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)