Laws Prioritizing Florida Students in Preeminent University Enrollment, Healthcare Education Programs, and Appropriations Take Center Stage.
Florida’s 2026 regular legislative session is scheduled to conclude on March 12. Thus far, there are several bills filed that could impact Florida’s higher education landscape from access and operations points of view.
The legislature is considering bills that set percentage enrollment limits for non-Florida and international students at state universities, legislation that provides waived tuition and fees for active members of the Florida National Guard, and legislation supporting currently or formerly incarcerated individuals in workforce training in their higher education pursuits.
The Senate proposed a $115 billion budget while the House proposal is $113.6 billion. Both proposals come in under the current Fiscal Year 2025-2026 budget of $115.1 billion and the Governor’s recommended budget of $117.4 billion.
Building on FCAN’s 2026 Legislative Preview, the mid-session update tracks the progress of these bills and developments in the state budget. A final 2026 session recap will be released upon the legislature’s adjournment detailing which legislation passed alongside the proposed 2026-2027 state budget.