668  of any fiscal year which has been allocated to the Florida
  669  Public Postsecondary Career Education Student Assistance Grant
  670  Program shall remain therein and shall be available for carrying
  671  out the purposes of this section by June 1 of each year.
  672         Section 11. Section 1009.51, Florida Statutes, is amended
  673  to read:
  674         1009.51 Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program;
  675  eligibility for grants.—
  676         (1) There is created a Florida Private Student Assistance
  677  Grant Program. The program shall be administered by the
  678  participating institutions in accordance with rules of the State
  679  Board of Education.
  680         (2)(a) Florida private student assistance grants from the
  681  State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund may be made only
  682  to full-time degree-seeking students who meet the general
  683  requirements for student eligibility as provided in s. 1009.40,
  684  except as otherwise provided in this section. Such grants shall
  685  be awarded for the amount of demonstrated unmet need for tuition
  686  and fees and may not exceed the maximum annual award an amount
  687  equal to the average tuition and other registration fees for 30
  688  credit hours at state universities plus $1,000 per academic
  689  year, or as specified in the General Appropriations Act, to any
  690  applicant. A demonstrated unmet need of less than $200 shall
  691  render the applicant ineligible for a Florida private student
  692  assistance grant. Recipients of such grants must have been
  693  accepted at a baccalaureate-degree-granting independent
  694  nonprofit college or university, which is accredited by the
  695  Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges
  696  and Schools and which is located in and chartered as a domestic
  697  corporation by the state. If funds are available, a student who
  698  received an award in the fall or spring term may receive an
  699  award in the summer term. Priority in the distribution of summer
  700  awards shall be given to students who are within one semester of
  701  completing a degree or certificate program. No student may
  702  receive an award for more than the equivalent of 9 semesters or
  703  14 quarters of full-time enrollment, except as otherwise
  704  provided in s. 1009.40(3).
  705         (b) A student applying for a Florida private student
  706  assistance grant shall be required to apply for the Pell Grant.
  707  The Pell Grant entitlement shall be considered when conducting
  708  an assessment of the financial resources available to each
  709  student.
  710         (c) Priority in the distribution of grant moneys may be
  711  given to students who are within one semester of completing a
  712  degree or certificate program shall be given to students with
  713  the lowest total family resources, in accordance with a
  714  nationally recognized system of need analysis. Using the system
  715  of need analysis, the department shall establish a maximum
  716  expected family contribution. An institution may not make a
  717  grant from this program to a student whose expected family
  718  contribution exceeds one and one-half times the maximum Pell
  719  Grant-eligible family contribution the level established by the
  720  department. An institution may not impose additional criteria to
  721  determine a student’s eligibility to receive a grant award.
  722         (d) Each participating institution shall report, to the
  723  department by the established date, the eligible students
  724  eligible for the program for to whom grant moneys are disbursed
  725  each academic term. Each institution shall also report to the
  726  department necessary demographic and eligibility data for such
  727  students.
  728         (3) Based on the unmet financial need of an eligible
  729  applicant, the amount of a Florida private student assistance
  730  grant must be between $200 and the average cost of tuition and
  731  other registration fees for 30 credit hours at state
  732  universities plus $1,000 per academic year or the amount
  733  specified in the General Appropriations Act.
  734         (4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Private
  735  Student Assistance Grant shall be distributed to eligible
  736  institutions in accordance with a formula approved by the State
  737  Board of Education. The formula must shall consider at least the
  738  prior year’s distribution of funds, the number of full-time
  739  eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the
  740  standardization of the expected family contribution, and
  741  provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for
  742  changes in the number of eligible students across all student
  743  assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section
  744  and ss. 1009.50, 1009.505, and 1009.52.
  745         (b) Payment of Florida private student assistance grants
  746  shall be transmitted to the president of the college or
  747  university, or to his or her representative, in advance of the
  748  registration period. Institutions shall notify students of the
  749  amount of their awards.
