SENATE committee amendment technical

HOUSE committee amendments technical except for Amendment 3 [LINK] which added disposition of property that would remain with the school board.

The bill ensures charter schools keep public-funded assets during and after converting to state oversight, while private-funded assets stay with the nonprofit operator.

Updates charter school asset rules:

• Type 1, 2, 3, 3B, and 5 schools keep assets during the charter.
• If a Type 1, 3, or 3B school converts to Type 2, it keeps public-funded assets bought before switching.
• Public-funded assets go to the authorizer if the charter ends.
• Private-funded assets stay with the nonprofit.
• Protects schools’ assets during state transitions and limits local board claims.

Enacts R.S. 17:5024(D) to revise TOPS-Tech award eligibility. It adds a third criterion—nine early college credit hours via dual enrollment or approved skills measures—to the existing requirements (2.5 GPA on core curriculum, ACT 17 or WorkKeys silver). Students qualify by meeting any two of these three, effective for first-time freshmen in 2025-2026. Enacted upon governor’s signature, it broadens access to technical education funding by valuing early college credits. • Added Criterion: Students can qualify with at least 9 credit hours of early college credit (via academic or technical dual enrollment) or equivalent skills/learning measures approved by the Statewide Articulation and Transfer Council. • Existing Criteria Retained: o Minimum 2.5 GPA on the TOPS-Tech core curriculum (per Subsection A). o Minimum ACT score of 17 or WorkKeys silver rating (per Subsection B). • Requirement: Students must meet at least two of these three criteria, as determined by the administering agency (Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance). Applicability: • Applies to first-time freshmen enrolling in eligible colleges or universities starting in the 2025-2026 academic year.

HOUSE floor amendment set 3146 [LINK] broadens eligibility by allowing students who completed their undergraduate degree either in Louisiana or out of state to qualify for applying unused TOPS award funds toward medical or dental school in Louisiana. It removes the prior limitation that only out-of-state undergraduate graduates were eligible.

HOUSE floor amendment set 3138 [LINK] allows students who qualified for a TOPS award but earned their undergraduate degree out of state to use any unused award funds for in-state medical or dental school tuition. Eligible students must enroll in an approved Louisiana medical or dental program and sign a promissory note agreeing to repay the award with interest unless they enter a residency or practice full-time in Louisiana for three years after residency. The award is limited to the remaining unused semesters (up to eight) and capped at either the program's tuition or the highest undergraduate tuition at a Louisiana public university, whichever is less. The Board of Regents must establish rules for repayment, exemptions, and administration.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] narrow the bill's focus, preserving existing award amounts while expanding ways students can qualify for technical awards. Modifies the original bill by:

1. Adjusting the bill's scope by removing provisions that revised the award amounts for certain scholarships under TOPS (Taylor Opportunity Program for Students).
2. Adding new eligibility options for TOPS-Tech awards, allowing students who meet two out of three criteria (GPA, ACT score, or completing nine credit hours of early college/dual enrollment courses or equivalent) to qualify.
3. Clarifying that students eligible for an Excellence Award will receive either the actual tuition charged by the public college or university or $12,000, whichever is less.

TOPS changes effective for 2025-2026 freshmen:

• Adds new "Excellence Award" for students with ACT 31+ and 3.50 GPA.
• Sets fixed award caps by school type (e.g., $12,000 max at public colleges).
• 2025-2026 public college students get the higher of old or new amount.
• Tuition now includes mandatory fees.
• National Guard students in the Excellence tier get added stipends.
• Keeps current GPA and course rules; Excellence tier must maintain 3.00 GPA.

Proposes a change to the Geaux Teach Program's scholarship disbursement process.

Currently, the law mandates that these scholarships be used only after all other state or institutional financial aid has been applied. The bill seeks to reverse this order, requiring Geaux Teach scholarships to be used first before any other financial aid or awards are considered.

This change could impact students’ financial planning by potentially reducing the amount of other aid they receive, as some state and institutional financial aid programs adjust awards based on remaining need. The bill primarily affects students in teacher preparation programs at postsecondary institutions.

