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 37 Original 2020 Regular Session McMahen
Abstract: Provides that the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) award amount at
Northwest La. Technical Community College shall be the same as the award amount at other
technical community colleges.
Present law provides for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), a program of merit
scholarships awarded to students attending certain postsecondary education institutions who meet
certain academic and other qualifications. Present law fixes the award amount for a given institution
at the amount of the tuition charged by that institution during the 2016-17 academic year; therefore,
the award amount at Northwest La. Technical Community College, which was converted from a
technical college to a technical community college pursuant to Act No. 287 of the 2019 R.S., remains
fixed at the lower tuition amount it charged during that academic year.
Proposed law provides that the TOPS award amount for students at Northwest La. Technical
Community College shall be equal to the award amount for technical community colleges pursuant
to present law; in other words, proposed law increases this particular college's award amount to
match the amount set for its current peer institutions based on the tuition amount they charged in
2016-17.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 17:3233(Section heading); Adds R.S. 17:3233(E))