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)]
HB 152 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Broadwater
Abstract: Authorizes the public postsecondary education management to establish and adjust fees
charged to students.
Proposed law authorizes the public postsecondary education management boards to establish fees
and adjust fee amounts at institutions under their respective management and supervision. Provides
that such authority specifically includes authority to impose per credit fees and differential fees for
certain programs and to charge proportional amounts for part-time students and summer sessions.
Provides that except for the LSU Health Sciences Centers and the Southern University Law Center,
the total of all tuition and fee amounts shall not exceed the national average of total per full time
equivalent student revenue from state appropriations, local appropriations, tuition, and fees as
reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) by Carnegie classification, which
maximum amount may be annually adjusted based on the most recent full time equivalent funding
statistics as reported by the NCES and adjusted to the current fiscal year using the Higher Education
Price Index. Provides that the total of all tuition and fee amounts charged to a student enrolled in
the LSU Health Sciences Centers and the Southern University Law Center shall not exceed the
tuition and fee amounts per full time equivalent student, as reported by the NCES, of national peers
selected by the institution, which maximum amount may be annually adjusted based on the most
recent tuition and fee amounts per full time equivalent student as reported by the NCES and adjusted
to the current fiscal year using the Higher Education Price Index.
Present law (R.S. 17:3139 et seq. - the GRAD Act), authorizes specific tuition and fee increases at
public postsecondary education institutions contingent on those institutions meeting performance
goals established by agreement with the Board of Regents. Proposed law provides that the authority
to establish and adjust fees as authorized by proposed law is not subject to such contingencies.
Proposed law requires each institution to allocate not less than 5% of additional revenues realized
pursuant to proposed law to provide need-based financial assistance to students who are eligible to
receive a Pell Grant.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:3351.20)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill: 1. Limit total tuition and fee amounts based on certain national per full time equivalent
student averages and amounts as reported by the National Center for Education Statistics.