RDCSB225 1194 3502
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)]
SB 225 Re-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, technology, engineering, 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.
Page 1 of 4 RDCSB225 1194 3502
(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 until 8/31/18, thereafter, the
council shall be required to meet only quarterly. 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.
Page 2 of 4 RDCSB225 1194 3502
(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. If the terms and conditions of the grant or
donation or the agreements pertaining thereto require that the monies not be deposited into
the treasury, the grant or donation may nevertheless be deposited into the 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 council to adopt a resolution stating which members or officers
are authorized to withdraw money from the fund and the separate account in the fund.
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.
Page 3 of 4 RDCSB225 1194 3502
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.
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.
Senate Floor Amendments to reengrossed bill
1. Adds a provision requiring the STEM advisory council to meet only
quarterly after August 31, 2018.
2. Makes technical corrections.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the
re-reengrossed bill:
1. Authorize grants and donations to be deposited into the treasury even if the terms
and conditions of the grant or donation require that money not be deposited into
the treasury.
2. Require the council to adopt a resolution regarding the withdrawal of money
from the fund or separate account.
Page 4 of 4