HB 7083

1	A bill to be entitled
2	An act relating to the Florida College System; amending s.
3	20.15, F.S.; renaming the Division of Community Colleges
4	as the Division of Florida Colleges; amending s. 1000.21,
5	F.S.; defining the terms "Florida college" and "community
6	college"; specifying the counties served by each Florida
7	college; renaming specified Florida colleges; amending s.
8	1001.60, F.S.; providing that the Florida College System
9	consists of specified Florida colleges; authorizing a
10	Florida college to change the institution's name to
11	include "college" or "state college" under specified
12	circumstances; requiring the district board of trustees to
13	seek statutory codification of name changes; conforming
14	provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
15	1004.65, F.S.; providing that each Florida college shall
16	be governed by a district board of trustees; defining a
17	Florida college district; providing that the open-door
18	admission policy of Florida colleges applies to lower-
19	division programs; providing that the primary mission of
20	Florida colleges includes the provision of upper-level
21	instruction and baccalaureate degrees as authorized by
22	law; conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
23	repealing s. 1004.73, F.S., relating to St. Petersburg
24	College; repealing s. 1004.875, F.S., relating to the
25	State College Pilot Project; amending s. 1007.23, F.S.;
26	providing that associate in arts graduates of Florida
27	colleges must be granted admission to the upper division
28	of a Florida college and shall receive priority for such
29	admission over out-of-state students; requiring specified
30	publications of Florida colleges and state universities to
31	include certain information; conforming provisions to
32	changes made by the act; amending s. 1007.33, F.S.;
33	providing that the term "district" refers to the counties
34	served by a Florida college; providing that Florida
35	colleges may offer specified baccalaureate degree programs
36	through agreements with regionally accredited
37	postsecondary educational institutions; authorizing
38	Florida colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs
39	authorized by law prior to the act's effective date;
40	requiring State Board of Education approval for
41	baccalaureate degree programs proposed by a Florida
42	college after the act's effective date; specifying the
43	purposes for which a baccalaureate degree program may be
44	proposed; providing an exemption from the requirement for
45	State Board of Education approval for specified
46	baccalaureate degree programs offered by St. Petersburg
47	College; providing that a Florida college may request,
48	under specified circumstances, that the State Board of
49	Education review its baccalaureate degree programs for
50	purposes of receiving a statutory exemption from the
51	requirement of state board approval for future
52	baccalaureate degree programs; specifying the approval
53	process for baccalaureate degree programs; specifying
54	contents of a proposal for a baccalaureate degree program;
55	specifying requirements for Florida colleges offering
56	baccalaureate degree programs; requiring the State Board
57	of Education to adopt specified rules; conforming
58	provisions to changes made by the act; amending ss.
59	120.65, 288.8175, 1001.61, 1004.70, 1004.87, and 1009.23,
60	F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
61	providing an effective date.
62
63	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
64
65	Section 1.  Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
66	20.15, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
67	20.15  Department of Education.--There is created a
68	Department of Education.
69	(3)  DIVISIONS.--The following divisions of the Department
70	of Education are established:
71	(a)  Division of Florida Community Colleges.
72	Section 2.  Subsection (3) of section 1000.21, Florida
73	Statutes, is amended to read:
74	1000.21  Systemwide definitions.--As used in the Florida K-
75	20 Education Code:
76	(3)  "Florida college" or "community college," except as
77	otherwise specifically provided, includes all of the following
78	public postsecondary educational institutions in the Florida
79	College System and any branch campuses, centers, or other
80	affiliates of the institution:
81	(a)  Brevard Community College, which serves Brevard
82	County.
83	(b)  Broward College, which serves Broward County.
