SLS 17RS-2024 ENGROSSED
2017 Regular Session
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 110
BY SENATOR MORRISH
POSTSECONDARY ED. Creates task force to study the TOPS program.
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2 To create a task force to study the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS),
3 including a review of the program's purpose and history, the role of the program in
4 relation to tuition and fees, and other institutional, state, and federal financial
5 assistance programs, and ways to ensure the program's long-term viability.
6 WHEREAS, many questions surround various aspects of the Taylor Opportunity
7 Program for Students, including its original legislative intent, its impact on postsecondary
8 access and success, and the costs and benefits of the program; and
9 WHEREAS, a great number of changes have occurred within Louisiana's educational
10 system since the inception of the program, including the creation of the community college
11 system, the establishment of admission standards for public universities, and the expansion
12 of dual enrollment opportunities for high school students; and
13 WHEREAS, the way the state funds postsecondary education has changed
14 significantly over the last twenty years; and
15 WHEREAS, for the first time in the history of the program, TOPS was not fully
16 funded for the 2016-2017 academic year and may not be fully funded for the upcoming
17 academic year; and
18 WHEREAS, the legislature seeks to determine a fiscally responsible path forward
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1 that will honor the state's commitment to the students who work diligently to meet the
2 qualifications to earn a TOPS award, with the expectation they will receive the full award
3 amount.
4 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
5 create a task force to study the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), including
6 a review of the program's purpose and history, the role of the program in relation to tuition
7 and fees and other institutional, state, and federal financial assistance programs, and ways
8 to ensure the program's long-term viability.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of ten members
10 as follows:
11 (1) The chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, who shall serve as the
12 chairman of the task force.
13 (2) The chairman of the House Committee on Education.
14 (3) Two members of the Senate, appointed by the chairman of the Senate Committee
15 on Education.
16 (4) Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the chairman of the
17 House Committee on Education.
18 (5) Two members of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate.
19 (6) Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the
20 house.
21 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members shall receive the same per diem and
22 travel reimbursement for attending meetings of the task force as is normally provided for
23 meetings of legislative committees.
24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the staff of senate and house education
25 committees shall provide staff support to the task force.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall hold its first meeting no later
27 than October 1, 2017, and shall meet thereafter at the call of the chairman.
28 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
29 its findings, including any recommendations for legislation or changes in policy, to the
30 president of the Senate and the speaker of the house no later than February 15, 2018.
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The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Cheryl Serrett.
DIGEST
SCR 110 Engrossed 2017 Regular Session Morrish
Creates a task force to study TOPS, including a review of the program's purpose and history,
the role of the program in relation to tuition and fees and financial aid programs, and ways
to ensure the program's long-term viability.
Provides that the task force be composed of 10 members as follows:
(1)The chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, who shall serve as the
chairman of the task force.
(2) The chairman of the House Committee on Education.
(3) Two members of the Senate, appointed by the chairman of the Senate Committee on
Education.
(4) Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the chairman of the
House Committee on Education.
(5) Two members of the Senate, appointed by the president of the Senate.
(6) Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the speaker of the
house.
Requires the task force submit a written report of findings and recommendations to the
Senate president and the speaker of the house by February 15, 2018.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to original bill
1. Changes "liability" to "viability".
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