Seeks to establish the Southern University Uterine Fibroids Research Center within the Southern University system. The center would operate under the supervision of the Board of Supervisors for Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. Its primary functions include conducting research on the causes, prevention, and treatment of uterine fibroids, educating the community based on research findings, and providing certain relevant services that do not require an obstetrician-gynecologist.

The bill allows funding from various sources, including legislative appropriations, federal funds, grants, donations, and other public or private contributions. It also mandates collaboration between the center and the Louisiana Department of Health, external universities, and national and international organizations. If enacted, implementation would begin in the fall semester of 2025.

Modifies the Advisory Council on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Louisiana. The key changes include increasing the council’s membership from 24 to 26 by adding the chancellor of Southern University and an at-large member appointed by the council chairman. It also allows the Board of Regents to cover travel and lodging expenses for the student representative. Additionally, the bill expands the council’s duties by requiring it to help identify methods for sharing best practices regarding campus safety. The legislation seeks to enhance the role of HBCUs in the state’s educational and policy landscape.

The bill does not specify whether these expenses would come from existing budget allocations or require additional funding, so it likely grows costs for the Board of Regents while we are looking for cuts. Perhaps they could look at the current structure of this board and make room elsewhere by eliminating other seats if this is a priority?

HOUSE committee amendments 2&3 [LINK] require the Advisory Council to identify programs eligible for TOPS-Tech awards, considering M.J. Foster Promise Program criteria, and allow students to qualify for the TOPS-Tech Early Start Award by meeting ACT, WorkKeys, or Board of Regents dual enrollment standards.

HOUSE floor amendment technical

Proposes amendments to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) in Louisiana. The bill seeks to align the programs eligible for TOPS Tech and TOPS Tech Early Start awards with those recognized as qualified programs under the M.J. Foster Promise Program.

Key provisions of the bill include:

1. TOPS Tech Award Eligibility: The bill specifies that students eligible for a TOPS Tech Award and enrolled in associate's degree or shorter-term training programs aligned with state workforce priorities, as determined by the advisory council pursuant to R.S. 17:3047.1, will receive an award amount equivalent to the tuition charged during the 2016-2017 academic year. If a program is later deemed misaligned with workforce priorities, students already enrolled can continue to use the award.
2. TOPS Tech Early Start Award Eligibility: The bill outlines that the TOPS Tech Early Start Award can be applied to technical or applied courses leading to an Industry-Based Certification, Certificate of Applied Science, or Certificate of Technical Sciences offered by Louisiana public or nonpublic postsecondary institutions or recognized training providers. These programs must be approved as qualified programs by the advisory council pursuant to R.S. 17:3047.1.

The proposed changes would take effect for awards beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.

Proposes a significant change to the funding methodology for Louisiana's public elementary and secondary schools. The bill mandates that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) adopt an average daily attendance (ADA) model to determine student counts for the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) formula, which is the state's primary mechanism for funding public education.

Currently, the MFP formula utilizes specific count dates in February and October to determine student membership for funding purposes. House Bill No. 185 seeks to replace this approach with an ADA-based methodology, where ADA is defined as the total number of student attendance days throughout the school year divided by the number of days the school is in session. This shift aims to provide a more accurate reflection of actual student attendance over the entire academic year.

The proposed legislation also requires BESE to develop and implement rules to facilitate this transition to the ADA model. By focusing on average daily attendance, the bill intends to align school funding more closely with actual student engagement, potentially encouraging schools to improve attendance rates to secure appropriate funding.

Proposes amendments to the R.E.A.D. (Reading Enrichment and Academic Deliverables) Program, aiming to broaden student eligibility and enhance resource distribution. Laurie Schlegel is a co-author so likely her bill.

Current Eligibility Criteria:

Under existing law, students qualify for the R.E.A.D. Program if they meet any of the following conditions:

1. Prekindergarten students who do not score satisfactorily on the literacy section of the early childhood assessment.
2. Kindergarten through third-grade students reading below grade level.
3. Fourth and fifth-grade students who scored below mastery in English Language Arts (ELA) on the prior school year's state assessment.
4. Students recommended by their ELA teacher when eligibility cannot be determined through screeners or assessments.

