Louisiana House Bill HB222

Louisiana 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/14
• Refer: 3/10/14
• Refer: 4/22/14
• Refer: 4/23/14
• Report Pass: 4/28/14
• Engrossed: 5/6/14
• Refer: 5/7/14

Caption

(Constitutional Amendment) Prohibits the supplanting of state funds for tuition and fee increases for institutions of higher education (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

Impact

If enacted, HB 222 would amend Article VIII, Section 12 of the Louisiana Constitution, making it constitutionally mandated that the total appropriation of state funds for higher education should not fall below that of the fiscal year 2013-2014. The legislation outlines that additional fees generated from tuition should not displace state funding which plays a crucial role in sustaining higher education institutions. The amendment aims to safeguard educational institutional funding against fluctuations in state budget priorities.

Summary

House Bill 222 is a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at stabilizing funding for higher education in Louisiana. It seeks to prohibit the supplanting of state funds by tuition and mandatory fee increases and restricts reductions in state funding for higher education below the fiscal year 2013-2014 levels without legislative approval. The goal of this bill is to ensure that any increase in revenues from tuition and fees does not replace the base funding provided by the state. This is a significant move to protect higher education institutions from budget cuts that could arise when tuition revenue increases.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 222 appears to be predominantly supportive among those who advocate for stronger protections for public higher education funding. Supporters argue that this constitutional amendment ensures financial stability for colleges and universities, allowing them to plan long-term without the fear of unpredictable state funding cuts. However, concerns have also been expressed about the implications of the bill for state budget flexibility, particularly among opponents who fear it may tie the state's hands in managing fiscal responsibilities.

Contention

The notable contention regarding HB 222 centers on the balance between maintaining sufficient funding for higher education and allowing the state legislature the flexibility necessary to adapt to changing financial circumstances. While proponents emphasize the need for a commitment to educational funding, critics argue that potentially hindering budgetary decisions could lead to adverse consequences in other areas of state funding. Additionally, the bill demands legislative procedure for any future reductions in appropriations, raising questions about the practicality of such requirements during economic hardships.