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 181 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Brown
Abstract: Provides an additional exception to the requirement that TOPS recipients be U.S. citizens
by allowing a non-citizen student to receive an award if his parent is a non-citizen who is
serving in or was honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
Present law provides for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), a program of merit
scholarships for students attending certain postsecondary education institutions who meet specific
academic criteria and other requirements, one of which is that a student be a U.S. citizen; however,
provides for exceptions by deeming that the following students who are not U.S. citizens satisfy such
citizenship requirement:
(1)Students who are eligible to apply for citizenship do so within 60 days of turning 18 and
obtain it within one year of the application date.
(2)Students who are permanent residents (as defined by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization
Service) and are eligible to apply for citizenship.
Proposed law retains present law and adds that the following non-citizen students also satisfy the
present law citizenship requirement: students who have a non-citizen parent who is serving or has
been honorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces. Applicable to students who graduate from
high school in the 2018-2019 school year and thereafter.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:3048.1(A)(1)(a)(iii)(gg))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Remove proposed law provisions that would have eliminated present law exceptions to
the requirement that TOPS recipients be U.S. citizens.