  750         (c) The eligibility status of each student to receive a
  751  disbursement shall be determined by each institution as of the
  752  end of its regular registration period, inclusive of a drop-add
  753  period. Institutions shall not be required to reevaluate a
  754  student’s eligibility status after this date for purposes of
  755  changing eligibility determinations previously made.
  756         (d) Institutions shall certify to the department within 30
  757  days after the end of regular registration each term the amount
  758  of funds disbursed to each student and shall remit to the
  759  department any undisbursed advances within 60 days after the end
  760  of regular registration each spring term. An exception to the
  761  remittance deadline may be granted if the institution documents
  762  to the department how it plans to disburse awards to students
  763  for the subsequent summer term. An institution that uses funds
  764  for the summer term shall certify to the department the amount
  765  of funds disbursed to each student and shall remit to the
  766  department any undisbursed advances within 30 days after the end
  767  of the summer term by June 1 of each year.
  768         (e) Each institution that receives moneys through the
  769  Florida Private Student Assistance Grant Program shall prepare a
  770  biennial report that includes a financial audit, conducted by an
  771  independent certified public accountant, of the institution’s
  772  administration of the program and a complete accounting of
  773  moneys in the State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund
  774  allocated to the institution for the program. Such report shall
  775  be submitted to the department by March 1 every other year. The
  776  department may conduct its own annual or biennial audit of an
  777  institution’s administration of the program and its allocated
  778  funds in lieu of the required biennial report and financial
  779  audit report. The department may suspend or revoke an
  780  institution’s eligibility to receive future moneys from the
  781  trust fund for the program or request a refund of any moneys
  782  overpaid to the institution through the trust fund for the
  783  program if the department finds that an institution has not
  784  complied with the provisions of this section. Any refund
  785  requested pursuant to this paragraph shall be remitted within 60
  786  days after notification by the department.
  787         (5) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for Florida
  788  private student assistance grants may be deposited in the State
  789  Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding the
  790  provisions of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance
  791  in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year which has been
  792  allocated to the Florida Private Student Assistance Grant
  793  Program shall remain therein and shall be available for carrying
  794  out the purposes of this section and as otherwise provided by
  795  law.
  796         (6) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
  797  necessary to implement this section.
  798         Section 12. Section 1009.52, Florida Statutes, is amended
  799  to read:
  800         1009.52 Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant
  801  Program; eligibility for grants.—
  802         (1) There is created a Florida Postsecondary Student
  803  Assistance Grant Program. The program shall be administered by
  804  the participating institutions in accordance with rules of the
  805  State Board of Education.
  806         (2)(a) Florida postsecondary student assistance grants
  807  through the State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund may be
  808  made only to full-time degree-seeking students who meet the
  809  general requirements for student eligibility as provided in s.
  810  1009.40, except as otherwise provided in this section. Such
  811  grants shall be awarded for the amount of demonstrated unmet
  812  need for tuition and fees and may not exceed the maximum annual
  813  award an amount equal to the average prior academic year cost of
  814  tuition and other registration fees for 30 credit hours at state
  815  universities plus $1,000 per academic year, or as specified in
  816  the General Appropriations Act, to any applicant. A demonstrated
  817  unmet need of less than $200 shall render the applicant
  818  ineligible for a Florida postsecondary student assistance grant.
  819  Recipients of such grants must have been accepted at a
  820  postsecondary institution that is located in this the state and
  821  that is:
  822         1. A private nursing diploma school approved by the Florida
  823  Board of Nursing; or
  824         2. A college or university licensed by the Commission for
  825  Independent Education, excluding those institutions the students
  826  of which are eligible to receive a Florida private student
  827  assistance grant pursuant to s. 1009.51.
  828  
  829  If funds are available, a student who received an award in the
  830  fall or spring term may receive an award in the summer term.
