FL S1786

Transfers regulatory authority from "rules" to "regulations" for the Board of Governors and university boards of trustees, allowing them to adopt regulations based on constitutional authority under s. 7, Art. IX of the State Constitution without following Chapter 120 rulemaking procedures.

Creates the Higher Education Coordinating Council with representatives from education sectors and business community to advise the Legislature, State Board of Education, and Board of Governors on coordinating higher education programs and resolving disputes over new degree programs and institutional expansions.

Establishes new flexibility for student fees by allowing the Board of Governors to approve university proposals for new fees (capped at 10% of tuition), fee increases, and flexible tuition policies including block tuition and market-rate pricing for graduate courses.

Repeals statutory authority for specific degree programs at individual universities (nursing, social work, chiropractic medicine, engineering programs, speech pathology) while preserving universities' authority to continue these programs under the Board of Governors' regulatory authority.

Exempts state universities from participation in the SUNCOM Network communications system and removes the legislative requirement that universities participate, allowing voluntary use instead.