[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6607331,"mediaKeyId","2953227-51e226a620d161a50d17166e63b3e8e4","parentId",2953227,"title","Committee recommends multiple university trustee nominees but records concern and opposition over recent UWF leadership controversy","audioSeconds",2970,"startMs",1410000,"endMs",4380000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953227-51e226a620d161a50d17166e63b3e8e4&start=1410&end=4380","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953227-51e226a620d161a50d17166e63b3e8e4/thumbnail_1410000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6607331/Florida/Committee-recommends-multiple-university-trustee-nominees-but-records-concern-and-opposition-over-recent-UWF-leadership-controversy","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607331-5aad302777424e7c9617335c844bfe0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171833&Signature=oWQGVxfxVUErGvU-dnJVHyeALjcXrqwJywMosdASNmJT5n9kuePF7Ct--gxRGzfCdQlaxtHBoPf0oz6NOeBMkrlWjzc1whdCXK1p~L-UZpOrqAtg9dEsrTR~Y4KXsxCSvHkIVUNuOgrx6pOUGeE9T6zke4LSKIIwjMbXXEadDR-yL68KfLpObjW-J2sNzTJ8wqek4ieYrriJYC4jra9m9ZaOf7nfa74YT3Z-05p0rvgp~CNCRloYsPpUXnZC64iYKiHatq~FZx7T~TndK2g2mxbIFZTrjdGcvmaadtbwtXk3ZeyT4VaPZ1BDLxLY-GD2AGIkdd8vgeOEFDl~fcGxjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida State Legislature","date","2025-04-10T00:00:00Z","article","The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education held confirmation hearings for more than a dozen nominees to boards of trustees for state universities and colleges. Chair Harrell conducted the hearings in person and by Zoom and said the panel would hear in-person nominees first and then Zoom participants.

Nominees who appeared and spoke in person included Nicole Washington (Florida A&M University Board of Trustees), Nicole Patel (University of North Florida, reappointment), Zach (Thomas) Smith (Pensacola State College), Christopher Young (University of West Florida), Gates (R.) Garcia (University of West Florida), and Edward Fleming (Pensacola State College). Additional nominees appeared by Zoom, including Paul Bailey (University of West Florida), Raul Patel (University of Florida, reappointment), Jed Davis (University of Florida), and others; the committee noted more nominees would be scheduled for subsequent hearings.

On the record, several nominees summarized their qualifications and priorities. Nicole Washington told the committee she has served two prior terms on the FAMU board, emphasized student success and data-driven improvements and cited a 4-year graduation rate of 41 percent as a recent milestone. Nicole Patel, vice chair of UNF's board, highlighted UNF's regional retention and economic return and said \"for every dollar invested into UNF, 11 dollars is returned to the community.\" Pensacola appointees described workforce and industry partnerships; Thomas (Zach) Smith highlighted a new aircraft maintenance program supported by industry partners and said private contributions were already flowing to the college. Christopher Young, Gates Garcia, and Paul Bailey presented their ties to the Gulf Coast region, military communities and athletics programs as strengths for University of West Florida trusteeship.

Public comment and committee questioning focused heavily on the recent controversy surrounding a former UWF board chair, Scott Yener, whose public remarks about women and certain groups had already been widely publicized. Multiple senators asked UWF nominees whether they had been aware of and whether they supported those remarks; several nominees responded that they had not been aware of some of the statements and said they would not have supported him had they known. For example, when asked about that vote, Christopher Young said, \"If I'd have known those statements were out there there's no way I would have voted for him.\" Gates Garcia and other nominees said they would work with UWF leadership to strengthen regional ties and support veterans and athletic and academic programs.

The committee voted on two blocks of nominees. First, a block of nominees (Nicole Washington, Nicole Patel, Thomas \"Zach\" Smith, Andrew Hobbs, Edward Fleming, Raul Patel, and Jed Davis) was moved and reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee by voice/roll call. The committee then voted individually on the three UWF nominees the panel chose to take separately. Roll calls recorded in the transcript show Senator Smith voting no on the three UWF nominees while the remaining recorded senators voted to report those nominees favorably to Ethics and Elections.

Why it matters: Confirmations shape governance of public higher-education institutions. The committee's questions and public comment show local stakeholders and senators are attentive to trustees' regional ties, experience in higher education, and positions on equity and inclusion.