  831  Priority in the distribution of summer awards shall be given to
  832  students who are within one semester of completing a degree or
  833  certificate program. No student may receive an award for more
  834  than the equivalent of 9 semesters or 14 quarters of full-time
  835  enrollment, except as otherwise provided in s. 1009.40(3).
  836         (b) A student applying for a Florida postsecondary student
  837  assistance grant shall be required to apply for the Pell Grant.
  838  The Pell Grant entitlement shall be considered when conducting
  839  an assessment of the financial resources available to each
  840  student.
  841         (c) Priority in the distribution of grant moneys may be
  842  given to students who are within one semester of completing a
  843  degree or certificate program shall be given to students with
  844  the lowest total family resources, in accordance with a
  845  nationally recognized system of need analysis. Using the system
  846  of need analysis, the department shall establish a maximum
  847  expected family contribution. An institution may not make a
  848  grant from this program to a student whose expected family
  849  contribution exceeds one and one-half times the maximum Pell
  850  Grant-eligible family contribution the level established by the
  851  department. An institution may not impose additional criteria to
  852  determine a student’s eligibility to receive a grant award.
  853         (d) Each participating institution shall report, to the
  854  department by the established date, the eligible students
  855  eligible for the program for to whom grant moneys are disbursed
  856  each academic term. Each institution shall also report to the
  857  department necessary demographic and eligibility data for such
  858  students.
  859         (3) Based on the unmet financial need of an eligible
  860  applicant, the amount of a Florida postsecondary student
  861  assistance grant must be between $200 and the average cost of
  862  tuition and other registration fees for 30 credit hours at state
  863  universities plus $1,000 per academic year or the amount
  864  specified in the General Appropriations Act.
  865         (4)(a) The funds appropriated for the Florida Postsecondary
  866  Student Assistance Grant shall be distributed to eligible
  867  institutions in accordance with a formula approved by the State
  868  Board of Education. The formula must shall consider at least the
  869  prior year’s distribution of funds, the number of full-time
  870  eligible applicants who did not receive awards, the
  871  standardization of the expected family contribution, and
  872  provisions for unused funds. The formula must account for
  873  changes in the number of eligible students across all student
  874  assistance grant programs established pursuant to this section
  875  and ss. 1009.50, 1009.505, and 1009.51.
  876         (b) Payment of Florida postsecondary student assistance
  877  grants shall be transmitted to the president of the eligible
  878  institution, or to his or her representative, in advance of the
  879  registration period. Institutions shall notify students of the
  880  amount of their awards.
  881         (c) The eligibility status of each student to receive a
  882  disbursement shall be determined by each institution as of the
  883  end of its regular registration period, inclusive of a drop-add
  884  period. Institutions shall not be required to reevaluate a
  885  student’s eligibility status after this date for purposes of
  886  changing eligibility determinations previously made.
  887         (d) Institutions shall certify to the department within 30
  888  days after the end of regular registration each term the amount
  889  of funds disbursed to each student and shall remit to the
  890  department any undisbursed advances within 60 days after the end
  891  of regular registration each spring term. An exception to the
  892  remittance deadline may be granted if the institution documents
  893  to the department how it plans to disburse awards to students
  894  for the subsequent summer term. An institution that uses funds
  895  for the summer term shall certify to the department the amount
  896  of funds disbursed to each student and shall remit to the
  897  department any undisbursed advances within 30 days after the end
  898  of the summer term by June 1 of each year.
