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 171 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Jefferson
Abstract: Exempts Grambling, Southern, and Southern at New Orleans from GRAD Act
requirement to eliminate remedial courses.
Present law (the GRAD Act) authorizes specific tuition and fee increases and operational autonomies
at public postsecondary education institutions contingent on those institutions meeting performance
goals established by agreement with the Board of Regents. Requires that such performance goals
include elimination of remedial courses and developmental programs and requires that admission
standards be increased in order to increase retention and graduation rates. Proposed law exempts
Grambling, Southern, and Southern at New Orleans from the requirement that their performance
agreements require elimination of remedial courses and developmental programs. Provides that
those institutions shall not be required to raise admission standards such that students requiring such
courses would be excluded from admission.
Proposed law is applicable to performance agreements entered into after the effective date of
proposed law but shall not apply to agreements entered into for the 2018-2019 academic year and
thereafter.
Proposed law requires the Bd. of Regents annually to report the effect of the proposed law
exemptions.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:3139.2(2)(a) and (4)(a) and 3139.6(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Add that proposed law shall not apply to agreements entered into for the 2018-2019
academic year and thereafter.
2. Require the Bd. of Regents annually to report the effect of the proposed law exemptions.