84	(c)  Central Florida Community College, which serves
85	Citrus, Levy, and Marion Counties.
86	(d)  Chipola College, which serves Calhoun, Holmes,
87	Jackson, Liberty, and Washington Counties.
88	(e)  Daytona State Beach College, which serves Flagler and
89	Volusia Counties.
90	(f)  Edison State College, which serves Charlotte, Collier,
91	Glades, Hendry, and Lee Counties.
92	(g)  Florida State Community College at Jacksonville, which
93	serves Duval and Nassau Counties.
94	(h)  Florida Keys Community College, which serves Monroe
95	County.
96	(i)  Gulf Coast Community College, which serves Bay,
97	Franklin, and Gulf Counties.
98	(j)  Hillsborough Community College, which serves
99	Hillsborough County.
100	(k)  Indian River State College, which serves Indian River,
101	Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties.
102	(l)  Lake City Community College, which serves Baker,
103	Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, and Union Counties.
104	(m)  Lake-Sumter Community College, which serves Lake and
105	Sumter Counties.
106	(n)  Manatee Community College, which serves Manatee and
107	Sarasota Counties.
108	(o)  Miami Dade College, which serves Miami-Dade County.
109	(p)  North Florida Community College, which serves
110	Hamilton, Jefferson, Lafayette, Madison, Suwannee, and Taylor
111	Counties.
112	(q)  Northwest Florida State Okaloosa-Walton College, which
113	serves Okaloosa and Walton Counties.
114	(r)  Palm Beach Community College, which serves Palm Beach
115	County.
116	(s)  Pasco-Hernando Community College, which serves
117	Hernando and Pasco Counties.
118	(t)  Pensacola Junior College, which serves Escambia and
119	Santa Rosa Counties.
120	(u)  Polk College, which serves Polk County.
121	(v)  St. Johns River Community College, which serves Clay,
122	Putnam, and St. Johns Counties.
123	(w)  St. Petersburg College, which serves Pinellas County.
124	(x)  Santa Fe College, which serves Alachua and Bradford
125	Counties.
126	(y)  Seminole Community College, which serves Seminole
127	County.
128	(z)  South Florida Community College, which serves DeSoto,
129	Hardee, and Highlands Counties.
130	(aa)  Tallahassee Community College, which serves Gadsden,
131	Leon, and Wakulla Counties.
132	(bb)  Valencia Community College, which serves Orange and
133	Osceola Counties.
134	Section 3.  Subsection (2) of section 1001.60, Florida
135	Statutes, is amended to read:
136	1001.60  Florida College System.--
137	(2)  FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM.--There shall be a single
138	Florida College System comprised of the Florida colleges public
139	postsecondary educational institutions identified in s.
140	1000.21(3) that grant 2-year and 4-year academic degrees as
141	provided by law. A An institution within the Florida college
142	System may not offer graduate degree programs.
143	(a)  The programs and services offered by institutions in
144	the Florida colleges College System in providing associate and
145	baccalaureate degrees shall be delivered in a cost-effective
146	manner that demonstrates substantial savings to the student and
147	to the state over the cost of providing the degree at a state
148	university.
149	(b)1.  With the approval of its district the institution's
150	local board of trustees, a an institution in the Florida college
151	System may change the institution's name set forth in s.
152	1000.21(3) and use the designation "college" or "state college"
153	if it has been authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees
154	pursuant to s. 1004.73 or s. 1007.33 and has been accredited as
155	a baccalaureate-degree-granting institution by the Commission on
156	Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools or
157	if it has received approval from the State Board of Education
158	pursuant to this paragraph.
159	2.  With the approval of its district an institution's
160	local board of trustees, a any institution in the Florida
161	college that does not meet the criteria in subparagraph 1.
162	System may request approval from the State Board of Education to
163	change the institution's name set forth in s. 1000.21(3) and use
164	the designation "college." The State Board of Education may
165	approve the request if the Florida college institution enters
166	into an agreement with the State Board of Education to do the
167	following:
168	a.  Maintain as its the institution's primary mission
169	responsibility for responding to community needs for
170	postsecondary academic education and career degree education as
171	prescribed in s. 1004.65(5)(6).