  899         (e) Each institution that receives moneys through the
  900  Florida Postsecondary Student Assistance Grant Program shall
  901  prepare a biennial report that includes a financial audit,
  902  conducted by an independent certified public accountant, of the
  903  institution’s administration of the program and a complete
  904  accounting of moneys in the State Student Financial Assistance
  905  Trust Fund allocated to the institution for the program. Such
  906  report shall be submitted to the department by March 1 every
  907  other year. The department may conduct its own annual or
  908  biennial audit of an institution’s administration of the program
  909  and its allocated funds in lieu of the required biennial report
  910  and financial audit report. The department may suspend or revoke
  911  an institution’s eligibility to receive future moneys from the
  912  trust fund for the program or request a refund of any moneys
  913  overpaid to the institution through the trust fund for the
  914  program if the department finds that an institution has not
  915  complied with the provisions of this section. Any refund
  916  requested pursuant to this paragraph shall be remitted within 60
  917  days after notification by the department.
  918         (5) Any institution that was eligible to receive state
  919  student assistance grants on January 1, 1989, and that is not
  920  eligible to receive grants pursuant to s. 1009.51 is eligible to
  921  receive grants pursuant to this section.
  922         (6) Funds appropriated by the Legislature for Florida
  923  postsecondary student assistance grants may be deposited in the
  924  State Student Financial Assistance Trust Fund. Notwithstanding
  925  the provisions of s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any
  926  balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year which
  927  has been allocated to the Florida Postsecondary Student
  928  Assistance Grant Program shall remain therein and shall be
  929  available for carrying out the purposes of this section and as
  930  otherwise provided by law.
  931         (7) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
  932  necessary to implement this section.
  933         Section 13. Subsection (2) of section 1009.534, Florida
  934  Statutes, is amended to read:
  935         1009.534 Florida Academic Scholars award.—
  936         (2) A Florida Academic Scholar who is enrolled in a
  937  certificate, diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree program
  938  at a public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution is
  939  eligible, beginning in the 2017-2018 academic year, for an award
  940  equal to the amount necessary to pay 100 percent of tuition and
  941  fees established under ss. 1009.22(3), (5), (6), and (7);
  942  1009.23(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), and (11); and 1009.24(4), (7)
  943  (13), (14)(r), and (16), as applicable, and is eligible for an
  944  additional stipend $300 each fall and spring academic semester
  945  or the equivalent for textbooks, to assist with the payment of
  946  educational expenses as funds are specifically appropriated in
  947  the General Appropriations Act.
  948         Section 14. Subsection (2) of section 1009.535, Florida
  949  Statutes, is amended to read:
  950         1009.535 Florida Medallion Scholars award.—
  951         (2) A Florida Medallion Scholar who is enrolled in a
  952  certificate, diploma, associate, or baccalaureate degree program
  953  at a public or nonpublic postsecondary education institution is
  954  eligible, beginning in the fall 2018 semester, for an award
  955  equal to the amount necessary to pay 75 percent of tuition and
  956  fees established under ss. 1009.22(3), (5), (6), and (7);
  957  1009.23(3), (4), (7), (8), (10), and (11); and 1009.24(4), (7)
  958  (13), (14)(r), and (16), as applicable, to assist with the
  959  payment of educational expenses. Beginning in the fall 2021
  960  semester, a Florida Medallion Scholar who is enrolled in an
  961  associate degree program at a Florida College System institution
  962  is eligible for an award equal to the amount necessary to pay
  963  100 percent of tuition and fees established under s. 1009.23(3),
  964  (4), (7), (8), (10), and (11) to assist with the payment of
  965  educational expenses.
  966         Section 15. Subsections (2), (4), (5), and (6) of section
  967  1009.893, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  968         1009.893 Benacquisto Scholarship Program.—
  969         (2) The Benacquisto Scholarship Program is created to
  970  reward a high school graduate who receives recognition as a
  971  National Merit Scholar or National Achievement Scholar and who
  972  initially enrolls in the 2014-2015 academic year or, later, in a
  973  baccalaureate degree program at an eligible Florida public or
  974  independent postsecondary educational institution.
  975         (4) In order to be eligible for an initial award under the
  976  scholarship program, a student must meet the requirements of
  977  paragraph (a) or paragraph (b).
