Local House Members Vote Again on Proposal to Transfer USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus to New College
Four of the six state House members representing the Sarasota-Manatee region voted Tuesday in favor of a proposal that would transfer the campus and property of the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to New College of Florida as lawmakers met in special session to finalize Florida’s state budget.
The proposal passed the Florida House in an 80-26 vote as part of a higher education package tied to the 2026-27 state budget. However, the transfer is not yet final because the Florida Senate approved its own higher education measure without including the campus transfer language. The issue will now move to a conference committee where House and Senate negotiators will attempt to reach a compromise before the budget is completed.
The House proposal would transfer the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus property, located along North Tamiami Trail near Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, to New College of Florida. The measure also includes a requirement that USF transfer approximately $22.47 million in funding to New College as part of the plan.
Gov. Ron DeSantis first proposed the transfer late last year during the release of his 2026-27 budget recommendations. Supporters of the proposal have said consolidating the neighboring campuses could strengthen New College’s long-term future and better align state higher education resources.
Opponents have raised concerns about the impact the transfer could have on higher education opportunities, economic development and workforce training in the Sarasota-Manatee region. The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus is part of the larger University of South Florida system, which is recognized as a preeminent state research university and a member of the Association of American Universities.
The debate over the proposal has drawn attention from students, faculty, alumni, business leaders and residents throughout the region in recent months as lawmakers continue negotiations over the future of the campus.