172	b.  Maintain an open-door admissions policy for associate-
173	level degree programs and workforce education programs.
174	c.  Continue to provide outreach to underserved
175	populations.
176	d.  Continue to provide remedial education.
177	e.  Comply with all provisions of the statewide
178	articulation agreement that relate to 2-year and 4-year public
179	degree-granting institutions as adopted by the State Board of
180	Education pursuant to s. 1007.23.
181	(c)  A district board of trustees that approves a change to
182	the name of an institution under paragraph (b) must seek
183	statutory codification of such name change in s. 1000.21(3)
184	during the next regular legislative session.
185	(d)3.  A An institution in the Florida college System shall
186	not use the designation "university."
187	Section 4.  Section 1004.65, Florida Statutes, is amended
188	to read:
189	1004.65  Florida Community colleges; governance definition,
190	mission, and responsibilities.--
191	(1)  Each Florida college Community colleges shall be
192	governed consist of all public educational institutions operated
193	by a community college district board boards of trustees under
194	statutory authority and rules of the State Board of Education.
195	(2)  Each Florida community college district shall:
196	(a)  Consist of the county or counties served by the
197	Florida college pursuant to s. 1000.21(3).
198	(b)  Be authorized by law and the Department of Education
199	is an independent, separate, legal entity created for the
200	operation of a Florida community college.
201	(3)  A community college may provide adult education
202	services, including adult basic education, adult general
203	education, adult secondary education, and General Educational
204	Development test instruction.
205	(3)(4)  Florida The community colleges are locally based
206	and governed entities with statutory and funding ties to state
207	government. As such, the community colleges' mission for Florida
208	colleges reflects a commitment to be responsive to local
209	educational needs and challenges. In achieving this mission,
210	Florida the community colleges strive to maintain sufficient
211	local authority and flexibility while preserving appropriate
212	legal accountability to the state.
213	(4)(5)  As comprehensive institutions, Florida the
214	community colleges shall provide high-quality, affordable
215	education and training opportunities, shall foster a climate of
216	excellence, and shall provide opportunities to all while
217	combining high standards with an open-door admission policy for
218	lower-division programs. Florida The community colleges shall,
219	as open-access institutions, serve all who can benefit, without
220	regard to age, race, gender, creed, or ethnic or economic
221	background, while emphasizing the achievement of social and
222	educational equity so that all can be prepared for full
223	participation in society.
224	(5)(6)  The primary mission and responsibility of Florida
225	community colleges is responding to community needs for
226	postsecondary academic education and career degree education.
227	This mission and responsibility includes being responsible for:
228	(a)  Providing lower level undergraduate instruction and
229	awarding associate degrees.
230	(b)  Preparing students directly for careers requiring less
231	than baccalaureate degrees. This may include preparing for job
232	entry, supplementing of skills and knowledge, and responding to
233	needs in new areas of technology. Career education in a Florida
234	the community college shall consist of career certificates,
235	credit courses leading to associate in science degrees and
236	associate in applied science degrees, and other programs in
237	fields requiring substantial academic work, background, or
238	qualifications. A Florida Community college may offer career
239	education programs in fields having lesser academic or technical
240	requirements.
241	(c)  Providing student development services, including
242	assessment, student tracking, support for disabled students,
243	advisement, counseling, financial aid, career development, and
244	remedial and tutorial services, to ensure student success.
245	(d)  Promoting economic development for the state within
246	each Florida community college district through the provision of
247	special programs, including, but not limited to, the:
248	1.  Enterprise Florida-related programs.
249	2.  Technology transfer centers.
250	3.  Economic development centers.
251	4.  Workforce literacy programs.
252	(e)  Providing dual enrollment instruction.
253	(7)  A separate and secondary role for community colleges
254	includes:
255	(f)(a)  Providing upper level instruction and awarding
256	baccalaureate degrees as specifically authorized by law.
