higher education; 2025-2026

Establishes a new performance funding model for universities based on degrees awarded, student credit hours completed, and research funding, with added weight for STEM degrees.

Increases the maximum capital improvement lease-to-own and bond agreement limit from $800 million to $1.125 billion beginning in fiscal year 2026-2027.

Allows the legislature to match less than $2 for each dollar raised from student registration fee surcharges for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Requires the Board of Regents to submit annual reports on university debt and obligations to the joint legislative budget committee and governor's office by November 1 each year.

Requires universities to publicly post all employment openings with title, description, application instructions, and contact information.

Repeals the tuition reduction requirement for resident undergraduate students effective December 31, 2028, replacing it with a 2.5% tuition reduction for fiscal years 2025-2026 through 2027-2028.

Expands the Arizona teachers academy to include degree-granting private postsecondary institutions and tribal colleges offering teacher education programs.

Modifies the undergraduate credit hour threshold definition and reporting requirements for tuition differentiation purposes.

Extends the delayed repeal of law enforcement officer spouse tuition scholarships from June 30, 2025 to June 30, 2027, and adds fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 for transferring unexpended military veteran scholarship funds to law enforcement scholarships.