Louisiana 2016 2016 Regular Session

Louisiana House Bill HB948 Comm Sub / Analysis

                    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 948 Engrossed	2016 Regular Session	Steve Carter
Abstract: Provides relative to facility use at public postsecondary education institutions.
Proposed law requires each public postsecondary education management board to adopt a policy
requiring each institution under its supervision and management to develop plans for full use of
existing facilities, including plans for distance learning.
Proposed law requires each such board to adopt a policy requiring each institution under its
supervision and management to annually report information on use of classroom and laboratory
facilities.  The report shall be submitted to the board and posted on the institution's website and shall
include:
(1)Total number of classrooms and laboratories available for instructional use and the number
of those undergoing renovation.
(2)Total available square footage of instructional space and the amount of instructional space
under renovation or being used for storage.
(3)Average weekly hours of instructional use of all campus classrooms and laboratories
available for instruction.
(4)Average percentage of seats or stations filled in all sections taught in campus classrooms and
laboratories that are available for instruction.
(5)The number of courses the institution currently offers online and plans for future
development of online courses.
Proposed law requires each such board, prior to submission of any request for capital outlay funds
exceeding $10 million in state funds for new facilities, to hold a public hearing on the proposed
facility.  Requires that the hearing include discussions of the use of existing campus buildings,
maintenance costs for the proposed building, and funding sources for the proposed building.
(Adds R.S. 17:3351(J))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Education to the original bill:
1. Relative to proposed law requirement that each board hold a public hearing on any
proposed facility, require that such hearing be held prior to submitting any request for
capital outlay funds exceeding $10 million in state funds instead of prior to approving
use of capital outlay funds exceeding such amount.