  978         (a) A student who is a resident of this state, as
  979  determined in s. 1009.40 and rules of the State Board of
  980  Education, must:
  981         1. Earn a standard Florida high school diploma or its
  982  equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 1003.4281, s. 1003.4282,
  983  or s. 1003.435 unless:
  984         a. The student completes a home education program according
  985  to s. 1002.41; or
  986         b. The student earns a high school diploma from a non
  987  Florida school while living with a parent who is on military or
  988  public service assignment out of this state;
  989         2. Be accepted by and enroll in a Florida public or
  990  independent postsecondary educational institution that is
  991  regionally accredited; and
  992         3. Be enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate degree program
  993  at an eligible regionally accredited Florida public or
  994  independent postsecondary educational institution during the
  995  fall academic term following high school graduation.
  996         (b) A student who initially enrolls in a baccalaureate
  997  degree program in the 2018-2019 academic year or later and who
  998  is not a resident of this state, as determined in s. 1009.40 and
  999  rules of the State Board of Education, must:
 1000         1. Physically reside in this state on or near the campus of
 1001  the postsecondary educational institution in which the student
 1002  is enrolled;
 1003         2. Earn a high school diploma from a school outside Florida
 1004  which is comparable to a standard Florida high school diploma or
 1005  its equivalent pursuant to s. 1002.3105, s. 1003.4281, s.
 1006  1003.4282, or s. 1003.435 or must complete a home education
 1007  program in another state; and
 1008         3. Be accepted by and enrolled full-time in a baccalaureate
 1009  degree program at an eligible regionally accredited Florida
 1010  public or independent postsecondary educational institution
 1011  during the fall academic term following high school graduation.
 1012         (5)(a)1. An eligible student who meets the requirements of
 1013  paragraph (4)(a), who is a National Merit Scholar or National
 1014  Achievement Scholar, and who attends a Florida public
 1015  postsecondary educational institution shall receive a
 1016  scholarship award equal to the institutional cost of attendance
 1017  minus the sum of the student’s Florida Bright Futures
 1018  Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship or National
 1019  Achievement Scholarship.
 1020         2. An eligible student who meets the requirements of
 1021  paragraph (4)(b), who is a National Merit Scholar, and who
 1022  attends a Florida public postsecondary educational institution
 1023  shall receive a scholarship award equal to the institutional
 1024  cost of attendance for a resident of this state minus the
 1025  student’s National Merit Scholarship. Such student is exempt
 1026  from the payment of out-of-state fees.
 1027         (b) An eligible student who is a National Merit Scholar or
 1028  National Achievement Scholar and who attends a Florida
 1029  independent postsecondary educational institution shall receive
 1030  a scholarship award equal to the highest cost of attendance for
 1031  a resident of this state enrolled at a Florida public
 1032  university, as reported by the Board of Governors of the State
 1033  University System, minus the sum of the student’s Florida Bright
 1034  Futures Scholarship and National Merit Scholarship or National
 1035  Achievement Scholarship.
 1036         (6)(a) To be eligible for a renewal award, a student must
 1037  be enrolled full time, earn all credits for which he or she was
 1038  enrolled, and maintain a 3.0 or higher grade point average. An
 1039  eligible Benacquisto Scholar who has fewer than 12 credits
 1040  remaining to complete his or her first baccalaureate degree may
 1041  receive funding for one term in order to complete the degree.
 1042         (b) A student’s renewal status is not affected by
 1043  subsequent changes in the residency status of the student or the
 1044  residency status of the student’s family.
 1045         (c)(b) A student may receive the scholarship award for a
 1046  maximum of 100 percent of the number of credit hours required to
 1047  complete a baccalaureate degree program, or until completion of
 1048  a baccalaureate degree program, whichever comes first.
 1049         (d) A student may receive an award for up to 5 years
 1050  following high school graduation and may not receive the award
 1051  for more than 10 semesters.
