2020 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 318
BY SENATORS CATHEY, ABRAHAM, BERNARD, CARTER, CLOUD, CONNICK,
FIELDS, FOIL, MCMATH, MILLIGAN, ROBERT MILLS, MORRIS,
REESE, SMITH, WHITE AND WOMACK AND REPRESENTATIVES
ADAMS, AMEDEE, BACALA, BAGLEY, BEAULLIEU,
BOURRIAQUE, BRASS, BROWN, BRYANT, BUTLER,
CARPENTER, CARRIER, GARY CARTER, ROBBY CARTER,
WILFORD CARTER, CORMIER, COUSSAN, COX, CREWS,
DESHOTEL, DUBUISSON, DUPLESSIS, DWIGHT, ECHOLS,
EDMONDS, EDMONSTON, EMERSON, FARNUM, FIRMENT,
FONTENOT, FREEMAN, FREIBERG, FRIEMAN, GADBERRY,
GREEN, HARRIS, HILFERTY, HOLLIS, HORTON, HUGHES, ILLG,
JEFFERSON, JENKINS, MIKE JOHNSON, TRAVIS JOHNSON,
JONES, KERNER, LANDRY, LARVADAIN, LYONS, MACK,
MARCELLE, MARINO, MCCORMICK, MCFARLAND, MCKNIGHT,
MCMAHEN, DUSTIN MILLER, MINCEY, MOORE, MUSCARELLO,
NELSON, NEWELL, CHARLES OWEN, ROBERT OWEN, PIERRE,
PRESSLY, RISER, SCHAMERHORN, SEABAUGH, SELDERS, ST.
BLANC, STAGNI, STEFANSKI, THOMPSON, TURNER, VILLIO,
WHEAT, WILLARD, WRIGHT AND ZERINGUE
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.
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 318 ENROLLED
1 (c) Established Louisiana domicile within one year after discharge from
2 military service, provided domicile was established on or after January 1, 2020.
3 (d) Earned a 17 or higher score on the ACT or an equivalent concordant
4 value on the SAT, or attained a silver level score or higher on the ACT
5 WorkKeys system of assessments.
6 (e) Enrolls in an eligible college or university within one year after
7 notification of eligibility for the award.
8 (2) An individual who is determined eligible for and receives a
9 TOPS-Tech Award pursuant to this Subsection shall be subject to all other
10 provisions of this Chapter relative to the award and the rules and regulations
11 adopted by the administering agency.
12 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
13 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
14 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
15 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
16 effective on the day following such approval.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.