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 62 Engrossed 2019 Regular Session Steve Carter
Abstract: Provides for appropriations from the Education Excellence Fund for the Louisiana
Educational Television Authority, Thrive Academy and laboratory schools operated by
certain entities.
Present constitution provides for one-third of all monies received as a result of the Master Settlement
Agreement of tobacco litigation, which are deposited into the Millennium Trust, and one-third of the
investment earnings on such money to be credited to the Education Excellence Fund. Provides for
appropriations from the Education Excellence Fund as follows:
(1)15% shall be appropriated to the state superintendent of education for distribution to private
elementary and secondary schools approved by the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary
Education (BESE).
(2)Appropriations to the La. School for the Deaf, La. School for the Visually Impaired, La.
School for Math, Science & Arts, the La. Special Education Center, the New Orleans Center
for Creative Arts, and the Louis Armstrong High School for the Arts shall be $75,000 plus
the average per pupil amount paid to public schools.
(3)Appropriations equal to the average per pupil amount paid to public schools are authorized
for certain charter schools and alternative schools.
(4)All remaining monies shall be appropriated for each city, parish, and other local school
system on a pro rata basis based on the ratio of the student population of that school or
school system to that of the total state student population.
Present constitution restricts appropriations from the Education Excellence Fund for the purposes
of pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade instructional enhancement, including early childhood
education, remedial instruction, and assistance to children who fail tests required by state law or rule
for advancement to a succeeding grade, or other educational programs approved by the legislature.
Prohibits use of monies for maintenance, renovations and capital improvements, salary increases,
or to supplant other state or local funding. Requires each recipient school or school system to
prepare and submit to the Dept. of Education a prioritized plan for expenditure of funds it expects
to receive from the Education Excellence Fund. Provides that no funds may be distributed to a
school or school system until its plan has been approved by the department and by the legislature.
Present constitution requires that amounts appropriated from the Education Excellence Fund which remain in the state treasury shall remain to the credit of the recipient school or school system at the
close of each fiscal year, along with investment earnings on such amounts.
Proposed constitutional amendment adds that the La. Educational Television Authority shall receive
an appropriation of $75,000. Proposed constitutional amendment further adds that the Thrive
Academy shall receive an appropriation of $75,000 plus the average per pupil amount paid to public
schools. Authorizes appropriations for laboratory schools approved by BESE and operated by public
postsecondary education institutions equal to the average per pupil amount paid to public schools.
Proposed constitutional amendment changes the recipient of the Education Excellence Fund from
a school or school system to an entity.
Provides for submission of the proposed amendment to the voters at the statewide election to be held
Oct. 12, 2019.
(Amends Const. Art. VII, §10.8(C)(3)(b), (c), and (g); Repeals Const. Art. VII, §10.0(C)(3)(d))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Appropriations to the original
bill:
1. Add the La. Educational Television Authority as a recipient of the Education Excellence
Fund with an appropriation of $75,000 from the fund.
2. Change the recipient of the Education Excellence Fund from a school or school system
to an entity.