GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 62 2019 Regular Session Steve Carter
SCHOOLS: (Constitutional Amendment) Provides for appropriations from the
Education Excellence Fund for certain schools.
DIGEST
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.
Proposed constitutional amendment repeals the appropriation from the Education Excellence
Fund for the Louisiana Special Education Center in Alexandria.
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 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.
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Prepared by Linda Nugent. (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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the engrossed
bill
1. Repeals the appropriation from the Education Excellence Fund for the Louisiana
Special Education Center in Alexandria.
2. Deletes language providing that the Board of Regents approve laboratory schools.
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Prepared by Linda Nugent.