HLS 13RS-920 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 401
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARTER
STUDENT/TUITION: Authorizes the public postsecondary education management boards
to increase tuition and fee amounts under certain circumstances
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 17:3351.17, relative to tuition and mandatory fee amounts for public2
postsecondary education institutions; to authorize each public postsecondary3
education management board to increase tuition and mandatory fee amounts if an4
institution meets certain criteria; to provide for limitations, waivers, and5
effectiveness; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 17: 3351.17 is hereby enacted to read as follows:8
ยง3351.17. Public postsecondary education management boards; tuition and9
attendance fee increases; conditions; waivers10
A. In addition to the authority granted by any other provision of law,11
including but not limited to R.S. 17:3139.5, and in accordance with Article VII,12
Section 2.1(A) of the Constitution of Louisiana, the Board of Supervisors of13
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, the Board of14
Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, the15
Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, and the Board of16
Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges may impose at an institution17
under its respective management and supervision a one-time increase in tuition and18
mandatory attendance fees if the institution meets both of the following criteria:19 HLS 13RS-920 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 401
Page 2 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(1) Its approved annual tuition and mandatory fee amount is less than the1
average amount of annual tuition and mandatory fees for Southern Regional2
Education Board peer institutions. The average amount shall be based on the most3
recent Southern Regional Education Board publication of tuition and mandatory fees4
for all institutions in the institution's Southern Regional Education Board5
institutional category.6
(2) Its graduation and retention rates are at least equal to the average7
graduation and retention rates for the same peer institutions.8
B. The increase in tuition and mandatory fees authorized by this Section:9
(1) Shall not be imposed prior to the Fall 2016 semester.10
(2) Shall be limited to an amount that raises the institution's tuition and11
mandatory fees to, but does not exceed, the average amount of annual tuition and12
mandatory fees for Southern Regional Education Board peer institutions.13
(3) May remain in effect after it is imposed but shall not thereafter be14
increased.15
C. Prior to imposing the increase in tuition and fee amounts authorized by16
this Section, each public postsecondary education management board shall establish17
criteria for waiving the amounts in cases of financial hardship as determined by the18
board. Information relative to such waivers and the criteria and procedures for19
obtaining a waiver shall be reported to the Board of Regents and shall be made20
available to all prospective students in a timely manner such that each student is21
informed of the availability of a waiver prior to the student making a final decision22
concerning attendance.23
C. The authority to impose the tuition and mandatory fee increase provided24
in this Section shall include the authority to impose proportional amounts for25
part-time students, for intersessions, and for summer sessions.26
D. For purposes of this Section, "Southern Regional Education Board peer27
institutions" shall mean those institutions as provided by the Southern Regional28
Education Board for each institution's institutional category.29 HLS 13RS-920 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 401
Page 3 of 3
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Carter HB No. 401
Abstract: Authorizes the public postsecondary education management boards to impose
in 2016 or thereafter a one-time tuition and fee increase if an institution meets
graduation and retention rate criteria.
Proposed law authorizes each public postsecondary education management board to impose
at an institution under its respective management and supervision a one-time increase in
tuition and mandatory attendance fees if an institution meets both of the following criteria:
(1)Its approved annual tuition and mandatory fee amount is less than the average
amount of annual tuition and mandatory fees for Southern Regional Education Board
(SREB) peer institutions; provides that the average amount shall be based on the
most recent SREB publication of tuition and mandatory fees for all institutions in the
institution's institutional category.
(2)Its graduation and retention rates are at least equal to the average graduation and
retention rates for the same peer institutions.
Proposed law:
(1)Prohibits imposition prior to Fall 2016.
(2)Limits the increase to an amount which raises the institution's tuition and mandatory
fees to, but does not exceed, the average amount of annual tuition and mandatory
fees for SREB peer institutions.
(3)Authorizes the increase to remain in effect but prohibits subsequent increases.
(4)Provides that the authority to impose the increase is in addition to GRAD Act
authority and any other authority to impose tuition or fees.
(5)Authorizes boards to impose proportional amounts for part-time students,
intersessions, and summer sessions and requires boards to establish criteria for
hardship waivers and to report information relative to such waivers to the Board of
Regents and make it available to prospective students.
(6)Defines "SREB peer institutions" as those institutions as provided by the SREB for
each institution's institutional category.
(7)Provides that it is in accordance with present constitution, which provides that any
new fee imposed or assessed by a state board or agency must be enacted by law by
a 2/3 vote of the elected members of each house of the legislature.
(Adds R.S. 17:3351.17)