 1052         (e) A student who receives an award under this program and
 1053  fails to meet the renewal requirements due to a verifiable
 1054  illness or other documented emergency may be granted an
 1055  exception pursuant to s. 1009.40(1)(b)4.
 1056         Section 16. Subsection (2) and paragraphs (e) and (f) of
 1057  subsection (3) of section 1011.45, Florida Statutes, are
 1058  amended, and paragraph (g) is added to subsection (3) of that
 1059  section, to read:
 1060         1011.45 End of year balance of funds.—Unexpended amounts in
 1061  any fund in a university current year operating budget shall be
 1062  carried forward and included as the balance forward for that
 1063  fund in the approved operating budget for the following year.
 1064         (2) Each university that retains a state operating fund
 1065  carry forward balance in excess of the 7 percent minimum shall
 1066  submit a spending plan for its excess carry forward balance. The
 1067  spending plan shall be submitted to the university’s board of
 1068  trustees for review, approval, or, if necessary, amendment by
 1069  September 30 1, 2020, and each September 30 1 thereafter. The
 1070  Board of Governors shall review, approve, and amend, if
 1071  necessary, each university’s carry forward spending plan by
 1072  November 15 October 1, 2020, and each November 15 October 1
 1073  thereafter.
 1074         (3) A university’s carry forward spending plan shall
 1075  include the estimated cost per planned expenditure and a
 1076  timeline for completion of the expenditure. Authorized
 1077  expenditures in a carry forward spending plan may include:
 1078         (e) Operating expenditures that support the university
 1079  mission and that are nonrecurring; and
 1080         (f) Any purpose specified by the board or in the General
 1081  Appropriations Act; and
 1082         (g) A commitment of funds to a contingency reserve for
 1083  expenses incurred as a result of a state of emergency declared
 1084  by the Governor pursuant to s. 252.36.
 1085         Section 17. Subsection (4) of section 1011.90, Florida
 1086  Statutes, is amended to read:
 1087         1011.90 State university funding.—
 1088         (4) The Board of Governors shall establish and validate a
 1089  cost-estimating system consistent with the requirements of
 1090  subsection (1) and shall report as part of its legislative
 1091  budget request the actual expenditures for the fiscal year
 1092  ending the previous June 30. The legislative budget request must
 1093  also include 5-year trend information on the number of faculty
 1094  and administrators at each university and the proportion of FTE
 1095  dedicated to instruction and research compared to
 1096  administration. The Board of Governors, by regulation, shall
 1097  define faculty and administrator classifications and shall also
 1098  report the definitions in the legislative budget request.
 1099  Expenditure analysis, operating budgets, and annual financial
 1100  statements of each university must be prepared using the
 1101  standard financial reporting procedures and formats prescribed
 1102  by the Board of Governors. These formats shall be the same as
 1103  used for the 2000-2001 fiscal year reports. Any revisions to
 1104  these financial and reporting procedures and formats must be
 1105  approved by the Executive Office of the Governor and the
 1106  appropriations committees of the Legislature jointly under the
 1107  provisions of s. 216.023(3). The Board of Governors shall
 1108  continue to collect and maintain at a minimum management
 1109  information existing on June 30, 2002. The expenditure analysis
 1110  report shall include total expenditures from all sources for the
 1111  general operation of the university and shall be in such detail
 1112  as needed to support the legislative budget request.
 1113         Section 18. Section 1012.977, Florida Statutes, is created
 1114  to read:
 1115         1012.977 Disclosure of contracts that affect the integrity
 1116  of state universities or entities; penalties.—
 1117         (1) Any person employed by a state university or entity
 1118  engaging in research which was created or authorized pursuant to
 1119  part II of chapter 1004 consents to the policies of the
 1120  university or entity, the regulations of the Board of Governors,
 1121  and the laws of this state. At a minimum, such policies shall
 1122  require employees engaged in the design, conduct, or reporting
 1123  of research to disclose and receive a determination that the
 1124  outside activity or financial interest does not affect the
 1125  integrity of the state university or entity.
