Bill > HB4579

This bill appropriates $456,652,500.00 for community colleges for the fiscal year 2025-2026. * **Community College Operations:** $363,363,500.00 from the State School Aid Fund is allocated to individual community colleges for their operations. * **Retirement Contributions:** $7,189,000.00 from the State School Aid Fund is allocated to offset retirement contributions for the fiscal year 2025-2026. * **Offsetting Normal Cost Contributions:** Up to $21,800,000.00 from the State School Aid Fund is allocated to community colleges to offset normal cost contribution rates for retirement. * **Retirement System Payments:** $62,100,000.00 from the State School Aid Fund is allocated for payments to community colleges participating in the retirement system. * **Renaissance Zone Tax Reimbursements:** $2,200,000.00 from the State School Aid Fund is allocated for renaissance zone tax reimbursements. * **State Building Authority Rent:** $38,032,600.00 is appropriated for the state's share of costs for previously constructed community college capital projects. This funding is distributed among various community colleges. The bill also includes provisions regarding: * Restrictions on purchasing foreign goods if comparable American goods are available. * Requirements for community colleges to collaborate with 4-year universities, local employers, and each other. * Reporting requirements for transfer student outcomes and tuition and fee rates. * Tuition restraint limits for the academic year 2025-2026. * Prohibitions on spending for diversity, equity, or inclusion initiatives, and on violating certain court rulings regarding admissions. * Restrictions on the use of funds for administrative staff salaries and on sex or race-based restrictions in common areas or public events. * Requirements for designating intercollegiate athletic teams based on sex. * Mandatory posting of remote employee information and financial audits on college websites. * Community colleges must not spend more than 10% of their total salaries on staff who do not educate students or perform maintenance functions.