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 168 Reengrossed 2015 Regular Session Carter
Abstract: Authorizes certain public postsecondary education management boards to adjust tuition
and fees charged to students for graduate, professional, and other postbaccalaureate
programs.
Proposed law authorizes the LSU Bd. of Supervisors, the Southern Bd. of Supervisors, and the
University of La. System Bd. of Supervisors to adjust tuition, fees, and fee amounts for graduate,
professional, and other postbaccalaureate programs at institutions under their respective management
and supervision. Provides that such authority shall apply for the 2015-16 and 2016-17 academic
years only and that the authority to increase tuition and fees pursuant thereto shall terminate on June
30, 2017. Further authorizes the boards to impose proportional amounts for part-time students and
summer sessions. Provides relative to waivers of tuition and fees authorized by proposed law in
cases of financial hardship or extraordinary merit. Provides that the total of all tuition and fee
amounts charged shall not exceed the tuition and fee amounts per full-time equivalent student, as
reported by the National Center for Education Statistics (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 adjust tuition and fees authorized by proposed law is not subject to such contingencies.
Proposed law prohibits revenues generated by tuition and fees imposed pursuant to proposed law
from being used for any other purpose except for support of the university at which the tuition and
fees were collected.
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 and annual adjustments to such amounts based on national per full time equivalent student amounts, as reported by the National Center for
Education Statistics, of national peers selected by the institution.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Limit proposed law authority to establish tuition and fees to the 2015-16 and 2016-17
academic years and provide that proposed law authority to increase tuition and fees shall
terminate on June 30, 2017.
2. Add that revenues generated by tuition and fees imposed pursuant to proposed law may
not be used for any other purpose except for support of the university at which they were
collected.