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)]
Kleckley HB No. 1033
Abstract: Establishes the "Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Fund" for the
funding of degree and certificate production and research productivity in high demand
fields to meet the state's current and future workforce needs.
Proposed law creates the "Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger Economy Fund," hereinafter
referred to as the "WISE fund," within the state treasury as a special fund for the purpose of
funding degree and certificate production and research productivity in high demand fields
through programs offered by La.'s public higher education institutions to meet the state's current
and future workforce needs. Requires monies in the WISE fund to be invested in the same
manner as monies in the general fund and that interest earned on investment of monies in the
WISE fund be credited to the WISE fund.
Proposed law requires the state treasurer to deposit no less than $40 million into the WISE fund
at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Proposed law requires that monies in the WISE fund be appropriated to the Board of Regents
(board) to be distributed and used in accordance with a statewide workforce demand and gap
analysis to be developed and provided for in proposed law. Further requires that funding only be
distributed by the board upon receipt of certification by the management board on behalf of the
receiving institution that a match no less than 25% of the amount to be distributed has been
guaranteed by a private non-state or non-federal entity. Provides that the certification shall detail
the type of private match to be provided. However, the Workforce and Innovation for a Stronger
Economy Fund Strategic Planning (WISE) Council may waive this requirement of proposed law
to allow donation types not authorized by proposed law upon request of the system president.
Proposed law requires that funds be expended towards the degree and certificate production and
research productivity targets pursuant to the workforce demand and gap analysis produced by the
WISE Council in accordance with implementation plans created by each system president.
Proposed law requires the president-chancellor of the Louisiana State University System and the
presidents of the Southern University System, the University of Louisiana System, and of the
Community and Technical College System, and the commissioner of higher education in
consultation with the secretary of the Department of Economic Development (DED), the
executive director of the La. Workforce Commission (LWC), and the chairman of the La.
Workforce Investment Council to develop the distribution and allocation of monies in the WISE
fund in alignment with the statewide workforce demand and gap analysis. Proposed law provides a method of distribution of funds based on:
(1)Degree and certificate production in fields required for Four and Five Star Jobs, or its
successor, as defined by the LWC and weighted by cost.
(2)Federally funded research expenditures as defined by the National Science Foundation.
Proposed law establishes the WISE Council comprised of the president-chancellor of the
Louisiana State University System, the president of the Southern University System, the
president of the University of Louisiana System, the president of the Community and Technical
College System, the commissioner of higher education, the secretary of DED, the executive
director of the LWC, and the chairman of the La. Workforce Investment Council. Requires the
WISE Council to review and approve a statewide workforce demand and gap analysis which
shall be approved by the board.
Proposed law requires the statewide workforce and gap analysis to include:
(1)Statewide and regional degree and certificate production and research productivity targets
based on an analysis of credential completion and workforce demand.
(2)A prioritization of high demand degree and certificate production based on data provided
by DED and the LWC.
Proposed law requires the system presidents to annually report to the WISE Council on progress
towards degree and certificate and research productivity targets and implementation plans.
Requires that the board provide annual reports to the Senate Committees on education and
finance and the House Committees on education and appropriations.
Proposed law requires that the statewide workforce demand and gap analysis, including any
revisions, distribution of funds, and implementation plans be posted on the board website.
Proposed law authorizes the WISE Council to create policies and procedures for its own
management. Requires the WISE Council to meet no less than four times per year.
Proposed law authorizes the promulgation of rules developed jointly and collaboratively by the
commissioner of higher education and the system presidents for the administration of the fund
and requires that prior to final adoption, the rules be approved by the WISE Council.
Proposed law provides that the WISE fund shall be in addition to, and separate from, any monies
appropriated or allocated to any postsecondary management board. Allocations from the WISE
fund shall not be included in the board funding formula calculation, nor shall it supplant any
allocations provided to institutions through the funding formula. Provides that the availability of
the WISE fund shall not in any way substitute, limit, or otherwise affect the allocation of any
funds otherwise available to those institutions under state or federal laws. Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:3138.2)