 1126         (2)(a) “Financial interest” includes anything of value
 1127  other than that provided directly by the university or entity.
 1128         (b) “Outside activity” includes anything an employee does
 1129  for an organization or an individual, other than the university
 1130  or entity, that is related to the employee’s expertise.
 1131         (3) An employee who has failed to disclose any outside
 1132  activity or financial interest as required by subsection (1)
 1133  shall be suspended without pay pending the outcome of an
 1134  investigation which shall not exceed 60 days. Upon conclusion of
 1135  the investigation, the university or entity may terminate the
 1136  contract of the employee.
 1137         Section 19. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2), paragraph (b)
 1138  of subsection (3), and subsection (4) of section 1013.841,
 1139  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
 1140         1013.841 End of year balance of Florida College System
 1141  institution funds.—
 1142         (2)
 1143         (b) Each Florida College System institution with a final
 1144  FTE less than 15,000 for the prior year that retains a state
 1145  operating fund carry forward balance in excess of the 5 percent
 1146  minimum shall submit a spending plan for its excess carry
 1147  forward balance. The spending plan shall include all excess
 1148  carry forward funds from state operating funds. The spending
 1149  plan shall be submitted to the Florida College System
 1150  institution’s board of trustees for approval by September 30 1,
 1151  2020, and each September 30 1 thereafter. The State Board of
 1152  Education shall review and publish each Florida College System
 1153  institution’s carry forward spending plan by November 15 October
 1154  1, 2020, and each November 15 October 1 thereafter.
 1155         (3)
 1156         (b) Each Florida College System institution with a final
 1157  FTE of 15,000 or greater for the prior year that retains a state
 1158  operating fund carry forward balance in excess of the 7 percent
 1159  minimum shall submit a spending plan for its excess carry
 1160  forward balance. The spending plan shall include all excess
 1161  carry forward funds from state operating funds. The spending
 1162  plan shall be submitted to the Florida College System
 1163  institution’s board of trustees for approval by September 30 1,
 1164  2020, and each September 30 1 thereafter. The State Board of
 1165  Education shall review and publish each Florida College System
 1166  institution’s carry forward spending plan by November 15 October
 1167  1, 2020, and each November 15 October 1 thereafter.
 1168         (4) A Florida College System institution identified in
 1169  paragraph (3)(b) (3)(a) must include in its carry forward
 1170  spending plan the estimated cost per planned expenditure and a
 1171  timeline for completion of the expenditure. Authorized
 1172  expenditures in a carry forward spending plan may include:
 1173         (a) Commitment of funds to a public education capital
 1174  outlay project for which an appropriation was previously
 1175  provided, which requires additional funds for completion, and
 1176  which is included in the list required by s. 1001.03(18)(d);
 1177         (b) Completion of a renovation, repair, or maintenance
 1178  project that is consistent with the provisions of s. 1013.64(1),
 1179  up to $5 million per project;
 1180         (c) Completion of a remodeling or infrastructure project,
 1181  up to $10 million per project, if such project is survey
 1182  recommended pursuant to s. 1013.31;
 1183         (d) Completion of a repair or replacement project necessary
 1184  due to damage caused by a natural disaster for buildings
 1185  included in the inventory required pursuant to s. 1013.31;
 1186         (e) Operating expenditures that support the Florida College
 1187  System institution’s mission which are nonrecurring; and
 1188         (f) Any purpose approved by the state board or specified in
 1189  the General Appropriations Act; and
 1190         (g) A commitment of funds to a contingency reserve for
 1191  expenses incurred as a result of a state of emergency declared
 1192  by the Governor pursuant to s. 252.36.
 1193         Section 20. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
 1194  act and except for this section, which shall take effect upon
 1195  this act becoming a law, this act shall take effect July 1,
 1196  2020.