Louisiana House Bill HB299

Louisiana 2012 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/12/12
• Refer: 3/12/12
• Refer: 4/18/12
• Refer: 4/19/12

Caption

(Constitutional Amendment) Exempts public postsecondary education tuition amounts and mandatory fees from requirements for imposing a new or increasing an existing tax or fee

Impact

If enacted, this amendment would effectively alter the current fee structure within Louisiana's educational institutions by allowing governing boards to set tuition and mandatory fees more autonomously. This could lead to quicker responses to financial needs in higher education settings, such as responding to changes in funding from the state or demand from students. However, the absence of a supermajority vote could raise concerns about the accountability of these boards in setting fees, impacting students directly.

Summary

House Bill 299 proposes a constitutional amendment that would exempt public postsecondary education tuition amounts and mandatory fees from the requirement of being enacted by a two-thirds vote in the Louisiana legislature. The bill aims to streamline the process through which postsecondary education management boards can impose new tuition fees or increase existing ones without needing to secure a supermajority legislative approval, which is typically required for new taxes or fees.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 299 appears to be mixed, with some legislators viewing it as a necessary adjustment that provides essential flexibility to education boards, ensuring they can adjust fees in line with institutional needs. Others, however, argue that removing the two-thirds requirement diminishes legislative oversight and could lead to unchecked increases in tuition and fees that disproportionately affect students and families relying on affordable education.

Contention

A key point of contention surrounds the potential impact on students and their families, fearing that without stringent legislative checks, institutions may increase costs at will. Critics emphasize the importance of maintaining legislative control over educational finance to protect the interests of students, particularly in light of increasing tuition costs in recent years. The bill's proponents, however, assert that flexibility is necessary for managing funding challenges in higher education effectively.