TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – After the proposal received unanimous approval from the House and Senate, Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill (HB 593) designed to help state colleges that lose enrollment because of hurricanes.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Jay Trumbull, R-Panama City, and Sen. George Gainer, R-Panama City, was filed after Hurricane Michael devastated parts of Northwest Florida in October.
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Under the measure, state colleges that sustain enrollment decreases of more than 10 percent because of hurricanes will be able to waive out-of-state fees for three years.
The bill is aimed at helping colleges recruit new students by waiving the higher fees ordinarily charged to people who live outside Florida.
A House staff analysis said Gulf Coast State College, which is based in Panama City, saw enrollment decrease 16 percent this spring after Michael blew away homes and businesses in the area. DeSantis signed the bill Monday.