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 511 Original 2019 Regular Session Abraham
Abstract: Creates the La. Cybersecurity Talent Initiative Fund for the purpose of funding degree
and certificate programs in cybersecurity fields and the Cybersecurity Education
Management Council to advise relative to the fund.
La. Cybersecurity Talent Initiative Fund
Proposed law creates the La. Cybersecurity Initiative Fund (fund) for the purpose of funding degree
and certificate programs in cybersecurity fields in order to meet workforce needs and provides the
following:
(1)Fund monies shall be appropriated to the Bd. of Regents to be distributed to public
postsecondary education institutions.
(2) Institutions shall use the funds for expansion of cybersecurity programs.
(3)Public postsecondary education management boards shall certify that a match of at least 25%
is guaranteed by a private entity.
(4) Fund monies shall not be included in the public postsecondary funding formula calculation
and are in addition to and shall not affect any state general fund allocations to institutions.
(5)The Bd. of Regents shall annually submit a report to certain legislative committees
containing specified information relative to the fund.
Cybersecurity Education Management Council
Proposed law creates the Cybersecurity Education Management Council (council) as a subcommittee
of the Bd. of Regents for the purpose of advising the board with respect to distributions from the
fund. Requires the council to:
(1) Establish proposal criteria, a review process, and a selection process for the distribution of
funds.
(2) Annually review and approve the list of degree and certificate programs upon which the
distribution is based and the final distribution amounts. Proposed law provides for council membership as follows:
(1) Two members appointed by the governor.
(2) The commissioner of higher education or his designee.
(3) A representative of the state Dept. of Education with expertise in science, technology,
engineering, and math education appointed by the state superintendent of education.
(4) The president of the La. Chemical Assoc. or his designee.
(5) The president of the La. State University System or his designee.
(6) The president of the Southern University System or his designee.
(7) The president of the University of La. System or his designee.
(8) The president of the La. Community and Technical College System or his designee.
(9) The secretary of the La. Workforce Commission or his designee.
(10) The secretary of the La. Dept. of Economic Development or his designee.
Proposed law further requires:
(1)A vacancy to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and members to elect
a chairman, vice chairman, and other officers as they deem necessary.
(2)Members to serve without compensation; they shall be reimbursed for actual expenses to the
extent that funds are made available.
(3) The council to meet at least monthly; special meetings shall be held on call of the chairman
or of a quorum of the members of the council.
(4) The council to be domiciled in Baton Rouge, but it may hold public meetings elsewhere.
(Adds R.S. 17:3138.9 and R.S. 36:651(G)(9))