RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 379 (SB 102) 2017 Regular Session Johns
New law creates as a special fund in the state treasury, the "Louisiana Educational Workforce
Training Fund", hereinafter referred to as the "fund".
Provides that the purpose of the fund shall be to provide funding for degree and certificate
production through workforce training programs offered by Louisiana's public two-year,
community, and technical colleges.
Provides that the fund shall be used to prepare Louisiana citizens, particularly those who are
underemployed or have no postsecondary training or credentials in high-wage, high-skill, and
high-demand career fields.
Provides that after compliance with the requirements of the Bond Security and Redemption
Fund, monies received from public or private grants, federal appropriation, or state
appropriation, shall be deposited into the fund.
Requires that monies in the fund be invested in the same manner as monies in the general
fund. Interest earned on investment of monies in the fund shall be credited to the fund,
following compliance with the requirements of Art. VII, Sec. 9(B) of the La. Constitution.
Provides that unexpended and unencumbered monies in the fund at the end of the fiscal year
shall remain in the fund.
Provides that, subject to an annual appropriation by the legislature, monies in the fund shall
be appropriated to the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges to be
used for workforce training programs to prepare individuals for high-demand careers as
defined by the La. Workforce Investment Council. Distribution of monies in the fund shall
be based on an outcome-based funding distribution model. The distribution model shall
allocate funds based on short-term, high-demand workforce training completer programs that
lead to industry-based certifications or other credentials of value to employers.
Provides that funding shall be distributed by the Board of Supervisors of Community and
Technical Colleges only upon receipt of certification that a match of not less than 20% of the
amount of funding to be distributed has been guaranteed by a private entity. The certification
shall detail the type of private match to be provided, which may include but is not limited to:
cash; in-kind donations of technology, personnel, construction materials, facility
modification, or corporeal property; internships; scholarships; sponsorship of staff or faculty;
or faculty endowment.
Provides that the use of private matching funds shall comply with expressed donor intent and
shall remain with the institution as provided by the donor.
Provides that any funds distributed to the institution that remain unexpended or
unencumbered at the end of the fiscal year shall be available for use in the subsequent fiscal
year by an institution pursuant to its implementation plan.
Provides that the fund is in addition to, and separate from, any monies appropriated or
allocated to any postsecondary education management board. Allocations from this fund
shall not be included in the Board of Regents' funding formula calculation, nor shall it
supplant any state general fund allocation provided to institutions. The availability of the
fund shall not in any way substitute, limit, or otherwise affect the allocation of any funds
otherwise available to those institutions under state or federal laws.
Provides that all federal-appropriated Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding
shall be excluded from the fund and shall be exclusively administered by the La. Workforce
Commission.
Further provides that all state-appropriated Incumbent Working Training Account funds,
workers' compensation funds, and Workers' Compensation Second Injury Fund funds shall
be excluded from the fund and shall be exclusively administered by the La. Workforce
Commission. Provides that the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges shall, not less
than 60 days before the legislature convenes for each regular session, submit an annual report
to the house and senate committees on Education. The report shall include, at a minimum,
information on any and all private matches, training programs funded, the number of students
enrolled, the number and type of credentials awarded, and the number and amount of
scholarships.
Effective upon signature of the governor (June 23, 2017).
(Adds R.S. 17:1876)