Proposed Changes:

House Bill No. 201 seeks to expand eligibility by including students enrolled in elementary schools that received a performance letter grade of "D" or "F" in the most recent school year, as per the school and district accountability system outlined in R.S. 17:10.1.

Implementation Details:

To support this expanded eligibility, the bill mandates the state Department of Education to:

• Ship books quarterly directly to the qualifying schools.
• Ensure these schools distribute the books, along with supplemental family literacy resources designed to support at-home reading engagement, to each student from prekindergarten through fifth grade.
• Determine the specific content and format of the family literacy resources.

By broadening the scope of the R.E.A.D. Program, the bill aims to provide additional support to students in underperforming schools, enhancing literacy development through increased access to reading materials and resources.

HOUSE floor amendments technical

HOUSE committee amendments technical

Proposes amendments to R.S. 17:87.6(C) concerning the disposal of individual computing devices by local public school boards. The key provisions of the bill are as follows:

1.    Authorization to Sell, Trade, or Engage in Buyback Programs:

The bill permits school boards to sell, trade, or participate in buyback programs for individual computing devices previously used by students, if these devices are no longer needed for school operations.

2.    Use of Proceeds:

Funds obtained from these transactions must be allocated specifically for the acquisition, maintenance, or enhancement of technology resources within the respective school or district. This marks a change from the current mandate, which directs such proceeds to the school board's general fund.

3.    Prioritization of Buyback Programs:

When considering disposal methods, school boards are encouraged to prioritize buyback programs with vendors, provided these programs offer financial or educational benefits that are equal to or greater than alternative methods.

4.    Data Security Requirements:

Before disposing of any device, school boards are required to securely erase all data pertaining to students, employees, and the school or district. This process must align with data security policies established by the state Department of Education and comply with relevant state and federal regulations.

Provide school boards with greater flexibility in managing outdated or surplus computing devices, ensuring that proceeds directly support technological advancements in education while maintaining stringent data security protocols.

Seeks to amend R.S. 17:1964(D)(5) concerning the Jimmy D. Long, Sr. Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA). This amendment mandates the LSMSA board of directors to establish a salary schedule for teachers and other school employees in accordance with R.S. 17:418, ensuring alignment with statewide standards for educator compensation. The bill specifies that the funding for these salaries will be sourced from monies appropriated by the legislature.

R.S. 17:418 outlines criteria for salary schedules, emphasizing factors such as effectiveness, demand, and experience, with no single criterion accounting for more than 50% of the formula used to compute salaries. By adhering to these guidelines, LSMSA aims to standardize compensation practices with other state schools.

The proposed legislation underscores the state's commitment to equitable and transparent salary structures for educators, ensuring that LSMSA's compensation practices are consistent with those of other Louisiana public schools.

Proposes amendments to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). The bill seeks to allow students who qualified for a TOPS award but completed their undergraduate studies at an out-of-state institution to apply their unused award amounts toward medical or dental school in Louisiana.

Key Provisions of the Bill:

1.    Eligibility Criteria:

o  The student must have been deemed eligible for an Opportunity, Performance, or Honors Award upon high school graduation.

o  The student must have completed a bachelor's degree at an out-of-state postsecondary institution.

o  The student must enroll in a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, or Doctor of Dentistry program at a qualifying Louisiana institution during or after the 2024-2025 academic year.

2.    Award Application:

o  The administering agency will determine the number of unused semesters or equivalent units from the student's original TOPS award and apply them toward the medical or dental school tuition, not exceeding eight semesters or equivalent units.

o  The award amount will be the lesser of the tuition charged for the medical or dental program or the undergraduate full-time tuition charged by the highest-cost public college or university in Louisiana.

3.    Repayment Obligations:

o  Students must sign a promissory note agreeing to repay the awarded amount plus interest upon graduation or exit from the program.

o  Repayment is deferred during residency programs.

o  Repayment is waived if the student practices medicine or dentistry full-time in Louisiana for three consecutive years after completing their residency.

4.    Administrative Provisions:

o  The administering agency is tasked with promulgating rules to implement the bill's provisions, including collection methods for amounts owed and interest on unpaid amounts.

