Louisiana House Bill HB643

Louisiana 2014 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/14
• Refer: 3/10/14

Caption

Provides relative to the distribution of revenues generated by issuance of certified copies of birth and death certificates

Impact

The primary impact of HB 643 is the financial shift in revenue from the collection of fees for vital records. For instance, for a certified long-form birth certificate, the state registrar would receive $8 while local clerks would receive $12, with a portion of that required to be remitted to the state treasury. This revised fee distribution is likely to enhance the fiscal resources available to local clerks, enabling them to manage vital records more effectively. As such, it underscores the importance of local administration in public health and civil registration services.

Summary

House Bill 643 addresses the distribution of revenues generated from the issuance of certified copies of birth and death certificates. The bill proposes changes to the current fee structure, maintaining the overall fee but reallocating the distribution of revenue between state and local entities. Specifically, it reduces the amount allocated to the state registrar while increasing the portion going to the local clerks of court. This adjustment aims to better support local governments in their administrative roles and responsibilities concerning vital records.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB 643 generally appears to be positive, especially among local government officials who view the increased funding as beneficial. Proponents argue that the bill better reflects the realities of administrative costs at the local level. However, there may be concerns among state officials about the potential reduction in funds available to state-level agencies for overseeing vital records. The bill has sparked discussions regarding the balance of funding between state and local entities and the underlying implications for public service delivery.

Contention

Notably, some contention arises from the debate over how closely revenue generation should be aligned with the services rendered at both the state and local levels. Critics may point out that while local funding may be bolstered by HB 643, it could detract from the state’s capacity to manage vital records effectively if not carefully monitored. This introduces a dialogue on the need for oversight and accountability in how these funds are utilized, highlighting the complexity of state-local fiscal relationships.