Louisiana House Bill HB881

Louisiana 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/4/16
• Refer: 3/14/16
• Report Pass: 4/7/16
• Engrossed: 4/19/16
• Refer: 4/20/16

Caption

Requires each public postsecondary education management board annually to report to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget and publish on its website specified information relative to research projects and grants (RE NO IMPACT GF EX See Note)

Impact

The implementation of HB 881 is expected to have a significant impact on state laws regarding the oversight of public research funding. By mandating that public institutions disclose financial details and project progress, it seeks to ensure that taxpayer dollars are utilized effectively and efficiently. This fiscal accountability is particularly important as it helps to provide insights into the return on investment for research initiatives funded by the state, potentially informing future budgetary decisions and allocations.

Summary

House Bill 881 requires public postsecondary education management boards in Louisiana to annually report specific details about research projects and grants to the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget. The bill stipulates that these boards must publish this information on their websites by February 1 each year. Key details to be included in the reports are a general description of the projects, the amount of state funds spent, and the progress made towards the project objectives. This legislation aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the use of public funds for educational research.

Sentiment

Overall sentiment regarding HB 881 appears to be supportive within the legislative circles that prioritize transparency and accountability in education funding. Advocates view it as a necessary measure to facilitate informed decision-making at the legislative level regarding higher education investments. However, there may be concerns from some institutions about the administrative burden and implications for privacy regarding the details of ongoing research projects.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 881 include the potential administrative workload imposed on public postsecondary institutions to comply with the new reporting requirements. Some educational leaders may express concerns about the feasibility of meeting these mandates without additional resources. Additionally, there might be discussions about protecting proprietary information in research projects while still adhering to the transparency goals of the legislation, highlighting the balance between public accountability and institutional interests.