This bill aims to incentivize Louisiana residents who pursued undergraduate education out-of-state to return and contribute to the state's healthcare sector by utilizing their remaining TOPS benefits for advanced medical or dental education within Louisiana.

HOUSE committee amendments technical

Aims to enhance numeracy instruction in Louisiana's public schools by implementing the following measures:

1.    Teacher Certification Requirements: Starting September 1, 2028, applicants for initial teacher certification must fulfill one of the following:

o  Complete the prescribed semester hours in foundational numeracy instruction as determined by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

o  Undergo numeracy training appropriate to their certification area, approved by the state Department of Education, aligning with nationally recognized, scientifically based mathematics research.

2.    Professional Development for Current Teachers:

o  By August 1, 2025, all fourth through eighth-grade mathematics teachers are required to successfully complete at least one approved professional development course in numeracy. Teachers who have completed such a course within five years prior to this date will be considered compliant.

o  By August 1, 2027, this requirement extends to kindergarten through third-grade teachers, with similar provisions regarding prior completion.

3.    Requirements for Newly Hired Teachers:

o  Fourth through eighth-grade teachers hired after July 31, 2025, must provide documentation of successful completion of an approved numeracy professional development course within two years of their employment date.

o  Kindergarten through third-grade teachers hired after July 31, 2027, are subject to the same requirement.

The bill also mandates that numeracy coaches provide training to support these professional development efforts. These initiatives are designed to strengthen numeracy skills among students by ensuring educators are well-equipped with effective mathematics teaching strategies.

Proposes that all public and approved nonpublic schools in Louisiana adopt a uniform 10-point grading scale when calculating the grade point averages (GPAs) used to determine initial eligibility for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS). This standardization aims to ensure consistency in assessing students' academic performance for TOPS awards, regardless of the grading scales schools may use for other purposes.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] applies existing public school student disciplinary records transfer requirements under R.S. 17:112 to charter schools by adding them to the list of laws charter schools must follow. It removes unrelated references to juvenile court records from the bill.

Proposes changes to student record management in Louisiana schools. The bill mandates that when a student transfers schools, the principal must include the student's complete disciplinary record, expanding the current requirement that only specifies suspensions and expulsions. Additionally, the bill allows school principals or designated administrators to access certain juvenile court records through statewide databases without a court order, provided the records pertain to students enrolled or seeking enrollment in their schools. Access to these records is subject to existing confidentiality laws and regulations.

Proposes to exempt applicants for the Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate from the certification-related criminal history check, unless their certificate was previously denied, suspended, or revoked. This exemption applies only to the certification process. Employment-related background checks remain mandatory for positions requiring this certificate, such as:

·       Preschool Teachers

·       Child Care Center Workers

·       Early Childhood Teacher Assistants

·       Head Start Teachers

·       Child Development Specialists

·       Early Childhood Paraprofessionals

·       Infant/Toddler Educators

·       Child Care Program Directors

·       Family Child Care Providers

·       Early Learning Support Staff

Why would you give certification to people who cannot pass a criminal background check for employment?

House Bill No. 372, introduced in the 2025 Regular Session by Representative Hughes, proposes adjustments to the implementation timeline for computer science education requirements in Louisiana high schools. Specifically, the bill seeks to delay the mandate for students to complete a one-unit computer science course for high school graduation from the cohort entering ninth grade in the 2026-2027 school year to those beginning in the 2027-2028 school year. Additionally, the bill aims to align this updated timeline with the core curriculum requirements for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) awards.

The proposed changes also include corresponding amendments to prior legislation to ensure consistency in this implementation timeline across educational statutes.

Why??

SENATE committee amendments [LINK] requires sharing of Social Security numbers and other information with the commission, reintroducing SSNs into the data-sharing language. This reverses earlier House changes that avoided SSN use and could raise privacy and data security concerns.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] Replaces all references to the "Investment Council" with "Commission" and clarifies that student data must include names and unique student ID numbers [not social security numbers] matched to test scores and related information.

