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 546 Original 2015 Regular Session Price
Abstract: Provides relative to courses of study or programs eligible for TOPS-Tech awards for
certain students.
Present law provides for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) as a program of merit
scholarships for students attending certain postsecondary education institutions who meet specific
grade point average, ACT score, and core curriculum requirements and certain other qualifications.
Provides for the TOPS-Tech award for students who enroll in certain colleges and universities to
pursue skill or occupational training, including vocational or technical education certificates or
diploma programs or nonacademic undergraduate degrees.
Further provides for the amounts awarded to TOPS-Tech award recipients.
Proposed law deletes the pursuit of a nonacademic undergraduate degree from the list of programs
or courses of study eligible for TOPS-Tech awards. Also, requires that programs or courses of study
for skill or occupational training be aligned to state workforce priorities as determined by the La.
Workforce Investment Council rather than as defined by the Bd. of Regents.
(Amends R.S. 17:3048.1(B)(2)(intro. para.) and (4)(b))