Louisiana House Bill HB97

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/25/11
• Refer: 4/25/11
• Report Pass: 6/1/11

Caption

Provides relative to operational fee amounts assessed students attending public postsecondary education institutions (EG INCREASE SG RV See Note)

Impact

The bill aims to clarify the mechanisms through which public postsecondary education institutions can manage and assess operational fees. By establishing the fee cap at 4% of the current tuition rather than a fixed historical percentage, the proposed law is expected to enhance the ability of institutions to secure necessary funding for operations and improvements. This measure could potentially lead to increased support for educational programs and resources, ensuring that students benefit from better facilities and services.

Summary

House Bill 97 amends existing legislation regarding the operational fees assessed to students attending public postsecondary educational institutions in Louisiana. The bill seeks to provide management boards of these institutions with the authority to impose operational fees that do not exceed 4% of the total mandatory tuition and fee amounts established previously. This change removes outdated language referencing a specific date in 2004, thus allowing for a more current application of the fee structure.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 97 appears to be mixed, with some stakeholders supporting the flexibility it provides institutions to adapt to current financial challenges. Supporters might argue that this can promote better quality of education through enhanced funding. On the other hand, there may be concerns from students or advocacy groups about the additional financial burden such fees can impose, especially in an environment where affordability of education is crucial.

Contention

Notable points of contention could arise from the potential for increased fees leading to a heavier financial load on students. Furthermore, debates may center around the adequacy of the management boards' criteria for waiving fees based on financial hardship. Opponents of increased fee structures might argue that the higher costs could limit access to education for lower-income students, thus raising questions about equity in educational opportunities.