Mandates the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council (WIC) to conduct an annual return on investment (ROI) analysis. This analysis aims to assess the correlation between industry-based credentials earned by high school students and their subsequent employment in high-wage, high-demand occupations aligned with state workforce priorities. The WIC is required to submit a report of its findings to the House and Senate Committees on Education and Labor, as well as the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, by February 1 each year. To facilitate this analysis, the bill requires public high school governing authorities to collect students' Social Security numbers, with appropriate permissions, and share them with the state Department of Education, which will then provide the data to the WIC. The bill ensures that all personally identifiable information is kept confidential and reported only in aggregate form.

HOUSE committee amendment [LINK] changes the law so that students in grades 6–12 caught with marijuana or THC products are only expelled on a second offense. For a first offense involving marijuana, alcohol, tobacco, or vaping products, schools can choose to recommend expulsion but are not required to. Mandatory expulsion still applies for more serious items like weapons or hard drugs.

Proposes amendments regarding student disciplinary actions related to possession of certain substances on school property. It specifically targets students in grades six through twelve possessing marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or chemical derivatives without a valid medical prescription.

The bill outlines a tiered disciplinary approach:

1.    First occurrence: The student must complete ten hours of substance abuse education approved by the school board.

2.    Second occurrence: The student may be suspended for up to half a semester.

3.    Third occurrence: The student may face suspension for up to one full semester.

These provisions emphasize education and rehabilitation before harsher penalties. They apply explicitly to the first three violations, with subsequent offenses not covered by these guidelines.

Proposes amendments to the evaluation process for teachers and administrators. Specifically, the bill seeks to exclude the test scores or data of students with ten or more absences—whether excused or unexcused, consecutive or non-consecutive—in any school semester from being factored into the value-added assessment model or other measures of student growth used in these evaluations. Additionally, the bill clarifies that factors such as credit recovery, academic credit, and attendance credit should not influence evaluations concerning such absences. The proposed legislation also mandates the development of policies to invalidate student growth data for teachers in instances where natural disasters or unexpected events lead to temporary school closures.

Prohibits members of a reconstituted charter school governing body from serving in any public office.

Current Law: 

Charter school authorizers may reconstitute a school’s governing board—rather than revoke the charter—if the board commits serious violations, such as financial mismanagement, failure to meet accountability standards, violations of bylaws or nonprofit law, or imminent insolvency.

Proposed Law: 

Prohibits any member of a governing body reconstituted under these provisions from holding public office as defined in R.S. 42:1.

Effective Date: 

Upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.

HOUSE committee Amendment 1 [LINK] removed six violent crimes from eligibility for the scholarship (Disarming of a peace officer, Aggravated assault with a firearm, Simple kidnapping, False imprisonment; offender armed with dangerous weapon, Aggravated arson, Home invasion) but leave in the following violent crimes:

Aggravated battery

Second degree battery

Aggravated assault

Aggravated criminal damage to property

Second degree robbery

Simple robbery

Purse snatching

Aggravated flight from an officer

ORIGINAL BREAKDOWN

Under HB558 (2025 Regular Session), the M.J. Foster Promise Program will now allow individuals convicted of certain crimes to be eligible for program grants, unless their conviction falls under specific exclusions.

Therefore, the following crimes are now eligible for M.J. Foster Promise Program grants under the proposed law:

1. Aggravated battery
2. Second degree battery
3. Disarming of a peace officer
4. Aggravated assault (excluding firearm-specific version)
5. False imprisonment with a dangerous weapon
6. Aggravated arson
7. Aggravated criminal damage to property
8. Home invasion
9. Second degree robbery
10. Simple robbery
11. Purse snatching
12. Aggravated flight from an officer

Note: All other crimes of violence listed in R.S. 14:2(B) and specifically enumerated in HB558 remain disqualifying and will continue to render an applicant ineligible.

Let me know if you’d like a formatted chart comparing before/after eligibility or a version tailored for legislative testimony.

SENATE committee amendments technical

HOUSE committee amendments technical

Authorizes the use of job order contracting (JOC) as an alternative project delivery method for deferred maintenance of public facilities by post-secondary educational institutions.

Key Provisions:

- Allows JOC for recurring maintenance work where the timing, type, and quantity of work are indefinite.

