SLS 20RS-577 RE-REENGROSSED
2020 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 318
BY SENATORS CATHEY, ABRAHAM, BERNARD, CLOUD, CONNICK, FOIL,
MCMATH, MILLIGAN, ROBERT MILLS, MORRIS, REESE, SMITH,
WHITE AND WOMACK
TOPS. Provides for TOPS-Tech award eligibility for certain military veterans. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 17:5029(E), relative to the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students; to
3 provide for eligibility for certain military veterans to receive a TOPS-Tech Award;
4 to provide relative to eligibility requirements; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 17:5029(E) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 ยง5029. Alternative initial eligibility requirements
8 * * *
9 E.(1) Notwithstanding the initial eligibility requirements established by
10 this Chapter, effective for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 academic
11 years, an individual who was honorably discharged from a branch of the United
12 States Armed Forces from a military installation in Louisiana shall be eligible
13 to receive a TOPS-Tech Award, provided he meets all of the following
14 requirements:
15 (a) Had at least three years of military service prior to discharge.
16 (b) Is a citizen of the United States.
17 (c) Established Louisiana domicile within one year after discharge from
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 318
SLS 20RS-577 RE-REENGROSSED
1 military service, provided domicile was established on or after January 1, 2020.
2 (d) Earned a 17 or higher score on the ACT or an equivalent concordant
3 value on the SAT, or attained a silver level score or higher on the ACT
4 WorkKeys system of assessments.
5 (e) Enrolls in an eligible college or university within one year after
6 notification of eligibility for the award.
7 (2) An individual who is determined eligible for and receives a
8 TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Subsection shall be subject to all other
9 provisions of this Chapter relative to the award and the rules and regulations
10 adopted by the administering agency.
11 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
12 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
13 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
14 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
15 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument was prepared by Jeanne Johnston. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
SB 318 Re-Reengrossed 2020 Regular Session Cathey
Present law provides for Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) as a program of
merit scholarships for students attending certain postsecondary educational institutions who
meet specific initial eligibility requirements pertaining to grade point average (GPA), ACT
score, and core curriculum requirements and certain other qualifications. The initial award
eligibility for a TOPS-Tech Award requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on the core
curriculum and a minimum ACT score of 17 or attainment of a silver level score on the ACT
WorkKeys system of assessments. Present law further requires the recipient to be a La.
resident and a U.S. citizen, and generally requires the student to enroll in an eligible
postsecondary institution within one year of graduating from high school.
Proposed law provides for alternative initial eligibility requirements for veterans who were
honorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces from a military installation in
Louisiana as follows:
(1)Had at least three years of military service prior to discharge.
(2)Is a citizen of the United States.
(3)Established Louisiana domicile within one year after discharge from military service,
provided residency is established on or after January 1, 2020.
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(4)Earned a 17 or higher score on the ACT or an equivalent concordant value on the
SAT, or attained a silver level score or higher on the ACT WorkKeys system of
assessments.
(5)Enrolls in an eligible college or university within one year after notification of
eligibility for the award.
Present law limits the duration of a student's tuition payment to two years for a TOPS-Tech
Award. Requires that students meet certain requirements during these time frames in order
to maintain continued eligibility. Such requirements include but are not limited to:
(1)Making steady academic progress while earning enough credits to maintain full-time
status.
(2)Maintaining a minimum required grade point average, depending on the type of
award received.
(3)Having no criminal conviction, except for misdemeanor traffic violations.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law applies to the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023 academic years.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:5029(E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Education to the
original bill
1. Removes repayment provisions.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the
engrossed bill
1. Makes effective only for the 2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023
academic years.
2. Requires the individual to be honorably discharged from a military
installation in Louisiana.
3. Requires residency to be established on or after January 1, 2020.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to re-reengrossed bill
1. Changed eligibility requirement from establishing "residency" to establishing
"domicile" in Louisiana.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.