257	(6)(b)  A separate and secondary role for Florida colleges
258	includes the offering of programs in:
259	(a)1.  Community services that are not directly related to
260	academic or occupational advancement.
261	(b)2.  Adult general education services, including adult
262	basic education, adult general education, adult secondary
263	education, and General Educational Development test instruction.
264	(c)3.  Recreational and leisure services.
265	(7)(8)  Funding for Florida community colleges shall
266	reflect their mission as follows:
267	(a)  Postsecondary academic and career education programs
268	and adult general education programs shall have first priority
269	in Florida community college funding.
270	(b)  Community service programs shall be presented to the
271	Legislature with rationale for state funding. The Legislature
272	may identify priority areas for use of these funds.
273	(8)(9)  Florida Community colleges are authorized to:
274	(a)  Offer such programs and courses as are necessary to
275	fulfill their mission. and are authorized to
276	(b)  Grant associate in arts degrees, associate in science
277	degrees, associate in applied science degrees, certificates,
278	awards, and diplomas.
279	(c)  Each community college is also authorized to Make
280	provisions for the General Educational Development test.
281	(d)  Each community college may Provide access to
282	baccalaureate degrees in accordance with law.
283	Section 5.  Sections 1004.73 and 1004.875, Florida
284	Statutes, are repealed.
285	Section 6.  Subsection (2) of section 1007.23, Florida
286	Statutes, is amended to read:
287	1007.23  Statewide articulation agreement.--
288	(2)(a)  The articulation agreement must specifically
289	provide that every associate in arts graduate of a Florida
290	community college shall have met all general education
291	requirements and must be granted admission to the upper division
292	of a:
293	1.  State university, except for to a limited access or
294	teacher certification program or a major program requiring an
295	audition.
296	2.  Florida college if it offers baccalaureate degree
297	programs, except for a limited access or teacher certification
298	program or a major program requiring an audition.
299	(b)  Florida Community college associate in arts graduates
300	shall receive priority for admission to the upper division of a
301	Florida college or to a state university over out-of-state
302	students. Orientation programs, catalogs, and student handbooks
303	provided to freshman enrollees and transfer students at Florida
304	colleges and state universities must include an explanation of
305	this provision of the articulation agreement.
306	Section 7.  Section 1007.33, Florida Statutes, is amended
307	to read:
308	(Substantial rewording of section. See
309	s. 1007.33, F.S., for present text.)
310	1007.33  Site-determined baccalaureate degree access.--
311	(1)(a)  The Legislature recognizes that public and private
312	postsecondary educational institutions play an essential role in
313	improving the quality of life and economic well-being of the
314	state and its residents. The Legislature also recognizes that
315	economic development needs and the educational needs of place-
316	bound, nontraditional students have increased the demand for
317	local access to baccalaureate degree programs. It is therefore
318	the intent of the Legislature to further expand access to
319	baccalaureate degree programs through the use of Florida
320	colleges.
321	(b)  For purposes of this section, the term "district"
322	refers to the county or counties served by a Florida college
323	pursuant to s. 1000.21(3).
324	(2)(a)  A Florida college may:
325	1.  Offer specified baccalaureate degree programs through
326	formal agreements between the Florida college and other
327	regionally accredited postsecondary educational institutions
328	pursuant to s. 1007.22.
329	2.  Offer baccalaureate degree programs that were
330	authorized by law prior to July 1, 2009.
331	3.  Beginning July 1, 2009, establish a first or subsequent
332	baccalaureate degree program for purposes of meeting district,
333	regional, or statewide workforce needs when approved by the
334	State Board of Education under this section, except as provided
335	in paragraph (b).
