The original instrument was prepared by Jeanne Johnston. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared by Martha
Hess.
DIGEST
SB 225 Reengrossed 2017 Regular Session Hewitt
Proposed law provides with respect to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education
as follows:
Proposed law creates the Louisiana Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Advisory
Council (LaSTEM) under the auspices of the Board of Regents to coordinate and oversee the
creation, delivery, and promotion of STEM education programs, to increase student interest and
achievement in the fields of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics, to ensure the
alignment of education, economic development, industry, and workforce needs, and to increase the
number of women who graduate from a postsecondary institution with a STEM degree or credential.
Provides that the council shall be composed of the following 29 members:
(1)The commissioner of higher education, or his designee.
(2)The secretary of the Department of Economic Development, or his designee.
(3)The executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, or his designee.
(4)The state superintendent of education, or his designee.
(5)The president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, or his designee.
(6)The president of the Louisiana State University System, or his designee.
(7)The president of the Southern University System, or his designee.
(8)The president of the University of Louisiana System, or his designee.
(9)The president of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, or his designee.
(10)The executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association, or his designee.
(11)The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Principals, or his designee.
(12)The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, or his
designee. (13)The president of the Louisiana Science Teachers Association, or his designee.
(14)The president of the Louisiana Association of Teachers of Mathematics, or his designee.
(15)Two members who are on the faculty of a Louisiana postsecondary education institution who
teach in a STEM discipline, appointed by the commissioner of higher education.
(16)The president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, or his designee.
(17)Three members with demonstrated interest, experience, and expertise in STEM education,
appointed by the governor.
(18)Three members representing key industries in the state, appointed by the secretary of the
Department of Economic Development.
(19)A member of the Louisiana Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate.
(20)A member of the Louisiana House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the
House.
(21)The chairman of the Louisiana Workforce Investment Council, or his designee.
(22)The president of the Louisiana Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, or his
designee.
(23)The president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, or his designee.
(24)The president of the Louisiana Association of Educators, or his designee.
Provides that members shall serve without compensation or reimbursement, other than what may be
afforded by the appointing authority. Further provides that legislative members shall receive the
same per diem and reimbursement of travel expenses as provided by their respective houses for
legislative committee meetings.
Provides that the commissioner of higher education shall chair the council and the vice-chairmanship
shall alternate between the state superintendent of education, the secretary of the Department of
Economic Development, and the executive director of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
Provides that the council shall meet at least once a month. Further provides that a majority of the
membership constitutes a quorum and a majority vote of those present and voting is required for all
council actions. Additionally provides that the first meeting of the council shall be no later than Sept.
15, 2017.
Provides that the council shall, as funding allows: (1) Create a comprehensive, statewide STEM plan.
(2) Coordinate all state STEM education-related programs and activities.
(3) Create a new STEM culture and promote activities that raise awareness of STEM education
and STEM career opportunities.
(4)Integrate employers and educators.
(5)Encourage business and industry to provide funding, resources, and technical assistance to
schools to promote interest in STEM discipline courses and career opportunities.
(6)Connect STEM education resources, initiatives, and programs.
(7)Establish an information clearinghouse of information regarding best practice resources and
STEM education-related instructional materials.
(8)Provide support for high quality professional development for STEM teachers.
(9)As appropriate, join and participate in a national STEM network and collaborate with other
states in STEM education program development.
(10)Establish a competitive grants program to fund robotics competitions for students, including
events sponsored by FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
Robotics.
Requires the council, through the Board of Regents, to submit a status report regarding
implementation of proposed law to the Senate and House committees on education by January 30
of each year. Specifies that the report shall include metrics to measure success of implementation
of proposed law.
Proposed law creates the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Fund in the state
treasury and provides that monies in the fund shall be appropriated by the legislature and shall be
available exclusively for programs and initiatives prescribed by LaSTEM. Authorizes the state
treasurer to establish a separate account within the fund for the deposit of grants and donations
received by LaSTEM, when the terms and conditions of the grant or donation or the agreements
pertaining thereto require that the monies not be deposited into the state general fund. Monies in this
separate account shall not be subject to legislative appropriation, but shall be used by the council
only to further their mission.
Proposed law requires the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to create a science,
technology, engineering, and mathematics high school diploma endorsement and establish the
requirements for earning the endorsement. Further requires public school governing authorities to
identify students who earn the STEM diploma endorsement and note such on the student's transcript. Provides that nothing in proposed law shall be construed in a manner as to supersede the
constitutionally and statutorily prescribed powers, duties, and responsibilities of the State Board of
Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Regents, or a postsecondary education
management board.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:4071-4073 and R.S. 36:651(T)(6))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the original bill
1. Makes technical corrections.
2. Clarifies that the council is under the auspices of the Board of Regents.
3. Adds the purpose of increasing women STEM graduates.
4. Increases the council's membership.
5. Allows legislators on the council to receive per diem and expenses as provided for
legislative committee meetings.
6. Includes the state superintendent of education in the rotation for the vice-
chairmanship of the council.
7. Establishes a date for the first meeting of the council.
8. Requires annual report to include metrics to measure progress.
9. Provides that proposed law shall not be construed as to supersede the powers, duties,
and responsibilities of BESE, the Board of Regents, or the postsecondary education
management boards.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the engrossed bill
1. Provides that donations and grants, whose terms and conditions require that the funds
not be deposited into the state treasury, are not subject to legislative appropriation.
2. Technical amendment.