What happened on votes (on the record):
- A block of nominees was reported favorably to the Ethics and Elections Committee (names listed above). The transcript shows the clerk calling the roll and the committee reporting favorably on the so-named individuals.
- Christopher Young (UWF) was reported favorably to Ethics and Elections (roll call: Burgess Yes; Kalatiued Yes; Leake Yes; Smith No; Trumbull Yes; Vice Chair Bradley Yes; Chair Harrell Yes).
- Paul Bailey (UWF) was reported favorably to Ethics and Elections (same roll-call pattern recorded: Smith No; others Yes).
- R. Gates Garcia (UWF) was reported favorably to Ethics and Elections (same roll-call pattern recorded: Smith No; others Yes).

Ending: Chair Harrell said remaining nominees would be scheduled for a future hearing; the committee moved the reported nominees on to Ethics and Elections and adjourned.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations Committee on Higher Education 4/10/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Appropriations Committee on Higher Education held confirmation hearings for more than a dozen nominees to university and college boards of trustees and voted to report a block of nominees favorably while taking three University of West Florida appointees separately amid questions and public concern about recent UWF leadership controversy.","taxTitle","Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, House, Legislative, Florida","taxId",25416,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6607340,"Panel advances bill to cap school districts' administrative share of apprenticeship funds at 10%",218,67000,285000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953227-51e226a620d161a50d17166e63b3e8e4&start=67&end=285","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953227-51e226a620d161a50d17166e63b3e8e4/thumbnail_67000.jpg","/articles/6607340/Florida/Panel-advances-bill-to-cap-school-districts-administrative-share-of-apprenticeship-funds-at-10","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607340-f24df8243479e98642ad1d027b07fdd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171833&Signature=QgXAUXfD8HxOAgYVlhl64JOEUJBP4FjFSGKxB60YZn5am06Hcbx8RemKMzkKUwXoc2s2rz4BXn~QbO2dCxsNezMsUQsgFwNMbBLuvPhS7725-U6GuKnxSoiX0YKAoOoeSx7-D7m4Iqf0GxwMnGQvD~RMuZ7CIH~kd~kYCj2Z3IVoJm8l6V5p7YCKfLdiUdvWV2DNfrF5dRJk0xMJ~EuOJTxYBeB2H9KOmz9R99Jd-GCdzAAlRcEuzEhnlEJiuPi3pmeVSIqxstvMKHjne~9uBfeeNeOu2gNNZAMte~dcRMbtzCATcep63yHbHIso5Z0FmaF8~yhdR7ot4PDgbG1CMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Harrell opened the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education meeting and recognized the sponsor to explain CS for SB 1458, a bill that would standardize how pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs are administered and funded.

Senator Disickley, the bill sponsor, said the bill requires local education agencies and their apprenticeship training provider partners to define their roles in a contract and \"establish how the funding is to be divided amongst them based on their role in the relationship.\" He told the committee the measure \"acknowledges that the LEA may serve an administrative role only and defines what an administrative role may be.\" Disickley added that \"where the LEA serves administrative role only, their funding share must be capped at a not to exceed 10% of the overall funding.\" He also said the bill directs the district workforce education funding steering committee to hold public meetings and publish work papers when recommending workload or funding models to the Department of Education.

Committee members did not ask substantive questions during the presented testimony. Several groups filed appearance cards in support and waived speaking: Carol Bowen with Associated Builders and Contractors, Eric Carr with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Logan Bragdon with Foundations for Florida's Future, and David Shep with Independent Electrical Contractors.

Chair Harrell called the roll for CS for SB 1458. The clerk announced the bill \"will be reported favorably.\" Senator Disickley closed by asking for the committee's \"favorable support on this good bill.\"

Why it matters: Proponents framed the measure as a transparency and accountability change intended to clarify contractual roles between school districts and apprenticeship providers and to ensure most program dollars flow to training rather than to district-only administrative overhead.

What the bill does, as explained on the record: it (1) requires that LEAs and apprenticeship/pre-apprenticeship trainers define roles and funding splits in contracts; (2) caps an LEA's share at no more than 10% when the LEA performs only administrative duties; and (3) requires the district workforce education funding steering committee to conduct public meetings and publish work papers when recommending workload for a funding model to the Department of Education. On the record, Senator Disickley said the bill has \"no fiscal impact.\"

No amendments or formal debate were recorded before the committee voted to report the bill favorably to the next committee.

