Two state-level higher-education policy moves this week targeted universities’ hiring and governance. Florida’s Board of Governors is proposing a yearlong ban on new H‑1B hires at public universities through Jan. 5, 2027, executing a directive from Governor Ron DeSantis aimed at curbing what he calls “H‑1B abuse.” The University of Florida and other Florida campuses employ hundreds of H‑1B professionals in research and medical posts—roles that university leaders say are critical to labs and hospitals. Separately, Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill to eliminate the voting student regent seat on the Iowa Board of Regents and replace it with a governor-appointed seat, while adding several nonvoting student and legislative seats. The proposal also expands state oversight powers over program approvals, tenure review and faculty governance structures. Both measures shift authority from campus hiring and shared governance to political actors and executive branch directives. Universities in affected states face immediate operational questions about research continuity, clinical staffing and faculty recruitment, and boards will need to weigh legal, accreditation and labor implications as they respond to new state mandates.