- Defines “public facility,” “project,” and “evaluation committee.”

- Requires institutions to advertise a request for qualifications (RFQ) and set a maximum aggregate contract price.

- Permits unit pricing based on construction price books or institution-defined work lists with contractor adjustment factors.

- Mandates the Louisiana Board of Regents establish procedures for contractor selection.

- Requires licensure for engineering, architectural, and contracting firms.

- Establishes a qualification-based selection process including an evaluation committee using defined criteria.

- Allows multiple JOC awards per RFQ and sets contract terms at two years, renewable annually up to three more years.

- Requires signed orders for each project, which may be fixed price or unit-based.

- Limits JOC use to the awarding institution unless otherwise specified in the RFQ or an interlocal agreement.

- Supersedes conflicting laws.

HOUSE committee amendments [LINK] are technical except those setting the frequency of the Board meetings from four to two per year.

Eliminates or consolidates various annual reporting requirements to the legislature by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Department of Education (DOE). Also abolishes or consolidates certain commissions and advisory councils related to education.

Key Provisions: 

- Any statutory requirement for BESE or DOE to submit an annual report will expire two years after the first report unless the legislature renews it. 

- If not renewed by law, the report statute will be considered repealed. 

- Abolishes the Early Childhood Care and Education Commission; some duties are transferred to the Advisory Council on Early Childhood Care and Education. 

- Abolishes the Louisiana Environmental Education Commission and shifts responsibilities to DOE. 

- Abolishes the Advisory Council on Student Behavior and Discipline. 

- Effective August 1, 2025, with report-related provisions effective August 1, 2026.

Replaces state end-of-course exams with a minimum ACT score requirement for high school graduation.

Key Provisions: 

- Prohibits state-administered end-of-course assessments for high school students. 

- Requires students to achieve a minimum composite ACT score to graduate. 

- Directs the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to set the minimum ACT score by rule. 

- BESE must ensure the score does not lower the overall high school graduation rate.

Urges Congress to support funding for prioritizing American-grown food and eliminating ultra-processed items from K-12 public schools.

Key Provisions:

• Seeks increased federal support to help schools purchase U.S. agricultural products.
• Promotes removal of ultra-processed foods and beverages from school meals.
• Emphasizes health benefits, economic impact, and improved food quality through shorter supply chains.

Requests that the Legislative Fiscal Office update its previous report from February 2013 regarding methods of funding Louisiana's laboratory schools. Specifically, the updated report should examine current means, methods, equity, and fairness of funding provided to laboratory schools across the state. The report must be submitted to the House Committee on Education no later than 60 days before the start of the 2026 Regular Session.

HOUSE H&G committee amendments [LINK] expand the resolution’s membership appointments by adding three new appointees: three by the governor, two from LHSAA member schools, and one from the community and technical college system. They also renumber the existing membership list to account for these additions.

HOUSE ED committee amendments [LINK] revise the task force membership and duties. The chair is now the House member from District 11. Membership is reduced to one additional House member, the attorney general or designee, six athletic directors (two from each university system), and the commissioner of higher education or designee. The task force will study name, image, and likeness (NIL) issues, including laws, transparency, compliance, fiscal impacts, and possible legislation. The first meeting must be held by August 1, 2025, with a final report due by January 23, 2026.

Asks the Southeastern Conference to schedule LSU football games after 6:00 p.m. in September to reduce heat-related health risks for players, staff, and fans. Cites high temperatures and past medical incidents at day games. A copy will be sent to the SEC commissioner.

HOUSE floor amendment technical naming the bill after Caleb Wilson who died as a result of an alleged hazing incident.

Implications:

Creates the Hazing Prevention Task Force to evaluate Louisiana's anti-hazing laws and college hazing prevention policies in the wake of a hazing death at Southern University.

Key Provisions:

• Forms a 26-member task force (lawmakers, education leaders, students, faculty).
• Reviews current anti-hazing laws and campus policies.
• Considers national best practices for hazing prevention.
• Engages student focus groups for feedback.
• Reports findings and recommendations to the legislature by January 31, 2026.