336	(b)1.  Beginning July 1, 2009, the Board of Trustees of the
337	St. Petersburg College is authorized to establish:
338	a.  One or more bachelor of applied science degree programs
339	based on an analysis of workforce needs in Pinellas, Pasco, and
340	Hernando Counties and other counties approved by the Department
341	of Education. For each program selected, St. Petersburg College
342	must offer a related associate in science or associate in
343	applied science degree program, and the baccalaureate degree
344	level program must be designed to articulate fully with at least
345	one associate in science degree program. The college is
346	encouraged to develop articulation agreements for enrollment of
347	graduates of related associate in applied science degree
348	programs.
349	b.  Additional baccalaureate degree programs if it
350	determines a program is warranted and feasible based on each of
351	the factors in paragraph (3)(d) and its coordinating board under
352	subparagraph 2. approves the program. The determination must
353	consider community needs and economic opportunities.
354	2.  The coordinating board for St. Petersburg College shall
355	consist of the President of the University of South Florida, the
356	President of St. Petersburg College, the President of Pasco-
357	Hernando Community College, and the chairs of the boards of
358	trustees of those institutions. The coordinating board shall
359	assist the board of trustees in its deliberations concerning
360	issues that affect the upper division of St. Petersburg College
361	and shall meet at the request of the President of the University
362	of South Florida or the President of St. Petersburg College. If
363	the coordinating board cannot decide an issue of importance to
364	the programs designed for upper-division students, the State
365	Board of Education shall resolve the issue.
366	(c)  Seven years following a Florida college's
367	authorization to establish one or more baccalaureate degree
368	programs under subparagraph (a)2. or subparagraph (a)3. and
369	receipt of accreditation from the Commission on Colleges of the
370	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools as a baccalaureate-
371	degree-granting institution, a Florida college may request that
372	the State Board of Education review its baccalaureate degree
373	program or programs for purposes of determining whether its
374	district board of trustees should be statutorily exempted from
375	the requirement in subparagraph (a)3. for State Board of
376	Education approval of future baccalaureate degree programs.
377	After conducting such review, the State Board of Education shall
378	provide to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
379	House of Representatives a written recommendation, including the
380	reasons therefor, that indicates whether such exemption is
381	warranted. The recommendation shall be submitted to the
382	President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
383	Representatives at least 90 days before its next regular
384	session.
385	(d)  Authority to offer one or more baccalaureate degree
386	programs does not alter the governance relationship of the
387	Florida college with its district board of trustees or the State
388	Board of Education.
389	(3)  The approval process for baccalaureate degree programs
390	shall require:
391	(a)  Each Florida college to submit a notice of its intent
392	to propose a baccalaureate degree program to the Division of
393	Florida Colleges at least 100 days prior to submission of its
394	proposal under paragraph (d). The notice must include a brief
395	description of the program, the workforce demand and unmet need
396	for graduates of the program, the geographic region to be
397	served, and an estimated timeframe for implementation. Notices
398	of intent may be submitted by a Florida college at any time
399	throughout the year.
400	(b)  The Division of Florida Colleges to forward the notice
401	of intent within 10 business days following receipt to the
402	Chancellor of the State University System, the President of the
403	Independent Colleges and Universities of Florida, and the
404	Executive Director of the Council for Independent Education.
405	State universities shall have 60 days following receipt of the
406	notice by the Chancellor of the State University System to
407	submit an alternative proposal to offer the baccalaureate degree
408	program. If a proposal from a state university is not received
409	within the 60-day period, the State Board of Education shall
410	provide regionally accredited private colleges and universities
411	30 days to submit an alternative proposal. Alternative proposals
412	shall be submitted to the Division of Florida Colleges and must
413	be considered by the State Board of Education in making its
414	decision to approve or deny a Florida college's proposal.
415	(c)  An alternative proposal submitted by a state
416	university or private college or university to adequately
417	address:
418	1.  The extent to which the workforce demand and unmet need
419	described in the notice of intent will be met.
420	2.  The extent to which students will be able to complete
421	the degree in the geographic region proposed to be served by the
422	Florida college.
423	3.  The level of financial commitment of the college or
424	university to the development, implementation, and maintenance
425	of the specified degree program, including timelines.
