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 61 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Carmody
Abstract: Removes tuition and fees charged by institutions of postsecondary education from
constitutional provisions requiring a two-thirds vote of the legislature and from managerial
authority of the various postsecondary education management boards.
Present constitution requires that all new fees or increases of existing fees imposed by the state or
any board, department, or agency of the state be enacted by a two-thirds vote of the legislature. This
provision of present constitution applies to tuition and fees charged to students attending public
institutions of postsecondary education. Proposed constitutional amendment exempts new or
increased tuition and fees charged to students attending public institutions of postsecondary
education from the two-thirds voting requirement of the legislature.
Present constitution provides for the management of public institutions of postsecondary education
by various entities, namely the LSU Board of Supervisors, the Southern University Board of
Supervisors, the Board of Trustees for State Colleges and Universities, and the Board of Supervisors
of Community and Technical Colleges. Proposed constitutional amendment retains the general
authority of these management boards but specifically excludes from their constitutional authority
the ability to establish or raise tuition and fees and, instead, provides that such authority is as
provided in law.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held
Oct. 24, 2015. If ratified by the electors, the provisions of the amendments become effective on Jan.
1, 2016.
(Amends Const. Art. VIII, §5(E); Adds Const. Art. VII, §2.1(C))