Ending note: The committee indicated support and moved CS for SB 1458 forward; the bill will proceed from this committee for further consideration.","Chair Harrell opened the Appropriations Committee on Higher Education meeting and recognized the sponsor to explain CS for SB 1458, a bill that would standardize how pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs are administered and funded.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6607336,"Committee approves amended higher-education governance bill setting minimum presidential finalist group and other board changes",198,267000,465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2953227-51e226a620d161a50d17166e63b3e8e4&start=267&end=465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2953227-51e226a620d161a50d17166e63b3e8e4/thumbnail_267000.jpg","/articles/6607336/Florida/Committee-approves-amended-higher-education-governance-bill-setting-minimum-presidential-finalist-group-and-other-board-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6607336-01b911d4e9a5f1229d89920094176a97/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171833&Signature=OuAdX4ko~2IkOWAwCmjZGCfyikXwBc7ZqLLFXLyxMxTAjZu87hg7D6jL-qJvwhfE48fH-q2un4iCmEVo3pyOXNJfR0RmFASm9iljXjojSEoe-Hsqgd4V2YwpMdIt5SF9U~qt~UwwWCNO7Z9WlmvZM4QqoEYgQCAa4vccHxnoS2iVy5l3vEFqVQtgu1AssdOjI3rmBvZx5WDYuCgsIu23k7ck1OjrDUJv6Vs1ouOdKsFEmcZR19blZ5iJ5TLOW2LpkO2GhF0BLV-YaOKQUo0upkn1LRyOD6EmzlKZa0429eYleCB2nJOh5YapvwhgTM1aho6RqOTdV7itMZDGNFG6pA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chair Harrell put CS for SB 17 26 on the table and Senator Kalatiuh presented a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment that together reshaped the bill's provisions.

Senator Kalatiuh said the delete-all amendment \"refines Senate Bill 17 26 to better balance transparency, flexibility, [and] institutional autonomy,\" and described several deletions and additions. Among the changes he listed: removing a search-committee requirement for interim president appointments, removing a repeal of the public-records exemption for presidential applications, allowing trustees to serve until successors are appointed, authorizing presidential contracts to be renewed for longer than one year (but no longer than the original term), and requiring the Board of Governors to review admission criteria and academic programs during university mission reviews. The amendment also removed escrow-account requirements for PECO project funds, clarified textbook/material list requirements to include open-access materials with unique identifiers if available, and required course syllabi to be posted at least 10 days before term start.

The committee also considered a late-filed amendment that, on the record, defined the \"final group of applicants\" for president searches as \"no fewer than 3 applicants who will receive final consideration for president of a state university or a Florida College System institution.\" Senator Collado presented that change and the panel adopted the amendment to the amendment by voice vote.

Committee members asked clarifying questions on the record. A senator asked whether the final group language \"means ... they would always need to have at least 3\" candidates; Senator Kalatiuh confirmed \"that is correct.\" Kalatiuh also described a required succession plan identifying an individual employed by the institution \"who would serve as interim president in the need for such occasion.\" The bill as amended also requires State University Boards of Trustees and the Board of Governors members to be U.S. citizens, with a residency exemption for members who graduated from a Florida public university, and prohibits state universities from conducting public polling \"related to candidates for any federal, state, or local office.\" Kalatiuh said the Board of Governors would be required to adopt regulations to implement that restriction.

Several senators debated the measure. Senator Leake voiced concerns about the practical effect of the minimum-three-finalists rule, saying candidates sometimes withdraw late and the bill should address that possibility. Senator Smith supported the bill's overall direction, saying the measure \"seeks to de-politicize the process\" and that narrowing trustee eligibility to Florida residents or state-system alumni will \"ensure these Florida institutions are going to be led by Floridians or folks that are the product of Florida's higher education institution.\" Senator Smith also expressed reservations about the polling prohibition, citing the quality of university polling for public affairs.

After discussion there was no public testimony recorded on the amendment as amended. The committee voted by roll call to report CS for CS for SB 17 26 favorably.

Why it matters: The bill targets several aspects of how state universities and Florida College System institutions choose leadership and how trustees are selected and authorized to act. The final-group provision aims to ensure a minimum pool of finalists for presidential searches; other changes modify trustee qualifications and require additional transparency or procedural requirements for institutions.

What to watch next: The bill moves forward to additional committees and floor consideration. Several items flagged in committee (polling restrictions, succession-plan details, and the minimum-finalists contingency if candidates withdraw) were discussed as topics for further refinement.

Ending: The sponsor asked for favorable support and the committee reported the bill favorably for further consideration.","Chair Harrell put CS for SB 17 26 on the table and Senator Kalatiuh presented a delete-all amendment and a late-filed amendment that together reshaped the bill's provisions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee recommends multiple university trustee nominees but records concern and opposition over recent UWF leadership controversy

Panel advances bill to cap school districts' administrative share of apprenticeship funds at 10%

Committee approves amended higher-education governance bill setting minimum presidential finalist group and other board changes