426	4.  The extent to which faculty at both the Florida college
427	and the college or university will collaborate in the
428	development and offering of the curriculum.
429	5.  The ability of the Florida college and the college or
430	university to develop and approve the curriculum for the
431	specified degree program within 6 months after an agreement
432	between the Florida college and the college or university is
433	signed.
434	6.  The extent to which the student may incur additional
435	costs above what the student would expect to incur if the
436	program were offered by the Florida college.
437	(d)  Each proposal submitted by a Florida college to, at a
438	minimum, include:
439	1.  A description of the planning process and timeline for
440	implementation.
441	2.  An analysis of workforce demand and unmet need for
442	graduates of the program on a district, regional, or statewide
443	basis, as appropriate.
444	3.  Identification of the facilities, equipment, and
445	library and academic resources that will be used to deliver the
446	program.
447	4.  The program's admission requirements, academic content,
448	curriculum, faculty credentials, student-to-teacher ratios, and
449	accreditation plan.
450	5.  The program's enrollment projections and funding
451	requirements.
452	6.  A plan of action if the program is terminated.
453	(e)  The Division of Florida Colleges to review the
454	proposal, notify the Florida college of any deficiencies in
455	writing within 15 days following receipt of the proposal, and
456	provide the Florida college with an opportunity to correct the
457	deficiencies. Within 45 days following receipt of a completed
458	proposal by the Division of Florida Colleges, the Commissioner
459	of Education shall recommend approval or disapproval of the
460	proposal to the State Board of Education. The State Board of
461	Education shall consider that recommendation, the proposal, and
462	any alternative proposals at its next meeting. If the State
463	Board of Education disapproves the Florida college's proposal,
464	it shall provide the Florida college with written reasons for
465	that determination.
466	(f)  The Florida college to obtain from the Commission on
467	Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools:
468	1.  Accreditation as a baccalaureate-degree-granting
469	institution if approved by the State Board of Education to offer
470	its first baccalaureate degree program; or
471	2.  Accreditation approval for subsequent baccalaureate
472	degree programs that are approved by the State Board of
473	Education.
474	(4)  Any Florida college that offers one or more
475	baccalaureate degree programs must:
476	(a)  Maintain as its primary mission:
477	1.  Responsibility for responding to community needs for
478	postsecondary academic education and career degree education as
479	prescribed in s. 1004.65(5).
480	2.  The provision of associate degrees that provide access
481	to a university.
482	(b)  Maintain an open-door admission policy for associate-
483	level degree programs and workforce education programs.
484	(c)  Continue to provide outreach to underserved
485	populations.
486	(d)  Continue to provide remedial education.
487	(e)  Comply with all provisions of the statewide
488	articulation agreement that relate to 2-year and 4-year public
489	degree granting institutions as adopted by the State Board of
490	Education pursuant to s. 1007.23.
491	(f)  Not award graduate credit.
492	(g)  Not participate in intercollegiate athletics beyond
493	the 2-year level.
494	(5)  A Florida college may not terminate its associate in
495	arts or associate in science degree programs as a result of
496	being authorized to offer one or more baccalaureate degree
497	programs. The Legislature intends that the primary
498	responsibility of a Florida college, including a Florida college
499	that offers baccalaureate degree programs, continues to be the
500	provision of associate degrees that provide access to a
501	university.
502	(6)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
503	prescribe format and content requirements and submission
504	procedures for notices of intent, proposals, and alternative
505	proposals under subsection (3).
