Committee advances postsecondary bill expanding dual‑enrollment options and prompting dental association concern over CIE exemption

The Senate Committee on Education Postsecondary took up SPB 70 38, a proposed committee bill described by the sponsor as modifying provisions related to postsecondary education and workforce development, with emphasis on tuition and fee policies, consumer protections, career and technical education, student acceleration and institutional operations.

During questioning, Sen. Berman asked whether the bill’s removal of course exemptions from Commission for Independent Education (CIE) jurisdiction would require current courses to go through CIE for continued operation. Committee discussion clarified the change affects institutions rather than individual courses. Berman also asked whether expanding the number of institutions eligible for dual enrollment would increase the funding needed in the General Appropriations Act; the presenter said dual enrollment funding is set as a specific legislative item and that expanding eligible institutions is intended to provide optionality for students without changing the per‑student payment rate. The presenter said private institutions were previously allowed for summer and the bill extends that option to fall and spring.

Sen. Berman asked why the Classic Learning Test had been removed as a qualifying assessment for fee waivers; the presenter called the removal an error and said the test would be put back into the bill.

In public comment, Joanne Hart of the Florida Dental Association asked the sponsor to preserve an exemption in Section 5 that covers programs under chapter 466. Hart said chapter 466 exemptions have allowed board of dentistry‑approved dental assisting programs to operate for 45 years, have supported workforce development and should remain exempt from CIE oversight so those programs can continue to expand.

Sen. Claudio moved to submit SPB 70 38 as a committee bill; there was no objection and the motion was adopted. The clerk called the roll and recorded unanimous or unanimous‑recorded favorable votes; SPB 70 38 was reported favorably.