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)]
Abramson HB No. 595
Abstract: Establishes accounts within the Education Excellence Fund to provide for the Casino
Support Services Contract and early childhood development and education services.
Present constitution creates the Education Excellence Fund within the Millennium Trust and
provides that 1/3 of the investment earnings on investment of monies from the Tobacco Master
Settlement Agreement be deposited into the Fund.
Proposed constitutional amendment retains present constitution and further establishes three
accounts in the Education Excellence Fund: the Permanent Account, the Casino Support Services
Account, and the Early Childhood Development Account.
Proposed constitutional amendment requires monies received by the state from the operation of
the official gaming establishment located in Orleans Parish be deposited into the Education
Excellence Fund-Casino Support Services Account created in proposed constitutional
amendment.
Proposed constitutional amendment further provides that the accounts receive monies as follows:
(1)The Permanent Account receives 1/3 of the investment earnings on investment of monies
from the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.
(2)The Casino Support Services Account receives state monies under the contract to operate
the official gaming establishment located in Orleans Parish.
(3)The Early Childhood Development Account receives monies transferred from the
Education Excellence Fund-Casino Support Services Account once the obligations of that
account have been paid according to proposed law.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides that upon the effective date of proposed
constitutional amendment, the state treasurer shall deposit, transfer, or otherwise credit any
unencumbered funds within the Education Excellence Fund to the Permanent Account.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides that the appropriation of monies from the
Education Excellence Fund-Casino Support Services Account shall be equal to the revenues
received by the state in FY 2013-2014 under the contract to operate the official gaming
establishment located in Orleans Parish, which monies shall be available for appropriation for the following purposes:
(1)Satisfaction of any state obligation required pursuant to a casino support services contract
for purposes of the official gaming establishment located in Orleans Parish.
(2)1% percent for services related to compulsive and problem gaming.
(3)Of the monies remaining, appropriations may be made for the support of salaries of
public pre-kindergarten through 12th grade certificated personnel and public
postsecondary education faculty as provided in the SELF Fund.
Proposed constitutional amendment requires that all monies remaining thereafter from the
revenues received under the contract be deposited in and credited to the Education Excellence
Fund-Early Childhood Development Account.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides that changes to the purposes and limitations on
appropriations and transfers of money from the Casino Support Services Account as provided for
in proposed constitutional amendment may be authorized for a specific fiscal year by a favorable
vote of 2/3 of the elected members of each house. Such a bill may be introduced on any regular
session of the legislature.
Proposed constitutional amendment provides that appropriations from the Education Excellence
Fund-Early Childhood Development Account shall be restricted to the support of early childhood
development and education services as may be provided by present constitution.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be
held Nov. 4, 2014.
(Amends Const. Art. VII, §10.8(A)(1)(d) and (3), (C)(1)(a), (3)(intro. para.), (a), (e), (g), and (h),
and (4); Adds Const. Art. VII, §10.8(C)(5) and (6))