506	Section 8.  Subsection (11) of section 120.65, Florida
507	Statutes, is amended to read:
508	120.65  Administrative law judges.--
509	(11)  The division shall be reimbursed for administrative
510	law judge services and travel expenses by the following
511	entities: water management districts, regional planning
512	councils, school districts, community colleges, the Division of
513	Florida Community Colleges, state universities, the Board of
514	Governors of the State University System, the State Board of
515	Education, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and
516	the Commission for Independent Education. These entities shall
517	contract with the division to establish a contract rate for
518	services and provisions for reimbursement of administrative law
519	judge travel expenses and video teleconferencing expenses
520	attributable to hearings conducted on behalf of these entities.
521	The contract rate must be based on a total-cost-recovery
522	methodology.
523	Section 9.  Paragraphs (c) and (i) of subsection (5) of
524	section 288.8175, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
525	288.8175  Linkage institutes between postsecondary
526	institutions in this state and foreign countries.--
527	(5)  The institutes are:
528	(c)  Florida Caribbean Institute (Florida International
529	University and Daytona State Beach College).
530	(i)  Florida-West Africa Institute (Florida Agricultural
531	and Mechanical University, University of North Florida, and
532	Florida State Community College at Jacksonville).
533	Section 10.  Subsection (1) of section 1001.61, Florida
534	Statutes, is amended to read:
535	1001.61  Community college boards of trustees;
536	membership.--
537	(1)  Community college boards of trustees shall be
538	comprised of five members when a community college district is
539	confined to one school board district; seven members when a
540	community college district is confined to one school board
541	district and the board of trustees so elects; and not more than
542	nine members when the district contains two or more school board
543	districts, as provided by rules of the State Board of Education.
544	However, Florida State Community College at Jacksonville shall
545	have an odd number of trustees.
546	Section 11.  Paragraph (e) of subsection (4) of section
547	1004.70, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
548	1004.70  Community college direct-support organizations.--
549	(4)  ACTIVITIES; RESTRICTIONS.--
550	(e)  A community college board of trustees must authorize
551	all debt, including lease-purchase agreements, incurred by a
552	direct-support organization. Authorization for approval of
553	short-term loans and lease-purchase agreements for a term of not
554	more than 5 years, including renewals, extensions, and
555	refundings, for goods, materials, equipment, and services may be
556	delegated by the board of trustees to the board of directors of
557	the direct-support organization. Trustees shall evaluate
558	proposals for debt according to guidelines issued by the
559	Division of Florida Community Colleges. Revenues of the
560	community college may not be pledged to debt issued by direct-
561	support organizations.
562	Section 12.  Subsections (1) and (5) of section 1004.87,
563	Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
564	1004.87  Florida College System Task Force.--
565	(1)  The Florida College System Task Force is established
566	within the Division of Florida Community Colleges of the
567	Department of Education for the purpose of developing findings
568	and issuing recommendations regarding the transition of
569	community colleges to baccalaureate-degree-granting colleges and
570	the criteria for establishing and funding state colleges.
571	(5)  The task force shall be staffed by existing employees
572	of the Division of Florida Community Colleges.
573	Section 13.  Subsection (1) and paragraph (b) of subsection
574	(16) of section 1009.23, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
575	1009.23  Community college student fees.--
576	(1)  Unless otherwise provided, this section applies only
577	to fees charged for college credit instruction leading to an
578	associate in arts degree, an associate in applied science
579	degree, an associate in science degree, or a baccalaureate
580	degree authorized pursuant to s. 1007.33 or s. 1004.73, for
581	noncollege credit college-preparatory courses defined in s.
582	1004.02, and for educator preparation institute programs defined
583	in s. 1004.85.
584	(16)
585	(b)  The amount of the distance learning course user fee
586	may not exceed the additional costs of the services provided
587	which are attributable to the development and delivery of the
588	distance learning course. If a community college assesses the
589	distance learning course user fee, the institution may not
590	assess any other fees to cover the additional costs. By
591	September 1 of each year, each board of trustees shall report to
592	the Division of Florida Community Colleges the total amount of
593	revenue generated by the distance learning course user fee for
594	the prior academic year and how the revenue was expended.
595	Section 14.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2009.

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.